Himachal Pradesh Trade and Commerce

Introduction:

The Himalayan states of Himachal adjoining the plains of Punjab have for long been considered economicallybackward and based primarily upon a subsistence economy.The belief has been that it was with the coming of theBritish that they were first exposed to the outside worldeconomy. The limited amount of source material has; so far,discouraged scholars from investigating the trade andcommerce of Himachal of the pre-colonial period in any greatdetail.

There wasthus a significant exchange of articles produced at therespective ends of the trade connections. The country sidetrade fairs and festivals, where local inhabitants andoutside traders brought their products for sale, becamebuzzing centres of commercial transaction. Food grains,Cereals, Cash Crops and wealth generated by herbs, forests,Minerals, animals, weaving, village craftsmanship etc. wereimportant Elements of local production that could, did,become part of the Trade and Commerce of the area.

The difficult nature of the hills and thescattered hamlets in Himachal made the region unsuitable forlarge scale trading activities. Economically due to thedifficult geographical conditions the region was not verydeveloped during 19th and 20th century.Even the PunjabHill areas of Kulu, Kangra, Lahaul and Spiti and Shimla,which were under direct administration of the BritishGovernment were much behind the other progressive region ofPunjab and did not witness any substantial economicdevelopment.

Development of various Trade and Commerce Activities:

The political repercussions of British colonialismnevertheless affected the economy of 19th century Himachal.Despite the inhospitable geographical conditions whichhindered the trade and commerce of the region due to thelimited means of Communication and scanty Population. Theeconomydid produce some amount of surplus for trade. Thevillage Cottage industries were developed enough toencourage the export of woollen clothes, shawls, blankets,pashmina, wheat, barley, tea, rice, ginger, spices,medicinal herbs, timber, ghee etc. Imports included sugar,silk, clothes, indigo, salt, musk, saffron, borax, conchsheels, metallic instruments, metals, arms and ammunition,precious stones, sandal wood, nuts, cloves, cardamons,cennamon, animals, oil, kerosene, leather, saddles, prayingwheels and a host of other items.Markets, towns such asMandi which lay enroute between Central Asia and the NorthIndian plains, Kulu and Lahaul, Palampur in Kangra, Shimla,Bashahr were important markets. These market centres hadgeographically and demographically strategic locations tocater to the trading communities by way of Central Asiantrade routes, Hindustan Tibet Road and access to the marketsin the plains.Besides these markets, trading activitieswere an important part of the fairs of Lavi of Rampur, Sul,Loi, Minjar of Chamba, Renuka in Sirmuar” and Dussehra inKulu. The internal market towns of Kangra, Sujanpur Tira,Una, Jwalamukhi, Nurpur, Haripur, Gangath also seen to havebeen active centres of commercial exchange. The arrival ofBritish in India led to shimla emerging as the summer capitalof India. This provided an impetus to the export & importactivities.Because the difficulty of the terrain goats,horses, donkeys, camels and yaks were employed for carryingthe goods across Tibet, Yarkand and Ladakh. In some of theless mountainous hill states, carts and bullocks could alsobe used. The export of tea was to Amritsar, Calcutta,Jullundhar, Multan, Lahore and Ravalpindi apart from teabeing send to these towns it was also exported to Australia,America, England and to other European Countries.crop was produced in adsaquate quantity in Kangra, Kulu,Sirmour and Chamba. Fine quality of rice basmati wasexported. The Lahaulies on the other hand for reasons ofbeing snowbound for half of the year used to purchase muchof their requirements at Kulu. Even poppy seeds and oilfrom poppy crop at Kulu attracted not only purchasers fromSultanpur and Mandi but traders from the plains.Bhaghalstate now Arki, Bilaspur, Sirmour, Nalagarh, Jubbal werefound cultivating poppy and Muhammadan merchants from Ropar ,Rahon in Jullunder and traders from Pehova used to purchaseopium. It is worth mentioning that States like Keonthal hada negligible impact on the trade and commerce. In foodgrains Bilaspur, Nalagarh, Sirmour produced surplus quantityand were able to meet not only their own requirements butalso helped the other areas that were short of foodgrainslike Ambala and certain areas of Uttar Pradesh. Himachal Pradesh Trade and Commerce

Surprisingly, traders had been taking away sizablequantities of wheat, maize, grams and rice. Ginger fromSirmour, raw as well as dried, was exported from Sirmour,Bilaspur, Bhagal and Keonthal to Anandpur and Ropar. TheState of Baghal whenever it had a surplus of ginger cashcrop exported it to Kalka and Ropar. Another cash croppotatowas produced in Chamba, Mandi and Keonthal. Bhaghaltoo supplied potatoes to other states in need.

Ghee wasproduced in large quantities. An abundant was produced inBhaghal State and several other areas. The common villagehousehold in Himachal also kept beehives in their cottagesin Mandi, Kulu, Kangra, Chamba, Bashahr and Sirmour.

