How did the Panchayat ensure that caste-system should not be violated?
During the Mughal period, the village Panchayat was an assembly of elders. But in mixed- caste villages, it was usually a heterogeneous body where the decisions of the Panchayats were binding on all the members. Each Panchayat had a headman who was known as Muqaddam or Mandal. He held his office till he enjoyed the confidence of the village elders. The main function of the Panchayat was to uphold and ensure that all the people lived within caste boundaries. In many parts of eastern India, all the marriages were held in the presence of the Mandal. In other words, the Panchayats played a significant role in the prevention of caste-based offences. It could even expel anyone from the community and impose fines.
