India during the Roman empire looked every different than modern India (in fact, modern India didn't politically resemble how it looks know until the British). read more
Perception as such would be difficult to know, but from various sources of Ancient India, it is well corroborated that a healthy sea trade was present between Ancient Indian kings and the Roman Empire. read more
The Western Roman Empire fell sometime in the 5th century. There isn't much that's interesting from 5th century Japan aside from numerous giant royal burial mounds known as kofun. There is a kofun from 5th century Japan that included Roman glassware as a burial item. So Silk Road trade was reaching as far east as Japan. read more
The Roman Empire also imported Indian lime, peach, and various other fruits for medicine. Western India, as a result, was the recipient of large amounts of Roman gold during this time. Since one must sail against the narrow gulfs of western India, special large boats were used and ship development was demanded. read more