The Mughal Empire (1526–1857) was one of the wealthiest and most powerful empires in history, with an extensive network of trade routes that connected India to global markets. These routes played a crucial role in economic prosperity, facilitating the movement of goods, people, and ideas across regions. A map of these trade routes would highlight the major roads, ports, and cities that served as commercial hubs during Mughal rule.

Major Trade Routes

The Mughal Empire’s trade routes were strategically aligned with ancient trade networks like the Silk Road, Grand Trunk Road, and Maritime routes in the Indian Ocean. These routes connected India to Persia, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

1. Grand Trunk Road (GT Road):

   • One of the oldest and most important trade routes, extending from Bengal (modern-day Bangladesh) to Kabul (Afghanistan).
   • Key cities along this route: Delhi, Agra, Lahore, and Peshawar.
   • Facilitated the movement of textiles, spices, and precious metals.

2. Maritime Trade Routes:

   • Coastal trade routes connected major ports like Surat, Masulipatnam, and Calicut to the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, and Southeast Asia.
   • Ships transported spices, cotton, indigo, and silk to European and Middle Eastern markets.
   • The Portuguese, Dutch, and British traders competed for control over these maritime trade networks.

3. North-South Trade Routes:

   • Connected the Deccan region (modern-day Maharashtra, Karnataka) with North India.
   • Major trade centers: Burhanpur, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad.
   • Traded textiles, pearls, and diamonds from Golconda mines.

Key Commercial Centers

Several cities flourished as commercial hubs due to their location on these trade routes:

• Delhi & Agra: Political and economic centers, exporting fine textiles and jewelry.
• Lahore: Linked India with Central Asia, known for its woolen goods.
• Surat: A major port in Gujarat, known for trading with Europe and the Middle East.
• Masulipatnam & Calicut: Important for maritime trade, especially in spices.

Impact on the Economy

The extensive trade network contributed to the economic prosperity of the Mughal Empire, generating revenue through taxes and customs duties. The empire’s control over major trade routes allowed it to monopolize key goods like textiles, spices, and gems.

A well-designed map of the Mughal Empire’s trade routes would visually depict these roads, ports, and cities, illustrating how the empire thrived as a global trading power.