With reference to ancient South India, Korkai, Poompuhar, and Muchiri were well-known as

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2023: General Studies (SET - A - Held on 28 May)

Answer 1

The correct answer is option 2.

Key Points

Korkai:
- Location: Present-day Tamil Nadu.
- Significance: Korkai was a major port and the early capital of the Pandyan Kingdom.
- It was famous for its pearl fishery and acted as a central hub for trade, particularly with the Roman Empire.
Poompuhar:
- Location: Also known as Kaveripoompattinam, situated at the mouth of the Kaveri River in Tamil Nadu.
- Significance: A crucial port city in the Chola Kingdom, Poompuhar was an important center for maritime trade, connecting South India to various overseas markets.
Muchiri (Muziris):
- Location: Near present-day Kodungalloor in Kerala.
- Significance: Muziris was one of the major ports on the Malabar Coast, serving as a key link in ancient maritime trade routes.
- It was well-known for its spice trade and had connections with the Mediterranean and Red Sea.
These places were primarily recognized as ports rather than capital cities, centers of iron-and-steel making, or shrines of Jain Tirthankaras.
Hence, Option 2: Ports is the correct answer.