Understanding Chola Land Categories from Inscriptions

Chola inscriptions are invaluable historical sources that provide detailed information about the administration, society, and economy of the Chola empire. These inscriptions, often found on temple walls or copper plates, mention various categories of land grants made by kings or wealthy individuals.

Land grants were a significant feature of the Chola period. Different types of land were granted for specific purposes or to particular groups of people. The question asks about the category of land specifically gifted to temples.

Key Land Types Mentioned in Chola Inscriptions

Let's examine the categories of land mentioned in the options:

• Devadana: This term literally means 'gift to the god'. As the name suggests, land categorized as Devadana was granted to temples. The income from this land was used for the maintenance of the temple, its rituals, and the upkeep of the priests and staff.
• Shalabhoga: This refers to land that was granted for the maintenance of a school or educational institution.
• Pallichchhandam: This was land granted to Jaina institutions, known as 'pallis'.
• Brahmadeya: This category of land was granted to Brahmanas, often individually or collectively to a group of Brahmanas, sometimes creating brahmana settlements.

Based on the descriptions found in numerous Chola inscriptions, the land gifted specifically to temples was known as Devadana.

Revision Table: Chola Land Categories

Additional Information on Chola Land Grants

Land grants were a crucial aspect of the Chola economy and administration. They served multiple purposes:

• They supported religious and educational institutions, fostering cultural and intellectual growth.
• They helped in settling specific groups like Brahmanas, encouraging agriculture in new areas.
• They were a way for rulers and elites to gain religious merit and consolidate political power by patronizing religious and educational centers.
• Besides these, there were other categories like Vellanvagai, which was land held by peasant proprietors.
• The terms and conditions of these grants, including tax exemptions or obligations, were meticulously recorded in the inscriptions, providing valuable insights into the Chola state's revenue system.