Trade, Merchants, and Guilds in the Sangam Age

Abstract

The trade networks of ancient Tamils, which spanned the Indian subcontinent, the Mediterranean region, as well as Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia, laid a strong foundation for economic development and transformation across various spheres. Literary works, including the Sangam texts and archaeological discoveries, speak with one voice about the thriving trade in the Tamil region during the early historic period. They also highlight the role of merchants who were organised in guilds and corporations for effective supervision and maintenance of trade activities. Foreign accounts, such as the Periplus and Ptolemy's Geographia, mention several Indian ports and the various commodities exchanged between regions. Archaeological finds, including inscriptions, coins, ceramics, and other antiquities from sites in India and other countries, also attest to the overland and maritime contacts of the Tamil region with distant lands. Taking note of these facts, the primary objective of this study is to revisit the Sangam epoch and understand the role of communities and their organization into guilds for trade operations in light of the available evidence. It also examines whether traders, in addition to their primary focus on commercial exchange, also provided support for other activities.