சலபபதகரததல தழலகள / Business in Silappathikaram

Material is necessary to obtain basic food for survival and to achieve a state of civilized development. Man started business with his hard work to earn that material wealth. Among the businesses that have been started since ancient times, the people of the “Silappathikaram” period used to plow the land on an auspicious day in the month of Chithirai. According to the custom of the ancestors, they used to plow the land and cultivate it. The farmers used to plough the land during the Vaikarai period and did the Marutham Land. Thus, the importance of plowing has been emphasized on the basis of teaching future generations to protect the plowing. The people of the Silappathikara period were skilled in weaving. It is also seen about the elegance of architecture where artistic buildings such as seven-storey mansion, the multi-storied mansions and the fort gates were built during the Silappathikara period. The people of the Silappathikara period excelled in iron industry also and built iron furnaces and designing iron tools. It is known that iron is one of the metal ores used for various types of tools and it was available in ancient times itself in Tamil Nadu. Hence, this research article investigates on the people who lived in the Cauvery river basin who excelled in business by undertaking sea voyages, engaging in trade with foreign countries, exporting resources to other countries and raising the economy of the country. It would astonish anyone who sees the business tactics and wealth of the business class people who lived in the Cauvery river basin. Thus, the article highlights the state of business and wealth in the 2nd century AD.