Question

Examine the role and responsibilities of the Panchayats in village administration during the Mughal period.

Hint:

The Panchayat was usually an assembly of village elders, often led by the 'Muqaddam' or 'Mandal'. Caste rules were strictly enforced, and the Panchayat functioned as a watchdog of social morality.

Answer 1

Concept:

• The village Panchayat was the primary institution for local governance and conflict resolution in Mughal India.
• It represented the collective will and norms of the rural community.

Step 1: Administrative and judicial role
The Panchayat was responsible for ensuring that village members followed caste rules and moral codes (customs of the jati).
It adjudicated disputes regarding land, family matters, and minor civil conflicts within the village.

Step 2: Revenue and community welfare
It ensured that the village's collective revenue was paid to the state and looked after village infrastructure, such as irrigation and local festivities.
It also imposed fines and community service punishments to maintain order and communal harmony.