Hampi Masulipatnam and Surat

A closer look : Hampi, Mauslipatnam and Surat:

The architectural Splendour of Hampi. Hampi is located in the Krishna- Tungabhadra basin,which formed the nucleus of the Vijayanagara empire, founded in 1336. the magnificent ruins at hampi reveal a well- fortified city. No mortar or cementing agent was used in the construction of these walls and the technique followed was to wedge them together by interlocking. The architecture of Hampi was distinctive. The buildings in the royal complex had splendid arches, domes and pillared halls with niches for holding sculptures. They also had well- planned orchards and pleasures gardens with a sculptural motifs such as the lotus and corbels. In its heyday in the fifteenth- sixteenth centuries, Hampi bustled with commercial and cultural activities.

Moors ( a name used collectively for Muslim merchants), Chettis and agents of Portuguese, thronged the markets of Hampi. Temples were the hub of cultural activities and Devadasis (temple dancers) performed before the deity, royalty and masses in the many- pillared halls in the Virupaksha ( a form of Shiva) temple. The Mahanavami festival, known today as Navaratri in the south, was one of the most important festivals celebrated at hampi. Archaeologists have found the Mahanavami platform where the king received guests and accepted tribute from subordinate chiefs. From here he also watched dance and music performances as well as wrestling bouts.

Hampi fell into ruin following the defeat of Vijayanagara in 1565 by the Deccani sultans – the rullers of Golconda, Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, Berar and Bidar.  

Masulipatnam

Mauslipatnam , one of the important port cities on the Coromandel Coast was prosperous trade center from the 14th century CE. This Town was a small port during the rule of the Satavahanas (3rd century BCE) , When the Romans came to India to trade . Around the 6th century CE, the Arabs came around the southern tip of India into the Bay of Bengal and set up their trading base at Mauslipatnam. Through the 15th and 16th centuries ce, Mauslipatnam was the major port of the Golkanda Kingdom ,which was part of the Bahamani empire.

The English established their first trading centre on the eastern coast of Indian art Mauslipatnam in 1611 CE, later the Dutch and the French also carried on trade from there .The chief items of exports were textiles , woven carpets ,fish and rice.

Mauslipatnam was famous for Kalamki cloth which got its name from the Kalam , the pen -like tool used to draw designs on the cloth.Vegetable or mineral dyes were used to colour the cloth.Kalamkari cloth was much sought after by the Mughals and the Europeans. It was widely exported.

However,over time the exorbitant demands made by the local officials made it difficult for traders to carry on their business.Moreover,places further south were able to supply items at a cheaper rate. Traders began to move southwards and Mauslipatnam steadily lost its Temple.

SURAT

Surat is a port city located on the left bank of the Tapti River , in the present day state of Gujarat. Described by French writer Abbe Reynal as a "mean hamlet before the 13th century CE ,Surat went on to become one of the leading cities of trade and commerce during the rule of the Mughals .After Bengal and Gujarat were captured by the Mughals ,Surat.came under their control in 1573 CE.

Till the 15th century ,Cambay was the the major port of Gujarat .However,Camby's harbour started silting up the end of the 15th century CE and Surat grew in importance .Soon it grew to be the main commercial city of the Mughal Empire and the center of their economic prosperity.

From Surat , merchants traded with the countries of the Persian Gulf,Arabia and Africa.The Chief commodities exported from Surat were cotton and Silk Fabrics ,which were highly sought after in the west .The gold zari work done here, called Surat Zari ,was much in demand all over the world. The other important items of export from Surat  were spices ,Saltpetre, indigo,weapons and jewellery.

The Prtuguese came to Surat in the 15th century CE to trade. By the 16th Century CE, they practically controlled trade from surat.However, in 1608 CE, The British challenged the might of the Portuguese and, in 1612 CE, defeated them. They received a royal firman in 1613 CE to establish their first Factory in Surat .Surat became the seat of the presidency of the British East India Company.

But the importance of Surat started declining after 1668 CE, When the Britisher set up their second Factory at Bombay .Bombay soon replaced Surat as the seat of the presidency of the British East India Company. Surat was also repeatedly attacked by the Marathas and much of its wealth taken away.