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Aarhat Multidisciplinary International Education
Research Journal (AMIERJ) (Bi-Monthly)
Peer-Reviewed Journal Vol No III Issues IV
AUG -SEP 2014 ISSN 2278-5655
MERCHANT GUILDS IN EARLY MEDIEVAL SOUTH INDIA: A STUDY
History
Basayya I. Mathapati.
Assistant Professor of History,
Govt First Grade College, Athani-591 304, Dist: Belgaum, Karnataka State
Introduction:
In South India the merchant communities had been organized into corporate bodies or
guilds form AD. 10th century onwards. The active functioning of trade and merchant guilds was
an important feature of South Indian Economy in the ancient and medieval times. The merchant
guilds were formed with the primary objective of carrying on trade, commerce, banking etc.
They were not merely interested in amassing wealth and protecting the interest of the merchants
but also in the general upliftment of the people. This paper mainly focuses on the functions of the
merchant guilds of South India spread over Karnataka, Andhra and Tamilnadu. In Karnataka we
get fairly good picture about the activities in the Chalukyas of Badami- Kalyan, Rastrakutas,
Hoyasalas and Vijayanagar periods.
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Meaning & Growth of Merchant Guilds
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The term used for the guild is Nigmattor. It is an organization of artisans or traders. The
guilds are divided according to their professions like the Citrmeli (Agricultural guild), Salevaru,
Telikivevuru and Panchamaru and trade guilds like Ayyavole500, Nakara, Merchants of
Pedinenimidi Bhumis, and Mummaridandas etc.1
During the period these guilds namely the Virabananja Samaya, the Nakaram of
Penugonda and the Telikas conducted internal as well as foreign trade. The activities of the
Nakaram of penugonda and that of Telikis were restricted to Andhra area, while Virabananja
Samya was spread over Andhra, Tamilnadu and Karnataka. The Virabananjas styled themselves
as Ainnurruvar in Tamilnadu and as Five hundred Svamis of Ayyavole in Karnataka along with
UbhayaNanadesi Pekkandru and Mummaridandas.
The early Tamil Brahmi insripritons found in the vicinity of Madurai furnishes with some
scanty information on this point. The inscriptions record that many merchants like salt merchant,
the gold merchant, semi precious stone dealers were responsible for the donations made to the
Jain ascetics undertaking penance on the hills around Madurai like Anaamalai and
Tiruparakunram. An inscription at Mang near Madurai records the grant given by a member of a
merchant guild of Vellore village. The term used for the guild is Nigmattor, the same word by
which the merchant guilds are mentioned in the Satavahana inscriptions of more or less the same
date.1 this should clearly suggest the active functioning of trade guilds in Pandiyan country even
at the beginning of the Christian era. Further amplification of the commercial activity, the
flourishing market at Madurai is obtained from the literary works of the Sangam and later
periods like the Maduraikanji and the silappadikaram.
The prevalence of the trade guilds can certainly be traced to the Sangam period, the large
scale development of guild commerce in Pandyan country as in indeed for South India as a
whole, can be traced only form 6th-7th centuries onwards, during the time of Pallavas, Chalukyas,
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1. K.V.Raman, Brahmi Inscription of Tamilnadu, a historical assessment – Studies in Indian Epigraphy, Vol.1, pp.
104-118
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Pandyas, Cheras and later Cholas. Inscriptios in Pandyan country from 9th-10th century onwards
give us a fairly connected picture onwards give us fairly connected picture about the activities of
the merchant guilds as well as individual activities of the members of the guild. Several facts
concerning their free movement from one place to another, their settlements, names of the guilds
their philanthropic activity both inside the Pandyan country and outside, are well attested by
inscriptions. A record of the 10th century AD at Sirudavar in Chinglepet district has recorded a
grant made by a merchant of the Pandyan country to the Vishnu temple of that village. Similarly,
a record of the 14th century mentions that the merchants of Pandyamandalam met in
Tondaimandalam and undertook several charities in the area. Especially coastal town like
Mayilapur and Mamallapuram seems to have had close links with the merchant guilds.
Functions of the Merchants Guilds
We are all familiar with the several types of commercial guilds that were functioning all
over South India such as manigramam, Nanadesi, thisaiayirattu, Ainurrwas, Nagarttar,
anjuvannattar etc. Many of them had far flung trade connections both within and beyond the
shores of India in the foreign countries like Srilanka, Malaya, and Sumatra etc. Among them of
course, the Nanadesi- Tisai- ayirallu ainurwar had a long and cheuquered history. This guild
seems to have been quite active in the area around Tirumayyam on the borders of the Pandya
country even in the 9th century AD. It was responsible for a charity of excavating a tank and for
its maintenance throughout the year which the guild instituted an endowment. The activity of the
same guild in the Ambasamudram in Tirunelveli district, is attested by a record dated 1033 AD.
