Tamil Nadu – Sri Lanka trade relations from 6th Centuary ad to 10th centuary ad – a historical analysis

Abstract

Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka are having trade relations from ancient period till now. The strategic location of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean is very conducive for this relationship. This trade relations with Tamilaham fetch a great importance for Tamilaham and Sri Lanka. This period from 6 th centuary AD to 10 th centuary AD need to be analyzed for the trade relations between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. Even for the cultural expansion the trade relations are very important reason. These relations are still continuing. The ports in the coasts of Tamil Nadu like Kavirippatinam (Poompuhar), Nagappatinam, Korkai, Alagankulam in the coasts of Tamil Nadu, Urkavaturai and Manthai ports in Northern Sri Lanka hade facilitated as a center of these trade development. Through these centers not only the trade relations have been developed but also the cultural contacts have influenced Sri Lanka. The activities of the trade guilds (vaniha kanangal) have analyzed. The coins used for this trade also would be considered as an important source for the trade relations. The rise of Pallava Kingdom and the later Anuradhapura Kingdom were active in this trade relations. The main objective of this article is to analyze the internal and external trade of Anuradhapura Kingdom and the Pallava Kingdom of Tamil Nadu. To write this article, I consulted mainly the secondary sources like books articles and other published articles and website sources.