• Dr.P.Rayappa

Panchayats have been the backbone of the Indian Villages since the beginning of the recorded history. Gandhiji’s dream of every village being a republic has been translated into reality with the introduction of three-tier Panchayati Raj system to enlist people’s participation in rural reconstruction.1 Panchayat, which literally means ‘institution five’ can be found in the Santi parva of Mahabharata.2 Panchayat is apparently a Sanskrit word and it is surprising that in the whole complex of self-government, Panchayat either in the sense of village council, or of a group of five wise persons belonging to a self-governing body whose advise is sought on matters concerning that body, does not figure in any source related to this period, (Panchavanthaiah) except in sloka of Mahabharata.3 A dictionary prepared by Raghuvira refers, against the entry ‘Panchayat’ to the expression ‘Panchamandali’ which was found in a sanchi stone inscription of the period of Chandra Gupta-II. Radha Kumud Mookerji cites a number of terms indicating popular Local bodies existed during the ancient period such as Kula, gana, jati, puga, vrata, sreni sangha, Naigama, Samuhava, Sambhuya-Samuttahana parishat, Carana.4 He did not include the term Panchayat in this list, which is exhaustive enough to include quite a few less known terms. There is a lot of evidence in the literature of the ancient period on Local Government in India which brings out that the fact that Panchayats had played a key role in the affairs of the villages of ancient India.

Panchayatraj System

"Panchayat Raj System in India – An Overview", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.7, Issue 6, page no.235-239, June-2020, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2006372.pdf

"Panchayat Raj System in India – An Overview", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.7, Issue 6, page no. pp235-239, June-2020, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2006372.pdf