Which of the following institutions belonged to foreign trade?

1. A

   Śreni

   Śreni were occupational guilds of artisans and merchants, largely inland and urban, not specifically the foreign-trade corporation named here. This option is not the key.

2. B

   Nagaram

   Nagaram in the Tamil country was a town-based merchant assembly, mainly regional. It is not the best match for overseas trade in this set. This option is therefore wrong.

3. C

   Nānādesis

   The Nānādesis were itinerant merchants ‘of many countries’, a South Indian guild famous for long-distance and overseas commerce. That is the institution tied to foreign trade. This option is the official key.

4. D

   Manigrama

   Manigramam was an important merchant guild, often coastal, but the paper keys Nānādesis as the foreign-trade body. This option is not the key.

Summary. Official key is (c) Nānādesis. The name itself means traders from many lands. Śreni and nagaram are more local guild and town forms. Manigramam is a sister guild but not the keyed answer. Only (c) is stored as the foreign-trade institution.