Selina Textbook Solutions: The Sangam Age: Kingdoms and The Social and Economic Conditions | History Class 9 ICSE PDF Download

 Page 1


The Sangam Age: Kingdoms and The Social and 
Economic Conditions 
EXERCISES 
Question 1. 
Name the oldest language of South India. OR Name the oldest Dravidian language. 
Answer: 
Tamil. 
Question 2. 
What is known as Sangam literature? 
Answer: 
The word ‘Sangam’ means ‘Assembly’. According to early tradition, three Sangams or 
Assemblies of literary men were held at Madurai, the center of great literary activity in 
the Tamil Country. It is generally accepted that these assemblies lasted from about first 
century BC to the fifth century AD. Many poets, scholars and bards who gathered there, 
produced a large volume of excellent Tamil poetry. These literary compositions were 
collected and complied into books called the Sangam literature. 
Question 3. 
Name any two literary sources to reconstruct history of the Sangam age. 
Answer: 
There is no clear evidence regarding the literary works of the first Sangam. 
‘Tolkappiyam’, written by Tolkappiyar, a disciple of Agastya, is a standard treatise on 
grammar and it belongs historically to the Second Sangam. Tiruvalluvar, the famous 
Tamil poet who attended the Third Sangam, wrote ‘KuraP. The literary works of the third 
Sangam constituted the most important part of the Sangam literature and they are the 
main source of information about the life and traditions of the Tamil people. 
Question 4. 
Who were ‘Tirukurral’ ? 
Answer: 
Tiruvalluvar. 
Question 5. 
Mention any two archaelogical sources to reconstruct history of the Sangam age. 
Answer: 
1. The Megaliths, 
2. Inscriptions in the Brahmi script. 
Page 2


The Sangam Age: Kingdoms and The Social and 
Economic Conditions 
EXERCISES 
Question 1. 
Name the oldest language of South India. OR Name the oldest Dravidian language. 
Answer: 
Tamil. 
Question 2. 
What is known as Sangam literature? 
Answer: 
The word ‘Sangam’ means ‘Assembly’. According to early tradition, three Sangams or 
Assemblies of literary men were held at Madurai, the center of great literary activity in 
the Tamil Country. It is generally accepted that these assemblies lasted from about first 
century BC to the fifth century AD. Many poets, scholars and bards who gathered there, 
produced a large volume of excellent Tamil poetry. These literary compositions were 
collected and complied into books called the Sangam literature. 
Question 3. 
Name any two literary sources to reconstruct history of the Sangam age. 
Answer: 
There is no clear evidence regarding the literary works of the first Sangam. 
‘Tolkappiyam’, written by Tolkappiyar, a disciple of Agastya, is a standard treatise on 
grammar and it belongs historically to the Second Sangam. Tiruvalluvar, the famous 
Tamil poet who attended the Third Sangam, wrote ‘KuraP. The literary works of the third 
Sangam constituted the most important part of the Sangam literature and they are the 
main source of information about the life and traditions of the Tamil people. 
Question 4. 
Who were ‘Tirukurral’ ? 
Answer: 
Tiruvalluvar. 
Question 5. 
Mention any two archaelogical sources to reconstruct history of the Sangam age. 
Answer: 
1. The Megaliths, 
2. Inscriptions in the Brahmi script. 
Question 6. 
Why are graves of people in the megalithic phase in South India’s history called 
‘Megalithis’? 
Answer: 
The megalithic culture is mostly known for its burials. The un pland portions of the 
peninsula were inhabited by people, whose graves are called ‘megaliths’, because they 
were encircled by big pieces of stone. 
Question 7. 
How do Megaliths suggest that people of Southern India in those times had become 
familiar with iron? 
Answer: 
The megaliths contain not only skeletons of people who were buried. Iron tools, arrows, 
pottery and fragments of rice and other grains have been found, besides the skeletons 
of the persons buried in these graves. Arrow heads, spearheads and sickles, all made 
of iron, do show the transition from Copper and Bronze Age Culture to the Iron Age. 
Question 8. 
Why did Arundhati, a character in Sanskrit literature, become a model for South Indian 
Women in the Sangam age? 
Answer: 
Arundhati, for instance, had become a model for women in the South, because she 
personified the ideal of Chastity. 
Question 9. 
Name the two agricultural products during the Sangam Age. 
