(a) Capital cities                                                       

(b) Ports

(c) Centers of iron-and-steel making                   

(d) Shrines of Jain Tirthankaras

Answer: b

Explanation:

The first phase of urbanism in south India dates from 300 B.C. to 300 A.D. The Tamil word Pattinam means port, and Urban Centers is described in Sangam poetry.

Historian Champakalakshmi has given an account of the urban centres of South India.  A few centres are:

Korkai was an important Pandyan Port, reputed for its pearls as described in Sangam Poems and Greek accounts. The Arthashastra also refers to the pearl fisheries of Pandyan country.

Kaverippumpattinam, also known as Poompuhar, Puhar, or Pumpuhar, was the premier Chola port. Classical accounts refer to this port as Khaberis or Camara.

Muchiri – the Muziris – was a prime port in the Chera kingdom.

The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea by an unknown author, which is an astonishing record of trade in the ancient world describes this port.

Vanji or Kuravur / Karur as the Capital of the Chera dynasty on the banks of river Amaravati a tributary of Kaveri and was an important trade center. Jewel-making was an important craft.

Madurai capital of Pandyas, located on the banks of  River Vaigai , was a major craft center. Arthashastra mentions Madhurai as a centre for fine cotton textiles.

Uraiyur was the capital of early Cholas, and its fine textiles were described in Tamil and Greaco-Roman texts.

Hence, option b is correct.

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