 The Rashtrakuta empire controlled most of the western sea board of the subcontinent which facilitated its maritime trade . The Gujarat branch of the empire earned a significant income from the port of Bharoch , one of the most prominent ports in the world at that time . The empire 's chief exports were cotton yarn , cotton cloth , muslins , hides , mats , indigo , incense , perfumes , betel nuts , coconuts , sandal , teak , timber , sesame oil and ivory . Its major imports were pearls , gold , dates from Arabia , slaves , Italian wines , tin , lead , topaz , storax , sweet clover , flint glass , antimony , gold and silver coins , singing boys and girls ( for the entertainment of the royalty ) from other lands . Trading in horses was an important and profitable business , monopolised by the Arabs and some local merchants . The Rashtrakuta government levied a shipping tax of one golden Gadyanaka on all foreign vessels embarking to any other ports and a fee of one silver Ctharna ( a coin ) on vessels travelling locally . 
