Comprehension
Read the given source carefully and answer the questions that
follow :
How Silver Came to India:
This excerpt from Giovanni Careri’s account (based on Bernier’s account) gives an idea of the enormous amount of wealth that found its way into the Mughal Empire :
That the Reader may form some idea of the Wealth of this (Mughal) Empire, he is to observe that all the Gold and Silver, which circulates throughout the World at last Centres here. It is well known that as much of it comes out of America, after running through several Kingdoms of Europe, goes partly into Turky (Turkey), for several sorts of Commodities; and part into Persia, by the way of Smirna for Silk. Now the Turks not being able to abstain from Coffee, which comes from Hyeman (Oman), and Arabia ... nor Persia, Arabia, and the Turks themselves to go without the commodities of India, send vast quantities of Mony (money) to Moka (Mocha) on the Red Sea, near Babel Mandel; to Bassora (Basra) at the bottom of the Persian Gulgh (Gulf); ... which is afterwards sent over in Ships to Indostan (Hindustan). Besides the Indian, Dutch, English, and Portuguese Ships, that every Year carry the Commodities of Indostan to Pegu, Tanasserri (parts of Myanmar), Siam (Thailand), Ceylon (Sri Lanka) ... the Maldive Islands, Mozambique and other Places, must of necessity convey much Gold and Silver thither, from those Countries. All that the Dutch fetch from the Mines in Japan, sooner or later, goes to Indostan; and the goods carry’d hence into Europe, whether to France, England, or Portugal, are all purchas’d for ready Mony, which remains there.
How Silver Came to India:
This excerpt from Giovanni Careri’s account (based on Bernier’s account) gives an idea of the enormous amount of wealth that found its way into the Mughal Empire :
That the Reader may form some idea of the Wealth of this (Mughal) Empire, he is to observe that all the Gold and Silver, which circulates throughout the World at last Centres here. It is well known that as much of it comes out of America, after running through several Kingdoms of Europe, goes partly into Turky (Turkey), for several sorts of Commodities; and part into Persia, by the way of Smirna for Silk. Now the Turks not being able to abstain from Coffee, which comes from Hyeman (Oman), and Arabia ... nor Persia, Arabia, and the Turks themselves to go without the commodities of India, send vast quantities of Mony (money) to Moka (Mocha) on the Red Sea, near Babel Mandel; to Bassora (Basra) at the bottom of the Persian Gulgh (Gulf); ... which is afterwards sent over in Ships to Indostan (Hindustan). Besides the Indian, Dutch, English, and Portuguese Ships, that every Year carry the Commodities of Indostan to Pegu, Tanasserri (parts of Myanmar), Siam (Thailand), Ceylon (Sri Lanka) ... the Maldive Islands, Mozambique and other Places, must of necessity convey much Gold and Silver thither, from those Countries. All that the Dutch fetch from the Mines in Japan, sooner or later, goes to Indostan; and the goods carry’d hence into Europe, whether to France, England, or Portugal, are all purchas’d for ready Mony, which remains there.
Question: 1
How did silver and gold from America reach India ?
How did silver and gold from America reach India ?
Show Hint
India was known as the 'sink' of the world's precious metals.
European, Turkish, and Persian trade all eventually led bullion to the Indian coast.
Updated On: Sep 9, 2026
Show Solution
Verified By Collegedunia
Solution and Explanation
Concept:
• The 17th century saw a truly global economic network where precious metals from the New World (America) eventually settled in the Old World (India).
• India was the ultimate destination of global bullion because of its high-demand manufacturing exports.
Step 1: Initial movement from America to Europe
The process began in the Spanish colonies of America, where silver and gold were mined.
This bullion was then transported to the various kingdoms of Europe through the Atlantic trade routes.
Step 2: Transfer through West Asia
From Europe, the precious metals moved eastwards to purchase commodities.
Some went to Turkey for various goods and some to Persia to buy silk via the city of Smyrna.
Eventually, the Turks and Persians used this money to buy Indian commodities at Red Sea ports like Mocha, from where it was finally shipped to 'Indostan' (India).
• The 17th century saw a truly global economic network where precious metals from the New World (America) eventually settled in the Old World (India).
• India was the ultimate destination of global bullion because of its high-demand manufacturing exports.
Step 1: Initial movement from America to Europe
The process began in the Spanish colonies of America, where silver and gold were mined.
This bullion was then transported to the various kingdoms of Europe through the Atlantic trade routes.
Step 2: Transfer through West Asia
From Europe, the precious metals moved eastwards to purchase commodities.
Some went to Turkey for various goods and some to Persia to buy silk via the city of Smyrna.
Eventually, the Turks and Persians used this money to buy Indian commodities at Red Sea ports like Mocha, from where it was finally shipped to 'Indostan' (India).
Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Question: 2
How did ships contribute to the flow of silver and gold to India?
How did ships contribute to the flow of silver and gold to India?
Show Hint
Trade was heavily in India's favor during the 17th century.
Precious metals were the main 'imports' of India in exchange for its manufactured goods.
Updated On: Sep 9, 2026
Show Solution
Verified By Collegedunia
Solution and Explanation
Concept:
• Maritime trade was the engine of the Mughal economy, with India acting as a major global exporter.
• Ships acted as the physical conduits for the exchange of Indian finished goods for foreign bullion.
Step 1: Exporting Indian commodities
Ships belonging to Indians, as well as the Dutch, English, and Portuguese, carried Indian commodities like textiles and spices to far-off markets.
These destinations included Pegu, Tenasserim (Southeast Asia), the Maldives, and Mozambique in Africa.
Step 2: The necessary return of precious metals
Since these foreign markets did not have goods that were in equal demand in India, they had to pay for Indian commodities in cash.
Therefore, these ships "of necessity" had to carry back vast quantities of gold and silver to India to balance the trade, thus increasing the country's wealth.
• Maritime trade was the engine of the Mughal economy, with India acting as a major global exporter.
• Ships acted as the physical conduits for the exchange of Indian finished goods for foreign bullion.
Step 1: Exporting Indian commodities
Ships belonging to Indians, as well as the Dutch, English, and Portuguese, carried Indian commodities like textiles and spices to far-off markets.
These destinations included Pegu, Tenasserim (Southeast Asia), the Maldives, and Mozambique in Africa.
Step 2: The necessary return of precious metals
Since these foreign markets did not have goods that were in equal demand in India, they had to pay for Indian commodities in cash.
Therefore, these ships "of necessity" had to carry back vast quantities of gold and silver to India to balance the trade, thus increasing the country's wealth.
Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Question: 3
How did India benefit from global trade networks in the 17th century?
How did India benefit from global trade networks in the 17th century?
Show Hint
Mughal India was one of the richest regions in the world due to this trade surplus.
The inflow of silver allowed the Mughals to issue a stable currency (the rupee).
Updated On: Sep 9, 2026
Show Solution
Verified By Collegedunia
Solution and Explanation
Concept:
• India's central position in the Indian Ocean trade networks made it extremely prosperous during the Mughal era.
• The influx of global currency supported the monetization of the economy and the grandeur of the Mughal state.
Step 1: Accumulation of global wealth
India benefited by attracting precious metals from every corner of the world, including silver from the Americas and gold from Japan.
The text notes that all the wealth fetched by the Dutch from Japanese mines eventually "goes to Indostan."
Step 2: Retention of 'Ready Money'
Because Indian goods were highly valued in France, England, and Portugal, they were purchased for "ready money" (gold and silver coins).
Crucially, this money "remains there" (in India), leading to an enormous concentration of wealth that funded architectural marvels and supported a vibrant artisan economy.
• India's central position in the Indian Ocean trade networks made it extremely prosperous during the Mughal era.
• The influx of global currency supported the monetization of the economy and the grandeur of the Mughal state.
Step 1: Accumulation of global wealth
India benefited by attracting precious metals from every corner of the world, including silver from the Americas and gold from Japan.
The text notes that all the wealth fetched by the Dutch from Japanese mines eventually "goes to Indostan."
Step 2: Retention of 'Ready Money'
Because Indian goods were highly valued in France, England, and Portugal, they were purchased for "ready money" (gold and silver coins).
Crucially, this money "remains there" (in India), leading to an enormous concentration of wealth that funded architectural marvels and supported a vibrant artisan economy.
Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Top CBSE CLASS XII Questions
- 2, b, c are in A.P. and the range of determinant $\begin{vmatrix}1&1&1\\ 2&b&c\\ 4&b^{2}&c^{2}\end{vmatrix}$ is [2, 16]. Then find range of c is
- A boy of mass 50 kg is standing at one end of a, boat of length 9 m and mass 400 kg. He runs to the other, end. The distance through which the centre of mass of the boat boy system moves is
- A capillary tube of radius r is dipped inside a large vessel of water. The mass of water raised above water level is M. If the radius of capillary is doubled, the mass of water inside capillary will be
- A circular disc is rotating about its own axis. An external opposing torque 0.02 Nm is applied on the disc by which it comes rest in 5 seconds. The initial angular momentum of disc is
- A circular disc is rotating about its own axis at uniform angular velocity \(\omega.\) The disc is subjected to uniform angular retardation by which its angular velocity is decreased to \(\frac {\omega}{2}\) during 120 rotations. The number of rotations further made by it before coming to rest is
View More Questions