Manigramam


Manigiramam, or manigramam, typically refers to a medieval merchant guild, organised by itinerant ethnic Indian traders, primarily active in south India.' Along with the ainurruvar and the anjuvannam, the manigiramam played a major role in the commercial activities of the region. Unlike the anjuvannam which was confined to the port-towns of south India, the manigramam is found both in the port-towns and in the hinter-land trade centres.'
A body of merchants known as "the Vaniggrama" or "Vaniyagrama" attest its presence in north India as early as first century BC.' They appear in a Karle inscription, a charter of king Vishnusena from Kathiawad and in a Sanjeli charter of king Toramana.'
Records of activities of manigramam in the south India are visible from the 5th century CE. The first reference to manigiramam is found in two copper plate grants from south Karnataka, both datable to the 5th century CE.' The Melekote charter records a grant of land to a Buddhist shrine.' The Quilon Syrian copper plates, of 9th century CE, also attests the presence of the manigiramam representatives.' It seems that by the 9th century the manigramam had become interested in ocean trade too and collaborated with the anjuvannam on the western coast.' A Tamil inscription from Takua Pa in Thailand refers to a manigiramam guild.
From the early 10th century the ainurruvar expanded as the superior guild of merchants of south India. The manigiramam and anjuvannam were incorporated later into the ainurruvar. The ainurruvar, in and after the 12th century CE, acted as an "umbrella organization" to cover all other merchant guilds.