Chowries of fine silky wool from the Yak tailswere exported largely from Spiti and to some extent fromBashahr as the chowries were of ceremonions use for theroyality. Some industrial products were also exported.Nahan exported sugarcane pressing machines and appliances tothe adjoining areas of U.P. and Punjab. Herbal produce wasobtained from the wilderness and exported. This includedmohra, karru, kuth, bajjar, bhang, kawa, violets, musk,zira, tilla, harar, patish, banfasha, pomegranete seeds,turmeric and a variety of wild mushrooms. The croppingpattern and snowfall make the hill people idle duringwinters in most of places. They remain confined to theirhouses. This is the occasion which provided the opportunityfor knitting, weaving and stiching and producing woollenpattus, gudmas, numdas, pashmina and several other woollengarments.

The rearing of a fine breed of sheep was carriedout in Kulu, Seraj, Wazeeri-Rupi. Woollen blankets were inmuch demand with the European residents in Kulu besides muchwas exported. Walnuts, apples, pear, hazelnuts, chilgoza,dried apricots, suil, phuelan, khashkhas, dhanya, bees wax,seapnuts, dhup, salt and tobacco etc. from Chamba, Sirmour,Mandi , Kangra, Shimla hill States, Kulu, Spiti etc. wereexported and imported.

Trading Communities:

People who were invloved on a fulltime bases in the buying and selling of merchandise wouldnormally be the only ones to qualify to be termed astraders. The main trading communities of the hill states inthis respect were the Banyas, Suds Pahari Mahajans.Khatries, some category of Muhammadans and Brahmans etc.But it is important to point that the indigenous tribes inLadakh, and those of Yarkand and Tibet were also engaged intrading pursuit. These business classes were found all overthe country. As far as Banyas are concerned they had been aregular feature of economic Society for rather long and werealso frequently Involved in the Money lending business. Onthe other hand Pahari Mahajans who were of mixed origin werethe general traders. In certain parts of Himachal theKhatries and even Brahmans were engaged in tradingactivities. These Brahmin business community was called theKayath. The others were the Suds whose descent is tracedfrom Sarhind. Suds had a deep business insight and wereenterprising in nature. They were purely mercantile intheir pursuits and were scattered in Chamba, Bilaspur,Nalagarh, Bashahr, Suket, Kangra and Amritsar. The Kangraarea was for the Suds a business haven but they facedcompetition also from the Khatris from the plains. In themid-Himalayan and higher mountain ranges beyond Indiaboundaries Lahulas, Khampas, Baltis, Chambials, Kanawaritraders, Gujjars and Muhammandons were also involved in thewholesale and retail trade of the produce of the land. Onceagain it needs to be indicated that many of the lastcategory were also peasants and cultivators who. engaged intrading activity during some months of the year.,

Himachal Pradesh is a state in northern India. It is bordered by the states of Jammu and Kashmir to the north, Punjab to the west, Haryana and Uttarakhand to the south, and Uttar Pradesh to the east. The state has a population of over 7.7 million people and a land area of 55,673 square kilometers. The capital of Himachal Pradesh is Shimla.

The economy of Himachal Pradesh is based on agriculture, Animal Husbandry, cottage industries, handicrafts, Horticulture-2/”>Horticulture, mining, tourism, trade, and transport.

Agriculture is the main occupation of the people of Himachal Pradesh. The main crops grown in the state are rice, wheat, maize, barley, pulses, oilseeds, and vegetables. The state also has a large number of Livestock, including cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and pigs.

Animal husbandry is another important occupation of the people of Himachal Pradesh. The main products of animal husbandry are milk, meat, wool, and hides.

Cottage industries are also important in the economy of Himachal Pradesh. The main cottage industries are woolen textiles, carpets, wood carving, and Metal work.

Handicrafts are also important in the economy of Himachal Pradesh. The main handicrafts are wood carving, metal work, and woolen textiles.

Horticulture is also important in the economy of Himachal Pradesh. The main fruits grown in the state are apples, pears, plums, peaches, apricots, cherries, and strawberries.

Mining is also important in the economy of Himachal Pradesh. The main minerals mined in the state are iron Ore, limestone, and dolomite.

Tourism is also important in the economy of Himachal Pradesh. The state has a number of tourist attractions, including hill stations, temples, and monasteries.

Trade is also important in the economy of Himachal Pradesh. The main exports of the state are fruits, vegetables, woolen textiles, carpets, and handicrafts.

Transport is also important in the economy of Himachal Pradesh. The state has a Network of roads, railways, and Airports.

The economy of Himachal Pradesh is growing at a rapid pace. The state is attracting a lot of Investment from both domestic and foreign companies. The state is also becoming a popular tourist destination. The future of the economy of Himachal Pradesh looks bright.

