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all the local needs, but traded with the outside in India centered the Ganga valley. Several
world via sea routes. In the Vedic age (1500 BC),
we find numerous references in the Vedas of
artisans involved in pottery making, weaving,
wood craft, etc. The Rig Veda refers to a variety of
pottery made from clay, wood and metal. There is
a reference to weavers and weaving.
Growth of Trade
As a result of increased agricultural production,
there was surplus produce in the market. Villages
supplied the goods to towns. These goods were
either consumed by the people of the towns or
they were exported to other region. This was the
beginning of trade. Merchants and traders
emerged and they participated in both internal
and external trade. Trade links developed
between the north and the south. India also
traded with the Roman Empire. The greater use
of money gave a further push to this trade. The
sources of the period refer to numerous treading
communities and trade guilds who were engaged
in trade with other lands.
The Second Urbanisation
The second urbanisation in India took place in
about sixth century BC. The second urbanisation
CASE STUDY – TAMIL NADU
Till the second century BC, the region of present-
day Tamil Nadu was inhabited by the megalithic
people. These people did not practice an advanced
type of agriculture. With the introduction of iron
technology in the south, there were major changes
in the pattern of living of the people.
The region that today makes up the state of Tamil
Nadu was ruled by the Pandyas during the early
centuries of Christian era. Their kingdom was
famous for pearls. The Pandyas traded with the
Roman Empire and with South-east Asia and
Central Asia. Goods exported included spices
especially pepper, ivory, precious stones, pearls,
muslin, silk and iron goods. Trade formed a very
important source of revenue for the king.
Social Science-6
factors account for the growth of urban centers or
towns in the Ganga Valley in the sixth century
BC.
g First of all, improved knowledge of cultiva-
tion and the use of improved implements
led to the production of surplus crops which
were essential for the growth of towns.
g Second, particularly the use of iron became
extensive. It was now possible to clear the
deep forests with the help of iron imple-
ments that increased the area of cultivation.
g Third, the emergence of business communi-
ties like the settees, gahapatis, sarthavahas,
etc. was also an important factor behind the
growth of towns in the Ganga Valley.
g Fourth, growth of trade and commerce in
the sixth century BC was another important
cause for the growth of towns.
g Fifth, growth of towns was also associated
with the large scale use of coin which was
so essential for trade and commerce. These
are in short the causes that led to the growth
of urban centers in the Ganga Valley.
The main source of revenue was land. This region
was very fertile and hence agriculture prospered.
Wet paddy cultivation was practiced. In addition,
the Tamil region produced grains, fruits, pepper
and turmeric.
Many urban centers grew up in the Tamil region,
Madurai, Uraiyur and Mahabalipuram were the
most prosperous. Uraiyur was a famous center of
the craft of dyeing.
Recently, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
Pandyan Coins
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