Chola inscriptions mention several categories of lands. Which one of the following was meant for the maintenance of school ?

Chola inscriptions categorize land based on its purpose and ownership. Shalabhoga refers specifically to land granted for the maintenance of a school [5]. Other categories include Vellanvagai, which was land for non-Brahmana peasant proprietors [4]. Brahmadeya was land gifted to Brahmanas, often leading to the creation of specialized settlements [2]. Devadana and Tirunamattukkani were lands gifted to temples [4]. Pallichhandam was land donated to Jaina institutions . While Bhattavritti also refers to land for education, it was specifically for Brahmanas imparting knowledge [5]. The Chola administration maintained meticulous records of these grants on copper plates and stone walls to ensure the proper utilization of resources for religious, educational, and social institutions [3].

Sources

1. [1] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 11: Later Cholas and Pandyas > Sources > p. 156
2. [5] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 11: Later Cholas and Pandyas > Political Divisions > p. 169
3. [4] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 11: Later Cholas and Pandyas > 11.1.4 Society and its Structure > p. 161
4. [2] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 11: Later Cholas and Pandyas > King > p. 158
5. [3] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Kings, Farmers and Towns > 5.4 Land grants and new rural elites > p. 40