Chiefdom
Also called: Chief · Topic: Sangam Age and Early South India · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 2 "Kings, Farmers and Towns"
Meaning
A chiefdom is a small political unit led by a chief. A chief is a powerful man whose position may or may not pass from father to son. He gets support from his kinfolk (relatives). He performs rituals, leads in war and settles disputes. He receives gifts from people below him and shares them out among his supporters. Kings, by contrast, usually collect taxes. Chiefdoms usually had no regular army and no officials. Many early rulers of Tamilakam (c. 300 BCE – 300 CE) were chiefs of this kind.
Example
In the Silappadikaram, the Chera ruler Senguttuvan visits the forest. People bring him gifts such as ivory, sandalwood, honey, pepper, and even baby tigers and elephants. This is gift-giving to a chief, not tax payment to a state.
Don't confuse with
- Kingdom: a king collects regular taxes and keeps armies and officials. The Sangam Vendar (the three crowned kings) were moving in that direction.