About which of the following south Indian cities there are description...
The correct answer is option 'A' - Kaveripattinam.
Kaveripattinam, also known as Puhar, was an ancient port city located on the east coast of Tamil Nadu in South India. It was an important center of trade and commerce during the ancient period. The city is mentioned in early Tamil literature, particularly in the Sangam literature, which dates back to the 3rd century BCE to the 3rd century CE.
The Yavanas, also known as the Greeks or the Ionians, were one of the foreign communities that had contact with ancient South India. The Sangam literature describes the arrival of Yavana ships to Kaveripattinam and the prosperity of the Yavana section of the city.
Below are the descriptions and evidence from the Sangam literature that support the fact that Yavana ships used to arrive at Kaveripattinam and the Yavana section of the city was prosperous:
1. "Pattinappalai" - This is a poem in the Sangam literature that describes the trade activities in Kaveripattinam. It mentions the arrival of Yavana ships carrying valuable goods such as gold, ivory, and silk. The poem also highlights the prosperity of the Yavana section of the city, where the Yavanas lived and engaged in trade.
2. "Maduraikkanchi" - Another poem in the Sangam literature that mentions the presence of Yavanas in Kaveripattinam. It describes the Yavanas wearing Roman-style clothes, jewelry, and using Roman horses and chariots. This indicates the cultural exchange and trade between the Yavanas and the local people of Kaveripattinam.
3. Archaeological evidence - Excavations conducted in Kaveripattinam have revealed the presence of Roman and Greek pottery, coins, and other artifacts, which further support the historical accounts of trade and contact with the Yavanas.
4. Greek and Roman accounts - Greek and Roman historians such as Strabo and Pliny the Elder have also mentioned the trade between the Yavanas and the ancient Tamil kingdoms. These accounts provide additional evidence of the presence of Yavana ships and their involvement in trade in the region.
In conclusion, the descriptions in early Tamil literature, along with archaeological evidence and historical accounts, confirm that Yavana ships used to arrive at Kaveripattinam with their cargoes and that the Yavana section of the city was prosperous.
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed UPSC study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in UPSC.