The guild donated lands to the Siva temple at Ambasamudram.2
In an inscription form Belgaum dated AD.1184,3 they are said to be traders in horses,
elephants, precious stones, spices and other articles. The records of the Tamil merchants of this
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2
82 of 1907
3
Epigraphic Karnataka Vol. VII Sk 117
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community hail from Sumatra4 and Burma.5 The vaisyas of Andhra formed into corporate body
of the Nakam with their principal seat at Penugonda. The Telikis mentioned as Akhiladesala
Telikivevuru were oil mongers, manufacturing and selling oil.
Every town appears to have had a mercantile association. Since they were local
associations, the constitution and working must have differed from place to place and from time
to time. However, every guild had a leader who exercised some control over the working of the
organization and acted as its representative in these dealings with the government. The guilds
were generally in a flourishing condition during the Vijayanagar period. Construction of the
temples by the merchant guilds was seen during this time. An inscription form Bellary records
that Abbaraja Timmappa, the agent of Pradhana Tirumalaraja, granted the Mulavisa of the
villages for the offering of God Tiruvengalanatha with the consent of pattanasetti swamis of the
villages and of the Mahanadu.
The important guilds which flourished during this period in Karnataka were Banajigas,
Nanadesi, Ubhayananadesi, Nagarshetti, Guttas, Veeravanajigas, Ayyavole500, Manigramam
and Mummaridandas. These were self governing local bodies. The leaders of the merchant guilds
were also heads of towns. They were known by different names, such as Uboayananadesi,
Pattanaswami, Mahavaddavyavahari, vadda-bhanadesi, Nagareshwara and Pattanadhishwara.6
A number of inscriptions refer to the establishment of fairs by merchant guilds. In 1362
AD all the farmers and subjects of Kayivaranadu, all the Nanadesis in Pekkundra and the 18
castes established a fair (santhe) at Kayivara and appointed Periya-Nayana as pattanswami.7
Another record of AD 1218 mentions that Five Hundred Swamis of Ayyavole, Mummaridandas
of Uchchangi, Nanadesis of Uchchangi and other accepted the order to establish a fair and made
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4
K.A.Nilakhanta sastry: South India and South East Asia, Mysore (1978) pp 237-247
5
Epigraphia Indica Vol. VII p. 197
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6
For details see Venkata Ratnam A.V., Local Government in the Vijayanagara Empire, p 113.
7
E,C., X, Ct.95
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grant of some dues to God Somanatha.8 Similarly an inscription of AD 1430 from Nenamangala
village in Bowingpet (Bangarupete) records that the salumule of the 56 countires with all the
cultivators and the Panchalas established a fair and in connection with it, as a many for the
Pattanaswami of the fair Chiyi Bassi Setti granted land.9 The establishment of fairs at specific
places not only helped the peoples to dispose of their agricultural produce but also to buy
whatever they wanted at the nearest place. The establishment of new fairs resulted in the
expansion of trade.
Inscriptions refer to the construction of tanks and channels by merchant guilds. As
members of the Desi guilds, the Vaisyas constructed tanks. An inscription from Sikripur dated
1066 AD. Refers to a merchant (member of a Desi guild) belonging to Vaisyakula constructed a
tank.10 The guilds of Nanadesi donated funds for the construction of irrigational works. An
inscription of the time of Vira Bukkanna Odeyar (1357 AD) states that he permitted the great
vadda-vyavahari, chief of both Nanadesi, Arjjuhattayya’s son Mahadevanna to dig Lakshmipura
channel, build stone sides, sluices and beginning form the fields to the north, to erect stones of
both sides for bridges over the channel.11 Another inscription refers to the repair of a tank. An
inscription of the reign of Chalukya Somesvara IV dated 1184 AD., records that
Mahapradhanasenadhipati, Dandanayaka Tejimayya and his subordinates Bokana-dandanayaka
and Revarasa granted Pannaya tax for dredging and repairs in stone and wood to the sluice of the
local tank called Gonnasmudra. The gift was entrusted to the sixteen settis of the village, who
also made gifts of land to the same tank in conjunction with the Nakaharas.12 Damodara Setti
who has been praised as the senior merchant and benefactor of both sects of Nanadesi said to
have build many tanks.13 Pattanaswami Nokkayya got five tanks constructed, one of them being
8
E.C., VI, Dg. 105
9
E.C. X, Bp. 72
49
10
E.C. VII Sikaripur 19.
11
E.C. V. Arakalgud 58.
Page
12
S.I.I. XV, ( BKI Vol.II) No.57.
13
M.A.R. 1911-p. 47, 1232 A.D.
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named Pattanaswamykere.14 By providing irrigational facilities to the peasants the merchant
guilds undoubtedly helped to improve agriculture. As a result, not only the condition of those
peasants who drew water from these tanks improved but also resulted in the surplus produce,
which flowed into the markets.
