The volume is concerned with the patterns, direction and control of ancient Indian trade before the European invasion of the Indian subcontinent. It looks into India's trade relations with other regions/lands stressing on aspects such as maritime trade, trade routes especially those in the region of Bengal, South Indian trade, sea trade of Odisha, North East Indian trade and Indian trade with the Middle East and the Romans as well as ties of ancient Africa and India. It takes up the nature of the goods traded, the link between crafts and trade in India, market centres and merchants, and media of exchange. It importantly discusses the trade in silk and the significance of the Silk Route focusing on the Indian silk trade.