Which one of the following was a corporation of merchants in ancient India?
UPSC CSE Pre 1997
A. Chaturvedimangalam
B. Parishad
C. Ashtadiggaja
D. Manigramam
Answer: Manigramam
Option d is the correct answer.
Manigramam was a guild or association of traders and merchants that operated in South India and Southeast Asia from the 6th to the 13th century CE.
Important Tips
Manigramam:
The name Manigramam means "village market" or "settlement of traders" in Tamil. The members of Manigramam were mostly Tamil speaking, but they also included people from other regions and religions. Manigramam had a well-organized structure and administration, with its own laws, courts, seals, and coins. It also had a network of branches and agents in various ports and cities, where it conducted trade and commerce with local and foreign partners. Manigramam dealt with a variety of goods, such as spices, textiles, gems, metals, ivory, and pearls.