The Sultanate of Delhi, 711–1526 A.D. c7.s2.4

c7.s2.4

***Local Government***: For administrative purposes every kingdom was divided into provinces which bore different designations in different parts, such as, *Bhukti* in the north and *Mandala* in the south. They were sometimes known as *Desa* or *Rashtra*. The province was in the charge of a governor called *Uparika*. Every province was divided into *Vishayas* (districts) with a *Vishayapati* (district officer) at its head. Both *Uparikas* (governors) and *Vishayapatis* (district officers) were appointed by the king and were members of either royal or noble families. The district officers were assisted in the work of administration by the guild president, chief scribe (*Kayastha*), and some of the notable men of the district. In certain parts, notably south India, districts were further sub-divided into unions of villages with a headman and an assembly for the administration of the union. The village was everywhere the lowest union of administration. In every village there was a headman and a *Panchayat* consisting of village elders or notables. There were committees for looking after watch and ward, tanks, temples, education, etc. Besides the headman there was a village officer styled *Adhikarin* or *Adhikari*, whose main business was to supervise the work of the *Panchayat*. In towns and cities the management was in the hands of an officer called *Nagarpati*. In some towns there was a popular assembly to assist the *Nagarpati* in the administration.