RAS question
The Malabar coast ports were famous for the trade of:
Correct answer: (D) Pepper and spices.
The Malabar coast ports were famous for the trade of pepper and spices.
Explanation
Pepper and spices were the key trade goods because the Malabar coast, especially modern Kerala's port world, was known in long-distance trade for black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon and ginger. Kozhikode District Website, History describes Kozhikode, also known as Calicut, as a city on the Malabar coast that was called the "City of Spices" because of its role as a major trading point of eastern spices. Kozhikode traded in spices such as black pepper and cardamom with Jews, Arabs, Phoenicians and Chinese for more than 500 years. Ports like Calicut, Cochin and Quilon attracted Arab, Chinese and later European traders for the spice trade.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Horses were not the defining Malabar port commodity; the Malabar port economy was known for spices, not horse trade.
- (B) Salt was not the defining commodity here; Kozhikode and the Malabar coast were tied to eastern spices, especially black pepper and cardamom.
- (C) Iron and steel were not the defining Malabar port commodities; Malabar ports were known for the spice trade.
Concept
Ancient and medieval Indian overseas trade included strong commodity specialisation at western coastal ports. RAS frequently connects port-city trade links with geography, economic history and European arrival on the Malabar coast.