transportation along the road was tightly controlled by agents of the crown to prevent smuggling and unauthorized movement. goods were transported in mule trains known as "tropas", led by "tropeiro" mule drivers. products from portugal made their way up the road while minerals made their way to the coast, as manufacturing and many crops were prohibited by the crown so as to keep the region economically dependent on portugal. many of brazil's hearty dishes, such as "feijão tropeiro" and "tutu", were originally prepared by the "tropeiros", who needed food that could be transported without spoiling.