Which of the following botanical items, highly prized in the Mediterranean markets of antiquity, was specifically designated in ancient Tamil literature as 'Kallippu' or exported extensively from the ancient Chera hinterlands?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Cardamom, harvested from the moist evergreen forests of the Western Ghats within the ancient Chera dominion, was a prime export commodity alongside black pepper and ivory. Sandalwood was largely associated with the southern hill tracts, while ginger and turmeric were cultivated for domestic consumption and minor coastal exchange. The Western Ghats served as the primary natural habitat yielding aromatic spices recorded in Roman trade manifests.