Many craftspersons and merchants formed associations known as Shrenis. They performed the following function:
(i) These shrenis of craftspersons provided training, procured raw material and distributed the finished products.
(ii) The Shrenis of merchants organised trade.
(iii) Shrenis also served as banks where rich men and women deposited money, which was invested and part of the interest was returned or used to support religious institutions such as monasteries.

In the northern part of the sub-conntinent:
(i) The village headman was known as the Grama Bhojaka.
(ii) The independent farmers were known as grihapatis, most of whom were smaller landowners.
(iii) The other men and women who did not own land, and had to earn their living by working on the fields owned by others, were known as dasa karmakara.

(i) Some of the earliest works in Tamil, known as Sangam literature, were composed around 2300 years ago.
(ii) These texts were called Sangam because they were supposed to have been composed and compiled in assemblies (known as Sangams) of poets which were held in the city of Madurai.

Ring wells are used as toilets in some cases, and also, as drains and garbage dumps. These ring wells are usually found in individual houses.

The earliest coins which were in use for about 500 years were punch marked coins. They have been given this name because the designs were punched on to the metal-silver or copper.

NBPW is Northern Black Polished Ware. It got its name from the fact that it is generally found in the northern part of the subcontinent. It is usually of black colour and has a fine shine.

Many sculptures were used for decoration purposes. Railways, pillars and gateways of buildings were often decorated with the help of sculptures.

In many cities, archaeologists have found rows of pots or ceramic rings arranged one on top of the other. These are known as ring wells.

Many craftspersons and merchants formed associations known as shrenis.
These shrenis of craftspersons provided training, procured raw material and distributed the finished product. Then shrenis of merchants organised the trade. Shrenis also served as banks, where rich men and women deposited money.
This was invested, and part of the interest was returned or used to support religious institutions, such as monasteries.

The earliest works in Tamil, known as Sangam literature, were composed around 2300 years ago. These texts were called Sangam because they were supposed to have been composed and compiled in assemblies (known as Sangams) of poets that were held in the city of Madurai.

The gulf is very narrow at Bharuch and it was very difficult to navigate for those coming from the sea. Only experienced, skilful local fishermen employed by the king could do that.
The imports into Bharuch were wine, copper, tin, lead, coral, topaz, cloth, gold and silver coins. Exports included plants from the Himalayas, ivory, agate, carnelian, cotton, silk and perfumes.

Archaeologists have found several thousands of coins belonging to the early ancient period of ancient India.
The earliest coins which were in use for about 500 years were punch marked coins.
They have been given this name because the designs were punched on to the metal, silver or copper. Coins were used as medium of exchange.

Different archaeological evidences for crafts were found. It included extremely fine pottery, known as the Northern Black Polished Ware.
It gets its name from the fact that it is generally found in the Northern part of the sub-continent. It is usually black in colour, and has a fine sheen.

The functions of the grama bhojaka are: 
(i) As he was powerful, the king often used him to collect taxes from the village.
(ii) He solved the problems of villagers.
(iii) He also functioned as a judge, and sometimes as a policeman.
(iv) He was powerful because he was a hereditary village headman. He was also the largest landowner.

Roman lamps, glassware and gems have been found at the site of Arikamedu (in Pondicherry), it indicates that there was contact with Rome.