The early medieval period of India was a time of political and cultural creativity.

The establishment of regional and local kingdoms, the growth of regional culture, and the new agrarian setup coincided with the rapid development of commodity production and the manufacturing of goods by hand.

This made India renowned as a land of fabulous wealth and elegance.

This reputation attracted people to the subcontinent, which further fueled the vitality of commerce both within and beyond South Asia.

Overseas maritime trade led to the interaction of Indian merchants with the rest of the world.

Indian merchants traveled widely, leaving their cultural footprints wherever they went.

In return, they brought ideas, impressions, customs, and traditions from distant lands back to India.

The transmission of Indian culture, particularly to Central Asia, China, Japan, and Southeast Asia, is one of the greatest achievements of Indian history.

Indian culture spread without military conquest, unlike other civilizations such as the Hellenic.

Although these regions were influenced by Indian culture, they remained integral parts of their own histories.

The chapter focuses on various aspects of trade and commerce in the early medieval period and their impact on the growth of Indian culture.

Trade and commerce were vital components of the Indian economy during the early medieval centuries.

Key factors such as the use of money, the functioning of the market, the role of agricultural production, and the conditions of urban settlements were interconnected developments.