Abstract :
Trade and industrial activities have been the mainstay of historical studies across various periods
of Indian history. This can be traced from ancient periods to colonial times. As Banaras is one of
the veritable cities of Indian culture, its society and development continues to attract a great deal
of attention from historians cutting across its timeframes since it enjoys a mythological and
cosmic popularity for religious and pilgrimage purposes. The history of the city can be traced
from as early as the beginning of the Janapada time till today as it has the vibrant culture, society
and living tradition. The Islamic religion had reached Banaras as early as the 11th century as per
the existing historical sources. In due course of time, this city became a nodal centre for trade and
economic activities between eastern and western parts of India paving the way for major
activities cutting across culture and society.
Many works have been done on Banaras such as „Kashi Ka Itihasa? (1962) by Moti
Chandra, a special chapter on Varanasi Silk in „Silk Brocades? (2003) by Yashodhara Agrawal,
„Textiles of Banaras: yesterday and today? (2010) by Tarannum Fatma Lari, „Banaras in
Transition? (2012) by K. P. Mishra, and „Woven textiles of Varanasi? (2014) by Jaya Jaitly.
These works only focus on political history, textile technique and the process of fabric making of
present day and trading activities in the eighteenth century; but trading position, textiles and other
industrial activities of Banaras during the sultanate and the great Mughal are not placed. So, the
present study tries to make an attempt to trace its development from the extension of trade and
economic activities to the emergence of Banaras as a major city of culture and social activities.
The focus will be mainly on the period between the thirteenth and seventeenth centuries which
have not yet been adequately covered, and this is an initial attempt through which try to unfold
some of the major historical transformation which occurred in medieval Banaras by using various
historical evidences. The development of textile activities with its embroidery and production of
copper pots, dishes, basins and the exchange of various agrarian goods will invariably become
part of the present research. It also sees how Banaras became a central and major entrepot in
India. Besides, the emergence of business activities and social networks, the region witnessed a
range of multifarious activities covering all walks of life.
Keyword :
Trade routes, entrepot, weaving, silk and cotton textiles and small industries.