Which one of the following statements about the headman of the village

Which one of the following statements about the headman of the village panchayat in medieval India is not true ?

[amp_mcq option1=”The office of the headman was always hereditary” option2=”The chief function of the headman was to supervise the preparation of village accounts” option3=”One of the duties of the headman was to ensure the proper working of the caste system” option4=”In eastern India, all marriages were held in the presence of the headman” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2023

Download PDF Attempt Online

The statement “In eastern India, all marriages were held in the presence of the headman” is not true about the headman of the village panchayat in medieval India.

Village headmen (known by various names like Muqaddam, Chaudhuri, Mandal, etc.) played a crucial role in medieval Indian village administration, acting as intermediaries between the state and the village community.

While the office of the headman often became hereditary (A), the state retained the power of appointment and dismissal. Headmen were responsible for revenue collection and keeping village accounts (B). They also played a role in maintaining social order and ensuring the proper functioning of the caste system within the village (C). However, mandatory presence of the headman at *all* marriages across vast regions like eastern India is not a well-documented, universal duty. Marriages were primarily social and religious ceremonies governed by caste rules and family customs, often involving caste elders rather than solely the village headman.

More similar MCQ questions for Exam preparation:-