During the height of the Roman Empire, luxurious Indian goods flooded Europe after the conquest of Egypt in 30BC, leading to a massive outflow of gold and silver. Roman military commander and author Pliny the Elder estimated that Indian merchants were draining the empire of at least 55 million sesterces annually, with imports to Egypt possibly exceeding a billion sesterces per year. Indian textiles, spices, gems, and handicrafts became highly coveted, with Indian muslins in particular being sought after for their lightweight and luxurious qualities.
India’s influence extended far beyond trade, as detailed in William Dalrymple’s book “The Golden Road.” Spanning from the Roman Empire to Korea and Japan, the Golden Road was a vast Indosphere dominated by Indian goods, aesthetics, and ideas from 250BC to AD1200. Indian merchants profited greatly from selling textiles, spices, oils, gems, and more across great distances. The book also highlights India’s intellectual hegemony during this era, with the spread of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Sanskrit culture shaping religious and philosophical thought throughout Eurasia.
Dalrymple delves into how Indian astronomy, mathematics, and games like chess influenced the world, and describes monumental structures like Borobodur in Java and Angkor Wat in Cambodia as evidence of Indian cultural influence. By exploring complex historical events with clarity and evocative storytelling, Dalrymple’s book is not just a historical study but a love letter to a lost syncretic world where Indian ideas transformed global culture. The Golden Road by William Dalrymple is published by Bloomsbury and offers a deep dive into the impact of ancient India on the world.
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