Echoes of Democracy: Tracing Tamilagam's Ancient Governance
The foundation of democracy and electoral practices in Tamilagam dates back more than a millennium, with the Uthiramerur inscriptions, originating around 920 CE during the Parantaka Chola reign, serving as a significant historical testament. These inscriptions, effectively constituting the village assembly, provide valuable insights into the organization of wards, the qualifications expected of election candidates, the establishment and roles of committees, and the authority to address wrongdoing.
While the Uthiramerur inscriptions are widely recognized, Tamil Nadu's democratic legacy extends even further, evidenced by an ancient elected judiciary detailed in an inscription found at the Ambalavana Swami temple in Manur near Tirunelveli. Governed by specific regulations, this judiciary mandated judges to uphold impeccable character, pass rigorous legal examinations, and rely exclusively on written evidence. The inscription, shedding light on justice administration in the 9th century CE Pandya region, underscores the active role played by the village assembly in ancient Tamilagam. This historical backdrop draws intriguing parallels with contemporary events, notably the enactment of the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Bill in 2014, signifying a substantial shift in the appointment procedure for judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts.
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The Pandya ruler in whose reign the decision was taken by the Manur Sabha is identified with Parantaka Varaguna Varma I, who came to the throne in 765 CE. The date of this inscription would then fall in 800 CE. Manur is mentioned as Mananilainallur of Kalakkudi Nadu. It is recorded as No. 37 of South Indian Inscriptions Vol. XIV and in the Page 5 in Epigraphia Indica Vol. XXII.
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Dr. Nagaswamy, a well-known scholar had translated this inscription as below.
"1. The representation for the descendents of the shareholders of the village in the court :- One, who is well-learned in Mantra and Brahmana, and one dharma sastra, and is of virtuous conduct alone is eligible, that too only one representative for each share. They will enquire cases in the sabha.
2. Among those who bought, received as gift or as stridhana, a land in the village, only those learned in mantra brahmana, and one dharama sastra, and of virtuous conduct are eligible to hear the cases in the sabha.
3. Further, those who got land, by purchase, gift or as stridhana, will be eligible to serve as hearers, sravanai puhuvar. They will not be permitted or ordered to hear quarter, half or three fourth of the case (as hearers) but only the full case.
4. Among buyers of the shares, only those who pass an examination in all parts of one Veda, including its parisishtas, are to be admitted as hearers.
5. Further those who enter as hearers apart from this decisions should hear cases, only as directed in this kacca (stipulation).
6. One who does not become a full hearer, as per this stipulation should not be appointed for any Varyam, sub-committee.
7. Those who satisfy the above conditions should not refuse (or obstruct) to serve.
8. Those who obstruct or abet obstruction should be fined, five Kasu individually and even after paying the fine, they should serve as per this resolution.
We the members of the Sabha, took the decision as resolved above."
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