Trade Guilds

2020-04-27 12:02:22

Powerful ==guilds and Corporate organisation== of Merchants were prominent
Samaya : organisation created through agreement or contract has been mentioned
Had their own ==code of conduct== called Bananju dharma
Ayyavole (the 500) originally from Aihole became largest regional association of merchants
- Inscription mentioning them have been found in Lad Khan temple of Aihole - 8th century
- Debate on whether it was centralised or federation
- Enjoyed royal patronage esp Cholas
Manigrammam was another imp merchant guild
Inscriptions mentioning them found in Sri Lanka, Sumatra, Thailand
Traders accompanied by soldiers
Stone guild inscriptions frequently include a prashasti of the guild
12th cent onwards they became less dependent on royal support, joint donation to temples, armed escorts became common