Sarthavaha
Topic: Economy of Early India: Agriculture, Trade, Guilds, Coinage · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
A sarthavaha was the leader of a merchant caravan in ancient India. Caravans were long lines of bullock carts and pack animals. The sarthavaha organised the trip, guided the traders, and dealt with dangers on the road and with tolls. The Prakrit form, satthavaha, appears in early inscriptions and texts for a successful merchant. In Buddhist stories, caravan leaders travel long routes such as the Uttarapatha and the Dakshinapatha. In Gupta times the sarthavaha was important enough to sit on local councils.
Example
The Damodarpur copper plates from north Bengal date to the Gupta period (c. 5th century CE). They name a sarthavaha as a member of the district council, together with the chief banker, the chief artisan and the chief scribe.
Don't confuse with
- Shreshthi (setthi): a rich merchant or banker who usually stayed in one town. A sarthavaha led caravans on the road.