Q. With reference to the Chola administration, which among the following was found in centres of trade and commerce, since it was devoted entirely to serving the interests of the mercantile community? Answer:
Nagaram
Notes: Under Cholas, the general assemblies were of three types:
the ur, comprising of the tax-paying residents of an ordinary village.
the sabha, whose membership was open only to the Brahmans of the village or else was found exclusively in villages gifted to brahmans;
the nagaram, found in centres of trade and commerce, since it was devoted entirely to serving the interests of the mercantile community.
The Chola economy was based on a three- tiered system. At the local level, agricultural settlements formed the foundation. Groups of these communities were, in turn, linked to commercial towns called “nagaram,” which acted as redistribution.