South-Indian Images of Gods and Goddesses c2: Chapter I.

South-Indian Images of Gods and Goddesses c2

Language: English

Chapter I.

THE origin of the *Guilds* is a subject which has been much discussed, and upon which various opinions have been entertained. Some have sought to trace them to the *Collegia* of the Romans, while others have attributed their rise to the social and religious necessities of the middle ages. It is probable that both these influences contributed to their formation. The *Collegia* were associations of persons for various purposes, such as the exercise of a trade, the performance of religious rites, or the burial of the dead. These associations were recognized by the Roman law, and possessed certain privileges. When the Roman empire fell, and the social order was broken up, these *Collegia* may have disappeared, but the idea of association for mutual aid and protection remained.

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In the middle ages, the insecurity of life and property, and the need for mutual support, led to the formation of various kinds of associations. Among these were the *Guilds*, which were at first of a religious or social character, and afterwards became associated with the regulation of trade and industry. The *Guilds* were, in fact, the precursors of the modern trade unions and friendly societies. They provided for the relief of the poor, the sick, and the aged, and also regulated the conduct of their members in their business dealings.

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The *Guilds* were of two kinds: the *Guilds Merchant* and the *Craft Guilds*. The *Guilds Merchant* were associations of merchants who had the exclusive right to trade in a particular town. The *Craft Guilds* were associations of artisans who were engaged in the same trade. Both kinds of *Guilds* were powerful organizations, and exercised a great influence over the social and economic life of the middle ages.

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The *Guilds* were not only important for their economic functions, but also for their social and religious activities. They held feasts, processions, and other celebrations, and they also supported churches and hospitals. The *Guilds* were, in short, an integral part of the life of the middle ages, and their history is a reflection of the social and economic changes of that period.

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AGENTS FOR THE SALE OF MADRAS GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS.

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IN INDIA.

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A. C. BARRAUD & Co. (Late A. J. COMBRIDGE & Co.), Madras. R. CAMBRAY & Co., Calcutta. E. M. GOPALAKRISHNA KONE, Pudumantapam, Madura. HIGGINBOTHAMS (Ltd.), Mount Road, Madras. V. KALYANARAMA IYER & Co., Esplanade, Madras. G. C. LOGANATHAM BROTHERS, Madras. S. MURTHY & Co., Madras. G. A. NATESAN & Co., Madras. The Superintendent, NAZAIR KANUN HIND PRESS, Allahabad. P. R. RAMA IYER & Co., Madras. D. B. TARAPOREVALA SONS & Co., Bombay. THACKER & Co. (Ltd.), Bombay. THACKER, SPINK & Co., Calcutta. S. VAS & Co., Madras. S.P.C.K. PRESS, Madras.

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IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.

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B. H. BLACKWELL, 50 and 51, Broad Street, Oxford. CONSTABLE & Co., 10, Orange Street, Leicester Square, London, W.C. DEIGHTON, BELL & Co. (Ltd.), Cambridge. T. FISHER UNWIN (Ltd.), 1, Adelphi Terrace, London, W.C. GRINDLAY & Co., 54, Parliament Street, London, S.W. KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TRÜBNER & Co. (Ltd.), 68–74, Carter Lane, London, E.C. and 25, Museum Street, London, W.C. HENRY S. KING & Co., 65, Cornhill, London, E.C. P. S. KING & SON, 2 and 4, Great Smith Street, Westminster, London, S.W. LUZAC & Co., 46, Great Russell Street, London, W.C. B. QUARITCH, 11, Grafton Street, New Bond Street, London, W. W. THACKER & Co., 2, Creed Lane, London, E.C. OLIVER AND BOYD, Tweeddale Court, Edinburgh. E. PONSONBY (Ltd.), 116, Grafton Street, Dublin.