was a well organized industry at that time. Even
the inscriptions written more than 2250 years
ago mention about those who were engaged in
pottery. Then they were named ‘Kumbhakara’
(Kubakara).
In an inscription in a place named ‘Veherakema’
in Hambanthota district a word named
‘Thathvaya’ appears. This term is a combination
of the two words ‘Thanthu Vaya’. Its meaning
is ‘one who spins strings’. Spinning strings is
related to weaving clothes. Historical sources say
that weaving clothes was an industry that existed
in our country from ancient time. The reference
of the spinners of strings mentioned in the
Veherakema inscription is an obvious evidence
that proves the cloth weaving industry existed at
that time.
By mentioning information about artisans who
were engaged in different types of industries
such as these occupations in our history, it
appears that the ancient society of our country
was well organized. All these artisans made a
contribution out of their knowledge and labour
to run the society well.
4.2.3. Trading
In ancient time there were only a few number
of cities. According to sources, Anuradhapura
and Magama were prominent among them. To
call them the word ‘Pura’ has been used. The
rich lived in big cities. There were both local and
foreign traders in those cities. At the southern
gate in Anuradhapura, there was a bazaar called
‘Kalasumana’.
Trade was a major occupation in our country
during ancient time. Trade activities were
maintained locally as well as with foreign
countries. An inscription in the western water
park of Sigiriya mentions about a person
called ‘Abala Wapara’. That is the way how ‘sour
business’ was written in old Sinhala language.
It is a ‘tamarind trader’ that was introduced
thus. That inscription had been written 2250
years ago. Except for a small group, others
worked by organizing themselves collectively.
That kind of organization was addressed by
the name ‘Poogaya’. In some places the word
‘Niyamasthana’ has been used for that.Those who were engaged in trade were called
‘Wanija’ or ‘Vapara’ in those days. The word
‘Vapara’ was the old Sinhala term of ‘Vyaparika- business’. These traders were the rich in the
ancient society. They had even offered caves for
Bhikkus to stay. An inscription in the place called
‘Mandagala’ in Hambanthota district mentions
that a trader called ‘Sumana’ had offered such a
cave. Another inscription was found in a place
named ‘Weherakema’. That inscription includes
a description about an offering of a cave to the
Bhikkus by an organization of those who did
their trading by weaving clothes.
There were markets for selling commodities
in trade cities and villages. Literary sources
mention that one Suranimala, who came to
Anuradhapura from Mahagrama, bought
perfumes at a shop. The information in the
inscription of King Udaya IV (946-954 A.D.)
points out the way how ancient markets were
administered in an organized way.The best example that can be given for this is
the description given in the Soraborawewa
inscription about Hopitigama market. It includes
the laws imposed by the king on its administration.
There is a law mentioned in it which commands
that taxes should be charged only from the carts
which come to the market, but not from the carts
which go passing the market. A law has imposed
stating that betel should only be sold keeping in
a hut covered from the sun. It was done in order
to prevent selling dried betel to people. There
were no trading affairs on poya days then. A fine
was charged from those who did their business
on poya days. Those did trading on poya days at
the Hopitigama market, had to supply oil to light
lamps at the Mahiyanganaya temple as a fine.