Economy & Urbanization
Realm 34: Guilds, Granaries, and the Flow of Wealth
THE MATERIAL ONTOLOGY
MICRO-REALM 01
Agricultural Base
- Iron ploughshare dominance.
- Wet rice cultivation.
- State-led irrigation (Sudarshana).
- Surplus enabled urban growth.
MICRO-REALM 02
Second Urbanization
- Ganga Valley (600 BCE).
- NBPW Pottery marker.
- Burnt brick architecture.
- Rise of Mahajanapadas.
MICRO-REALM 03
The Guild System
- Shrenis and Nigamas.
- Regulated prices & wages.
- Acted as local banks.
- Endowments to monasteries.
MICRO-REALM 04
Inland Trade Routes
- Uttarapatha (North road).
- Dakshinapatha (South road).
- Caravans (Sarthavaha).
- Taxila to Pataliputra.
MICRO-REALM 05
Maritime Trade
- Indian Ocean network.
- Monsoon wind mastery.
- Broach, Muziris, Arikamedu.
- Roman & Southeast Asian links.
MICRO-REALM 06
Evolution of Coinage
- Punch-marked silver/copper.
- Indo-Greek portrait coins.
- Satavahana lead/potin.
- Gupta gold Dinaras.
MICRO-REALM 07
Taxation System
- Bhaga (1/6th agricultural tax).
- Bali (Voluntary, later forced).
- Kara (Periodic tax).
- Vishti (Forced labor).
MICRO-REALM 08
Craft Specialization
- Textiles (Cotton & Silk).
- Metallurgy & weapons.
- Bead making & lapidary.
- Ivory carving.
MICRO-REALM 09
Land Grants
- Agrahara/Brahmadeya.
- Transfer of fiscal rights.
- Transfer of administrative power.
- Roots of Indian feudalism.
MICRO-REALM 10
Urban Decline
- Post-Gupta de-urbanization.
- Decline of long-distance trade.
- Paucity of gold coins.
- Rise of self-sufficient villages.