Merchant guilds came forward to establish watersheds on road sides for the benefit of
travelers. These were sometimes attached to temples and satras. Boys were employed to supply
water to the thirsty travelers. Setti guttas donated money for the purpose of establishment of
watersheds.15 Mummaridandas liberally granted out of its income towards the establishment of
watersheds. Desis and Nanadesis maintained watersheds on highways and donated money for the
construction of the same.16 Thus it is clear that the construction of watersheds on the highways,
particularly on trade routes was considered as an act of merit of those days.
In the similar way the inscriptions refer to the construction of status (feeding houses),
Satras were rest houses for weary travelers. They were freely fed and accommodated with shelter
for rest. The members of Five Hundred Swamis of Ayyavole constructed many feeding houses.
An inscription from Telasang of Belgaum district, registers a gift of the incomes in kind and coin
realized from several dealers made by Five Hundred Swami’s, the Mahajanas of Telasang, the
settis and the thirty six camps, Banajiga settis of the place and all the Nakharas, for the
maintenance of satra of the place (Telasangava).17 Similarly the Mummardandas established
feeding houses or satras for the benefit of travelers.18 The settguttas also established feeding
houses.19 Thus from the above account it is clear that the establishment of feeding houses was
also an important activity. The satras served as the meeting places for all kinds of people. It was
a place where merchants in transition met and exchanged trade information.
14
E.C. VII,Nr,58 – 1062 A.D.
15
S.I.I. II, No. 23.
16
S.I.I. IX, Part-I, No. 223.
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17
Karnataka Inscriptions, No. 21 of 1940-41 (Vol. II)
Page
18
S.I.I. IX, Part-I,No. 296
19
E.C. VII, Sikaripur 19
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Decline of Trade Guilds
The merchant guilds began to decline from 16th century onwards and almost disappeared
from the scene by the 17th-18th centuries. The lessening of the guild donations to the temples as
well as the absence of any reference to their activities in the Dutch and English records indicates
their decline. During the days of Vijayanagar Empire, the Nayakas who were given authority
over a particular area were required to pay half of the revenue to the king, besides offering
military services. The taxation system of Golconda, which was very burdensome, appears to be
another cause which affected the trade guilds. The general condition in South India in the second
half of 16th century and 17th century was one of the disturbances and continuous warfare between
the rulers of the country. The Portuguese imposed severe restrictions over Asiatic trade. They
tried to take over the trade of the native merchant organizations by force. So all the traders who
carried on great land commerce between Tinnevelly and Kanyamkalam, stopped their
commercial activity. The cropping pattern in the country also has changed so as to accommodate
the production of goods for the market. The Dutch and English introduced an innovation in the
country’s economic structure namely advancing capital. This advancing of money to the artisan,
while enabling them to get produces according to their requirements, brought down the position
of the artisan to that of a paid labourer. The Indian merchants, who were not used to this practice,
found it difficult to face the competition of the European Companies.
Conclusion
As looking to the history of merchant guilds in South India, it came in to existence
during ancient times. These guilds found in practices up to 17th-18th century and declined
gradually. Even today the recent trends in artisans and trading activities have been in practice as
in the earlier way and have emerged again into the practice like carpenters, blacksmiths(kambar),
goldsmiths(Pattar), cloth merchants(Nekaar), oil merchants (Ganigas), potmakers (Kumbar) etc.
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Not only these guilds were in existence in modern days but also, today we find various industrial
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organizations, Labour Organisations, Trade Organisations as per their professions. It seems that
the merchant guilds are still alive and functioning.
References:
1. Chidanand Moorti, “Kannad Shasanagal Sanskrutik Addhyan” [450-1150 A D], 2002,
Bengalore.
2. B. R .Hiremath, “Shasanagalalli Karnatakad Vartakaru”, 1986, Karnataka University
Dharavad.
3. Gururajachyarya S, “Some Aspects of Ecnomic and Social life in Karnataka”, [1000
1300A D], 1974 Mysore.
4. Neelakantha Shastri, K., “A History of South India”, 1955, Madras.
5. Dipakranjan Das, “Economic History of the Deccan”, 1969, Delhi.
6. Gopalrao H G, “An Introduction to Soils and Soil fertility in Mysore state”,1960,
Bangalore.
7. Gupta K M, “The Land System in South India”; [800 -1200 A D], 1933, Llahore.
8. Karmakar A P, “Cultural History of Karnataka”, [Ancient and medieval], 1947, Dharvad.
9. Krishnaswamy Aiyangar, “Some Contributions of South India to Indian culture”, 1923,
Calacutta.
10. Kuppaswamy G R, “Economic History of Karnataka”, [1000-1400 A D,] Mysore.
11. Gopalarao H G, “An Introduction to Soils and Soil Fertility in Mysore State”, 1960,
Bangalore.
12. Gupta K. M, “The Land System in South India”, [800-1200 A D,] 1933,
Lahore.
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