Final answer:
Historically, Ujjain was significant but not the primary gateway to the northwest in contrast to cities like Taxila or those in the Sultanate of Gujarat that served as major trade hubs connecting India with other civilizations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Concerning the statement that Ujjain was the gateway to the northwest, historical context is key. While Ujjain has been a prominent city in Indian history, most notably during the ancient and medieval periods, it was not the primary gateway to the northwest. Instead, the northwestern gateway cities were typically closer to the actual geographic northwest of the Indian subcontinent, such as Taxila during the time of the Kushan Empire or later the ports of the Sultanate of Gujarat.
Historical accounts suggest that during the time of the Kushan Empire, Taxila was a significant conduit for trade between India, China, and the Mediterranean. Similarly, the Sultanate of Gujarat, with its strategic location on the Arabian Sea near Persia and the Arabian Peninsula, served as an important center of trade during the monsoon season, facilitating maritime commerce in the Indian Ocean.
The diversity of the Kushan trade network was vast, indicating that the empire managed to establish a stable trading route that connected the east with the west. The extensiveness of this network reveals the significant role the Kushan Empire played in the trade between India and other civilizations such as China and the Roman Empire.
In summary, while Ujjain was historically significant, it was not the primary gateway to the northwest that facilitated international trade and cultural exchange during the periods in question.