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Which products have been transported by waterways in West Bengal and Bangladesh?

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Physical map showing the Brahmaputra and Ganges river basins and their drainage networks across northern India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet (China), and Myanmar. The map uses color shading to indicate elevation, from the high Himalayas in brown and white to lowland plains in green, and marks major rivers, tributaries, glaciers, dams, irrigated areas, and regions subject to flooding. An inset locator map highlights the region within South Asia. — Ganges River The Brahmaputra and Ganges river basins and their drainage network.

In West Bengal and Bangladesh, waterways remain a vital component of the transportation infrastructure. These routes are primarily used to move the following products:

Jute
Tea
Grain
Various other agricultural and rural products1

Historically, the introduction of paddle steamers in the 19th century significantly boosted the transport of these goods, particularly stimulating indigo production in the region. While large-scale trade—such as the movement of tea and jute from Assam to Kolkata—was severely disrupted following the 1947 partition of British India, these waterways continue to serve as essential conduits for regional commerce today.1