[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 # 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 - **Language:** English ### 4.16.1 The merchant guild ### [c23.s19.t1.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.mahadevan-2003.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](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. ### [c23.s19.t1.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.mahadevan-2003.c23.s19.t1.3) ¹ Y. Subbarayalu, Catalogue of Pottery Inscriptions from Kodumanal 1996 (unpublished): No. 88. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.mahadevan-2003.c23.s19.t1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.mahadevan-2003.c23.s19.t1) · Pramāṇa