Answer: 
The two agricultural products during the Sangam Age were jack-fruit, pepper and 
turmeric. 
Question 10. 
Name the two prominent ports on India’s Western Coast during the Sangam age. 
Answer: 
The ports of Nelcynda (Kottayam) and Naura (Canhanore) were among the most 
prominent ports on India’s Western Coast. 
Question 11. 
Name the two deities worshiped by people in the Sangam age. 
Answer: 
Vishnu and Murugan. 
 
Page 3


The Sangam Age: Kingdoms and The Social and 
Economic Conditions 
EXERCISES 
Question 1. 
Name the oldest language of South India. OR Name the oldest Dravidian language. 
Answer: 
Tamil. 
Question 2. 
What is known as Sangam literature? 
Answer: 
The word ‘Sangam’ means ‘Assembly’. According to early tradition, three Sangams or 
Assemblies of literary men were held at Madurai, the center of great literary activity in 
the Tamil Country. It is generally accepted that these assemblies lasted from about first 
century BC to the fifth century AD. Many poets, scholars and bards who gathered there, 
produced a large volume of excellent Tamil poetry. These literary compositions were 
collected and complied into books called the Sangam literature. 
Question 3. 
Name any two literary sources to reconstruct history of the Sangam age. 
Answer: 
There is no clear evidence regarding the literary works of the first Sangam. 
‘Tolkappiyam’, written by Tolkappiyar, a disciple of Agastya, is a standard treatise on 
grammar and it belongs historically to the Second Sangam. Tiruvalluvar, the famous 
Tamil poet who attended the Third Sangam, wrote ‘KuraP. The literary works of the third 
Sangam constituted the most important part of the Sangam literature and they are the 
main source of information about the life and traditions of the Tamil people. 
Question 4. 
Who were ‘Tirukurral’ ? 
Answer: 
Tiruvalluvar. 
Question 5. 
Mention any two archaelogical sources to reconstruct history of the Sangam age. 
Answer: 
1. The Megaliths, 
2. Inscriptions in the Brahmi script. 
Question 6. 
Why are graves of people in the megalithic phase in South India’s history called 
‘Megalithis’? 
Answer: 
The megalithic culture is mostly known for its burials. The un pland portions of the 
peninsula were inhabited by people, whose graves are called ‘megaliths’, because they 
were encircled by big pieces of stone. 
Question 7. 
How do Megaliths suggest that people of Southern India in those times had become 
familiar with iron? 
Answer: 
The megaliths contain not only skeletons of people who were buried. Iron tools, arrows, 
pottery and fragments of rice and other grains have been found, besides the skeletons 
of the persons buried in these graves. Arrow heads, spearheads and sickles, all made 
of iron, do show the transition from Copper and Bronze Age Culture to the Iron Age. 
Question 8. 
Why did Arundhati, a character in Sanskrit literature, become a model for South Indian 
Women in the Sangam age? 
Answer: 
Arundhati, for instance, had become a model for women in the South, because she 
personified the ideal of Chastity. 
Question 9. 
Name the two agricultural products during the Sangam Age. 
Answer: 
The two agricultural products during the Sangam Age were jack-fruit, pepper and 
turmeric. 
Question 10. 
Name the two prominent ports on India’s Western Coast during the Sangam age. 
Answer: 
The ports of Nelcynda (Kottayam) and Naura (Canhanore) were among the most 
prominent ports on India’s Western Coast. 
Question 11. 
Name the two deities worshiped by people in the Sangam age. 
Answer: 
Vishnu and Murugan. 
 
Question 12. 
Name the two items of trade referred to in the Tamil literature of the Sangam age. 
Answer: 
The Tamil literature refers to items of trade like spices, sandalwood, pearls, sea 
products, semi-precious stones and textiles of various types. 
Question 13. 
Mention the two views held by scholars regarding the origin of the Dravidians. 
Answer: 
Scholars hold various theories regarding the origin of the Dravidians. Some are of the 
view that they were foreigners, probably belonging to the Mediterranean race, who 
entered through the north-western passes and settled in India, about the beginning of 
the Neolithic Age. Other scholars believe that they were the original inhabitants of India. 
Question 14. 
Name any ftw.famouse epics of Tamil literature. 
Answer: 
‘Silappadikaram’ and Manimekalai’ are two famous epics of Tamil literature. 
Question 15. 
