According to the land categories mentioned in Chola inscriptions, which term was used for land gifted to Brahmanas?

Introduction / Context:
This question examines your knowledge of land categories mentioned in medieval Chola inscriptions. The Chola administration maintained detailed records of land grants and used specific terms for different types of land, such as land gifted to Brahmanas, land granted to temples and land associated with peasants. Understanding these terms helps you interpret inscriptional evidence and administrative practices in South Indian history.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The question focuses on land granted specifically to Brahmanas in the Chola period.
- Four terms are listed: Vellanvagai, Brahmadeya, Shalabhoga and Devadana.
- It is assumed that you know at least the core meanings of these land categories from standard medieval Indian history texts.

Concept / Approach:
In Chola inscriptions, “Brahmadeya” refers to land gifted to Brahmanas, often forming Brahmana villages with tax concessions. “Devadana” denotes land endowed to temples (for the deity, or deva). “Vellanvagai” usually refers to land held by non-Brahmana peasant proprietors. “Shalabhoga” is associated with land whose revenue was assigned to maintain educational institutions or feeding houses in some contexts. Therefore, the term specifically linked to land gifted to Brahmanas is Brahmadeya.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Chola administration made extensive land grants to Brahmanas as part of its religious and social policies. Step 2: The technical term used in inscriptions for these Brahmana land grants is “Brahmadeya”. Step 3: Recognize that “Devadana” refers to land granted to temples and deities rather than to Brahmanas as a group. Step 4: Understand that “Vellanvagai” and “Shalabhoga” refer to other categories of land and do not specifically denote Brahmana gifts. Thus, the correct answer is Brahmadeya.

Verification / Alternative check:
A quick way to check is to break down the term: “Brahma” is associated with Brahmanas, and “deya” suggests “given” or “gifted”. In contrast, “Deva” in Devadana signals that the land is for a deity, and “dana” again means gift. Textbooks on South Indian history and epigraphy routinely translate Brahmadeya as “land grant to Brahmanas”, which supports this choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, Vellanvagai, usually denotes land occupied by non-Brahmana peasants and is not specifically about Brahmana gifts. Option C, Shalabhoga, may refer to land grants for supporting specific institutions or services, but it is not the standard term for Brahmana land grants. Option D, Devadana, is clearly associated with temple or deity endowments, not with Brahmanas as a class. Only option B, Brahmadeya, matches the phrase “land gifted to Brahmanas”.

Common Pitfalls:
Students often confuse Brahmadeya with Devadana because both involve religious or sacred beneficiaries and use similar “dana” endings. Another pitfall is to assume that any unfamiliar term must be the answer, rather than matching the root words carefully. Systematically learning a small set of key inscriptional terms and their literal meanings greatly reduces such errors in medieval history questions.

Final Answer:
According to Chola inscriptions, land gifted to Brahmanas was known as Brahmadeya.