Variyam
Also called: Variyar · Topic: Southern Dynasties: Chalukyas, Pallavas, Cholas · NCERT: Class 9, Ch 5 "State and Society up to 1000 CE"
Meaning
A variyam was a committee of a south Indian village assembly. Each variyam handled one job, such as irrigation tanks, gardens, justice, taxes or temple affairs. Variyams are found under the Pallavas and became famous under the Cholas. They show that village assemblies split their work among small groups, a bit like committees of a modern panchayat.
Example
At Uttaramerur (10th century, reign of Parantaka I), members chosen by the kudavolai ballot-pot method joined variyams. These included the tank (eri) committee for irrigation, a justice committee and a tax collection committee. Candidates needed "honest earnings" and had to be "pure" of mind.
Don't confuse with
- Sabha / ur: the whole village assembly. A variyam is a smaller committee inside it.
- A common exam trap: variyams were not only Chola. Pallava village assemblies already had them.