The establishment of Mughal rule in India 1. strengthened urbanization 2. strengthened inter-urban contact in riparian North India 3. increased India’s sea trade 4. decreased the risk of carrying long-distance trade Select the correct answer using the code given below.

The establishment of Mughal rule significantly transformed India's economic landscape. It ushered in a 'golden age of urbanization' [1], with major cities like Agra and Delhi rivaling European capitals in size. The empire's political integration and centralized administration strengthened inter-urban contact, particularly in riparian North India, where the Ganga served as a vital highway for state formation and economic expansion. Furthermore, the conquest of Gujarat provided crucial access to maritime ports like Surat, facilitating a massive increase in sea trade with West Asia and Europe [1]. This era saw India become a global manufacturing hub, contributing nearly 28% of the world's industrial output. While the Mughals improved infrastructure through roads and sarais to facilitate movement, the risk of long-distance trade remained a challenge due to the reliance on pack animals and the eventual rise of dissident forces along trade routes [3].

Sources

1. [1] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 14: The Mughal Empire > Introduction > p. 199
2. [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_the_Mughal_Empire