Meaning of the term Jivitas used during Chola Empire
“Jivitas” was a term used during the Chola Empire in medieval South India to refer to a class of people who were involved in the maintenance and upkeep of temples. The term “Jivitas” is derived from the Sanskrit word “Jivita” which means livelihood.
In the Chola Empire, temples played a central role in the religious and cultural life of the people, and they were often large and elaborate structures with extensive grounds and properties. The Jivitas were responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of these temples and their properties.
The Jivitas were a hereditary community, and their duties included cleaning the temple premises, maintaining the temple buildings and structures, performing rituals and ceremonies, and managing the temple’s financial affairs. They were also responsible for collecting and managing the donations and offerings made to the temple by devotees.
The Jivitas were considered to be an important part of the social and cultural fabric of the Chola Empire, and they enjoyed a high degree of respect and prestige within society. They were often granted lands and other privileges by the ruling Chola kings as a recognition of their service to the temples.
Today, the Jivitas are remembered as an important part of the cultural and historical heritage of the Tamil-speaking regions of South India, and the legacy of their contributions to the maintenance and upkeep of the temples continues to be an important part of the religious and cultural life of the region.