Why in News?

• Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Tamil Nadu during the valedictory ceremony of the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival to commemorate the birth anniversary of Emperor Rajendra Chola I.
• He highlighted the historical achievements of the Chola dynasty and linked their legacy to India’s vision of becoming a developed and united nation.
• He also highlighted the democratic traditions of the Chola Empire, particularly the Kudavolai system, comparing it with Western ideals like the Magna Carta (1215 CE) and Enlightenment-era political thought.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• The Chola Dynasty
• PM’s Tribute to Chola Emperors
• Chola Achievements as a Model for Modern India
• The Kudavolai System
• Rediscovering Ancient Indian Democracy
• Cultural Unity and Preservation
• Conclusion

The Chola Dynasty:

• It was a Tamil empire that dominated South India and rose in prominence from the 9th (founder - Vijayalaya) to the 13th centuries CE (decline after the reign of Kulothunga I).
• They were renowned for their military prowess, maritime dominance, and significant contributions to art (advancements in bronze sculpture), architecture (eg., exemplifying the Dravidian style of temple architecture), and literature.
• At its peak (and spearheaded by Rajaraja I and his son Rajendra I), the Chola empire stretched from the islands of the Maldives to the banks of the Ganges River in Bangladesh, with colonies in Southeast Asia.

PM’s Tribute to Chola Emperors:

• Historical inspiration: PM Modi paid homage to Rajaraja Chola and Rajendra Chola I for their military might, naval expansion, administrative innovations, and cultural contributions.
• Commemorative coin: A coin was released to honour Rajendra Chola I, commemorating his contributions including the building of Gangaikonda Cholapuram, the Brihadisvara Temple, and Cholagangam lake.
• Statues announcement: The Centre will install statues of both emperors in Tamil Nadu to reinforce national historical consciousness.

Chola Achievements as a Model for Modern India:

• Economic and strategic vision: Chola-era advancements in trade, defence, water management, and local governance were showcased as templates for India's future development.
• Strengthening defence: Echoing Rajaraja and Rajendra’s naval legacy, PM Modi emphasized modern India's commitment to national security, citing Operation Sindoor as an example of India’s decisive strategic posture.
• Democratic foundations: The Kudavolai system introduced by the Cholas was hailed as an early form of grassroots democracy.

The Kudavolai System:

• Electoral innovation:
  • Ballot-pot mechanism: The Kudavolai or “ballot pot” involved placing names on palm leaves in a pot and drawing lots publicly by a neutral child, ensuring transparency and fairness.
  • Institutional integrity: The process symbolised a combination of divine will and civic integrity, aimed at preventing dynastic capture of power.
• Stringent eligibility and disqualification norms:
  • Eligibility criteria: Candidates had to be tax-paying landowners; 35–70 years old; literate in Vedic texts or administrative principles; free from criminal records, debt defaults, alcoholism, or nepotism
  • Disqualification measures: Individuals with financial misdemeanours or ethical lapses were disqualified, even fined or removed as per epigraphic records (e.g., Inscription No. 24 from Epigraphia Indica).

Rediscovering Ancient Indian Democracy:

• Chola contribution to democratic thought:
  • PM Modi emphasized that the Chola Empire practiced structured electoral governance long before Western democracies emerged.
  • The Uttaramerur inscriptions in Tamil Nadu serve as one of the earliest evidence of local self-governance and electoral processes.
• Administrative decentralisation and local governance:
  • Village councils: Two bodies (Sabha – for Brahmin villages; and Ur – for non-Brahmin settlements) had real power over revenue, water management, temples, and justice.
  • Merchant guilds as partners: Guilds like Manigramam and Ayyavole were key in decentralised governance and trade expansion.
• Symbolic statecraft: Rajendra Chola’s act of bringing Ganga water to his capital symbolised a liquid pillar of victory, merging military conquest with ritual legitimacy.
• Limitations of the democratic system:
  • Exclusionary nature: Despite being advanced for its time, the Chola model excluded women, landless labourers, and lower castes, highlighting inequality in participatory governance.
  • Modern interpretations: Historians assert that while imperfect, the Chola model was an early blueprint of strategic, decentralised rule and civic integrity.

Cultural Unity and Preservation:

• Pan-Indian cultural bonds: Initiatives like Kashi Tamil Sangamam and Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam were referenced to reflect the government's efforts in cultural integration.
• Return of heritage artefacts: Since 2014, India has repatriated over 600 ancient artefacts, including 36 from Tamil Nadu, reflecting cultural revivalism.
• Shaivite influence: The Shaivite tradition and Tirumular’s message, Anbe Shivam (Love is God), were highlighted as eternal solutions to global crises.

Conclusion:

• By invoking the achievements of the Chola emperors, PM Modi's speech reaffirmed the importance of drawing upon historical strength to build a self-confident, united, and culturally rooted developed India.
• The Chola Dynasty’s sophisticated systems of local self-government, democratic accountability, and ritual statecraft provide a powerful counter-narrative to Western-centric ideas of political evolution.