How does the inscripition of Kharvela, the ruler of Kalinga, enable us to reconstruct 
history of the Sangam age? 
Answer: 
The Inscription of Kharvela (the ruler of Kalinga) says he “destroyed a Confederacy of 
Tamil states (Tramirdesh Sanghatam).” The same Inscription records that Kharvela 
brought hundreds of pearls from Pandya kingdom to Kalinga. He also brought horses, 
elephants, jewels and rubies to his kingdom. 
Question 16. 
Hero-stone reminds us of an important event. What is the event? 
Answer: 
Some Tamil poems affirm that there is only one God worthy of being worshiped. The 
God is the Hero-Stone recalling the fall of a brave warrior on the battle field. A stone 
was fixed at the place where some big warrior fell dead. Since he died, he became a 
martyr. Death in battle was held to lead the soldier straight to heaven. The hero-stone 
gave strength to the people in general and the soldiers in particular. 
Question 17. 
Mention any two Chera rulers whose names figure in the Sangam literature. 
Answer: 
Udaiyanjeral (who flourished during the second century AD), Nedunjeral and 
Senguttuvan. 
Page 4


The Sangam Age: Kingdoms and The Social and 
Economic Conditions 
EXERCISES 
Question 1. 
Name the oldest language of South India. OR Name the oldest Dravidian language. 
Answer: 
Tamil. 
Question 2. 
What is known as Sangam literature? 
Answer: 
The word ‘Sangam’ means ‘Assembly’. According to early tradition, three Sangams or 
Assemblies of literary men were held at Madurai, the center of great literary activity in 
the Tamil Country. It is generally accepted that these assemblies lasted from about first 
century BC to the fifth century AD. Many poets, scholars and bards who gathered there, 
produced a large volume of excellent Tamil poetry. These literary compositions were 
collected and complied into books called the Sangam literature. 
Question 3. 
Name any two literary sources to reconstruct history of the Sangam age. 
Answer: 
There is no clear evidence regarding the literary works of the first Sangam. 
‘Tolkappiyam’, written by Tolkappiyar, a disciple of Agastya, is a standard treatise on 
grammar and it belongs historically to the Second Sangam. Tiruvalluvar, the famous 
Tamil poet who attended the Third Sangam, wrote ‘KuraP. The literary works of the third 
Sangam constituted the most important part of the Sangam literature and they are the 
main source of information about the life and traditions of the Tamil people. 
Question 4. 
Who were ‘Tirukurral’ ? 
Answer: 
Tiruvalluvar. 
Question 5. 
Mention any two archaelogical sources to reconstruct history of the Sangam age. 
Answer: 
1. The Megaliths, 
2. Inscriptions in the Brahmi script. 
Question 6. 
Why are graves of people in the megalithic phase in South India’s history called 
‘Megalithis’? 
Answer: 
The megalithic culture is mostly known for its burials. The un pland portions of the 
peninsula were inhabited by people, whose graves are called ‘megaliths’, because they 
were encircled by big pieces of stone. 
Question 7. 
How do Megaliths suggest that people of Southern India in those times had become 
familiar with iron? 
Answer: 
The megaliths contain not only skeletons of people who were buried. Iron tools, arrows, 
pottery and fragments of rice and other grains have been found, besides the skeletons 
of the persons buried in these graves. Arrow heads, spearheads and sickles, all made 
of iron, do show the transition from Copper and Bronze Age Culture to the Iron Age. 
Question 8. 
Why did Arundhati, a character in Sanskrit literature, become a model for South Indian 
Women in the Sangam age? 
Answer: 
Arundhati, for instance, had become a model for women in the South, because she 
personified the ideal of Chastity. 
Question 9. 
Name the two agricultural products during the Sangam Age. 
Answer: 
The two agricultural products during the Sangam Age were jack-fruit, pepper and 
turmeric. 
Question 10. 
Name the two prominent ports on India’s Western Coast during the Sangam age. 
Answer: 
The ports of Nelcynda (Kottayam) and Naura (Canhanore) were among the most 
prominent ports on India’s Western Coast. 
Question 11. 
Name the two deities worshiped by people in the Sangam age. 
Answer: 
Vishnu and Murugan. 
 
Question 12. 
Name the two items of trade referred to in the Tamil literature of the Sangam age. 
