Coromandel Trade in Early South India- An Archaeological Perspective (With Special Reference to Tamil Nadu UP to Circa 12th Century AD)

About the Book The highlights the trade networks and pattern of trade in early south India with special reference Coromandel Coast light of archacological discoveries. survey of antiquarian remains suggests the habitation population beginning from Megalithic period such those located the Kaveri delta. These Megalithic communities participated network extending northwards to Andhra beyond sea Lanka. Initially, the ports west coast India witnessed the vibrant trading activities discovery monsoon century made the circumnavigation Comorin easier leading rise port centres such as Arikamedu the contributed to the Indo-Roman trade. Kaveripattinam emerged important centre third centuries During rule Pallava and Chola dynasties the epicentre shifted further northward to Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) and Nagapattinam respectively serving expanding with the countries across the of Bengal. of these facts, demonstrates phases trade in Tamil ancient past trade evident trade and cultural faca the east of settlements by the geographica commercial links, is not observed solely in association with demand-supply mechanism materialized long-distance trade also the context intrinsic factors such the spread Brahmanism, Buddhism and Jainism necessitating the movements even to lands including Lanka, China and Southeast Asia.

About the Author Vikas K. Verma teaches History at Ramjas College, University of Delhi. He obtained his B.A (Hons.) in History, M.A, M.Phil. and Ph.D. from the University of Delhi. He was awarded Junior Research Fellowship for his research by the University Grants Commission (UGC). He also holds a Master's Degree in Tourism Management (MTM). He has delivered lectures as Resource Person for the Orientation Programmes, Refresher conducted by UGC and IITTM (Indian Institute Courses and of Tourism and Travel Management, Ministry of Training Programmes Tourism, Government of India). He has contributed to the content for the reading materials, books and modules prepared by the School of Open Learning, University of Delhi; National Institute of Open Schooling, Government of India; e-PG Pathshala; National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Project), Ministry of Human Resource Development Technology (NME-ICT (MHRD), Government of India and Annual Refresher Programme in Teaching (ARPIT) course in History, MHRD. He successfully completed Innovation Projects granted by the University of Delhi during 2013-16. He has presented research papers in national and international conferences. His work has been published in journals and proceedings of history. He also co-edited a volume of essays titled Streaming the Past: Peninsular India in History (2019).

Preface The present work is the outcome of my doctoral research in the Department of History, Delhi University, under the guidance and supervision of Professor T.K.Venkatasubramanian. The initial motivation for the subject under study came from Professor R.K Chattopadhyay, then in the Department of History, Delhi University (now "Vivekananda Chair Professor of Social Science', University of Calcutta, Kolkata), who was a source of guidance at each step.

My interest to view our past from the archaeological perspective was inspired by the works of many scholars in the field. This attempt of revisiting ancient Tamil region in order to perceive trade practices of the Tamils with a fresh perspective encountered many challenges. The study is primarily based on the archaeological sources gathered from the present day sites of Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Puducherry (Pondicherry). However, the corroboration of literary sources also forms a part of this exercise at points where sufficient evidence was not available. I was fortunate to benefit from the subject expertise of Professor Chattopadhyay, I also received valuable insights from Professor Venkatasubramanian in regard to situating the issues in the context of south India which imparted clarity to my thoughts and arguments. The undertaking and execution of this kind of work requires support at many fronts. Invaluable inputs were also drawn from the interaction with Professor Dilip. K. Chakrabarti, Professor Emeritus, Cambridge University.

This study presents the networks of internal and external trade on the Coromandel Coast with special reference to the Tamil region up to the 12 century AD. Although there is no dearth of scholarship on this theme, the present attempt differs from earlier endeavours in terms of its perspective. It moves beyond the confines of coastal or metropolitan centres and depicts the significance of satellite or inland centres in the development of the trade networks. It also offers a new paradigm to observe the trade pattern in the region contrary to the hypothesis reflecting the decline of trade and process of de-urbanisation as a result of the contraction of Roman contacts. The evidences, on the other hand, suggest the continuation of trading activities and emergence of new centres with shift in focus of trade towards South-East Asia, Sri Lanka and China. Revisiting earlier postulations in this regard, therefore, becomes essential. The approach employed in this study also demonstrates a shift from the predominance of observing south India with the perspective of the historical developments in the northern region of India.

Introduction The ongoing and encouraging interactions between the specialists of the earth and social sciences in recent years have contributed much towards the historical research. This is evident in the keen interest among scholars in the study of human settlements of the past and various aspects including the socio-economic, political, and religious factors as agents of change. In the same light, the systematic discussion on the historical remains of coastal south India needs rigorous academic pursuit. Though there are several works on coastal trade of the East highlighting the maritime activities between India, the Mediterranean World and South-East Asia, the research so far has at best created an awareness of the general development of coastal trading network and the need for a critical historical perspective.

The history of the settlements in coastal regions of eastern and southern India is significant on account of its antiquity. The region along with its hinterland like the Deccan plateau and Gondwana blocks of peninsular India is one of the oldest inhabited regions of the world. Its prehistory and the contacts with neighbouring regions are important constituents of research. The importance of this part is largely shaped, among other factors, by its hinterland and foreland. Scholars have already made us conscious about the unity between the land and the sea by their researches. Thus, the history of the sea cannot be separated from that of the lands surrounding it like the clay cannot be separated from the hands of the potter who shapes it.

The mutually appropriative movement of goods between hands is referred to as trade. One can observe this movement within contiguous social units (internal trade) or between groups across cultural boundaries (external trade). This can further be broadly categorized into gift trade administered trade and market trade.

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