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Difficulty: MediumMedieval Indian Dynasties, Administration, and Regional Kingdoms

With reference to the local administration and village governance under the Imperial Cholas, consider the following statements:

1. The 'Sabha' was an assembly of landholders operating in Brahmin-dominated villages (Brahmadeya).
2. The detailed rules for the election of village executive committee members are recorded in the Uttaramerur inscriptions of Parantaka I.
3. 'Kudavolai' was a specialized land revenue assessment system based on annual crop yields.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 and 2 onlyAnswer
  2. B
    2 and 3 only
  3. C
    1 and 3 only
  4. D
    1, 2 and 3

Answer

1 and 2 only
The statement option featuring '1 and 2 only' is correct because Chola local governance was categorized by the 'Sabha' operating in Brahmadeya villages, and the famous Uttaramerur inscription of King Parantaka I outlines the electoral rules for village committees. 'Kudavolai' refers to the ballot lot system used in these elections, not to land revenue assessment.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze Statement 1 regarding the nature of the 'Sabha'.
The Sabha (or Mahasabha) was the assembly of adult male Brahmans in Brahmadeya (land granted to Brahmans) villages. Thus, statement 1 is correct.
Chola local governance distinguished between the 'Ur' (general adult assembly in peasant villages) and the 'Sabha' (assembly in Brahmadeya villages).
2
Analyze Statement 2 regarding the Uttaramerur inscriptions.
The two inscriptions of Parantaka I (dated 919 AD and 921 AD) at Uttaramerur lay down strict qualifications, disqualifications, and procedures for selecting members of executive committees (variyams). Thus, statement 2 is correct.
This historical inscription provides empirical evidence of democratic local self-governance principles in medieval South India.
3
Analyze Statement 3 regarding the term 'Kudavolai'.
Kudavolai was the system of drawing lots. Names of eligible candidates were written on palm leaves (olai), placed in a pot (kudam), and drawn by a young boy to elect committee members. It was not a revenue assessment system. Thus, statement 3 is incorrect.
Confusing administrative electoral terminology with tax assessment terms is a common historical misinterpretation.

Key Concept

Chola Local Self-Governance and Village Administration
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Topics

Medieval Indian Dynasties, Administration, and Regional Kingdoms

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