History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c26.s3.t7.4

v1.c26.s3.t7.4

*Salt in south India:* The Sangam literature of the first six centuries AD is quite forthcoming. Activities of people living in different localities are set down, and this includes salt-making in the coastal littoral. Mention is made (*Rasanayagam*, 1926, pp. 130-160; Srinivasa Iyengar, 1932, pp. 253-300) of “hearths of stones left by the salt vendors”, and of “white salt manufactured in clayey beds”, certainly by evaporation. Salt must have been extensively made, and five names are recorded for salt beds, namely *nanuguppalam*, *alkkar*, *uvarkkalam*, *uvalagam* and *kazhi* (Srinivasa Iyengar, 1930, pp. 57-70). The more important places of manufacture were Markanam, Kanyakumari, Variyur, Aythurai and Bapatla (Ibid). No varieties other than sea salt seem to be recorded. Salt sellers went round villages with headloads crying out the price, (Rasanayagam, 1926, pp. 130-160), and salt was transported across the peninsula in carts by producers moving about with their families (Arokiaswami; 1972). Salt was exchanged for various other commodities like rice, and both salt and honey were principal measures of value (Pillay, 1975, p.284).