Tarder and guilds in Post-Mauryan age discussed by Harsh Kumar
Background
The post-Mauryan age saw a number of developments in every field of the state, whether it is economy or society. Many of the British scholars presented this age as the dark age of the Indian History but it was just to justify their rule in India because this saw various development in India which was never seen before. Even this was the golden age for many fields in the History of India.
Also Read : Post-Mauryan Period – Major Settlements
Post-Mauryan Age – Political History of West, South and Deccan India
Post-Mauryan Period – Resources and Political History of North India
Magadha Empire – Urban Administration
Pre-Historic Studies – Paleolithic Age
Crafts and Guilds
Milindapanha mentioned about 60 types of crafts. Sangam literature indicates the existence of many specialized crafts such as weaving, gem working, shell working and metal working. The profession of father was often followed by the son as well. The Jatakas refers to about 18 guilds but mentioned only four of them; wood worker, smiths, leather workers and painters. Mahavastu mentioned Kapilavastu’s guilds. Jetthaka or Pamakkha was mentioned in Jatakas as the head of guild of crafts persons.
Trade and Traders
The period from c. 300 BC to c. 300 BC saw significant expansion of trade activity both within subcontinent and other also. Facilitated by the money economy, Kushanas and Satvahanas issue large number of coins. Jatakas gave accounts of long caravan journeys mentioning peoples travelling on foot and bullock carts and rich people travelling in chariots and palanquins. Sangam text gave vivid literary sketches of market and traders of Tamilakam.
Trade continued to ply among the Utrapatha and Dakshinapatha. Utrapatha connected Taxila to Tamralipti and other sea route connects Sindh and Gujarat. Mathura, Mahismati, Ujjaini, Pune, Kanchipuram, Kerala, Cholamandal etc. were the important trade centres in post-Mauryan age. Muziris was an important port for coastal trade.
Long Distance Trade – Maritime trade an important aspect of post-Mauryan age. Dwarka excavation revealed major remains of trade activities. The demand of Chinese silk in Mediterranean region was major stimulus to trans-regional and trans-continental trade in this period. The existence of Kushanas helped in the flourishing the silk trade route as they provided safety to traders and travelers.
Trade with East Southeast Asia – Silk trade route played significant role in the development of trade activities in this region. Pearls, corals, glass and fragrances were the main item exported to China from India and silk was most important item to be imported. There are also evidences of maritime links between India and Southeast Asia from c. 500/400 BC onwards. The development of urban centres in the valleys of Chao Draya, Irrawaddy and Mekong River indicates the same. Gold, spices etc. were imported to India.
Indo-Roman trade – Romans mentioned Yavanas who were identifies as the peoples lived in north-western part of Mauryan Empire. The silk route and sea routes played significant role in Indo-Roman trade. Large number of coins discovered in India comprise almost 170 finds from 130 sites, mainly from western India. From Taxila, Manikyala, Mathura, Tamilnadu, coins were discovered. Roman pottery, jars founded in from Arikamedu. Terracotta, glassware, metal artefacts and jewellery also discovered.
The Wider Role of Trade and Traders – Merchants were the main donors of the post-Mauryan period. Merchant community coincided with religious institutions getting more institutionalized and organized with the passage of time. The post-Mauryan period saw development of close relationship between Buddhist’s monasteries, traders and guilds. This relationship helped in spread of Buddhism in China and other southeast Asian countries.
Thus, the post-Mauryan saw a number of significant developments which was never seen before. Thus, it was one of best period for economic development in Indian History.