Studies in Cola History and Administration c9.43

c9.43

some people in the village or by an apprehension of grave mischief on their part. The *Sabha* decided "that the residents of their village should not do anything against the interests of their village nor against the temple of Tirumayanam-udaiyar and similar institutions; that if they did so, they must suffer as *grama-drohins* did and that persons who acted against this decision should not be allowed the privilege of touching Siva etc." * Here we have a clear instance of the assembly acting as the authority responsible not only for the punishment of local offences but as the custodian of the general conduct of the villagers and the controller of their morals, so to say.