Vanik was the word used in Sanskrit books and inscriptions to mean traders. According to the Sastras, trading is the profession of the Vaisyas. But in the plays like Mrichhakadikam (written the 4th century AD) by Sudrakan, some highly complex situations are seen.
Charudattan, who is the hero of the play, is shown both as a Brahmin and also a trader. In one inscription belonging to the 5th century, it is shown that two brothers, shown as Kshatriya- Vanikar, giving a donation for the building of a temple.
