During the Mughal Period from 1526 to 1750, the trade increased many fold with different commodities of trade. With the changes in maritime activities, there was enormous growth of trade. The Renaissance in Europe caused the Growth of trade with far distant nations. The shipping industry’s growth played an important role in it. The geographical situation and condition of India also helped in it. India's long coastline, its connectivity with south-east Asian nations from the Coromandel coast provided ideal conditions for European powers who were in search of spices attracted towards the East. India was perhaps the most versatile nation of the time on account of its geography, climate and availability of goods. India's trade relations with Europe became more intimate in the 17th century than before. India's imports consisted of three categories- necessaries (precious metals & stones), raw materials (raw silk & quicksilver), and luxuries (spices & perfumes). Besides pepper and spices which were older exports, the new items to Europe were Indigo, cotton, saltpeter, lac, rice, sugar, raw silk etc. The Advent of the Dutch and the English profoundly affected Indian trade and industry. Not only did they establish a new direct trade between India and Western Europe but they also modified the course of the old-established trade of India. The import grew during this period of items like copper, costly European novelties, called toys in English etc.

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Keywords: Mercantilism, Indigo, Cotton, Saltpeter, Trade routes, Import Trade.