The class of traders who specialized in carrying bulk goods over long distances during Mughal period were called

The class of traders who specialized in carrying bulk goods over long distances during Mughal period were called Correct Answer Banjaras

The correct answer is Banjaras.

Key Points

• Banjaras – Another class of traders specialized in carrying bulk goods, they also moved long distances with their goods on the back of oxen.
• Banjaras
  • ​The Banjara are a historically nomadic trading tribe who have origins in the Mewar region of what is now Rajasthan.
  • They are now found throughout Northwestern, Western and Southern India.
  • The Banjaras usually refer to themselves as Gor and outsiders as Kor but this usage does not extend outside their own community.
  • Their trading style is called ladeni, and they used bullock carts.
  • They transported food grain for the Mughal army during military campaigns.
  • Sultan Alauddin Khalji used the Banjaras to transport grain to the city markets.
  • Emperor Jahangir wrote in his memoirs that the Banjaras carried grain on their bullocks from different areas and sold it in towns.

Additional Information

•  Beoparis
  • The term Beoparis or Banik refers to retail traders. 
  • The wholesalers were called 'Seths' and the 'Bohras' and the retailers 'Beoparis' or 'Baniks'.​​