According to the categories of land mentioned in the Chola inscriptions, which term was used for land that was formally gifted to temples?

Introduction / Context:
Chola inscriptions from South India provide detailed information about land categories and revenue arrangements. Different terms were used depending on whether land belonged to peasants, brahmanas, temples, or other institutions. This question focuses on the term used for land gifted to temples, a key aspect of the temple centred economy of the period.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The context is Chola inscriptions and their terminology for land categories.
- The question asks specifically about land gifted to temples.
- The options list several terms including Vellanvagai, Brahmadeya, Shalabhoga, Devadana, and Pallichchanda.

Concept / Approach:
In Chola records Vellanvagai refers to land of non brahmana peasant proprietors, Brahmadeya refers to land gifted to brahmanas, Shalabhoga is associated with land that supported educational institutions, and Devadana indicates land donated to temples. The approach is to match each technical term with its meaning and select the one tied directly to temple gifts.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the main land categories described in South Indian inscriptions Vellanvagai, Brahmadeya, Devadana, and others.
Step 2: Identify that Brahmadeya denotes land granted to brahmanas and is therefore not the answer here.
Step 3: Recognise that Devadana literally means land given to a deity, and by extension land endowed to a temple.
Step 4: Understand that Vellanvagai and Shalabhoga refer to different forms of landholding and institutional support, not specifically temple gifts.
Step 5: Conclude that Devadana is the correct term for land gifted to temples.

Verification / Alternative check:
An alternative check is to break down the components of the Sanskrit derived words. Deva means deity or god, and dana means gift. Devadana thus naturally refers to a gift to a deity, which in practical terms was a temple endowment. This linguistic reasoning reinforces the historical interpretation found in epigraphic studies.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option a is wrong because Vellanvagai refers to land of non brahmana peasantry, not land gifted to temples.
Option b is wrong as Brahmadeya specifically denotes land grants to brahmanas in many inscriptions.
Option c is wrong because Shalabhoga is associated with land meant for educational establishments, such as feeding students or teachers, rather than directly for temples.
Option e is wrong since Pallichchanda is often used for land donated to Jaina institutions rather than the general term for temple land under Chola usage.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to confuse Brahmadeya and Devadana because both deals with religious elites and gifts. Another error is to memorise the terms but forget their precise meanings. Creating a small table that pairs each word with its beneficiary peasants, brahmanas, temples, or schools can prevent such confusion in exams.

Final Answer:
The land category that referred to land gifted to temples was called Devadana.