[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Archaeology, epigraphy and coins](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy) › [Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D.](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.mahadevan-2003) › c23.s19.t1.2 # Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c23.s19.t1.2 Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c23.s19.t1.2 - **Language:** English ### [c23.s19.t1.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.mahadevan-2003.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. - [Previous: c23.s19.t1.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.mahadevan-2003.c23.s19.t1.1) - [Next: c23.s19.t1.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.mahadevan-2003.c23.s19.t1.3) - [Up: c23.s19.t1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.mahadevan-2003.c23.s19.t1) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.mahadevan-2003.c23.s19.t1.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.mahadevan-2003.c23.s19.t1.2) · Pramāṇa