South-Indian Images of Gods and Goddesses c2.4

c2.4

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.