Studies in Cola History and Administration c9.38

c9.38

Turning to the functions of the village assembly, we have to observe that until a critical study is made of all the texts of the inscriptions bearing on this subject we shall not be in a position to formulate general conclusions of a trustworthy character. In dealing with individual assemblies, however, we can make note of what seems to be of striking importance in their working, in the hope that when a sufficiently large number of these institutions have been studied in a similar manner, some conclusions of a general character may emerge from such enquiries. In this respect the very first inscription in the list given above, which belongs to about the end of the 9th century is very noteworthy as we see from its published text. The assembly is called Bhatta-pperumakkal-ullitta Perunguri-pperumakkal, i.e., "members of the Great Assembly including the priests of the temple." What accounts for the special mention of the Bhattas? We can hardly suppose that they were not ordinarily members of the assembly and that they attended one meeting of that body for special reasons; for if our view of the composition of the general body of the assembly is correct, the Bhattas being necessarily Brahmans must normally have been entitled to sit and take part in it. The reason for their being mentioned separately must then lie elsewhere. It may be that, as we learn from the details preserved in Uttaramērūr inscriptions of Parāntaka, the Bhattas had some special functions in the assembly. But we know what these functions were in Uttaramērūr; they related mainly to the elections to the vāriyams or committees, and we have no evidence that the committee system obtained at Nālūr. Or possibly, the reason lies in