Answer: 
The Tamil literature refers to items of trade like spices, sandalwood, pearls, sea 
products, semi-precious stones and textiles of various types. 
Question 13. 
Mention the two views held by scholars regarding the origin of the Dravidians. 
Answer: 
Scholars hold various theories regarding the origin of the Dravidians. Some are of the 
view that they were foreigners, probably belonging to the Mediterranean race, who 
entered through the north-western passes and settled in India, about the beginning of 
the Neolithic Age. Other scholars believe that they were the original inhabitants of India. 
Question 14. 
Name any ftw.famouse epics of Tamil literature. 
Answer: 
‘Silappadikaram’ and Manimekalai’ are two famous epics of Tamil literature. 
Question 15. 
How does the inscripition of Kharvela, the ruler of Kalinga, enable us to reconstruct 
history of the Sangam age? 
Answer: 
The Inscription of Kharvela (the ruler of Kalinga) says he “destroyed a Confederacy of 
Tamil states (Tramirdesh Sanghatam).” The same Inscription records that Kharvela 
brought hundreds of pearls from Pandya kingdom to Kalinga. He also brought horses, 
elephants, jewels and rubies to his kingdom. 
Question 16. 
Hero-stone reminds us of an important event. What is the event? 
Answer: 
Some Tamil poems affirm that there is only one God worthy of being worshiped. The 
God is the Hero-Stone recalling the fall of a brave warrior on the battle field. A stone 
was fixed at the place where some big warrior fell dead. Since he died, he became a 
martyr. Death in battle was held to lead the soldier straight to heaven. The hero-stone 
gave strength to the people in general and the soldiers in particular. 
Question 17. 
Mention any two Chera rulers whose names figure in the Sangam literature. 
Answer: 
Udaiyanjeral (who flourished during the second century AD), Nedunjeral and 
Senguttuvan. 
Question 18. 
Who was the greatest among the earliest Chola kings? 
Answer: 
Karikal was the greatest among their earliest Chola kings. 
Question 19. 
What did the Chera region produce in large quantities in the Sangam age? 
Answer: 
The Chera region was well-known for its buffaloes, jack- fruit, pepper and turmeric. 
STRUCTURED QUESTIONS 
Question 1. 
There are many literary sources to reconstruct history of the Sangam age. In this 
context explain the literary importance of Tirukurral. 
Answer: 
Tirukurral: It was written by Tiruvalluvar. It consist of 1330 couplets, dealing with three 
main topics namely— Aram (Dharma), Porul (Artha) and Iibam (Kama). It is considered 
a sacred book by the Tamils and has been translated into many Indian and European 
languages. 
Question 2. 
How can the Megaliths help us to reconstruct events of the Sangam age ? 
Answer: 
Megaliths: 
The megalithic culture is mostly known for its burials. The upland portions of the 
peninsula were inhabited by people, whose graves are called ‘Megaliths’, because they 
were encircled by big pieces of stone. 
Question 3. 
Describe the social conditions that Sangam literature depicts with reference to: 
(a) The Castes 
(b) The Ruling Class and the Class of Warriors 
Answer: 
(a) 
The Brahmins, the Kshatriyas and the Vaishyas appear as regular castes or Vamas in 
the Sangam texts. An ideal king was one who never caused an injury to the Brahmins. 
Many Brahmins were celebrated poets, and as such they were handsomely rewarded 
by the rulers. Karikel is said to have given one poet 1,600,000 gold coins, but we 
consider this comment exaggerated. Besides gold, the Brahmins got cash and land 
grants from the king .and noble families. 
(b) 
The ruling class was called ‘arasar’. The members of this class had marriage relations 
with the ‘Vellalas’, the propertied people owning the bulk of the land. War body and 
Page 5


The Sangam Age: Kingdoms and The Social and 
Economic Conditions 
EXERCISES 
Question 1. 
Name the oldest language of South India. OR Name the oldest Dravidian language. 
Answer: 
Tamil. 
Question 2. 
What is known as Sangam literature? 
Answer: 
The word ‘Sangam’ means ‘Assembly’. According to early tradition, three Sangams or 
Assemblies of literary men were held at Madurai, the center of great literary activity in 
the Tamil Country. It is generally accepted that these assemblies lasted from about first 
century BC to the fifth century AD. Many poets, scholars and bards who gathered there, 
produced a large volume of excellent Tamil poetry. These literary compositions were 
collected and complied into books called the Sangam literature. 
