The Cotton Trade of Patna in early Seventeenth Century
Summary
This paper investigates the cotton trade of Patna during the early seventeenth century, drawing on factory records, letters and travellers’ accounts. The author describes the narrow width of ambati cloth (also called ambari) woven in Patna; each piece measured about 20 yards in length but only half a yard in width, a feature which, according to merchants, contributed to its durability. A letter from the English merchant Hughes sent to Surat in 1620 specified these dimensions and noted that the cloth was highly prized for the firmness of its weave. The article recounts that 1,970 pieces of ambati were dispatched from Patna in October 1620 and that an order for 9,500 pieces was fulfilled in August 1621, indicating the scale of the trade. It discusses the organisation of production in and around Patna, where weavers worked under the supervision of brokers who advanced money and supplied yarn. The price structure, transport routes and role of the East India Company are examined, showing how European demand stimulated local production. The author also compares ambati with other cotton goods exported from Bengal and notes that Patna competed successfully with Surat and Masulipatnam in supplying fine cloth to the Persian Gulf and Red Sea markets. The article emphasises that the ambati trade provided income for thousands of weavers and contributed significantly to the economy of Bihar.
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Conclusion
The author concludes that Patna was a major centre for cotton textiles in the early seventeenth century. Ambati cloth, characterised by its narrow width and strong weave, was in great demand among European merchants. Large orders placed by the English East India Company highlight the city’s commercial importance. The article suggests that understanding such regional trades helps illuminate the economic history of Mughal India and the early modern global economy.