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Paper Topic:

The Ramayana and Trade

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The Ramayana and Trade

No society can exist in the absence of trade . No individual in a civilized world can exist as an independent being . For the fulfillment of ones basic living or survival requirements one has to rely on other beings . Ramayana is dated variously between 500 BCE to 100 BCE

Though , scholars are unable to gather relevant historical proofs to ascertain the exact time of existence of Rama , Ramayana illustrates a very cultured , prosperous and well established form of society . The

br structure of the society suggests that there were four classes namely the kshatriyas , the Brahmins , the Vaishyas and the Shudras . Each class honestly discharged its duties towards each other . The classification was on the basis of karma (deed . The Kshatriyas were warriors , the Brahmins were priests , the vaishyas were farmers or merchants and sudras were slaves . Here , it clearly demonstrates that the existence of vaishyas advocates trade

The recompense for the services in form of currency has no trace in Ramayana . The people of Ayodhya used to exchange resources or services for mutual advantage . The barter system was prevalent . The barter system also includes the exchange of services

People lived in their houses , wore clothes and ornaments , warriors were equipped with weapons . Houses mean , use and supply of building material clothes and ornaments mean , skilled tailors or weaver and smiths , use of weapons suggest the existence of skilled workers who made weapons . The people of Ayodhya performed different activities to give their valuable contribution to the society

Comment

The basic thought takes birth from the fact that Ayodhya was a very planned and prosperous kingdom . The king had responsibilities to fulfill the needs of the peasants and secure them in the time of distress . There must be some contribution to the state exchequer , in the form of gold or jewels . There are evidences of quest for conquering other kingdoms which advocate acquiring wealth , heaps of gold and numberless herds of cattle . Warriors used bow-strings as main weapon

When Rama went on fourteen year exile , Bharat argued and requested Rama go back to Ayodhya and that Bharat shall live in exile in place of Rama In response to this Rama laughed and said , This procedure of exchange cannot apply here . This is not trade or business for barter ' The quote indicates that there the trade and business were essential part in the time of Ramayana

Works cited

Valmiki . `Ramayana

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