Trade and Economy in the Brahmaputra Valley during Colonial Period

Abstract

This paper aims to explore how the Agro-economic condition of the region helps to promote trade in the Brahmaputra region during the Colonial period. It also studies the geological advantage and agricultural production of the Brahmaputra valley that played a vital role in promoting trade and commerce in this region. The trade from the Brahmaputra Valley has had an inimitable tradition throughout its history. While the basic information of trade in the region is somewhat incomprehensible, there is hardly any doubt about its antiquity. The various kinds of trades were known in the Brahmaputra Valley since early times. The early nineteenth century was the period of transition to a systematic trade and economy and Ahom states to the colonial state in the history of the region. This transition brought about rapid changes in the field of trade and commerce transformation as well as in the politico-administrative and economic growth of the Valley. It was in this period the East India Company had established the salt trade from Bengal to the Brahmaputra Valley of Assam. The Brahmaputra Valley had a well-established trade connection with the Indian subcontinent as well as Southeast Asia and China. Also, rich natural resources and agricultural production are found in this region. Agricultural production has played a significant role both in inland and overseas trade which facilitated the development in trade and economic fields in the Brahmaputra valley during the colonial period.