UPSC Prelims 1999 · General Studies

Question 23: History and Culture

Which one of the following ports handled the north Indian trade during the Gupta period?

aTamralipti

bBroach

cKalyan

dCambray

AnswerThe answer is (a).

Tamralipti (modern Tamluk, in Bengal) was the great port of the eastern coast in the Gupta period. Goods from the Ganga plains came down the river to it and went by sea to Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka and China. Broach (Bharuch), Kalyan and Cambay (Khambhat) were ports of the western coast. Remember: north Indian trade used the Ganga route to reach Tamralipti.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Right. Tamralipti, at the mouth of the Ganga system, served north Indian trade.
(b) Wrong. Broach was a western-coast port serving the western trade.
(c) Wrong. Kalyan was also a western-coast port.
(d) Wrong. Cambay was a western-coast port in Gujarat.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1999, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.