Question 3. 
Name any two literary sources to reconstruct history of the Sangam age. 
Answer: 
There is no clear evidence regarding the literary works of the first Sangam. 
‘Tolkappiyam’, written by Tolkappiyar, a disciple of Agastya, is a standard treatise on 
grammar and it belongs historically to the Second Sangam. Tiruvalluvar, the famous 
Tamil poet who attended the Third Sangam, wrote ‘KuraP. The literary works of the third 
Sangam constituted the most important part of the Sangam literature and they are the 
main source of information about the life and traditions of the Tamil people. 
Question 4. 
Who were ‘Tirukurral’ ? 
Answer: 
Tiruvalluvar. 
Question 5. 
Mention any two archaelogical sources to reconstruct history of the Sangam age. 
Answer: 
1. The Megaliths, 
2. Inscriptions in the Brahmi script. 
Question 6. 
Why are graves of people in the megalithic phase in South India’s history called 
‘Megalithis’? 
Answer: 
The megalithic culture is mostly known for its burials. The un pland portions of the 
peninsula were inhabited by people, whose graves are called ‘megaliths’, because they 
were encircled by big pieces of stone. 
Question 7. 
How do Megaliths suggest that people of Southern India in those times had become 
familiar with iron? 
Answer: 
The megaliths contain not only skeletons of people who were buried. Iron tools, arrows, 
pottery and fragments of rice and other grains have been found, besides the skeletons 
of the persons buried in these graves. Arrow heads, spearheads and sickles, all made 
of iron, do show the transition from Copper and Bronze Age Culture to the Iron Age. 
Question 8. 
Why did Arundhati, a character in Sanskrit literature, become a model for South Indian 
Women in the Sangam age? 
Answer: 
Arundhati, for instance, had become a model for women in the South, because she 
personified the ideal of Chastity. 
Question 9. 
Name the two agricultural products during the Sangam Age. 
Answer: 
The two agricultural products during the Sangam Age were jack-fruit, pepper and 
turmeric. 
Question 10. 
Name the two prominent ports on India’s Western Coast during the Sangam age. 
Answer: 
The ports of Nelcynda (Kottayam) and Naura (Canhanore) were among the most 
prominent ports on India’s Western Coast. 
Question 11. 
Name the two deities worshiped by people in the Sangam age. 
Answer: 
Vishnu and Murugan. 
 
Question 12. 
Name the two items of trade referred to in the Tamil literature of the Sangam age. 
Answer: 
The Tamil literature refers to items of trade like spices, sandalwood, pearls, sea 
products, semi-precious stones and textiles of various types. 
Question 13. 
Mention the two views held by scholars regarding the origin of the Dravidians. 
Answer: 
Scholars hold various theories regarding the origin of the Dravidians. Some are of the 
view that they were foreigners, probably belonging to the Mediterranean race, who 
entered through the north-western passes and settled in India, about the beginning of 
the Neolithic Age. Other scholars believe that they were the original inhabitants of India. 
Question 14. 
Name any ftw.famouse epics of Tamil literature. 
Answer: 
‘Silappadikaram’ and Manimekalai’ are two famous epics of Tamil literature. 
Question 15. 
How does the inscripition of Kharvela, the ruler of Kalinga, enable us to reconstruct 
history of the Sangam age? 
Answer: 
The Inscription of Kharvela (the ruler of Kalinga) says he “destroyed a Confederacy of 
Tamil states (Tramirdesh Sanghatam).” The same Inscription records that Kharvela 
brought hundreds of pearls from Pandya kingdom to Kalinga. He also brought horses, 
elephants, jewels and rubies to his kingdom. 
Question 16. 
Hero-stone reminds us of an important event. What is the event? 
Answer: 
Some Tamil poems affirm that there is only one God worthy of being worshiped. The 
God is the Hero-Stone recalling the fall of a brave warrior on the battle field. A stone 
was fixed at the place where some big warrior fell dead. Since he died, he became a 
martyr. Death in battle was held to lead the soldier straight to heaven. The hero-stone 
gave strength to the people in general and the soldiers in particular. 
Question 17. 
Mention any two Chera rulers whose names figure in the Sangam literature. 
Answer: 
Udaiyanjeral (who flourished during the second century AD), Nedunjeral and 
Senguttuvan. 
