Local Government in Ancient India c9.146

c9.146

No. 6 (Hultzsch, *S. Ind. Inscr.*, vol. II, Part I) is a long and interesting inscription recording that Kundavaiyar (daughter of Parāntaka II) deposited certain sums of money (*kāśu*) which were subsequently borrowed on interest by certain village assemblies. The interest had to be paid yearly into the treasury of the Rājarājeśvara temple at Tañjāvur [Tanjore] either in paddy or in money. In the former case the interest was three *kuruṇi* of paddy for each *kāśu*, and in the latter 12½ per cent. [‘12 *akkam* being reckoned as one *kāśu* ... one eighth *akkam* per month should be paid as interest for each *kāśu*’ (paragraph 20 of the inscription)]. If it is assumed that the rate of interest was the same in both cases, @H 1 *kalañju* = one *kāśu* would correspond to the value of 24 *kuruṇi* or two *kalam* of paddy.¹ In two instances money was deposited for purchasing a number of the usual sheep from the milk of which a certain amount of *ghī* for lamps was to be supplied. The value of one sheep was reckoned as ⅓ *kāśu* (one *urakku* of *ghī* being obtained from 76 sheep bought for 32 *kāśus* to keep 10 twilight lamps burning).