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Five Hundred Lords of Ayyavolu

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the earth as their sack,....the serpent race as the cords, the betel pouch as a secret pocket,... by land routes and water routes penetrating into the regions of the six continents, with superior elephants, well-bred horses, large sapphires, moonstones, pearls, rubies, diamonds,...cardamoms, cloves, sandal, camphor, musk, saffron and other perfumes and drugs, by selling which wholesale or hawking about on their shoulders, preventing the loss by customs duties, they fill up the emperor's treasury of gold, his treasury of jewels, and his armoury of weapons; and from the rest they daily bestow gifts on pundits and munis; white umbrellas as their canopy, the mighty ocean as their moat, Indra as the hand-guard of their swords, Varuna as the standard bearer, Kubera as the treasurer,...
57:, some of whom seem to have become involved in the trading activities of the Five Hundred. But most of the Ayyavolu Lords were merchants, especially those engaged in long-distance trade. Their inscriptions between the 9th and 14th centuries record their endowments made to temples and throw light on their trading activities or commodities. 177:, and the Mumuridandas; and they were the recipients of five hundred hero edicts. Of these, the Ubhayananadesis were a unit of merchants derived from all quarters and countries, consisting of Desis, Paradesis and Nanadesis, while the Gavares derived their name as a body of merchants worshipping God Gavaresvara. 224:
guild became a big overreaching guild of Southern India, most of the existing indigenous and local trade guilds became associated with it. The Manigramam and nanadesi guilds joined the Ayyavole-500. Due to the various Chola naval expeditions to Southeast Asia and the support provided by the Cholas to
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The Five Hundred were an itinerant group that became a community because of their operations. In comparison to other guilds, they were considered the most flamboyant. Together with another guild of merchants called Manigramam, the guild of Five Hundred were found in ports and commercial centres. They
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Famed throughout the world, adorned with many good qualities, truth, purity, good conduct, policy, condescension, and prudence; protectors of the vira-Bananju-dharma , having 32 veloma, 18 cities, 64 yoga-pithas, and asramas at the four points of the compass; born to be wanderers over many countries,
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and dated to 1090 CE under the reign of the Ganga king Anantavarmadeva. Another Telugu inscription records a similar grant to the same Ainuttava-Perumballi by the Chief Mahamandaleshvara Kulotungga Prithvisvara. The inscriptions suggest that the Anjuvannam people were patronized by the Ayyavole-500
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A fragmentary Chera inscription datable to 1000 CE in the reign of Bhaskara Ravi, found on three broken stones in a mosque in Pandalayini-Kollam (near Kozhikode), refers to Valanjiyar and other merchants found in the assembly of Ayyavole-500 trade guild. The Ayyavole-500 were simply called
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Evidences show that the erection of temples and mathas depended upon royal patronage and mercantile guilds like Ayyavolu, Nakaramu and Komatis who supported temple building activity. Similarly temple building activity also depended upon guilds of architects or the Acharyas of the
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were the protectors of the Vira-Balanja dharma (aka Vira-Bananja dharma) and followed the Vira-Banaja-Samaya. According to an inscription dated 1240 CE found at Chintapalli in Guntur district, the Vira-Balanja Samaya (a trade corporation) consisted of Ubhayananadesis, the
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The body of Gavares seems to have derived its name from worshipping god Gavaresvara, one of the gods , referred to in the prasasti of the Vira Balañjyas , as having been worshipped by them Mummuridaṇḍas was another component sect of the Vira Balañjya
192:). The Mummuridandas were warriors first and merchants next. An inscription of 1177 AD from Kurugodu, Bellary explicitly states that the Mummuridandas were an offshoot of the 'Five Hundred' who were eminent in Aryapura, that is, Aihole or Ayyavole ( 148:
The lords of Ayyavolu were called Vira-Balanjas. The term Vira-Balanja in Kannada and Vira-Valanjiyar in Tamil, Vira-Balija in Telugu, all of them mean "valiant merchants". These merchants styled themselves as protectors of Vira Balanja Dharma
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endowed temples, fed Brahmans, and contributed to the maintenance of irrigation works. Their inscriptions dot the entire southern peninsula, tracing an inter-regional and international network of merchants. Some of these merchants were called "
161:, which refers to the grant of certain toll-income (Magama) on articles of trade, such as cotton, yarn, cloth, etc., made by the Veera-Balanja merchant guild of Ayyavolu, for the lamp-offerings of God Sangamesvara of that village. 101:. They were protectors of the Veera-Banaju-Dharma, that is, law of the heroic or noble merchants. The Bull was their symbol which they displayed on their flag; and they had a reputation for being daring and enterprising. 508:
In one of the early inscriptions of the merchants from Chintapalli in Guntur District of the year A.D. 1240, it is mentioned that Ubhaya Nanadesis, Gavares and Mummaridandas as protectors of Vira Balanja
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The body of Gavares seems to have derived its name from worshipping God Gavaresvara ... The Mummuridandas , probably , represented the advance guard of the trading caravan " . Another body of traders
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One record from Chintapalli 26 in the Guntur district , dated S. 1162 , states the Virabalamja - samaya was composed of the Ubhaya - nanadesi , the Gavares and the Mummiridandas.
