2025 History - Ancient History

India maintained its early cultural contacts and trade links with Southeast Asta across the Bay of Bengal. For this pre-eminence of early maritime history of Bay of Bengal, which of the following could be the most convincing explanation/explanations ?

• As compared to other countries, India had a better shipbuilding technology in ancient and medieval times
• The rulers of southern India always patronized traders, brahmin priests and buddhist monks in this context
• Monsoon winds across the Bay of Bengal facilitated sea voyages
• Both (a) and (b) are convincing explanations in this context