Chola Local Administration
The most important feature
of the Chola administration was the local administration at districts,
towns and villages level. Uttaramerur inscriptions speak much about
the Chola administration. Village autonomy was the most unique feature
of Chola administrative system. |
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| Nadu | |
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Nadu was one of the important administrative units of the Cholas. Nadus had representative assemblies. The heads of the nadus were called Nattars. The council of nadu was called nattavai. Representatives of the Nattavais and nattars promoted agriculture. They also took care of the protection of the people and tax collection. |
Village Administration
The entire responsibility of the village administration was in the hands of the village assembly called Grama Sabha. The lowest unit of the Chola administration was the village unit. The village assemblies looked after the maintenance of peace, tanks, roads, public ponds revenue collection, judiciary, education and temples. The village assemblies were in charge of the payment of taxes due from the villages to the treasury. They regulated public markets and helped people at times of fathine and flood. Assemblies provided provisions for education. The village assemblies possessed absolute authority over the affairs of villages. They maintained law and order in every village. Brahmin settlement was called Chathurvedi mangalam.
Variyams
Village Assemblies carried on
village administration effectively with the help of variyams. Male members
of the society were the members of these variyams. Composition of these
variyams, qualification and durations of membership differed from village
to village. There were many variyams in every village. Niyaya variyam
administered justice, Thottavariyam looked after flower gardens. The Dharma
variyam looked after charities and temples. Erivariyam was in charge of
tanks and water supply. The pon variyam was in charge of the finance.
The Gramakariya variyam looked after the works of all committees. The
members of these varivams were known as “Varivaperumakkal They rendered
honorary service. The village officials were paid salary either in cash
or in kind. Good functioning of these variams increased the efficiency
of the local administration of the Cholas.
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