Question

“Panchayats played a crucial role in the Mughal rural society.” Justify the statement with suitable arguments.

Answer 1

Panchayats were key institutions in the Mughal rural society that regulated daily affairs and maintained order at the village level.

• Panchayats functioned as decision-making bodies that handled land disputes, caste regulations, and issues of social conduct.
• They collected revenues and ensured fair distribution of resources such as irrigation facilities and communal lands.
• The headman (muqaddam) and the accountant (patwari) worked with the panchayat to facilitate the administration of rural society.
• They also played a role in preserving traditional norms and maintaining caste-based hierarchies.
• Women, though not part of panchayats directly, were indirectly influenced by its decisions, especially in matters like marriage and property.

Thus, the Panchayat system served as an important local self-governance model, reflecting the socio-economic structure of Mughal India.