Question

Imagine yourself as a villager living in one of the Mahajanapadas around 2500 years ago. Describe the governance of your village.

Answer 1

Instructions:

• General facts about the village
• Assumed location of the village
• Occupation of the people
• Village administration under Village headman
• Responsibilities of the Village headman

Solution:

• Location of the village: Our village is situated in a river valley. River Ganga flows through the region.
• Occupation of people: Land is very fertile. Agriculture is the primary occupation of our village.
• Grihapatis: Agriculture is managed by the landowners, called Grihapatis. A Grihapati works along with their family, slaves (dasas) and waged-workers (bhrtu kas) on their fields.
• Village Headman: Depending on the quantity of land and slaves, the wealthiest Grihapati is appointed as the headman of the village.
• Responsibilities of Village Headman: As the headman, he is the leader of the village. He acts as a judge in the matter of village quarrels. He also works as the head policeman to maintain law and order in the village. He is also responsible for collecting taxes from the nearby villages for the king.