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
Conference of Rulers Conference of Rulers The Conference of Rulers (also Council of Rulers or Durbar, ("Malay:" Majlis Raja-Raja; "Jawi:" مجليس راج٢) in Malaysia is a council comprising the nine rulers of the Malay states, and the governors or "Yang di-Pertua Negeri" of the other four states. It was officially established by Article 38 of the Constitution of Malaysia, and is the only such institution in the world, according to the Malaysian National Library. Its main responsibility is the election of the "Yang di-Pertuan Agong" (King) and his deputy, the "Timbalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong", which occurs every five years or when the positions