Consider the following statements regarding the administrative machinery of the Kulasekhara empire of Mahodayapuram: 1. The central administration was assisted by a council of ministers known as the 'Nalu Nilakkal' and military chiefs called 'Nair' militias. 2. The empire was strictly unitary with absolute bureaucratic centralization, leaving no autonomous powers to local temple assemblies or Desams. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Statement 1 is correct because Later Chera administration relied on councils and local militia leaders to maintain order across territorial units. Statement 2 is incorrect because medieval Kerala polity was profoundly decentralized, characterized by powerful temple corporations (devaswoms) and localized assemblies (urs and nagarams) exercising administrative autonomy. Feudal decentralization deepened following the collapse of the imperial Chera power in the 12th century.