Context:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech at Gangaikonda Cholapuram on July 27, 2025, highlighted India’s indigenous democratic traditions, predating the Magna Carta.
• This article re-examines ancient electoral practices, particularly those under the Chola dynasty, and their relevance to modern democratic discourse.

Ancient Democratic Roots - Reclaiming India’s Indigenous Democratic Heritage:

• Democracy in India is not a colonial import but has deep civilizational roots.
• For example, India’s democratic spirit did not begin in 1947, 1935, or even 1919. However, the contributions of British parliamentary traditions or the American Bill of Rights cannot be denied.
• Vaishali - a republic in the 5th century BCE, and village assemblies were early forms of participatory governance.
• Kautilya's Arthashastra references samghas — local governance structures.

The Uthiramerur Inscriptions - A Codified Democratic Framework:

• Chola-era electoral system (920 AD): Inscriptions in Vaikuntaperumal Temple, Uthiramerur (Tamil Nadu), during Parantaka Chola's reign, details an elaborate self-governance system.
• Highlights include -
  • Ward Constitution
  • Eligibility and disqualification norms
  • Committee formation and functions
  • Right to recall elected members

The Kudavolai System - Ancient Electoral Mechanism:

• The electoral process used in Uthiramerur was called the kudavolai system, or “ballot pot”.
• Under this system, names of eligible candidates were inscribed on palm leaves and drawn from a pot by a neutral child.
• The selected members served for fixed one-year terms, after which the process was repeated.
• This system ensured transparency, impartiality, and civic participation.

Real Marvel of the Voting Method:

• Strict moral and administrative standards: The comprehensive model code of conduct governed who could contest, how they could be removed, and what moral standards were expected.
• For example:
  • Eligibility of candidates -
    • Age between 35–70 years.
    • Must own tax-paying land and reside on it.
    • Must be educated in sacred or administrative texts.
  • Disqualification -
    • Debt defaulters, alcoholics, morally tainted, or corrupt individuals barred.
    • Even close relatives of such individuals were disqualified.
    • Offenders could be barred for generations.

Comparisons and Contemporary Relevance:

• Contrast with modern-day politics: Unlike today’s convicted politicians who often return to power, Chola-era governance enforced lifetime or generational bans on the corrupt.
• India’s electoral legacy reflects values of -
  • Transparency
  • Accountability
  • Ethical leadership
  • Citizen participation

Modern Relevance of India’s Indigenous Democratic Traditions:

• Reasserts that democracy in India is homegrown, not imposed.
• Serves as a counter-narrative to global democratic erosion, highlighting India’s resilience and originality.

Conclusion:

• India's democratic traditions have a rich, indigenous, and institutionally codified history.
• Far from being a colonial transplant, democracy in India is civilizationally rooted, evident in the administrative practices of the Chola period and beyond.
• Recognizing and reclaiming this legacy is essential for building a more ethical, participatory, and accountable polity in contemporary times.