Trade and Trade Routes in Ancient India c8.77

c8.77

It is also evident from the *Arthaśāstra* that there was a very vigorous trade in precious stones. Many precious and semi-precious stones came from different parts of India, but some came from foreign countries. From Sri Lanka, the Pāṇḍya country, the Persian Gulf, Pāsha (probably Iran), Kula and Chūrṇa (probably near Muruchipaṭṭana) and from the Gulf of Manar, and the sea shore of Somaliland came pearls. From the mention of Muchiri it is clear that the old port of Muchiri on Kerala coast was also famous for its pearl trade.