History of Mediaeval Hindu India (being a History of India from 600 to 1200 A.D.) v3.c41.s24.2

v3.c41.s24.2

"There were three kinds of assemblies or Kuṭṭams, those for the tara (village), for the nādu (district) and for the whole of Kerala country. The first was the meeting of the villagers as represented by the Kāraṇavars of the families, to discuss matters of local interest, while the assembly of the nādu discussed matters of wider interest; and was a representative body of immense power which set at naught, on occasions, the authority of the king".