INDIAN MERCHANTS AS DEPICTED IN THE 17TH CENTURY EUROPEAN TRAVELOGUES

Abstract

Merchants and mercantile communities have been an important part of the Indian commercial economy since ancient times. Wealthy and resourceful merchants were a characteristic feature of the Indian economy during the Mughal period as well. They easily caught the attention of the foreigners who visited India. In this paper a mild attempt has been made to explore the world of the Indian Bania through the lens of the European sources. The paper not only highlights the commercial aspects and activities of the Bania’s  and their arithmetic skills for which they were famous throughout the commercial world but also looks at some of the other important aspects of the Bani’a life as well. There is a brief discussion about the philanthropic activities of the Bania’s. The paper also provides a concise discussion about the position of the Bania’s in the prevailing social structure of India. We also get a sketchy idea about the contemporary European view about the Indian society and economy.