Regarding the local administration in the Vijayanagara Empire, consider the following Assertion (A) and Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The traditional local self-government system of the Cholas (the Ur and Nadu assemblies) significantly declined during the Vijayanagara period.
Reason (R): The Vijayanagara rulers introduced the 'Ayagar system', where village administration was entrusted to a body of 12 hereditary functionaries granted tax-free lands (Manyam), thereby increasing central control over villages.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

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Accepted Answer

Both statements are correct. The Ayagar system replaced the older, highly autonomous Chola village assemblies. The 12 Ayagars (accountant, watchman, priest, etc.) were state appointees whose remuneration came via tax-free land (Manyam), which helped the central authority tighten its grip on local administration.

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