Question

Write a note on village administration during the early medieval period

Answer 1

The village scene underwent a sea-change in the medieval period. The temple and the village council (panchayat) emerged as the most effective institutions. Medieval Hindu rulers neglected their obligations to their subjects.

The people were left with no choice except to search for their own means of improving their lot. The temple and the panchayat emerged as the means to a happy, healthy and productive life. The panchayat protected people from exploi­tation by the government.

The temples maintained a good number of employees, patronised scholars, and served as seminaries of higher knowledge and the fine arts. They also served as bankers and farmers, daily feeding thousands of people, besides carrying on a variety of religious, educational and cultural activities.

Answer 2

According to Apastamba Dharma Sutra, kingdom administrators who are known as Adhyaksas or Adhipals were to be selected by the authorities for municipalities and villages with well-defined rights. In Visnu Smrti, it is recorded that a series of officials is to be installed by the king in the assessment of 1, 10, and 100 villages as well as of the entire rural area. According to Kautilya, three tiers of administrators were to be in command of the rural as well as the municipal areas. The Samaharta or the Pradesta was in command of the janpada or the provincial area. Each of its four municipalities was consigned to a Sthanika, and members of five or ten villages were in administration of Gopas.

The officers were essentially concerned with the assurance of the lives and property of the citizens. The officer of the lower level was expected to report to his superior administrator if he failed in the responsibilities allocated to him.