Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c23.s7.t9.10

c23.s7.t9.10

The original import of the term *gahapati* can be gathered from Prakrit inscriptions where it is specifically associated with merchant classes and prosperous landowning gentry who were supporters of Buddhist and Jaina religions. It is likely that *kāviti* had a somewhat similar significance in early times in the Tamil country also, later becoming a title bestowed by the king on merchants and officials as recorded in early literary works. Still later, the term *kāviti* came to mean an 'accountant' in medieval Tamil inscriptions.