The Colas c26.14

c26.14

Of the exact composition of the *ūr* we have no direct knowledge. From the general expression employed *ūrōm*, we must infer that the meeting was attended by all the residents of the *ūr*, though the leading part in the deliberations would have been taken by the elders. The *ūr* had an executive body called '*āḷungaṇam*' 'the ruling group', a term which is sometimes shortened into '*gaṇam*', or expanded into '*mī-yāḷungaṇam*'.⁴⁰ The numerical strength of this executive and the manner of its appointment are not known. We also find the term '*ūr-āḷvārgaḷ*' which is doubtless another way of describing the '*āḷungaṇam*'.⁴¹ Some of the *sabhās* also appear to have had this form of a simple executive which was responsible to them for all matters;⁴² for we find the names of Bhaṭṭas (learned Brahmins) among the members of some of the *gaṇams*. Another explanation may, however, be offered for this feature; the bhaṭṭas who were members of the *āḷungaṇam* might have, in fact, been the executive members of the *ūr*. In other words, they might have formed part of the original village and continued to do so, even after the constitution of a mangalam with its *sabhā* in the same place.