Karvaan
Karvaan is a term used in South Asia to denote a caravan, a group of travelers and pack animals moving together along long-distance routes. Traditionally, karvaans carried goods such as textiles, spices, and metals, forming the backbone of historical trade networks across deserts and mountains and linking regions of South Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, and beyond. Caravans traveled in groups for safety and provisioning, often stopping at caravanserais, or inns, along major routes to rest and trade.
Etymology and usage: The word karvaan (also transliterated karwan or caravan) derives from Persian karvān/karwān, with
Historical context: Caravans were essential to commerce before modern transportation, enabling the exchange of goods, culture,
Cultural significance and modern usage: The caravan motif appears in poetry, music, and literature as a symbol