How village panchayats were organised during Mughal period? What was the position of head of the panchayat?
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Explain the composition of the village panchayat.
Organisation:Village Panchayat was the assembly of elders of the village. Generally these elders were those important persons of village who had hereditary rights over their property. Panchayat was generally a heterogeneous body in mixed caste village. It was that oligarchy in which all the castes and communities of village were given representation. Decision of the panchayat was binding on all the members of the village.
Status of Headman:Headman of panchayat was known as Muqaddam or Mandal. Some sources suggest that headman was elected by mutual consent of village elders. This choice had to be approved by the zamindar. Headman could have “been remained in his office until he enjoyed the confidence of village elders unless he could be dismissed by them. His main function was to supervise the preparation of village accounts and he was assisted by Patwari of the village.
