IGNOU HISTORY NOTES : India History From 8th to 15th Century - Trading Communities Organisation

IGNOU HISTORY Study Notes for IAS, UPSC Exams

History India From 8th to 15th Century

Trading Communities Organisation

Structure

4.0 Objectives
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Trader as a Link
4.3 Position of Merchants during the First Phase
(c.A.D.700-900)
4.4 Position of Merchants during the Second Phase
(c. A.D. 900-1 300)
4.5 Social Role of Traders
4.6 Organisation of Traders
1.6.1 Guilds : Definition and Fundions
4.6.2 Organisation of Trading Guilds in South India
4.7 Relationship Between Merchants and Craftsmen
4.8 Let Us Sum Up
4.9 Key Words
4.10 .Ann-ers to Check Your Progress Exercises

4.0 OBJECTIVES

After reading this Unit, you should be able to explain the:

relative position of traders and merchants in the society during the two major dhases of early medieval India, viz. c.A.D.700-900 and c.A.D.900-1300,
regional characteristics of trading communities,
major activities of traders,
types of traders and merchants,
character and conduct of traders,
trading guilds and their functioning-both in the North and South India, and
control of merchants on artisans and craftsmen.

4.1 INTRODUCTION

Units 2 and 3 in this Block sought to explain the role of trade and commerce in the
economic activity and its linkage with the growth of towns and cities. Their place in
the overall growth of feudal tendencies was also emphasized.The present Unit ought
to be seen as a complementary facet. An attempt has been made here to demarcate
the role of traders and merchants in the society with reference to their organised
economic activities. The fluctuations in their relative positidn through centuries have
also been shown. The Unit also draws special attention to the overawing influence of
big merchants on petty artisans and craftsmen.

4.2 TRADER AS A LINK

The traders form an important link between producers and consumers. They collect
agricultural surplus and products of artisans and craftsmen from different regions
and distribute them over a wlde area. They trade not only in finished goods but also