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The following passage on the guild of Ayyavolu merchants is taken from an inscription dated 1055 CE and summarises their activities and commodities:
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city-state based on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia). This is well documented in an inscription of the Ayyavole guild of the year 1088 AD found in
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A Chintapalli record of S. 1162 mentions that the Ubhaya - Nānādēsi , Mummuridandas and Gavares were the protectors of the Vira - Balanja - Dharma.
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In Visakhapatnam, three inscriptions were found, two in Telugu and one in Tamil. They were on the Ainuttava-perumballi (500 perumballi) in
711: 157:. There are several epigraphs available on the Veera-Balanjas. One example is an epigraph of 1531 CE from the Anilama village of 595:
Brahma Sri: Researches in Archaeology, History, and Culture in the New Millennium : Dr. P.V. Parabrahma Sastry Felicitation
706: 701: 603: 416: 132:" (or "of own country"). These traders were one of the conduits for transporting Indian culture to Southeast Asia. 225:
the Ayyavole guild, the Ayyavole guild emerged as a maritime power and continued to flourish in the kingdom of
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Ancient India and South Indian History & Culture: Papers on Indian History and Culture; India to A.D. 1300
324: 679: 196:). Trade corporations like Vira-Balanja-Samaya flourished under various empires despite wars and invasions. 45:. They have been mentioned in inscriptions from the 9th century CE. Aihole was formerly a major city of the 250: 696: 716: 500:
K. Sundaram, ed. (1968). "The Balanja Merchant Community of Medieval Andhra, (A. D. 1300 - 1600)".
184:(a guild) which was a body of Vaisya devotees of Nakaresvara and the Gavares which was a body of 8: 137: 140:
who also seem to have organised themselves into guilds based on geographical divisions.
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Nagapattinam to Suvarnadwipa: reflections on Chola naval expeditions to Southeast Asia
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Nagapattinam to Suvarnadwipa: reflections on Chola naval expeditions to Southeast Asia
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Nagapattinam to Suvarnadwipa: reflections on Chola naval expeditions to Southeast Asia
640:
Nagapattinam to Suvarnadwipa: Reflections on Chola Naval Expeditions to Southeast Asia
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Nagapattinam to Suvarnadwipa: reflections on Chola naval expeditions to Southeast Asia
241:, Indonesia. South Indian merchants were also active in Burma and the Thai peninsula. 599: 412: 554: 501: 487: 46: 620: 593: 576: 540: 516: 468: 452: 435: 406: 395: 376: 313:
Peranakan Indians of Singapore and Melaka: Indian Babas and Nonyas--Chitty Melaka
72: 154: 94: 86: 42: 622:
A Study of the History and Culture of the Andhras: From stone age to feudalism
591: 690: 635: 503:
Studies in Economic and Social Conditions of Medieval Andhra, A. D. 1000-1600
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Studies in Economic and Social Conditions of Medieval Andhra, A. D. 1000-1600
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srimad aryya nama pura mukhyabhutar enip ainurvarind adavid anvay ayatar
260: 255: 181: 34: 578:
Cultural heritage of the Kakatiyas: a medieval kingdom of south India
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by Hermann Kulke, K. Kesavapany and Vijay Sakhuja, p.xviii and p.181
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History of the Reddi Kingdoms (circa. 1325 A.D. to Circa 1448 A.D.)
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History of the Reddi Kingdoms (circa. 1325 A.D. to Circa 1448 A.D.)
