Question

Which one of the following statements is not true about "Shreni" System of Ancient India?

1. Shreni was the organisation of trades and artisans.
2. Quality and the price of the produced goods was determined by the concerned Shreni.
3. Shreni used to control the conduct of its members.
4. Shreni system was prevalent only in Northern India.

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 4 : Shreni system was prevalent only in Northern India.

The correct answer is option 4.

• The Shreni was a kind of group of professionals, Merchants or artisans who used to work in an association.

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• Sometimes guild and sherni are used interchangeably in ancient history to describe artisans and craftsmen who were involved in the trade.

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• Shreni
  • The communities of merchants were organised in groups known as Shreni or guilds under the head called sreshthi.
  • Another type of mercantile group was called sartha which signified mobile or caravan trading corporation of interregional traders.
  • The leader of such a guild was called sarthavaha. 
  • These included weavers, corn dealers, bamboo workers, oil manufacturers, potters etc.
  • The guilds were basically associations of merchants and craftsmen following the same profession or dealing in the same commodity.
  • They elected their head and framed their own rules regarding prices and quality etc., to regulate their business on the basis of mutual goodwill.
  • They also served as banks and received deposits from the public on a fixed rate of interest.

• The guilds
  • The Guild was an association of artisans and merchants who oversee the practice of their craft/trade in a particular area.
  • The earliest types of guild formed as confraternities of tradesmen, normally operating in a single city and covering a single trade.
  • Milendpanho mentions 75 different occupations which were transformed into guilds.