The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v1.c11.s5.t2.78

v1.c11.s5.t2.78

This survey of rural administration in the Chālukya empire has sought to give a rapid summary of the primary material arranged as far as possible chronologically. The time for a definitive study of this subject has not yet come, the texts of many inscriptions are still inaccessible, and experience warns us against too much reliance being placed on summaries in official reports, while even in the published records not everything is clear, and there is often scope for rival and contradictory interpretations. But the evidence cited is enough to show the strong tendency towards self-government which characterized the various forms of corporate activity that filled the whole area of social life; the emperor and his officers and vassals formed a more or less external authority capable of securing conformity to the laws and regulations of these corporate bodies. The stress was throughout more on duties than on rights; individuals found their proper places in the natural group or groups to which they belonged, and in these positions they did not lack freedom and opportunity for self-expression, each according to his ability. The concept of the organic unity of society and of the interdependence of its parts was the keynote of the whole system, and the impression left on the mind after a perusal of the numerous records of day-to-day transactions found in the inscriptions is in fact one of harmonious and well-articulated co-operation among different groups. The territorial assemblies of the village, town, and larger divisions were primary assemblies, each with cherished traditions and privileges of its own and comprising all the heads of families in the area concerned: they had charge of everything, including justice, that was not the special province of any particular smaller group; they were confined to Brāhmans only in *agrahāras*, i.e. Brāhman villages; the village staff was usually remunerated for its work by means of assignments from common village lands, and it generally included a village teacher. Guilds of artisans and merchants, of which more presently, seem to have come next in importance, owing to their financial position in the community and their readiness to endow and maintain public institutions like temples, schools, hospitals, irrigation tanks, and so on, either from the proceeds of voluntary levies of a periodical nature or with capital endowments in cash or land. There were many other corporations for the administration of temples, *śālas* (feeding-houses), *maṭhas*, and other public foundations. Such a large number of organizations working in close proximity to one another were able to carry on without much friction or disorder only because of their common allegiance to the principles of *dharma* in the conduct of their daily life; these principles included a certain readiness, in cases of persistent differences, to refer matters to the arbitration of third parties and to abide by the decision of the *élite* or, in the last resort, of the emperor and his advisers.