Manigramam

Manigramam, typically refers to a medieval merchant guild organized by itinerant Indian traders, primarily active in southern India. It is widely attested in the Viraraghava copper plate as being an important trading guild, underscored by its leader, Iravikorttan receiving 72 Royal privileges from the Chera King at the time of its issue. (c. 1225 CE) Along with the ainurruvar (the Ayyavole Five Hundred) and the anjuvannam (the anjuman), the manigiramam played a significant role in the commercial activities of the region. Unlike the anjuvannam, which was confined to the port-towns of southern India, the manigramam operated in both port towns and hinter-land trade centers. Professor M. G. S. Narayanan notes that Iravichathan who received concessions from Rajasimha, Chera ruler of Kodungallur via the Thazekad Copper plates and Iravikorttan, who received them through the Viraraghava copper plates are two separate individuals who obtained trade concessions in 1024 CE and 1225 CE on behalf of Manigramam, alluding to the fact that this specific naming convention could be a corporate, titular name of the guild master. He notes that the title did not automatically pass down from father to son like in a royal succession, but was passed by corporate succession and was usually held inside a powerful Oligarchy of seafaring merchants.