The Colas c26.11

c26.11

The *Sabhā* constitutes the type of which we get the most detailed accounts in the inscriptions. It is invariably an assembly associated with the Brahmin village,—the Caturvēdi-mangalam. Many of these *agrahāras* or *mangalams* were created by royal grants. Faith in the unique merit of the gift of land (*bhū-dāna*) was very common and frequently acted on by those who could afford it. Thus it came about that new colonies of pious and learned Brahmins were settled in the different parts of the country and gained control of local affairs through the *Sabhā* and its executive.