July 1st, 1657
"Mr Yash, could you do 5 Varaha per piece?" a European merchant asked in a strange Bharti accent, raising his voice slightly to be heard over the clamouring crowd.
Yash, a sales manager at a furniture company, stood amidst a group of traders, artisans, and hawkers loudly advertising their wares. He shook his head firmly and responded. "I am very sorry, Mr. Charles. My price of 7 Varaha per piece is very fair. It is already close to the manufacturing costs. If I reduce it any further, I will be selling at a loss," he explained, raising his voice over the noise of a nearby spice vendor enthusiastically bragging about the taste and fragrance of his fresh cardamom.