History • Medieval IndiaHard
In the administrative lexicon of the medieval Chola state, what did the term 'Devadana' signify?
A. Lands granted tax-free for the maintenance and support of Hindu temples✓ Correct Answer
B. Military cantonment areas reserved for cavalry regiments
C. Pastoral grazing tracts reserved for royal elephant stables
D. Commercial marketplaces managed by merchant guilds
💡 Solution & Explanation
Devadana denoted lands gifted to temples whose revenues were directly utilized by temple authorities for conducting daily worship, festivals, feeding devotees, and maintaining structural complexes. Similarly, Brahmadeya lands were tax-free grants bestowed upon learned Brahmins. These land grants formed a crucial mechanism of economic integration and religious patronage in rural Chola society. Merchant guilds operated in separate designated urban sectors termed Nagaram.
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