Administration and Social Life under Vijayanagar c11.97

c11.97

Another institution that played an important part in the local administration was the temple. Besides being the centre of religious life and practices, the mediaeval temple had certain economic and political functions. It was a landlord and employer. The temple authorities were at times judges in certain cases. The temple treasury was a bank which lent money to the people in times of need. The temples were promoters of rural industries and handicrafts. In all these directions the mediaeval South Indian temple contributed much for the social good.