The traditional assembly system

In the Indian political system it is a group of five ("panch") villages in a quincunx (four peripheral villages around a central one). Each has appointed tasks and responsibilities, such as cartmaking or basketweaving. The central village, usually the largest of the Panchayat, handles food storage and meeting places for officials as well as their residences. It literally means an assembly (yat) of five (panch) wise and respecte....