Uttaramerur (a village near Kanchipuram in the Chingalput district in the state of Tamil Nadu)
Uttaramerur is one of the finest examples of self-government by representative village assemblies, called sabhas. These assemblies undertook legislation, administration, and welfare schemes for the community, almost independent of royal interference and control.
The assembly meeting of elected members took place on the premises of the local Vishnu temple and was known as Oharmasthana. They adopted the kuda-olai system, i.e., the system of lot. The names of the eligible candidates were written on palm leaves and put into a pot, and a child was asked to select the names.
To be elected a member of a committee required qualifications like possession of tax-bearing land, a house, age between thirty and sixty, proficiency in Vedas and Sastras, and in transacting business. Membership during the preceeding three years or relationship with sitting members debarred a member from being elected. Stringent rules of conduct were imposed on the members.
- The Encyclopedia of Hinduism (Photo: Vaikuntha Perumal Temple, Uttaramerur)