guilds in ancient india
DESCRIPTION
The role of economic organisations is very significant in the economic development of any society. In present global scenario, these organisations emerged as the spine of the economy. In light of its widespread appeal, one is naturally inclined to inquire more about such organisations and how their development over time. Many questions can be pondered over including: what were the preconditions for the development of the corporate form; how did these organisation originate; how old is it; how these organisations were spread; how many types of these organisations and what was the difference between the different forms of such organizations; what was the working pattern of these organisations; and most importantly how did these organisations support the society in overall empowerment. All these questions are important not only for their own intrinsic value, but also because of the insights they may provide into the development of the corporate sector in emerging markets. In this paper, attempt has been made to explore a number of these questions in Ancient Indian scenario by examining the economic history and development of the economic prospect in Ancient India.TRANSCRIPT
Economic Organizations of Gupta Period and its Role in
Social Empowerment
Dr. Ankit Agarwal
Joint Annual Conference of I.A.S., ISPQS, IHCS
In the Beginning of Human Life
Efforts
Need
Effects
Effects Effects
NeedLivelihood & Survival
Human as a Food Gatherer
Protection from wild animals
Roaming in groups
Human unity
Need fulfillPopulation increase
Need increase
Effects
Roaming in groups
First Revolution In Human Life
Need
Efforts
Effects
Surplus productionSurplus production
Human as a Food Human as a Food ProducerProducer
Achieve yield Achieve yield for survivalfor survival
Maximum utilization Maximum utilization of labourof labour
Technical Technical developmentdevelopment
Human organized on the Human organized on the basis of economic basis of economic
reasonreason
Fulfillment of basic human needs
Origin Of Economic Organization
Surplus productionSurplus production Development of Trade, Industry & Craft
Arranged and Organized these activities
Efforts
Need
Development of economic organization
Efforts
NeedTrade of Indus Civilization
Development Of Economic Organizations :In the Primary Stage
Indus Civilization
Fulfillment of economic need
of society
Increase commercial activities
Need Efforts
Vedic & Later Vedic period
Need Need of Skilled Labour
Professional Education
Efforts
Reputation increase
Efforts
Development Of Economic Organizations: In the Secondary Stage
600-300 B.C.
IInd Revolution based on
Utilization of Metal
monetary management
Establishment of commercial activities
Goodwill increase Controlling position of business activities
Need Need
Efforts
Efects
Development Of Economic Organizations
MauryaPeriod
Post Maurya Period
Attach with Administrative work
Attach with Military activities
Attach with Judicial work
Goodwill Increase
Development of these Activities before the Gupta Period
600 B.C. 300 B.C.100 B.C. 300 A.D.Commercialactivities
Development Period
Establish Period
Administrati--ve activities
Establish Period
Military activitiesJudicial activities
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Development Period
Development Period
Development Period
Establish Period
Establish Period
Establish Period
Establish Period
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxEstablish
Period
Development Period
Establish Period
Types Of Economic Organization In Gupta Period
1. Sreni (Guild)
• Different social background of members
• Created to achieve economic goals
• Related to same trade or production of specific commodity or craft like Guild of Jewelers, Guild of wine growers, Guild of Handcrafters etc.
Types Of Economic Organization In Gupta Period
2. Nigam
• Same level of traders like retailer, wholesaler etc.
• Same region
• Created to solve the business related problems
Types Of Economic Organization In Gupta Period
3. Kulik• Organization of producer of same commodity like sugar Industry, Textile etc.
4. Sarth
• Related to distance trade• Probably organized on the basis of trade area
Economic Organization : Expansion
• Vertically Expansion• Kalidass mentioned guilds of architects• Description of Jambu-Dvip Pragyapti
about 18 types of guilds• Well-known Historian like Altekar & Block accept vertical expansion of such organization
• Horizontal expansion• Description of Mahavastu about many different guilds of Kapilvastu like Pravarik (Seller of sheets), Sidhukarak (Distiller), Maniyar (jewellers)
• Independent and free hold in own field
Economic Organization : Working
• These were working jointly according to need
• Joint seals of Nigam and Kulik from Bhita
• Joint seals of sreni, Kulik and Nigam from Basarh
Economic Organization :Joint Working
Nigam
Nigam
Nigam
Nigam
Sreni
Sreni
Sreni
Sreni
Kulik
Kulik
Kulik
Kulik
Sarth
Sarth
Sarth
Sarth
City / Town / village
Aahar / Visay(District)
Pranta (State)
Samrajya(Country)
Inner Structure of Economic Organization
Development on Democratic base
Democratic approach
Own Independent Constitution
State would respect that
Specific Flag & Office
Economic source of organizations
DonationInterest of money
Penalty (members)
Benefit received from social work
Inner Structure of Economic Organization
• President• Elected on the basis of merits and demerits between the members of organization
• Karya-chintak• Working as a assistant of President• Working for community welfare were their responsibility• Person who was not child, old, miser, voluptuary were not eligible
Inner Structure of Economic Organization
• Members• Person, who was responsible, honest, competent, religious and knower of the Vedas- as per Brahaspati smrti• Follow the constitution and rules of organization• Individually & collectively responsible for capital investment, social and religious works, profit & losses, donation on the basis of mutual agreement
Relation with Monarchy
• Such organizations received authorization letter from the monarchy.• The set parameters by the monarchy and society can not overruled by such organizations • These organizations should not work against the monarchy and fulfill their responsibility for the same
Relation with Monarchy
• Responsibility of Kings
• Execution of punishment passed by economic organization• In case of fraud and breach of contract against such organization to be punished by monarchy
• Protection of these secrets
Relation with Monarchy
• Rights of King
• If these organizations were not give taxes properly, King had right to collect 8 times penalty
• Power to impose penalty of any irregularities of such organizations
• Inspection and Supervision of such organization
Commercial Activities
• Running Trade & Industry• Manufacturing of daily usage product• Production integration• Price & Quality assessment• Distribution & Marketing of product• Professional Education• Work as a banker• Work as a Trusty• Earning Foreign Wealth
Other Activities• Social Activities
• Construction of Infra-Structure like road, garden, halls, pond, canal etc.• Arrange the marriages of poor peoples• Moral advancement of society
• Religious Activities• Publicity Of religious view• Establish the religious theory in society• Construction of Mythological places
• Administrative Work• Members of such organization were administrator of major cities in Gupta period
Other Activities
• Military Work• Maintain a army• Used their army in the state interest in adverse time
• Judicial Work
• Economic organizations stand second position in four type of courts –Narad Smrti
• Economic organizations were included in gradation of courts – Brihaspati Smrti
THANK YOU