Caste System

Caste meaning Varna or colour to the Aryans was the logical distinction between the conquerors (Aryans) and the conquered (Dasas and Panis). It was in about 1,000 B.C. that the Aryans settled between the Indus and Gangetic regions; it was here that they learnt the art of cultivation. With the coming of agriculture, greater division of labour came into existence and thereby different occupations.

Sreni (Guilds): a Unique Social Innovation of Ancient IndiaBy Manikant Shah & D.P. Agrawal

Ancient Indian guilds are a unique and multi-faceted form of organisation, which combined the functions of a democratic government, a trade union, a court of justice and a technological institution. The trained workers of the guilds provided a congenial atmosphere for work. They procured raw materials for manufacturing, controlled quality of manufactured goods and their price, and located markets for their sale. Though seen through the Eurocentric blinkers they have been misunderstood. It was believed that the IndianGuild system also followed the European feudal or the manorial system of the high Middle Ages, due mainly to sudden increase in trade. These European guilds identified as Merchant Guilds and Craft Guilds lasted in some places until the nineteenth and the twentieth century, though probably their golden age was in the thirteenth and the fourteenth centuries. The Craft Guilds being the direct producers were more important than the Merchant Guilds. But the Indian guilds were far more important and complex institutions than the European examples.

Ancient Indian guilds have been a subject of some debate, both about their real character and antiquity.

goods and their price, and located markets for their sale. Though seen through the Eurocentric blinkers they have been misunderstood. It was believed that the IndianGuild system also followed the European feudal or the manorial system of the high Middle Ages, due mainly to sudden increase in trade. These European guilds identified as Merchant Guilds and Craft Guilds lasted in some places until the nineteenth and the twentieth century, though probably their golden age was in the thirteenth and the fourteenth centuries. The Craft Guilds being the direct producers were more important than the Merchant Guilds. But the Indian guilds were far more important and complex institutions than the European examples.

o  o  o  

 Monetization of economy was a significant feature of the post Mauryan period. The Indo- Greek rulers issued gold

coins. Menander was the last Indo-Greek king to issue gold coins. The Kushanas also issued several gold coins.

Gold mines existed in Sind as well as in Dhalbhum. Satavahanas issued lead and copper coins. 

The smaller republican dynasties issued silver and copper coins. The Nagas, Yaudheyas, Kunindas, Mitra rulers of

Kaushambi, Mathura, Avanti and Ahichhatra also issued their own coins. Many nigamas issued copper coins and

bronze. Money had penetrated deep into the life of common man during the post-Mauryan period.  Monetization of

economy was a significant feature of the post Mauryan period. The Indo- Greek rulers issued gold coins. Menander

was the last Indo-Greek king to issue gold coins. The Kushanas also issued several gold coins. Gold mines existed in

Sind as well as in Dhalbhum. Satavahanas issued lead and copper coins. 

The smaller republican dynasties issued silver and copper coins. The Nagas, Yaudheyas, Kunindas, Mitra rulers of

Kaushambi, Mathura, Avanti and Ahichhatra also issued their own coins. Many nigamas issued copper coins and

bronze. Money had penetrated deep into the life of common man during the post-Mauryan period.  Monetization of

economy was a significant feature of the post Mauryan period. The Indo- Greek rulers issued gold coins. Menander

was the last Indo-Greek king to issue gold coins. The Kushanas also issued several gold coins. Gold mines existed in

Sind as well as in Dhalbhum. Satavahanas issued lead and copper coins. 

The smaller republican dynasties issued silver and copper coins. The Nagas, Yaudheyas, Kunindas, Mitra rulers of

Kaushambi, Mathura, Avanti and Ahichhatra also issued their own coins. Many nigamas issued copper coins and

bronze. Money had penetrated deep into the life of common man during the post-Mauryan period.  Monetization of

economy was a significant feature of the post Mauryan period. The Indo- Greek rulers issued gold coins. Menander

was the last Indo-Greek king to issue gold coins. The Kushanas also issued several gold coins. Gold mines existed in

Sind as well as in Dhalbhum. Satavahanas issued lead and copper coins. 

The smaller republican dynasties issued silver and copper coins. The Nagas, Yaudheyas, Kunindas, Mitra rulers of

Kaushambi, Mathura, Avanti and Ahichhatra also issued their own coins. Many nigamas issued copper coins and

bronze. Money had penetrated deep into the life of common man during the post-Mauryan period.  Monetization of

economy was a significant feature of the post Mauryan period. The Indo- Greek rulers issued gold coins. Menander

was the last Indo-Greek king to issue gold coins. The Kushanas also issued several gold coins. Gold mines existed in

Sind as well as in Dhalbhum. Satavahanas issued lead and copper coins. 

The smaller republican dynasties issued silver and copper coins. The Nagas, Yaudheyas, Kunindas, Mitra rulers of

Kaushambi, Mathura, Avanti and Ahichhatra also issued their own coins. Many nigamas issued copper coins and

bronze. Money had penetrated deep into the life of common man during the post-Mauryan period. The largest

Indian partners with their total trade (sum of imports and exports) in millions of US Dollars for

financial year 2012–2013 are as follows:[1]

Country ExportsImport

sTotal Trade Trade Balance

All countries 300,400 490,736 791,136 -190,336.00

 United Arab Emirates 36,265.15 38,436.47 74,701.61 -2,171.32

 China 13,503.00 54,324.04 67,827.04 -40,821.04

 United States 36,152.30 24,343.73 60,496.03 11,808.57[2]

 Saudi Arabia 9783.81 34,130.50 43,914.31 -24,346.69

 Switzerland 1,116.98 29,915.78 31,032.76 -28,798.80

 Singapore 13,608.65 7,754.38 21,363.03 5,854.27[2]

 Germany 7,244.63 14,373.91 21,618.54 -7129.28

 Hong Kong 12,278.31 8,078.58 20,356.89 4,199.74[2]

 Indonesia 5,331.47 14,774.27 20,105.75 -9,442.80

 Iraq 1,278.13 20,155.94 21,434.07 -18,877.81

 Japan 6,099.06 12,514.07 18,613.14 -6,415.01

Country ExportsImport

sTotal Trade Trade Balance

 Belgium 5,506.63 10,087.16 15,593.80 -4,580.53

 Kuwait 1,060.80 16,569.63 17,630.43 -15,508.83

 Iran 3,351.07 11,603.79 14,954.86 -8,252.72

 South Korea 4,201.49 13,461.25 17,662.73 -9,259.76

Rice and Ragi form the staple food in South Karnataka, whereas Jolada rotti, Sorghum is staple to North Karnataka. Bisi bele bath, Jolada rotti, Ragi mudde, Uppittu,Benne Dose, Masala Dose and Maddur Vade are some of the popular food items in Karnataka. Among sweets, Mysore Pak, Karadantu of Gokak and Amingad,Belgaavi Kunda and Dharwad pedha are popular. Apart from this, coastal Karnataka and Kodagu have distinctive cuisines of their own. Udupi cuisine of coastal Karnataka is popular all over India.