Trade and urban centres in early Kumaon and Garhwal regions c 6th century BCE to c 8th century CE

Abstract

The focus of my study has been the regions of Kumaon and Garhwal that form the state of Uttarakhand and the economic and social influences that subsequently led to major economic changes and urbanisation in the area from c. 6th century BCE to c. 8th century CE. The Himalayas, the tallest mountain ranges of the world, have captivated the imagination and interest of mankind for centuries. The more we explore, the more we learn. India s rich history, society and culture are deeply influenced by the Himalayas. After all, before modern travel, the Himalayas were the most important gateway to India, for people, goods and ideas. The history of Uttarakhand though wrapped in the aura of mysticism and shrouded in mystery has always played a significant part in founding the very nature of Indian culture and civilization. newlineThe excavations and findings in North India take a majority of the focus of the archaeologists and the historians, due to which, the outlying areas, especially the Kumaon- Garhwal regions have suffered a lot. Hence, it is a humble step towards examining the urbanisation process in these hilly areas and how it brought about economic upliftment and social upheaval in the emerging towns and cities. The work has tried to fill the gaps of the past research and also encountered other novel developments during its progression. newline newline