Here are some additional details about each of the subtopics:

Agriculture: The main crops grown in Himachal Pradesh are rice, wheat, maize, barley, pulses, oilseeds, and vegetables. The state also has a large number of livestock, including cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and pigs.
Animal husbandry: The main products of animal husbandry are milk, meat, wool, and hides.
Cottage industries: The main cottage industries are woolen textiles, carpets, wood carving, and metal work.
Handicrafts: The main handicrafts are wood carving, metal work, and woolen textiles.
Horticulture: The main fruits grown in Himachal Pradesh are apples, pears, plums, peaches, apricots, cherries, and strawberries.
Mining: The main minerals mined in Himachal Pradesh are iron ore, limestone, and dolomite.
Tourism: The state has a number of tourist attractions, including hill stations, temples, and monasteries.
Trade: The main exports of the state are fruits, vegetables, woolen textiles, carpets, and handicrafts.
Transport: The state has a network of roads, railways, and airports.

What is trade?

Trade is the exchange of goods and Services between two or more parties. It can be done through barter, which is the direct exchange of goods and services, or through money.

What is commerce?

Commerce is the activity of buying and selling goods and services. It includes all aspects of trade, from the production of goods to the distribution of goods to the consumption of goods.

What are the different types of trade?

There are two main types of trade: domestic trade and international trade. Domestic trade is the exchange of goods and services within a country, while international trade is the exchange of goods and services between countries.

What are the benefits of trade?

Trade has many benefits, including:

Increased efficiency: Trade allows countries to specialize in the production of goods and services in which they have a comparative advantage. This leads to increased efficiency and lower costs.
Increased competition: Trade increases competition between businesses, which leads to lower prices and higher quality goods and services.
Increased innovation: Trade encourages businesses to innovate and develop new products and services.
Increased economic Growth: Trade is a major driver of economic growth. It increases the size of the market, which leads to increased investment and EMPLOYMENT.

What are the challenges of trade?

Trade also has some challenges, including:

Trade deficits: When a country imports more goods and services than it exports, it has a Trade Deficit. This can lead to job losses and economic instability.
Protectionism: Protectionism is the use of tariffs, quotas, and other barriers to trade to protect domestic industries from foreign competition. This can lead to higher prices and lower quality goods and services.
Environmental impact: Trade can have a negative impact on the Environment, as it can lead to increased pollution and resource depletion.

What are the different types of commerce?

There are many different types of commerce, including:

Retail commerce: Retail commerce is the sale of goods and services to consumers.
Wholesale commerce: Wholesale commerce is the sale of goods and services to businesses.
E-Commerce: E-commerce is the buying and selling of goods and services over the Internet.
International commerce: International commerce is the buying and selling of goods and services between countries.

What are the benefits of commerce?

Commerce has many benefits, including:

Increased efficiency: Commerce allows businesses to specialize in the production of goods and services in which they have a comparative advantage. This leads to increased efficiency and lower costs.
Increased competition: Commerce increases competition between businesses, which leads to lower prices and higher quality goods and services.
Increased innovation: Commerce encourages businesses to innovate and develop new products and services.
Increased economic growth: Commerce is a major driver of economic growth. It increases the size of the market, which leads to increased investment and employment.

What are the challenges of commerce?

Commerce also has some challenges, including:

Trade deficits: When a country imports more goods and services than it exports, it has a trade deficit. This can lead to job losses and economic instability.
Protectionism: Protectionism is the use of tariffs, quotas, and other barriers to trade to protect domestic industries from foreign competition. This can lead to higher prices and lower quality goods and services.
Environmental impact: Commerce can have a negative impact on the environment, as it can lead to increased pollution and resource depletion.

Sure, here are some MCQs without mentioning the topic Himachal Pradesh Trade and Commerce:

Which of the following is not a type of business organization?
(A) Sole proprietorship
(B) PARTNERSHIP
(C) Corporation
(D) Government
Which of the following is not a factor of production?
(A) Land
(B) Labor
(C) Capital
(D) Entrepreneurship
Which of the following is not a type of market structure?
(A) Perfect competition
(B) Monopoly
(C) Oligopoly
(D) Government
Which of the following is not a type of economic system?
(A) Capitalism
(B) Socialism
(C) Communism
(D) Government
Which of the following is not a type of economic growth?
(A) Positive economic growth
(B) Negative economic growth
(C) Zero economic growth
(D) Government
Which of the following is not a type of Economic Development?
(A) Economic growth
(B) Economic stability
(C) Economic Equality
(D) Government
Which of the following is not a type of economic policy?
(A) Fiscal Policy
(B) Monetary Policy
(C) Trade Policy
(D) Government
Which of the following is not a type of economic indicator?
(A) Gross domestic product (GDP)
(B) Gross national product (GNP)
(C) Consumer price index (CPI)
(D) Government
Which of the following is not a type of economic theory?
(A) Classical economics
(B) Keynesian economics
(C) Monetarism
(D) Government
Which of the following is not a type of economic school of thought?
(A) Neoclassical economics
(B) Institutional economics
(C) Marxist economics
(D) Government