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Some trade guilds were based on religious identities, such as the
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Hindu and Muslim Religious Institutions, Andhra Desa, 1300-1600
393: 185: 174: 50: 30: 538: 234: 26: 592:
P. V. Parabrahma Sastry, Pedarapu Chenna Reddy, ed. (2004).
374: 678:
by Hermann Kulke, K. Kesavapany and Vijay Sakhuja, p.10-12
618: 552: 33:
that provided trade links between trading communities in
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by Hermann Kulke, K. Kesavapany and Vijay Sakhuja, p.165
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by Hermann Kulke, K. Kesavapany and Vijay Sakhuja, p.164
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The quarterly journal of the Mythic society (Bangalore)
598:. Vol. 1. Sharada Publishing House. p. 169. 559:. Vol. 2. People's Publishing House. p. 52. 581:. District Council for Cultural Affairs. p. 59. 153:) and often figured in the inscriptions of medieval 485: 128:" (or "of many countries), while some were called " 574: 556:A Study of the History and Culture of the Andhras 450: 411:. Vol. 106. Anmol Publications. p. 86. 408:Encyclopaedia Indica: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh 217:guild and even treated as members of that guild. 190:Sri Gavaresvara divya deva sripada padmaradhakulu 688: 514: 168:mention that the organisation of Ayyavola, or 394:Sakkottai Krishnaswami Aiyangar, ed. (1941). 365:, Andhra Pradesh, by B. Rajendra Prasad, p.85 539:Mallampalli Somasekhara Sarma, ed. (1948). 521:. Institute of Asian Studies. p. 120. 499: 433: 404: 375:Mallampalli Sōmaśēkharaśarma, ed. (1948). 625:. People's Publishing House. p. 125. 353:, by Burton Stein and David Arnold, p.121 328:, by Burton Stein and David Arnold, p.121 118: 619:Kambhampati Satyanarayana, ed. (1975). 553:Kambhampati Satyanarayana, ed. (1975). 280: 278: 276: 97:. They became more powerful under the 689: 473:. Mythic Society. 1991. p. 88-91. 440:. Triveni Publishers. p. 69-76. 400:. Oriental Book Agency. p. 801. 273: 492:. Vol. 6. Itihas. p. 74. 13: 545:. Andhra University. p. 396. 506:. Triveni Publishers. p. 72. 53:and a place with many temples and 14: 728: 486:T. Venkateswara Rao, ed. (1978). 381:. Andhra University. p. 397. 151:Vira Balanja Dharma Pratipalanulu 143: 60:The Five Hundred guild, known as 638:, K. Kesavapany, Vijay Sakhuja. 199: 669: 657: 645: 629: 612: 585: 575:S.Nagabhushan Rao, ed. (1993). 568: 530: 477: 461: 451:Ravula Soma Reddy, ed. (1984). 444: 427: 712:Economic history of Tamil Nadu 385: 368: 356: 344: 332: 318: 306: 294: 104: 23:Five Hundred Lords of Ayyavole 16:Medieval Indian merchant guild 1: 707:Economic history of Karnataka 315:, by Samuel Dhoraisingam, p.3 266: 164:Copper-plate inscriptions of 515:Vasant K. Bawa, ed. (1975). 489:Prasasti of The Vira Balanja 220:It would seem that when the 7: 251:Trade Guilds of South India 244: 170:Ayyavola-enumbaru-swamigalu 10: 733: 702:Economic history of India 518:Aspects of Deccan History 434:K. Sundaram, ed. (1968). 405:S.S. Shashi, ed. (2000). 341:, by Burton Stein, p. 126 188:devotees of Gavaresvara ( 457:. New Era. p. 110. 