Economy of ancient Tamil country trade. Industrial activity flourished. Inland trading was conducted primarily through barter in busy market places by merchant associations and commercial lending institutions. Merchants formed associations that operated autonomously, without interference from the state. The people of ancient Tamil country engaged in brisk overseas trade with Rome; the trade reached a peak after the discovery of a direct route for merchant ships between Tamilakam and Egypt, taking advantage of the monsoon winds. Pepper, pearls, ivory, textiles and gold ornaments were exported from Tamilakam, and the main imports were luxury goods such as glass, coral, wine and topaz. Foreign trade brought in
Irrigation works in ancient Sri Lanka to 367 BC. It is said that he had three tanks built, namely "Abhaya weva", "Gamini weva", and "Jaya weva", yet, presently, only one tank named "Basawakkulama weva" can be identified. After King Pandukabhaya, King Parakramabahu I had many tanks built, with one large tank called "Parakrama samudraya" still providing water for agriculture. It can be said that many rulers of Sri Lanka contributed to the development and construction of tanks all over the "Raja Rata" (Northern part of the country). Irrigation works in ancient Sri Lanka The irrigation works in ancient Sri Lanka, the earliest dating from about 300