RAS question
Sangam literature mentions Roman trade through the term:
Correct answer: (C) Yavana (for Greeks/Romans).
Sangam literature refers to Greek and Roman-linked western traders as Yavana.
Explanation
The answer is Yavana because the term is used in the Sangam trade context for western traders connected with the Greek-Roman world. Cambridge Core, Journal of Global History supports the core image: a Tamil Sangam poet describes yavanar arriving at Muziris, bringing gold and leaving with pepper. This matches the standard Indo-Roman trade pattern in which Roman coins were exchanged for black pepper at Malabar ports. The question is therefore not asking for a generic label for outsiders; it is testing the specific literary term that links Sangam poetry with Mediterranean trade. Roman coins, including gold aurei found at Arikamedu and other sites, fit the same trade context.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Barbarian is at most a descriptive judgement about foreigners, not the specific Sangam trade term used for the western traders bringing gold and taking pepper.
- (B) Mleccha is not the term identified in the Sangam-Muziris trade evidence; the relevant label there is yavanar/Yavana.
- (D) Dasa is not connected with the Greek-Roman traders, gold, pepper, or Muziris trade context.
Concept
This tests ancient India's external trade and the use of literary sources, especially Sangam references to Indo-Roman commerce. RAS repeats this because one term, Yavana, connects texts, ports, commodities and archaeological evidence in a compact factual theme.