Tamil Nadu Assembly polls: Democracy in action in Uthiramerur, 1,000 years ago

When the former late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was touring Tamil Nadu along with his wife Sonia Gandhi, he visited an ancient place almost 90 kilometres away from Chennai. The place, Uthiramerur, has long been considered the birthplace of democracy, though not many outside are aware of the tradition. Uthiramerur is located around 25kms away from temple town of Madurantakam, from where Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa started her first election campaign three decades ago. Recalling that visit, local resident S Seshadri, who knew a bit of English, says he was allowed past the security cordon into the mandapam to explain the inscription. But even as he tried to do so in his broken English , Sonia Gandhi interrupted and herself explained about the place for about 10 minutes. Nearly 1,100 years back, the village had a perfect electoral system and a written Constitution prescribing the mode of elections. It was inscribed on the walls of the village assembly (grama sabha mandapa), which was a rectangular structure made of granite slabs. “This inscription, dated around 920 A.D. in the reign of Parantaka Chola, is an outstanding document in the history of India,” says Seshadri. The inscription gives details about the constitution of wards, the qualification of candidates standing for elections, disqualification norms, the mode of election, the constitution of committees with elected members, the functions of such committees, and the power to remove the wrong-doer, “On the walls of the mandapa are inscribed a variety of secular transactions of the village, dealing with administrative, judicial, commercial, agricultural, transportation and irrigation regulations, as administered by the then village assembly, giving a vivid picture of the efficient administration of the village society in the bygone ages,” he added. The villagers even had the right to recall the elected representatives if they failed in their duty! Uthiramerur has a 1,250-year history. It is situated in Kanchipuram district, about 90 km from Chennai. The Pallava king Nandivarman II established it around 750 A.D., before which it had existed as a Brahmin settlement. It has been ruled by Pallavas, the Cholas, the Pandyas, the Sambuvarayars, the Vijayanagara Rayas and the Nayaks. Both Rajendra Chola and Vijayanagar emperor Krishnadeva Raya are said to have visited Uthiramerur. Uthiramerur, built as per the canons of the agama texts, has the assembly mandapa exactly at the centre of the village and all the temples are oriented with reference to the mandapa. The inscriptions are said to have been placed on stone as records during the reign of Parantaka Chola 1 on the 14th year and 16th day of his tenure. As per the inscriptions, a huge mud pot (Kudam) which would serve as the ballot box was to be placed at an important location of the town or village. The voters had to write the name of their desired candidate on a palm leaf (Panai Olai) and drop it into the pot. At the end of the process, the leaves would be taken out from the pot and counted. Whoever got the highest number of votes would be selected as the member of village assembly. According to legend, the entire village, including infants, had to be present when the elections were held, pointed out another resident, Vasanthakalyani, who is a senior citizen. Only the sick and those who had gone on a pilgrimage were exempt. There were committees for the maintenance of irrigation tanks, roads, to provide relief during drought, testing of gold and so on. The village was divided into 30 wards, with one representative for each. Specific qualifications were prescribed for those who wanted to contest. The essential criteria were age limit, possession of immovable property and minimum educational qualification. Those who wanted to be elected had to be above 35 years of age but less than 70. In what is reminiscent of early Western democracies, only those who owned taxable land could contest. Another interesting stipulation, according to historian Dr. R. Nagaswamy, former Director, Tamil Nadu Department of Archaeology, was that such owners should have possessed a house built on legally-owned site (not on public land). A person serving in any of the committees could not contest again for the next three terms, each term lasting a year. Elected members who accepted bribes, misappropriated others’ property, committed incest or acted against public interest were eligible for disqualification. It also says that the tenure is only of 360 days (which was the equivalent of a year back then), after which he would have to voluntarily withdraw. If he was found guilty during the tenure, he was to be removed by force. These inscriptions not only showcase the sagacity of the ancestors in administration and politics but also show the world how a public servant should be in his personal and social life. A 10th Century record also reveals how the fines imposed on the wrong doers of the village were administered. Those who were fined for wrong deeds were called “Dhushtargal” (means criminals). The fines were imposed on them by the village assembly and the other sitting members. The assembly also decides that the said fines imposed should be collected from the “Dhushtargal” and settled by the village administrators through the assembly within the same financial year, failing which the assembly would interfere and get the matter settled. Delayed payment of penalties also had late fees attached to them. It also clearly states that even elected members of village assembly could not escape fines or punishment by using their powers. A 1000-year-old Model Code of ConductWHO COULD CONTEST? ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR CANDIDATES * He should own at least Kaal Veli land (Kaal means Quarter and Veli is the unit measured for lands those days) * He should live on his own land (meaning own house) * Should be over 35 years of age and below 70 * Should have mastery in Vedas and basic studies* Shouldn’t have possessed the same position in the past 3 years GROUNDS FOR DISQUALIFICATION: * He who hasn’t shown his income to Government during his tenure* If one has been proved corrupt during his tenure, neither that person nor his family members and blood relatives could contest elections for the next 7 generations* He who hasn’t paid taxes* Someone who has had extramarital affairs with married women * Murderers, liars, and drunkards * Whoever has swindled other’s money * He who eats that which is considered inedible for humans

Tamil Nadu Assembly polls: Democracy in action in Uthiramerur, 1,000 years ago

Almost 1,100 years ago, Uthiramerur had a finely codified democratic way of elections and administration

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