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PYQ 1200 Q/A Part - 1
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Kerala PSC Indian History Book Study Materials Page 103
Book's First PageThere is ample literary as well as archaeological evidence of trade links between the Sumerian and Indus people. The Sumerian texts refer to trade relations with ‘Meluha’ which was the ancient name given to the Indus region, and they also speak of two intermediate stations called ‘Dilmun’ (identified with Bahrain) and Makan (Makran coast). Discovery of many Indus seals in Mesopotamia and evidence of imitation by the Harappans of some cosmetics used by the Sumerians suggest that some of the Harappan merchants must have visited and resided in Mesopotamia. About two dozen Indus type seals were also discovered from different cities of Mesopotamia like Ur, Kish, Susa, Lagash and Tell Asmar. Reciprocal evidence comes from the Indus cities also—discovery of three cylinder seals of Mesopotamian type, a number of metal objects of Mesopotamian origin and the pot-stone fragment of a hut-pot at Mohenjodaro; discovery of a circular button seal (which belongs to a class of ‘Persian Gulf seals’), several bun-shaped copper ingots of Mesopotamian origin and the ‘reserved slip ware’ of the Mesopotamian type at Lothal; discovery of the ‘reserved slip ware’ at Harappa also–all these provide conclusive proof of trade links between the two people. There is absolutely no idea about their currency. All exchanges were probably carried on through barter. Trade was carried on by overland as well as overseas transport. Bullock carts (evident from terracotta models) and pack-oxen were employed for land transport. There is evidence of sea and river transport by ships and boats in several seals and terracotta models, apart from the dockyard at Lothal. Several representations of ships are found on seals of Harappa and Mohenjodaro and a terracotta model of a ship, with a stick-impressed socket for the mast and eyeholes for fixing rigging, comes from Lothal. Of the inland travel on the plains there is plentiful evidence from terracotta models of bullock-carts. From Harappa and Chanhudaro come copper or bronze models of carts with seated drivers and also nearly identical models of little carts of the modem ikka or ekka type, still common in the Punjab. These have a framed canopy over the body in which the passenger sits. For longer