Latest / The Chola Empire: How South India Dominated the Indian Ocean — Fexingo History
Chola Pearl Trade and Coromandel Coast Economy
While the Cholas are famous for their naval conquests of Srivijaya and Bengal, their economic foundation rested on a quieter, more pervasive force: the pearl trade along the Coromandel Coast. This episode explores how Rajaraja I and his successors monetized the Gulf of Mannar, transforming pearl diving into a state-controlled industry that funded temples and armies. We look at the Nagarathar merchant guilds who managed this high-value commodity, the specific ports like Nagapattinam and Kaveripattinam that served as export hubs, and the intricate legal frameworks recorded in the Thiruvalangadu…
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