Anjuvannam

Anjuvannam (in Malayalam, from Persian anjuman, and hanjama or hanjamana in Telugu or Kannada or hamyamana) typically refers to a medieval merchant guild, consisting of non-Indian traders — principally ethnic Persians and Arabs — primarily active in south India. Along with manigramam and ainurruvar (the Ayyavole Five Hundred), the anjuvannam merchant guild played a major role in the commercial activities of southern India in the medieval period.

Unlike manigiramam merchant guild, which was also operating in Indian hinterland, the presence of anjuvannam is found only in coastal towns. In some ports this guild obtained royal charters, which permitted the special immunities and privileges within those cities. Anjuvannam finds mention in number of south Indian inscriptions, most notably in Quilon Syrian copper plates (c. 849 CE) and in Jewish copper plates of Cochin (c. 1000 CE). The guild initially engaged in commercial activities along the Kerala coast before expanding its operations to other south Indian coasts.