Chola Kudavolai System
Uttaramerur inscriptions
talk about Kudavolai system. This system was a very notable and
unique feature of the village administration of the Cholas. There
were 30 wards in each village. A representative for each ward was
elected through Kudavolai system. Names of the contestants from
whom one could be chosen were written on palm leaf tickets. These
palm leaves were put into a pot and shuffled. A small boy picked
up palm leaves one by one from the pot. Persons whose name tickets
were picked up by the boy were declared elected. Like that 30 members
for thirty wards were elected. This kind of peculiar election system
was called kudavolai system. Out of the thirty elected members,
twelve members were appointed to the Annual committee, twelve members
were appointed as the members of the Garden committee and six members
to the Tank committee.
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Members of the standing committee and
a Gold committee were also elected. Qualification of the members was given.
A person who could be chosen through Kudavolai system must have age from
35 to 70. He should possess one veli land and of a house built in a taxable
land on his own site. He should have knowledge about vedas and mantras.
Persons who killed brahmins or women or cow or children were disqualified.
Thieves, drunkards and people who had undergone punishments were also
disqualified from contesting election from kudavolai system.
The people of the Chola Empire were more benefited by the Chola administration.
Historians like K.A.Neelakanda Sastri appreciates the administrative efficiency
of the Chola kings. The best aspects of the Chola administration were
followed by the rulers of the later period.
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