question_answer 7)

 Why did people from distant lands visit Surat?  

Answer:

Surat was an important port on the west coast of India subcontinent during medieval period. It was an emporium of western trade during the Mughal period. It was the gateway for trade with West Asia via the Gulf of Ormuz. It has also been called the gate to Mecca because many pilgrims ships set sail from here.  The city was cosmopolitan and people of all castes and creeds lived there. In the 17th century the Portuguese, Dutch and English had their factories and warehouses at Surat. There were also several retail and wholesale shops selling cotton textiles. The textiles of Surat were famous for their gold lace borders (zari) and had a market in West Asia, Africa and Europe. The state built numerous rest- houses in the city. All the above mentioned factors encouraged the people from all over the world to visit Surat.