Question 18. 
Who was the greatest among the earliest Chola kings? 
Answer: 
Karikal was the greatest among their earliest Chola kings. 
Question 19. 
What did the Chera region produce in large quantities in the Sangam age? 
Answer: 
The Chera region was well-known for its buffaloes, jack- fruit, pepper and turmeric. 
STRUCTURED QUESTIONS 
Question 1. 
There are many literary sources to reconstruct history of the Sangam age. In this 
context explain the literary importance of Tirukurral. 
Answer: 
Tirukurral: It was written by Tiruvalluvar. It consist of 1330 couplets, dealing with three 
main topics namely— Aram (Dharma), Porul (Artha) and Iibam (Kama). It is considered 
a sacred book by the Tamils and has been translated into many Indian and European 
languages. 
Question 2. 
How can the Megaliths help us to reconstruct events of the Sangam age ? 
Answer: 
Megaliths: 
The megalithic culture is mostly known for its burials. The upland portions of the 
peninsula were inhabited by people, whose graves are called ‘Megaliths’, because they 
were encircled by big pieces of stone. 
Question 3. 
Describe the social conditions that Sangam literature depicts with reference to: 
(a) The Castes 
(b) The Ruling Class and the Class of Warriors 
Answer: 
(a) 
The Brahmins, the Kshatriyas and the Vaishyas appear as regular castes or Vamas in 
the Sangam texts. An ideal king was one who never caused an injury to the Brahmins. 
Many Brahmins were celebrated poets, and as such they were handsomely rewarded 
by the rulers. Karikel is said to have given one poet 1,600,000 gold coins, but we 
consider this comment exaggerated. Besides gold, the Brahmins got cash and land 
grants from the king .and noble families. 
(b) 
The ruling class was called ‘arasar’. The members of this class had marriage relations 
with the ‘Vellalas’, the propertied people owning the bulk of the land. War body and 
income from trade and agricultural produce enabled the king to maintain professional 
warriors. The occasions for war were many. According to the Sangam poets, the refusal 
of one king to give his daughter in marriage to another was a frequent cause of war. In 
Sangam poetry ‘heroes are glorified’ and wars and cattle raids very often mentioned. 
Question 4. 
Describe the social conditions that Sangam literature suggests with reference to: 
(a) Institution of Marriage 
(b) Position of Women 
Answer: 
(a) 
The ‘Tolkappiyam’, written by Tolkappiyar, states that marriage was an important 
religious ceremony, accompanied by many rituals. Naturally, the Aryan culture had now 
much impact on the institution of marriage. Earlier the Tamils had a relatively simple 
conception of marriage. They regarded it as “the natural coming together of men and 
women, mainly due to their physical difference.” 
(b) 
The joint family system characterised the society. Few women got good education, their 
status in society was not equal to that of men. They did not have the right to inherit 
property. There were ascetics also among women, following the Jain and the Buddhist 
tradition. The worship of Kannagi or Pattini suggests that the vow of chastity was 
regarded as the greatest of feminine virtues. In fact, the images of Pattini Devi were 
being preserved and worshiped by Tamils in their temples until very recently. 
Question 5. 
The Sangam literature gives a complete and true picture of economic conditions of the 
age. Describe economic life of the people with reference to: 
(a)Agriculture (b) Trade 
Answer: 
(a) 
Agriculture was the main occupation of a large section of the people. Land was held by 
individuals as well as by the state. The land was fertile and there was plenty of grain, 
meat and fish. The Chola Country was watered by the river Kaveri. About this country 
there was a saying that “the space in which an elephant did lie down produced enough 
grain to feed seven persons.” The Chera region was well-known for its buffaloes, jack-
fruit, pepper and turmeric. The rich did not plough the land themselves.They hired 
laborers, called pariyars, for this job. The pariyars belonged to the lowest social class 
and skinned dead animals also. 
(b) 
The rulers had big income from trade transactions also. A large number of crafts and 
occupations are referred in Sangam literature. The epic ‘Manimekalai’ was written by a 
grain merchant of Madurai. The Tamil literature refers to items of trade like spices, 
sandalwood, pearls, sea products, semi-precious stones and textiles of various types. 
We also have the information that foreigners (yavanas) visited the coastal towns for 
trade. Metal lamps in different shapes and bottles of wine figure prominently among the 
articles of trade brought to India by the foreigners.