Question

Which of the following was/were the domestic trade route/s in ancient India?
A) Northern Route
B) Southern Route
C) Both A and B
D) Western Route

Answer 1

Hint:
i) A trade route is a logistical network that consists of a number of roads and stoppages used for commercial goods transportation. A single trade route has long-distance arteries that may be connected to smaller networks of commercial and noncommercial transit routes, allowing commodities to reach distant markets.
ii) The Amber Road was a well-known trading route that provided a reliable network for long-distance trade. Maritime trade along the Spice Route grew in importance during the Middle Ages when nations used military measures to gain control of this important trade route.

Complete answer:
Beginning in the third century BCE, the Indian Ocean trade routes connected Southeast Asia, India, Arabia, and East Africa. All of those areas, as well as East Asia, were connected by this large international network of roads. The ancient paths are divided into three categories: Mahapatra, Vanikpatha, and Rajapatha. Magadha was the national highway that connected India's four corners. Mahapatra is also known as Mahamarga. We can map out the major commerce routes, such as national highways.

Let us now consider each option:
A) Northern Route: Uttarapatha or the Northern Route is the term given to the northern section of Jambudvipa, one of the "continents" in Hindu history, in ancient Buddhist and Hindu literature. The northern route ran from Tamrapalli in Bengal to Hastinapur in Uttar Pradesh, passing through Patliputra, Vaishali, Kushinagar, and Shravasti. There are historic references to a commercial relationship between the Uttarapatha countries and the states of East India. According to ancient Pali literature, merchants from the Uttarapatha nations participated in international trade along the well-known Kamboja-Dvaravati Caravan Route. Thus, this can be the right answer, but considering other given choices, this is an incorrect option.

B) Southern Route: The Southern Route, also known as Dakshinapatha, is a significant historical region that is an ancient analogue of modern-day South India or the Deccan plateau, and may be referred to as the "Ancient South of the Indian Subcontinent" below Uttarapatha. Dravida, Simhala, the Kollam region, and the Maldives are all included in the phrase. Or it could be a kingdom on the Godavari River in southern India, or the "great southern highway" in India, which runs from Magadha to Pratishthana. The Southern Route was divided into two directions. Paithan, Maharashtra, on the banks of the Godavari, was one direction, while Bihar was the other. The alternative route in South India followed the coastline. Thus, this option is true, but there can be multiple correct options. Hence, we cannot conclude this option is the correct one. Hence, this is an incorrect option.

C) Both A and B: From options A) and B), we can conclude that Northern Route and Southern Route were two major trade routes of Ancient India. Thus, this is the correct option.

D) Western Route: Demarest and Fahsen adopted the phrase "Great Western Trade Route'' to describe the route connecting the Maya highlands and lowlands via the Salama Valley, Coban, and the Pasion kingdoms. Thus, it's not the domestic trade route of ancient India. Thus, it's an incorrect option.

Thus the correct answer is option ‘C’.

Note: The Northern Route and the Southern Route were India's two domestic trading routes. The Northern route began in Tamralipti, Bengal, and ended in Hastinapur, Uttar Pradesh. The Southern Way was the name given to the country south of the Vindhyachal hills in ancient times. There were two directions on the Southern Route. Paithan on the banks of the Godavari in Maharashtra was one direction, and locations in Bihar were the other. In South India, the alternative path followed the shore.