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of water. The Vinaya texts also refer to caravan going from Rājgașiha to the west.? RIVER TRANSPORT
Besides land routes, there were also river routes. The great rivers, such as Gangā, Yamunā, Sarayū, Soņa, Gandaki, Kosi, and others, served the purpose of communication and transport. The famous riverports Champā, Pāțalīputra, Vārāṇasī, and Kośāmbī were connected by waterways. These waterports were connected with trade centres on the land. Sometimes, the river routes were more convenient and less costly, and safer and quicker than roads. Because of these river routes, there must have been brisk inland trade. Ships, big boats, and small sailing boats were used for the purpose of navigation. Sometimes heavy objects such as pillars and logs were transported from one place to another. OVERSEA TRADE
From the literary sources of this period, it is clear that Indians were carrying on brisk oversea trade. The Theragatha speaks of merchants sailing on sea with the hope of earning wealth.2 The Jātaka stories tell us of several shipwrecks,3 specious ships' ship-building activities, and of seafarers sailing to different countries for trade. The Nāyādhmmakahā gives a beautiful description of a sea voyage. Arhannaga and other merchants of Champā loaded their boats with merchandise and proceeded on their journey. There is a description of a shipwreck caused by a terrible cyclone. The Baudhāyana-Dharmasūira’ shows that navigation was peculiar to Brāhmanas of the North. The mention of various terms associated with navigation leaves no doubt about the practice of travelling far and wide during this period.8 1. Sutta-Vibhanga, SBE, XIII, 15. 2. Theraga, 530. 3. Jā, II. 111, 127-29; V. 75; Jā, No. 196. 4. Ibid, Nos. 446, 539. 5. Ibid, IV, 159; VI. 427. 6. Vāgā, 1. S p. 97 ff; 17, p. 201. 7. Bau. Dh. S. 1. 1. 20. S. AGAPATALA : India as known to Pānini, pp. 155. 156.
