Q. Consider the following statements regarding the 'Uttaramerur Inscription' of the Chola period:

1. It provides a detailed "how-to" manual for the election of the village assembly (Sabha).
2. Candidates were selected through a unique lottery system known as 'Kuda-vola'.
3. Only land-owning Brahmins who were well-versed in the Vedas were eligible for election.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: 1, 2 and 3
Notes: The inscription, dating to Parantaka I, describes the democratic-oligarchic nature of the Sabha. It explains eligibility criteria including land-owning Brahmins well-versed in the Vedas (Statement 3), the use of the lottery system called 'Kuda-vola' for candidate selection (Statement 2), and the election process of administrative committees (Statement 1).