Harappan Trade & Commerce | History Optional UPSC | Organisation, Evidence & Interpretation

In this lecture, we analyse Harappan Trade and Commerce from a UPSC History Optional perspective, moving beyond descriptive lists of routes and ports to examine trade as a well-organised economic system.

This session focuses on how archaeological evidence—such as seals, standardized weights and measures, craft specialisation, urban centres, and long-distance exchange networks—helps us reconstruct the structure, scale, and organisation of Harappan trade.

Rather than treating trade as mere exchange, this lecture explains how Harappan commerce reflects:

Economic integration across regions

Surplus-driven production

Administrative control and regulation

Links between crafts, trade, and urbanism

The lecture is designed strictly for UPSC History Optional aspirants and aims at answer enrichment, analytical clarity, and exam-oriented interpretation.

📚 Topics Covered:

Internal trade and regional exchange networks

External trade with Mesopotamia and West Asia

Role of seals, weights, and standardisation

Craft specialisation and surplus production

Trade centres and urban planning

Was Harappan trade state-regulated? (Debates & interpretations)

How to structure a high-scoring UPSC Mains answer

This lecture is part of the Ancient Indian History – History Optional Series, and should be used alongside note-making and PYQ analysis.

🎯 Who Should Watch This?

UPSC History Optional aspirants

Students preparing for Ancient Indian History (Mains level)

Aspirants aiming to improve analytical depth and interpretation

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