Explain the land granted and trade …

The inscriptions on stones and copper plates are the main source of information to know about the system of land grants and trade from C.600 BCE to 600 CE.

Land Grants:

1. Grants were made to religious institutions and Samantas.

2. Brahmans were given Agrahara grants.

3. The system of giving land as grants was adopted as a strategic tool to extend Brahmanical practices and to provide scope for the expansion of agriculture.

4. The kings wanted to make allies as the weakening of the powers was evident.

Trade Practices:

1. Both Inland and overseas trade flourished.

2. Inland trade developed within the country whereas trade relations were established with Central and West Asia and Northern Africa.

3. Inland trade was done through the rivers.

4. Merchants used caravans and bullock cart while the peddlers travelled on foot to carry on their business.

5. Salt, timber, cloth, spices and medicinal plants were some of the items that were traded.

6. Punch marked coins were introduced to facilitate trade.

7. The texts written in Tamil and Pali provide us with enough information on the trade practices during the period.