How does this set of eligibility criteria for a candidate contesting an election look like?:

• He should own at least Kaal Veli land (Kaal means Quarter and Veli is the unit measured for lands those days)
• He should live on his own land (means own house)
• Should be over 35 years of age and below 75
• Should have mastered in Vedhas and basic studies
• Shouldn’t have possessed the same position in the past 3 years

Disqualifications:

• He, who hasn’t shown his income to Government during his tenure
• If one has been proved corrupt during his tenure, he, his family members and even his blood relatives cannot contest elections for next 7 generations
• He, who hasn’t paid taxes
• Who has extra marital affairs with married women
• Murderers, Liars, Drunkards
• Who swindled other’s money in the past
• He who eats the uneatable by humans.

Well, if you noticed the phrase ‘those days’ I guess you’d have understood by now this isn’t a modern day election code: Saravanan takes you back in time to elections in 750 A.D in Chola country! The code was deciphered from a stone inscription in a temple around 35 kms from modern day Chennai. Very interesting post.

[Hat Tip: Senthil]