ECONOMIC CONDITIONS

ECONOMIC CONDITIONS

The chief sources of India's wealth were agriculture, tracL and commerce. The sultans were alive to the importana of agriculture and most of them promoted it by providin! facilities such as irrigation. The agricultural production Wa! surplus which made the necessities of life cheap. There Was widespread commerce, both internal and external. BengaJ was the main centre for trade with China and South-easi Asia. The Sultans also encouraged various industries such as silk-weaving and manufacture of golden tissues. India's imports were horses and luxury items. The balance of trade was always in India's favour. India now had contact with Europe also. Ports along the east coast of Africa provided an additional market.