India maintained its early cultural contacts and trade links with Southeast Asia across the Bay of Bengal. For this pre-eminence of early maritime history of Bay of Bengal, which of the following could be the most convincing explanation/explanations?

1. As compared to other countries, India had better ship-building technology in ancient and medieval times.
2. The rulers of southern India always patronised traders, brahmin priests and Buddhist monks in this context.
3. Monsoon winds across the Bay of Bengal facilitated sea voyages.
4. Both (a) and (b) are convincing explanations in this context.

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• India’s early maritime contact and trade with Southeast Asia were significantly aided by natural factors, the most important being the monsoon winds. These predictable seasonal winds allowed ancient sailors to plan voyages efficiently — sailing eastward with the summer monsoon and returning westward with the winter monsoon.

Answer: (c) Monsoon winds across the Bay of Bengal facilitated sea voyages | Difficulty Level: Easy