State and Government in Ancient India c17.s5.12

c17.s5.12

The *pañchakula* usually consisted not necessarily of five but often of a larger number of representatives thus sent by the different wards. It used to have an executive of its own for the speedy and convenient dispatch of business. The executive was called *vāra* in Rajputana and Central India during the Pratīhāra period.¹ Prima facie, this appears to be a queer name; but it was probably given to the executive because it used to change by turn (*vāra*). An 11th century record from Bhinmal refers to a gentleman as the *vārika* of the current year.² This suggests that the executive committee changed annually at the city. At Siyadoni the same persons are seen to have been *vārikas* both in 967 and in 969 A.D.³ It appears that the executive was elected at this city for a period which was longer than one year.