In medieval times, due to communication and transport limitations, Tamil Nadu was also a federal system. The King’s focus was primarily security from invasions and collection of taxes. Apart from this everything seemed to be left to the villages to decide. Chingleput and Arcot districts have several inscriptions that testify to village assemblies, which were far more powerful and efficient than their counterparts today. Uttiramerur and Thenneri are two towns that are classic examples.
Further down south in the Pandya country is Manur. The inscription, which is from 898 A.D. during the reign of Maranchadaiyan, is recorded at the Ambalavanan Swami temple in the village. From this, one comes to knowthe original name of the village and how it was created bya king (name unknown) as a village for Brahmins. The inscription records that the Sabha or village council used to callfor a meeting by drum beat and the meeting of the village was convened in a sacred place called the Govartana. (The name cannot be a coincidence – if one refers to the imagery of the Govardhana episode when Krishna protected the villagers from the wrath of Indira!)
The resolution
The inscription records a resolution passed by the Mahasabha of the brahmadeyam Mananilainallur - that one person from each of the original shareholders of the village and conversant with mantra brahmana and one dharma and of good conduct shall take part in the deliberations and be treated as a permanent member who had the veto power.
The above status was applicable for those who owned a share in the village due to purchase/marriage but had to fulfil the educational criteria as well. Those who acquire property in future cannot have the same power but only be ordinary members. Their participation in the Sabha would be 1/4 or 1/2 or 3/4 depending on the property they possess.
Those who have purchased shares from the original shareholders were to pass an exam in an entire Veda together with a parisista and then they would have primary category membership. Those who did not have full powers (sravanai) could not be members of the sub-committees or variyams in the village. Those who say ‘no’ and cause any obstruction to this arrangement will be fined five kaasu or coins each and even after, the terms of the resolution must be strictly followed.
Velacheri and Tiruvotriyur have inscriptions that give us a greater understanding on the work of the village sub-committees. Tiruninravur tells us that administrative and judicial committees were different and it was not possible to serve on both and there were complex rules to ensure there were no conflicts of interest.
Jurists, Psephologists, politicians and law-makers will benefit enormously from making a careful reading of the very few but valuable inscriptions we have on electoral and administrative inscriptions of this sort.
(A monthly column on various fascinating facts about the art and architecture in temples around Tamil Nadu, this one talks about several inscriptions that bore evidence of village assemblies and sub-committees.)
(The writer can be contacted at pradeepandanusha@gmail.com)
