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With reference to the Ancient India history, the terms Sreshti, Sarthavaha, Gandhika refer to:
  • a)
    taxes on lower castes during the Gupta period.
  • b)
    land tenure systems during Mauryan empire.
  • c)
    titles given to ruling classes during Gupta period
  • d)
    types of merchants during Post-Mauryan period.
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
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With reference to the Ancient India history, the terms Sreshti, Sartha...
The correct answer is option 'D' - types of merchants during the Post-Mauryan period. Let's understand the terms Sreshti, Sarthavaha, and Gandhika in the context of Ancient India history:

1. Sreshti:
- Sreshti refers to a type of merchant during the Post-Mauryan period in Ancient India.
- The term 'Sreshti' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Sresthin' which means a wealthy person or a merchant.
- Sreshtis were prominent and influential merchants who played a significant role in trade and commerce during this period.
- They were known for their wealth, business acumen, and social status.
- Sreshtis were engaged in long-distance trade, both within the Indian subcontinent and with other regions like Central Asia, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
- They acquired immense wealth through trade and were patrons of art, literature, and religion.

2. Sarthavaha:
- Sarthavaha, another term related to merchants, refers to a type of trader or merchant during the Post-Mauryan period.
- The term 'Sarthavaha' is derived from the Sanskrit words 'Sartha' meaning 'goods' and 'Vaha' meaning 'carrying' or 'transporting'.
- Sarthavahas were merchants involved in the transportation and carriage of goods.
- They were responsible for the logistics of trade, including the movement of goods through land and water routes.
- Sarthavahas played a crucial role in facilitating trade and ensuring the smooth flow of goods from one place to another.
- They often formed guilds or associations to protect their interests, maintain quality standards, and regulate trade practices.

3. Gandhika:
- Gandhika refers to a specific type of merchant during the Post-Mauryan period.
- The term 'Gandhika' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Gandha' meaning 'perfume' or 'fragrance'.
- Gandhikas were merchants involved in the trade of perfumes, aromatic substances, and other luxury goods.
- They specialized in the procurement, production, and distribution of fragrant materials, including spices, essential oils, and incense.
- Gandhikas played a significant role in the luxury trade and were associated with the affluent sections of society.
- They catered to the demands of the elite, including the royal courts and wealthy individuals.

In conclusion, Sreshti, Sarthavaha, and Gandhika were different types of merchants during the Post-Mauryan period in Ancient India. Sreshtis were wealthy and influential merchants engaged in long-distance trade, Sarthavahas were responsible for the transportation and carriage of goods, and Gandhikas specialized in the trade of perfumes and luxury goods.
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With reference to the Ancient India history, the terms Sreshti, Sartha...
  • Although a substantial number of non-producing people concentrated in the cities, the age of the Shakas, Kushans, Satavahanas (200 BC-AD 250), and the first Tamil states was the most flourishing period in the history of crafts and commerce in ancient India. Arts and crafts in particular witnessed remarkable growth.
    • We do not hear of so many kinds of artisans in the earlier texts as are mentioned in the writings of the period. The Digha Nikaya, which relates to pre-Maurya times, mentions nearly two dozen occupations, but the Mahavastu, which relates to this period, catalogs thirty-six kinds of workers living in the town of Rajgir, and the list is not exhaustive.
    • The Milinda Panho or the Questions of Milinda enumerates as many as seventy-five occupations, sixty of which are connected with various crafts. A Tamil text known in English as The Garland of Madurai supplements the information supplied by the two Buddhist texts on crafts and craftsmen.
  • This text does not distinguish between craftsmen and shopkeepers.
  • Types of Merchants: The Buddhist texts mention the sresthi, who was the chief merchant of the nigama, and the sarthavaha, the caravan leader who was the head of the corporation of merchants (vanijgramo). It also speaks of nearly half a dozen petty merchants called vanija.
  • To them we can add perfumers or all-purpose merchants called gandhika. Various types of oilmen, some of them dealing in perfumed oils, are covered by the term. The term vyavahari, that is, one who transacts business, is also used, but the term vyapari or trader seems to be missing.
  • The term agrivanija seems to be obscure, but these merchants may have been the predecessors of the agrawalas if we allow for some linguistic change. Whatever may be the meaning of this term, there were certainly wholesale merchants who conducted both internal and external trade. Hence option (d) is the correct answer.
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With reference to the Ancient India history, the terms Sreshti, Sarthavaha, Gandhika refer to:a)taxes on lower castes during the Gupta period.b)land tenure systems during Mauryan empire.c)titles given to ruling classes during Gupta periodd)types of merchants during Post-Mauryan period.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
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With reference to the Ancient India history, the terms Sreshti, Sarthavaha, Gandhika refer to:a)taxes on lower castes during the Gupta period.b)land tenure systems during Mauryan empire.c)titles given to ruling classes during Gupta periodd)types of merchants during Post-Mauryan period.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2024 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about With reference to the Ancient India history, the terms Sreshti, Sarthavaha, Gandhika refer to:a)taxes on lower castes during the Gupta period.b)land tenure systems during Mauryan empire.c)titles given to ruling classes during Gupta periodd)types of merchants during Post-Mauryan period.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for With reference to the Ancient India history, the terms Sreshti, Sarthavaha, Gandhika refer to:a)taxes on lower castes during the Gupta period.b)land tenure systems during Mauryan empire.c)titles given to ruling classes during Gupta periodd)types of merchants during Post-Mauryan period.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?.
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