Tag: towns, traders and craftsmen

Ajmer, Rajasthan was the capital of the Chauhan Kings in the twelfth century and later became the suba headquarters under the Mughals. It provides an excellent example of religious coexistance.

As the traders had to pass through many kingdoms and forests, they usually travelled in caravans and formed guilds to protect their interests. In eighth century the most famous guilds were the Manigramam and Nanadesi. These guilds traded extensively both within the peninsula and with Southeast Asia and China.

Temple towns represent a very important pattern of urbanisation, the process by which cities develop. Temples were often central to the economy and society.

Rulers built temples to demonstrate their devotion to various deities. They also endowed temples with grants of land and money to carry out elaborate rituals, feed pilgrims and priests and celebrate festivals. Pilgrims who flocked to the temples also made donations.

Towns emerged around temples such as those of Bhillasvamin or Bhilsa or Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh and Somnath in Gujrta. Other important tempe towns included Kanchipuram and Madurai in Tamil Nadu and Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh.

The small towns had market streets called hatta or haat of later times lined with shops. Besides, there were streets for different kinds of artisans such as potters, oil pressers, sugar makers, toddy makers, smiths, stone masons etc.

Spices grown in tropical climates became an important part of European cooking and cotton cloth was very attractive. This eventually drew European traders to India.