Chapter Six

TRADE

The South of India because of its geographical location was very favoured with regard to trade with East and West, when navigation depended on winds and sails. Articles of merchandise from South East Asia and China were exchanged in the Tamil harbours, for the goods from Arabia and the Roman Empire. Besides, the Tamil kingdoms produced luxury articles of food (e.g. spices), clothing and ornaments, which were greatly sought after by many countries. The story of ancient Tamil trade throws light on the external relations of the Tamil kingdoms, the state of their cities, and their relationship with foreigners.

I. Trade with East and West

Roman writers furnish substantial evidence concerning the trade of the Tamil country. E. H. WARMINGTON in The Commerce between the Roman Empire and India has collected the available literary evidence in his book which is now very rare. Cambridge University Press, 1928, x, 417. The following reading comprises pages 57 to 64.

THE COAST AS far as Damirice (the west coast of the Tamils) was much infested by pirates as it was even in much later times, though it is possible that not pirates but the strong dynasty of the Andhra-bhritya, which ruled over parts of the Deccan and the district and coast of Konkan, are represented by Ptolemy's andres peiratai, and legend makes. St. Thomas land in India at a royal city Andrapolis. Leuce Island (Nitrias in Pliny, Nitra in Ptolemy) was apparently Pigeon Island-much infested by pirates, according to Pliny-and robbers must have been active at the first two marts of Damirice,