India, Nov. 19 -- In prehistoric times, the civilisations of Egypt and Mesopotamia flourished to the west of India, with China to its east. India's mountain passes provided natural access to Afghanistan, Iran, the Pamirs, Central Asia, and thence to West Asia, the Mediterranean world, and China. Goods from Badakshan and Central Asia found their way to the Sindhu-Saraswati region in the same manner as they did to Sumer and other ancient centres. The Achaemenid Empire and the Greco-Bactrian kingdoms provided an effective bridge between India and the Mediterranean world.

The Indian subcontinent was connected to the West via Kandahar and Bolan Pass, and through the proto-historic route via Makran. The route through the Khyber passed via the ...