291:and David Arnold, p.120 116: 119:Origin and activities 111: 363:Art of South India 351:A History of India 339:A History of India 326:A History of India 285:A History of India 724: 697:Indian merchants 681: 673: 667: 661: 655: 649: 643: 633: 627: 626: 616: 610: 609: 589: 583: 582: 572: 566: 563: 550: 534: 528: 525: 511: 496: 481: 475: 474: 465: 459: 458: 448: 442: 441: 431: 425: 422: 401: 389: 383: 382: 372: 366: 360: 354: 348: 342: 336: 330: 322: 316: 310: 304: 298: 292: 282: 138:Vishwakarma-Kula 25:were a merchant 732: 731: 727: 726: 725: 723: 722: 721: 717:Guilds in India 687: 686: 685: 684: 674: 670: 662: 658: 650: 646: 634: 630: 617: 613: 606: 590: 586: 573: 569: 535: 531: 482: 478: 467: 466: 462: 449: 445: 432: 428: 419: 390: 386: 373: 369: 361: 357: 349: 345: 337: 333: 323: 319: 311: 307: 299: 295: 283: 274: 269: 247: 202: 146: 121: 107: 83:, and Ainuruvar 17: 12: 11: 5: 730: 720: 719: 714: 709: 704: 699: 683: 682: 668: 656: 644: 628: 611: 604: 584: 567: 565: 564: 529: 527: 526: 512: 497: 476: 460: 443: 426: 424: 423: 417: 402: 384: 367: 355: 343: 331: 317: 305: 293: 271: 270: 268: 265: 264: 263: 258: 253: 246: 243: 231:thalassocratic 201: 198: 145: 144:Veera-Balanjas 142: 120: 117: 106: 103: 95:Southeast Asia 91:Southern India 89:, operated in 43:Andhra Pradesh 15: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 729: 718: 715: 713: 710: 708: 705: 703: 700: 698: 695: 694: 692: 680: 677: 672: 665: 660: 653: 648: 641: 637: 636:Hermann Kulke 632: 624: 623: 615: 607: 605:9788188934164 601: 597: 596: 588: 580: 579: 571: 562: 558: 557: 549: 544: 543: 537: 536: 533: 524: 520: 519: 513: 510: 505: 504: 498: 495: 491: 490: 484: 483: 480: 472: 471: 464: 456: 455: 447: 439: 438: 430: 420: 418:9788170418597 414: 410: 409: 403: 399: 398: 392: 391: 388: 380: 379: 371: 364: 359: 352: 347: 340: 335: 329: 327: 321: 314: 309: 302: 297: 290: 286: 281: 279: 277: 272: 262: 259: 257: 254: 252: 249: 248: 242: 240: 236: 232: 228: 223: 218: 215: 214:Visakhapatnam 210: 208: 200:Tamil sources 197: 195: 191: 187: 183: 178: 176: 171: 167: 162: 160: 156: 152: 141: 139: 133: 131: 127: 115: 110: 102: 100: 96: 92: 88: 84: 81: 77: 74: 70: 67: 63: 58: 56: 52: 48: 44: 40: 36: 32: 28: 24: 19: 675: 671: 663: 659: 651: 647: 639: 631: 621: 614: 594: 587: 577: 570: 560: 555: 546: 541: 532: 522: 517: 507: 502: 493: 488: 479: 469: 463: 453: 446: 436: 429: 407: 396: 387: 377: 370: 362: 358: 350: 346: 338: 334: 325: 320: 312: 308: 300: 296: 289:Burton Stein 284: 239:West Sumatra 229:(a dominant 222:Ayyavole-500 221: 219: 211: 206: 203: 193: 189: 179: 169: 163: 150: 147: 134: 129: 125: 122: 112: 108: 82: 75: 68: 61: 59: 22: 20: 18: 105:Description 691:Categories 267:References 261:Manigramam 256:Anjuvannam 209:in Tamil. 76:, Aryarupa 69:, Ayyavolu 35:Tamil Nadu 642:. p. 163. 227:Srivijaya 207:Ainuruvar 47:Chalukyas 39:Karnataka 245:See also 159:Cuddapah 126:nanadesi 80:Sanskrit 62:Ayyavole 55:brahmans 509:Dharma. 182:Nakaras 166:Nellore 130:swadesi 66:Kannada 602:  548:samaya 415:  186:Balija 175:Gavara 155:Andhra 99:Cholas 73:Telugu 51:Badami 31:Aihole 287:, by 235:Barus 87:Tamil 29:from 27:guild 600:ISBN 413:ISBN 93:and 41:and 21:The 237:of 85:in 78:in 71:in 64:in 49:of 693:: 275:^ 37:, 608:. 551:* 421:. 149:(

Index

guild
Aihole
Tamil Nadu
Karnataka
Andhra Pradesh
Chalukyas
Badami
brahmans
Kannada
Telugu
Sanskrit
Tamil
Southern India
Southeast Asia
Cholas
Vishwakarma-Kula
Andhra
Cuddapah
Nellore
Gavara
Nakaras
Balija
Visakhapatnam
Srivijaya
thalassocratic
Barus
West Sumatra
Trade Guilds of South India
Anjuvannam
Manigramam

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