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 main trade goods of Malabar ports. The Malabar coast, especially the ports of modern Kerala, was renowned in long-distance trade for black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon and ginger. The History page of the Kozhikode District Website states that Kozhikode, also known as Calicut, was called the "City of Spices" because it was a major trading point for eastern spices. For more than 500 years, Kozhikode traded spices such as black pepper and cardamom with Jews, Arabs, Phoenicians and Chinese. Ports such as Calicut, Cochin and Quilon also 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.