Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c40.133

c40.133

§ 261. The literal significance of Nigama, from which Naigama is derived, is in accordance with Pāṇini, III. 3. 119, 'the place (or house) whereinto people resort.' It would have been the meeting-place or the bourse in the Capital where merchants and tradesmen in the Capital met. The body of the people associated with the Nigama, the bourse or the guildhall, were called Naigama.