Sabha or Mahasabha during the Chola empie referred to the exclusive assembly of Brahmans/gatherings of the adult male members in the agraharas, that is, the rent free brahmadeya villages. These assemblies enjoyed a large measure of autonomy.
Seven major pillar edicts have been found at Lauriya-Araraj, Lauriya Nandangarh, Rampurva, Nigali Sagar, Sarnath, Topra, and Meerut. Ashokan pillars probably signify the axis of the world (axis mundi) that separated heaven and earth.