Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c23.s19.t1: 4.16.1 The merchant guild
Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c23.s19.t1
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4.16.1 The merchant guild
c23.s19.t1.1
Two inscriptions at Mangulam (Nos. *3* & *6*, ca. 2nd century B.C.) refer to the merchant guild *nikama* (< Pkt. nigama) at *veḷ-aṟai* (Veḷḷaṟai) identified with the modern village of Vellarippatti near Mangulam. The members of the guild, *nikama(t)tōr*, acting collectively, carved the numerous stone beds found in one of the caves at this site.
c23.s19.t1.2
A pottery inscription from Kodumanal,¹ known as a place of manufacture of gems and weapons, reads *ni kā ma* (*nikama*) indicating that merchant guilds were established at several industrial and trade centres in ancient Tamil country.
c23.s19.t1.3
¹ Y. Subbarayalu, Catalogue of Pottery Inscriptions from Kodumanal 1996 (unpublished): No. 88.