Mandalam

A mandalam (maṇḍalam meaning circle;[2] also known as pāḍi) was the largest territorial division during the Chola dynasty.

[2] The mandalam was the largest of the Chola territorial divisions and was divided into smaller units named nāḍu).

Each nadu functioned as an agrarian production unit and comprised around ten villages and possibly one or two towns (nagaram).

[6] At the peak of their powers, the Chola country was divided into nine mandalams which included conquered regions such as Sri Lanka.

[7] One of the core mandalams of the Cholas, Cholamandalam comprised the modern districts of Tanjavur, Tiruchirapalli, and South Arcot.

[8] The Districts of Perambalur, Ariyalur, Salem, Attur, Kallakurichi, Part of Nammakal, Dharmapuri, Chidambaram, Villupuram, Cudalore, Trichy, Tanjore, Pudukottai, Sivagangai and Ramanathapuram are called Parkavan Mandalam.