Context:
An article | Journey of Spices in India
Spices in India:
- Origins of Indian Spices – Mainly dated back to the ancient Indus Valley Civilization.
- Historical usage – Culinary and medicinal purposes
- India’s spice trade began around 2000 BCE, shaping world history and contributing to the economy.
- India’s geography and climate provide ideal conditions for growing various spices.
- Current Global Position:
- India – World’s largest producer, consumer, and exporter of spices.
- Significance –
- Used for flavor in food
- Have medicinal properties – Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties, aids digestion etc.
- Spices balance doshas (which cause problems in body) in Ayurvedic medicine
- Traditions –
- The ‘Masala Box’ or ‘Namakdani’ – Spices storage tradition of India
- Trade Routes –
- India’s strategic location on ancient trade routes, including the Silk Road, facilitated spice exchange with other civilizations.
- Highly sought-after spices like black pepper, cardamom, and cinnamon contributed to India’s economic prosperity.
Influence by Foreign countries:
- Arabs and Persians – Disseminates Indian spices to the West.
- European Spice Trade –
- In the 15th century, European powers, particularly the Portuguese, Dutch, and later the British, sought direct access to India’s spice-producing regions.
- Exploration and establishment of maritime trade routes during this period contributed to the Age of Exploration.
- British East India Company – Monopolizing the spice trade during the colonial period.
- Control over production, distribution, and trade routes impacted the livelihoods of local spice farmers.
Source: The Daily Guardian
Previous year Question
The staple commodities of export by the English East India Company from Bengal in the middle of the 18th century were:
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2018 Prelims]
(a) Raw cotton, oil-seeds and opium
(b) Sugar, salt, zinc and lead
(c) Copper, silver, gold, spices and tea
(d) Cotton, silk, saltpetre and opium
Answer: (d)
