Indo-Roman relations and
Nero found in
Pudukkottai, Tamil Nadu. and Scythia according to the
Periplus Maris Erythraei, 1st century AD Relations between India and Italy date back to ancient times. Works from authors such as
Diodorus Siculus'
Library of History,
Arrian's
Indika, and
Pliny the Elder's
Natural History make references to India.
Piper (
Modern Italian:
pepe), or pepper (both longum and nigrium), increased in popularity in Rome around 30 BC, and eventually over 70 per cent of Roman recipes required the use of Indian pepper. The first documented
relations between Ancient India and Ancient Rome occurred during the reign of
Augustus (27 BC – AD 14), the first
Roman Emperor. The Romans were referred as रोमक
Romaka in Sanskrit, while the Romans called the Indians in Latin
Indī. According to
Strabo (II.5.12), not long after Augustus took control of Egypt, while Gallus was Prefect of Egypt (26–24 BC), up to 120 ships were setting sail every year from
Myos Hormos to modern-day India:Gaius Plinius Secundus (AD 23–79), generally known as
Pliny the Elder, writing c. AD 77, left probably the most important account of India and its trade with Rome that has survived in Classical literature. He gives quite a lot of detail about India, albeit not all accurate, but his observations do more than just outline the bare bones of history, and help give us some picture of how intimately Indian culture and trade was becoming known:"Coral is as highly valued among the Indians as Indian pearls. It is also found in the Red Sea, but there it is darker in colour. The most prized is found in the Gallic Gulf around the Stoechades Islands, in the Sicilian Gulf around the
Aeolian Islands, and around
Drepanum. . . . Coral-berries are no less valued by Indian men than specimen Indian pearls by Roman ladies. Indian soothsayers and seers believe that coral is potent as a charm for warding off dangers. Accordingly they delight in its beauty and religious power. Before this became known, the
Gauls used to decorate their swords, shields and helmets with coral. Now it is very scarce because of the price it commands, and is rarely seen in its natural habitat." Pliny.
Natural History (AD 77) (XXXII, chaps. 21, 23).The
Peutinger Table, a medieval copy of a 4th or early 5th century map of the world, shows a "Temple to
Augustus" at
Muziris, one of the main ports for trade to the Roman Empire on the southwest coast of India. This and evidence of agreements for loans between agents, one of whom most likely lived in Muziris, and a rather oblique reference in the Periplus, all seem to point to a settlement of Roman subjects living in the region. Embassies are recorded as arriving from the "Indians of the East" at the court of
Constantine the Great ():"Ambassadors from the Indians of the East brought presents . . . . which they presented to the king (Constantine the Great) as an acknowledgment that his sovereignty extended to their ocean. They told him, too, how Princes of India had dedicated pictures and statues in his honour in token that they had recognised him as their autocrat and king."
Eusebius of Caesarea ()
Vita Constantini IV. 50.
Middle Ages Relations and trade
between the
Mediterranean and India ended after the fall of the Roman Empire, but resumed after a few centuries. Marco Polo published his travelogue
The Travels of Marco Polo in which he described the life and customs in India at the end of the 13th century. and Mussolini expressed genuine support for Indian independence during the 1930s and 1940s, though it at first remained sceptical that Bose's efforts would receive significant support from its ally,
Nazi Germany. In May 1942, Italy advocated for the
Tripartite Pact to formally endorse Indian independence, though this was vetoed at the time by Germany. Nevertheless, as Bose grew closer to Germany in the 1940s, Italy grew closer to his rival, Indian Muslim leader
Mohammad Iqbal Shedai, bringing Italy's India policy in line with its policy of seeking Muslim support in the Middle East. Eventually, the
Battaglione Azad Hindoustan unit of British Indian prisoners of war was formed under Shedai's leadership, though the soldiers involved were viewed as disloyal by Italian authorities and the unit ultimately mutinied in November 1942. In 1943, Italy, Germany and six other Axis states formally recognised the Bose-led
Azad Hind as the government of India. British Indian forces played a role in liberating Italy from Nazi control. India contributed the 3rd largest Allied contingent in the Italian campaign after US and British forces. The 4th, 8th and 10th Divisions and 43rd Gurkha Infantry Brigade led the advance, notably at the gruelling
Battle of Monte Cassino. ==Modern history==