Trade and Commerce between Agra and Bengal during the Mughal Period: An Analytical Study

During the Mughal era, the commercial linkage between Agra, the imperial capital, and Bengal, a major economic hub in eastern India, played a vital role in shaping the empire's internal trade dynamics. This study traces the evolution of these trade relations from the reign of Akbar through Jahangir’s period, emphasizing the exchange of prominent goods such as textiles, spices, saltpeter, and precious metals. It explores how the development of road networks, riverine routes, and caravanserais under Mughal patronage facilitated sustained economic interaction between the two regions. Drawing upon contemporary sources—including imperial decrees (farmāns), European travel narratives, and authoritative chronicles like the Ain-i-Akbari and Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri—the paper contextualizes these commercial exchanges within the broader framework of Mughal governance. Special attention is given to administrative measures such as Akbar’s regulatory reforms and Jahangir’s diplomatic engagements, both of which significantly influenced the flow of goods and merchants. The analysis concludes by assessing the enduring economic impact of Agra-Bengal trade, particularly in relation to the empire’s fiscal strength and its evolving interactions with European trading companies.