The coming of the Europeans to India forms an important event in the history of our country. Our country was well known in Europe, for its immense wealth, through the accounts of Marcopolo, a Venice Merchant. India had trade relations with the western world from ancient times. Indian commodities like spices, certain drugs, metal works, textiles, silk, gold, silver, and precious stones were in great demand in the European markets throughout the Middle Ages. These goods used to reach Europe either by land or partly by land, and partly
by sea.
