The correct option is (b).
Explanation
The accounts provided in The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, an anonymous Greek navigation guide from the 1st century CE. It details the maritime trade between the Roman Empire and India, specifically listing imports and exports at major ports like Barygaza (modern Bharuch in Gujarat).
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: Wine was a significant import into Barygaza. The Periplus specifically mentions that Italian wine was preferred, though Laodicean and Arabian wines were also imported.
- Statement 2 is Correct: Metals such as copper, tin, and lead were listed as key imports required for local manufacturing and coinage.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: Ivory was a major export item from India, not an import. India was a primary source of ivory for the Roman world, along with spices and textiles.
- Statement 4 is Correct: Coral and topaz were listed as imports. Coral, in particular, was in high demand in India, while topaz was brought in from the West.
Key Takeaway:
Barygaza imported luxury goods (wine, coral, topaz) and base metals (copper, tin, lead), while exporting indigenous products such as ivory, spices (pepper, spikenard), and textiles (cotton, silk).