MARITIME BHARAT – WEST BENGAL

Tamralipta in West Bengal was a significant port city in ancient and early medieval India

From ancient trade routes to modern commercial shipping, West Bengal’s maritime history is a remarkable saga of transformation, reflecting the region’s vital role in the growth and development of India’s maritime sector.
West Bengal, located on the eastern bottlenose of India, has a significant maritime history dating back to ancient times. The region has long been a center of maritime trade due to its proximity to the sea and rivers, making it an easy conduit to various parts of the globe.
The ancient port cities of Tamralipta and Saptagram in West Bengal were key to India’s overseas trade, with evidence of maritime links with Southeast Asia, Rome, and China. Seafaring merchants, known as Sadhabas, embarked on expeditions to Bali, Java, Sumatra, Borneo, and Sri Lanka, which led to rich exchange of cultural and intellectual ideas.
Tamralipta, also known as Tamluk, was a significant port city in ancient and early medieval India. Located in the current Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal, Tamralipta was along the Bay of Bengal and was a significant intersection for maritime trade with Southeast Asia. It’s mentioned in various early Indian scripts and texts, like Mahabharata and Jataka tales, where its importance as a prosperous trade center is highlighted.
Saptagram was another crucial port and commercial center known for its marketplace during the middle-ages. Located on the banks of the Hooghly River, it was at one point the most important port in Bengal. It was especially noteworthy for its trade in cotton and silk textiles, saltpeter, and grains.
Before the British colonial period, the city of Saptagram had seven flourishing markets, hence the name – “Seven Villages.” The city gradually lost its commercial importance due to the shift of the Hooghly river’s course. Consequently, the port was shifted to Haldia, and Saptagram, once a prosperous city, is today a collection of small villages.
Both cities played considerable roles in the ancient and medieval maritime trade of the region and shaped the cultural and economic landscape of their time.
In the colonial era, after the establishment of the East India Company, the region’s maritime history underwent a major transformation. Calcutta (now Kolkata), the capital of British India, became a crucial port and shipbuilding center.
In the post-independence era, West Bengal’s maritime sector continues to thrive with Haldia and Kolkata ports playing significant roles in India’s shipping industry. They are key to trade, but they also bear witness to centuries of maritime history in the region.
-Marex Media