Question

The associations of crafts persons and merchants were known as ________.

Answer 1

Hint: Associations of crafts persons, merchants and traders existed in ancient India somewhat around the 5th Century B.C. These associations were also treated as banks.

Complete answer:
These associations involving merchants, traders and artisans were called Shrenis. It has been believed that every economic activity and craft has its own set of rules, techniques and traditions which sets the quality standards and has a distinguished form of style. There was a recognised need for these skills to be preserved through the generations from father to the sons and then to their predecessors.
A Shreni therefore can be defined as a group of people who were dedicated engaged in learning and honing their skills in a particular craft or vocation. The aim is to preserve the trade secrets and traditions of the vocation by passing it down from generation to generation.
Over a period of time, in ancient India, some Shrenis became popular and hence were funded by several rulers and patrons. Consequently, they grew richer and started acting as centres of learning who could independently sponsor and financially support activities like construction of religious places or conducting gatherings for the advancement of their cause or something that they truly believed in. Daughters were not allowed to become members of the Shreni since they were prone to divulge the trade secrets to her husband’s family once they got married.

Note: The Vidisha, a Shreni of ivory carvers from Madhya Pradesh have contributed to the construction of the south gate of the Sanchi Stupa which is a World heritage site declared by UNESCO.