Kudavolai system
Also called: Kudavolai · Topic: Democracy: Forms of Government, Principles and Outcomes · NCERT: Class 8, Ch 5 "Universal Franchise and India's Electoral System"
Meaning
Kudavolai was the method used in Chola times to choose members of the village sabha (council). The names of eligible people were written on palm-leaf tickets. The tickets were put into a sealed pot, and a young boy drew them out in public. The method is recorded in the Uttaramerur inscriptions. It matters because it shows an early system of choosing local office-holders by open, rule-based selection.
Example
The Uttaramerur inscriptions are on the Vaikuntha Perumal temple in Kanchipuram district. They date from the reign of Parantaka I Chola (c. 919–921 CE). They describe 30 wards and qualifications such as owning land and a house, being about 35–70 years old, and having learning and honesty. Corrupt people and those who had not submitted accounts were disqualified, and members served one-year terms.
Don't confuse with
- Universal adult franchise: under kudavolai, only people with property and learning could be chosen, and selection was by lot, not by every adult voting.