TRADE AND COMMERCE IN COASTAL ANDHRA 1600-1687

The first chapter deals with the geographical settings of the area, the nature of the ports, the items exchanged, the organization of trade and the hinterland. The second chapter examines the presence of European trading companies in the region, the response of hinterland to European commerce. This also tries to measure the impact of European commerce. The third chapter deals with the merchants and their communities, their relations with the local rulers and the European companies and the items exported and imported through these ports. The fourth chapter deals with the attitude of Qutb Shahi state towards the commerce in the region. It also deals with the efforts carried out to promote and patronize trade of various goods in this area. Besides it also points out the hurdles which at times de-motivated merchants.