Pramāṇa · Search · About · API

History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c33.s8.t2: Boats

History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c33.s8.t2

Language
English

Boats

v1.c33.s8.t2.1

According to Paranar (*Puram* 343:5-6) the gifts of gold from foreign countries brought in by ships were carried ashore with the help of small boats. The shallow sea-ports where ships could not ply hummed with the steady movement of small boats.

v1.c33.s8.t2.2

The *Paṭṭinappālai* compares the row of boats in the back waters of Poompuhar to the rows of horses kept in their stables. It also mentions that the horses were imported from across the seas to Tamil Nadu. The work also informs us that the boats that sold paddy and brought back salt were called *pakri*.

v1.c33.s8.t2.3

*Ambi* was the name of a boat which was used for fishing. According to this verse (*Puram* 261) these boats called *ambi* looked like residential structures on account of the mounds of paddy that were kept in.

v1.c33.s8.t2.4

We also learn about the existence of another boat called *thinuli* from the Puram verse of Erumai Veliyanar.

v1.c33.s8.t2.5

*Vangam* was the term used to indicate big boats that plied on the sea. These boats which made loud noise were used to transport rare goods across the rivers and seas.

v1.c33.s8.t2.6

While describing the various articles pouring into Poompuhar, the *Paṭṭinappālai* mentions the gems and gold from Northern mountains, the Sandal from Western mountain, Pearls from Southern sea, products of Ganga and Kaveri and Kazhagaam (i.e.) Malaya Coast. Such a great magnitude of trade would have been possible only if a good transport network existed. Merchants took great part in developing Poompuhar as a great national and international port. It was called as *Kaberis-Emporion* by the Roman writers. It was well connected to all important trade centres and capitals in the hinterland by roads.

v1.c33.s8.t2.7

The *Periplus of the Erthrean sea*, mentions 3 kinds of crafts

v1.c33.s8.t2.8

1) light coasting boats for local traffic,

v1.c33.s8.t2.9

2) larger vessels of more complicated structure and greater capacity, and

v1.c33.s8.t2.10

3) big ocean going vessels (K.A.N. Shastri)

v1.c33.s8.t2.11

The *Paṭṭinappālai* also compares the big ships that were moored in harbours to restless elephants. *Manimekalai* compares Udayakumar to a ship caught in a storm.

v1.c33.s8.t2.12

Maritime trade remained an important activity from the ancient Tamil period - through the ages. A direct sea route to China became a frequent passage around the 7th century A.D.

v1.c33.s8.t2.13

Māmallapuram, Kāveripoompaṭṭinam, Saliyur and Korkai on the east coast and Quilon and Muziri on the West were great emporiums frequented by traders of other countries.

v1.c33.s8.t2.14

In the 9th century A.D an extensive maritime and commercial activity had developed including most countries of South Asia including the Abassid Khalifat at Baghdad.

v1.c33.s8.t2.15

The *Nānādeśa-Tisaiyāyirattu Ainūrruvar* were a celebrated guild. They were a powerful autonomous corporation of merchants whose activities apparently took no account of the political boundaries and visited all countries in the course of their trade (K.A.N. Shastri). Their Tamil inscription is found in Sumatra.

v1.c33.s8.t2.16

Missions and envoys were sent to China in the early part of 11th century A.D. during the reigns of Rajaraja Cola I and his successors.

Linked texts (4)