Explanation:

• Arikamedu, the ancient Roman trade centre (Puducherry) on the right bank of Ariyankuppam River.
• It  has a long history that dates back to the second century B.C.Arikamedu was a coastal settlement  where ships unloaded goods from distant lands.
• A massive brick structure, which may have been a  warehouse,was found at the site.
• Roman lamps, glassware and gems have been found at the  site.
• Mathura has been an important settlement for more than 2500 years.
• It was important because it was  located at  the cross roads of two major routes of travel and trade — from the northwest to the east  and from north to south.
• There were fortifications around the city, and several shrines.
• Farmers and  herders from adjoining areas provided food for people in the city.
• Mathura was also a centre where  some extremely fine sculpture was produced.
• Around 2000 years ago Mathura became the second  capital of the Kushanas.
• Mathura was also a religious centre — there were Buddhist monasteries,  Jaina shrines, and it was an important centre for the worship of Krishna.
• Several inscriptions on  surfaces such as stone slabs and statues have been found in Mathura.
• Generally, these are short  inscriptions, recording gifts made by men (and sometimes women) to monasteries and shrines.
• These were made by kings and queens, officers, merchants, and crafts persons who lived in the city.
•   For instance, inscriptions from Mathura mention goldsmiths, blacksmiths, weavers, basket makers,  garland makers, perfumers.