Latest / The Chola Empire: How South India Dominated the Indian Ocean — Fexingo History
Chola Pearl Trade and the Gulf of Mannar
We explore the Chola Empire's dominance over the pearl trade in the Gulf of Mannar, a critical economic engine often overshadowed by their military conquests. The episode details how Rajaraja I and his successors controlled the lucrative markets connecting South India with Southeast Asia, particularly Srivijaya and China. We examine the role of the Nagarathar merchant guilds and the Manigramam association in financing these maritime ventures. Through inscriptions like the Thiruvalangadu plates, we uncover how pearl harvesting was regulated and taxed, fueling the construction of grand…
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