CHOLA ADMINISTRATION

The Chola government was one of the unique and innovative administrations in the history of India. The dynasty was the first that brought the states of south India under a single rule. It could be said that the form and the protocol followed by the Chola administration could not be compared with other contemporary administrations. The system within the government was organized, innovative and efficient and has enough facets that can be followed by today’s governments. The king was considered central and supreme. Ministers named as “Velir” used to handle all the decisions and authorities. The imperial capitals were Thanjavur, later Gangaikonda Cholapuram.

Chola administration: Brief

The Chola administration was divided into three different parts that were known as the central government, local government and provincial government. The kingdoms in this rule served heredity rulers. The king had to go on state tours to expand the kingdoms. The central government consisted of a fully-fledged secretariat administration. The administration was divided into 9 provincial states known as “Mandalam”. Mandala Mundlis known as governors of each state handled each provincial state. Local government under the Chola administration was organized under democratic lines. Each town and village had its assembly. There were two assemblies known as “Ur” and “Sabha”. The towns and villages functioned with the help of committees formed known as the “Variams”. 

Reasons for strong and effective Chola administration:

An organization of strong administration made the Chola government powerful and succeeded in forming better relationships with the neighbor estates. The Chola government had several tries in accumulating the different parts of south India under common rules. It succeeded due to strong and effective administration systems. The administration was divided into various departments such as central administration where the king was considered as the most significant and pivotal in the entire administration. The other administrations are revenue administration, military administration, provincial administration and local governments. Different administrations were provided responsibilities to handle their responsive fields and resolve the hurdles associated with them. This made delegation and effective and smooth flow in the organization of the system can be seen in the Chola administration.

Local self-government: Chola administration

The greatest achievement of the Chola dynasty in administration was the growth and development of local self-government institutions. Assemblies for villages and towns were divided into various levels. Each assembly for instance traded committees, garden committees and committed for justice were assigned with different responsibilities. Local assemblies were divided into three reasons: Nagaram, Sabha and Ur. In context to Nagaram, there were local bodies consisting of traders from Nadu. They used to control the functioning of entire marketing. They were responsible to collect taxes, on shops, commerce and other sectors on the market.

In context to Sabha, it comprised Brahmanas. This assembly governed the brahmadeya villages. Uttaramerur reflects the working of these assemblies. The members were chosen based on elections. They performed the works like temple maintenance, collection of taxes, irrigation, agriculture, construction of roads and others. 

In context to Ur, it was the assembly of farmers known as “velalas” in non-brahmadeya villages. It has its own rules and regulations of tax collection; Padikkapar is known for its area policies. Each assembly in the Chola administration period performed its job anonymously. Ur was provided with its own set of rules and regulations. The assemblies were responsible to solve the problems and challenges at the local level. They were self-driven with accountability to the king who used to be in the centre and supreme of all.

Conclusion 

The Chola administration is one of the innovative and developed dynasties in Indian history. It flourished between 850 – 1200 CE. The administration had certain positive and favourable rules and regulations for instance establishments of separate governments for different stages. The kingdoms in this rule were managed by the succession system. The king was considered the most significant and pivotal in the entire administration. The king had to go on state tours to expand the kingdoms and develop the entire dynasty that could survive for a longer period. The first king in the Chola government was Vijayalaya Chola.