The Ramayana and Trade

Student 's name

Instructor 's name

Class

Date

The Ramayana and Trade

Human Society has roots which lie deeper in history than the beginning of human life , men have made comparatively but little progress in solving the problem of their aggregate existence . Ramayana is dated variously between 500 BCE to 100 BCE

In the Ramayana era , the society was well established , prosperous and cultured . It was divided into four classes that were namely Kshatriyas Brahmins , Vaishyas , and the Shudras . Each class honestly discharged its duties towards one another

. The classification was on the basis of Karma (deed . The main role was played by the Kshatriyas , who were the warriors , the Brahmins were priests , the Vaishyas were farmers or merchants and Shudras were slaves . Here , it clearly demonstrates that the existence of Vaishyas advocates trade

The Brahamanas contributed a part of their religious merit the Kshatriyas served in the army the Vaishyas surrendered a portion of their income and the Shudras paid the royal dues in the form of manual labour . Obviously the most substantial contribution to the state revenue was the one made by the Vaishyas , were engaged in the profit making occupations of those times , viz , trade , agriculture and cattle-rearing .The people of Ayodhya used to exchange resources or services for mutual advantage . They 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

Duiker , J , William . Sielvogel , J , Jackson . The Essential World History

Belmont : Thomson Wadsworth , 2004

Narayan , K , R . The Ramayana : A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic

Penguin Classics , 1977

PAGE

PAGE 3

Last name of the Student...