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Difficulty: HardMedieval Indian Dynasties, Administration, and Regional Kingdoms

With reference to the administrative structure and village self-governance under the Chola Dynasty, consider the following statements:

1. The 'Ur' functioned as a general assembly of tax-paying landholders in ordinary villages, whereas the 'Sabha' or 'Mahasabha' was an exclusive assembly of Brahmin landholders in Brahmadeya villages.
2. The famous Uttaramerur inscriptions issued during the reign of Chola King Parantaka I laid down explicit moral, property, and educational criteria for committee membership.
3. Executive committee members (Variyars) were chosen through a direct secret ballot election supervised by central royal ministers.

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

Statements 1 and 2 are correct, whereas statement 3 is incorrect. Thus, the correct selection is the option stating '1 and 2 only'.
The Imperial Chola administration is highly celebrated for its sophisticated village autonomy. The 'Ur' served as the general assembly of tax-paying peasants, while the 'Sabha' governed Brahmin villages (Brahmadeya). The famous Uttaramerur inscriptions of King Parantaka I explicitly outlined strict moral, educational, and economic qualifications for candidates while barring disqualified individuals (such as those who failed to submit accounts). However, final selection into executive committees (Variyams) was achieved through 'Kudavolai'—drawing palm-leaf lots—rather than direct secret balloting.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze statement 1 regarding Chola village assemblies.
Statement 1 is correct. Chola local self-governance was distinguished by two primary rural assemblies: the 'Ur', consisting of non-brahmin landholding peasantry in general villages, and the 'Sabha' or 'Mahasabha', managing agrahara/brahmadeya settlements granted to Brahmins.
Establishes accurate regional administrative unit distinctions.
2
Evaluate statement 2 regarding the Uttaramerur Inscriptions.
Statement 2 is correct. Inscriptions at Uttaramerur (dated 919 CE and 921 CE) from the reign of Parantaka I prescribed detailed qualifications for committee candidates, including age (35–70 years), land ownership, residence on own land, proficiency in Vedic texts, and administrative integrity.
Verifies historical epigraphic records of Chola governance rules.
3
Assess statement 3 regarding the selection methodology for executive committees (Variyams).
Statement 3 is incorrect. Selection for autonomous executive sub-committees (Variyams) did not employ modern secret ballot voting. Instead, names of eligible candidates were written on palm leaves, placed in a pot, and drawn by a young boy in a process known as the 'Kudavolai' system.
Corrects procedural misconception regarding medieval selection practices.

Key Concept

Chola Village Administration, Assemblies (Ur and Sabha), and the Kudavolai System of Uttaramerur Inscriptions
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Topics

Medieval Indian Dynasties, Administration, and Regional Kingdoms

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