The correct option is (d).
Explanation
Puhar, also known as Kaveripattinam, was the premier port city of the early Chola kingdom. The Sangam poem Pattinappalai provides a vivid and detailed account of the bustling trade activities in Puhar, listing specific goods imported from various regions.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: The poem explicitly mentions that pearls were brought from the southern seas. The Gulf of Mannar region was historically renowned for its pearl fisheries.
- Statement 2 is Correct: It states that corals were imported from the eastern oceans. This highlights the maritime trade connections the Cholas maintained with the eastern regions.
- Statement 3 is Correct: The text refers to the yield of the Ganga being brought to Puhar. This indicates internal trade networks connecting the Gangetic plains to the southern coast.
- Statement 4 is Correct: The poem lists crops from the Kaveri. As Puhar was situated in the Kaveri delta, the agricultural produce of the hinterland flowed into the port city for consumption and trade.
Other items mentioned in the same poem include horses brought by sea, pepper brought by carts, gemstones and gold from the northern mountains, and sandalwood from the western mountains.
Key Takeaway:
The Sangam poem Pattinappalai serves as a primary historical source documenting the extensive internal and external trade networks of the Chola port Puhar, linking it to the Ganges, the Himalayas, and overseas territories.