The Munda Administration System (Parha Panchayat Government)
The Khadia are a prominent tribe of Jharkhand. They belong to the proto-Australoid racial stock. Their language is Khadia, in which words of Mundari, Oraon and certain Aryan languages are also found. The Khadia are mainly distributed in the districts of Gumla and Simdega in Jharkhand. They are also found in Ranchi, Odisha and Chhattisgarh. A large number of them live in the Neeru region (Simdega). Their origin is traditionally connected with Ro Jung. The Khadia are divided into three groups — Pahari Khadia, Doodh Khadia and Dhelki Khadia.
In Khadia society, the inhabitants of a single village generally belong to one gotra. The village forms the basic unit of social and administrative organization. Each village has its traditional functionaries. The important officers are Mahto, Pahan and Kartaha. These officers regulate the social, religious and administrative life of the village.
The broader traditional organization of the Khadia is known as the Doklo Sohor. The word ‘Doklo’ means meeting, while ‘Sohor’ signifies gathering or assembly. Doklo Sohor, therefore, means a general assembly of the Khadia community. It is an intramural organization formed to organize and strengthen the tribe.
The Khadia society consists of nine principal gotras such as Dungdung, Kullu, Tete, Barla, Kerketta, Soren, Kindo, Toppo and Bilung. Members of these clans unite to form a regional organization. Around 1934–35 A.D., when education and awareness began to spread among the tribal communities, the need for unity and collective organization was strongly felt. As a result, the Doklo Sohor was formally organized.
The Doklo Sohor functions as the central governing body of the Khadia people. It considers matters relating to social discipline, customary law, inter-village disputes and collective welfare. Representatives from different villages participate in its meetings. Its main objective is to maintain unity, preserve customs and promote the development of the community.
The president of the Doklo Sohor is elected from among respected members of the society, generally from the Kartaha group. His tenure is usually fixed for a certain period, often three years. He presides over meetings and ensures the implementation of decisions. Other office-bearers assist him in conducting the affairs of the organization.
At the village level, the Mahto is regarded as the main person of the village. Traditionally, the family that first settled in the village is given the title of Mahto. This office is hereditary in nature, but it may be changed with the consent of the villagers. The Pahan performs religious duties and conducts rituals and festivals. The Kartaha assists in social regulation and dispute settlement.
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Disputes arising within a village are first settled by village authorities. If a matter cannot be resolved at the village level, it is referred to the Doklo Sohor. The assembly examines the case and gives its decision. Decisions are generally taken through consultation and mutual agreement.
Doklo Sohor, based on the customs of the Khadia tribe, provides oversight and monitoring of traditional rules of conduct and holds individuals accountable for violating social norms through appropriate sanctions. All punitive actions against an individual for violating a community's accepted social norms are characterized as social and are designed to create order among all community members and re-establish communal harmony.
The authority of traditional governing institutions has diminished considerably since the advent of modern Panchayati Raj institutions for tribal communities. However, the Doklo Sohor remains an important culturally and socially significant governance institution and helps maintain the traditional values of the Khadia community while enhancing the solidarity of the community.
The Governance System as represented by the Doklo Sohor is the traditional form of self-governance (or self-rule) that has provided the Khadia community with collective leadership, a democratic method of consulting one another, and is based on customary legal principles.
Manjhi Regime (Santhal Governance System)
Important Terms & Definitions – Doklo Sohor Governance System (Khadia Governance System)
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Khadia | The Khadia constitute a prominent tribal community of Jharkhand and are generally classified under the proto-Australoid racial stock. They possess a distinct social organization and cultural tradition. |
| Proto-Australoid Racial Stock | An anthropological classification applied to certain indigenous tribes of India on the basis of specific physical and ethnic characteristics. |
| Language of the Khadia | The Khadia language contains elements derived from Mundari, Oraon and Aryan linguistic groups owing to prolonged social contact. |
| Distribution | The Khadia are mainly found in the districts of Gumla and Simdega in Jharkhand, and also in Ranchi, Odisha and Chhattisgarh. |
| Ro Jung | The traditional homeland of the Khadia as preserved in their collective memory and oral traditions. |
| Types of Khadia | The tribe is divided into three principal groups, namely Pahari Khadia, Doodh Khadia and Dhelki Khadia. |
| Gotra System | The clan organization forming the fundamental basis of Khadia social structure. Members of a village generally belong to a common gotra. |
| Traditional Self-Government | The indigenous administrative system evolved within Khadia society for the regulation of social, religious and judicial affairs. |
| Mahato | The principal head of the village. The descendants of the earliest settlers are traditionally vested with this title. |
| Pahan | The religious functionary entrusted with the performance of rituals, sacrifices and village festivals. |
| Kartaha | An officer who aids in maintaining order within the community and helps settle differences among members of the community. |
| Village Administration | A system governing the affairs of the village (by the Mahato, Pahan, and Kartaha) under the traditional system of village administration based on customary practices. |
| Doklo | A term signifying a meeting or assembly convened for consultation and deliberation. |
| Sohor | A collective gathering organized for common discussion and decision-making. |
| Doklo Sohor | The larger general assembly of the Khadia tribe constituted for organizing, empowering and resolving issues affecting the community as a whole. |
| Regional Organization | The broader administrative arrangement in which neighbouring villages unite under a central traditional authority. |
| President of Doklo Sohor | The elected head of the general assembly who presides over meetings and supervises the execution of collective decisions. |
| Tenure of Office | The fixed period, generally three years, for which the president holds authority. |
| Collective Deliberation | The process of arriving at decisions through mutual consultation rather than individual authority. |
| Customary Law | The unwritten body of traditional rules and practices binding upon members of the Khadia community. |
| Dispute Settlement | The traditional method by which conflicts are examined and resolved through collective judgement. |
| Social Sanction | The punishment imposed for the violation of customary rules in order to maintain harmony and discipline. |
| Inter-Village Dispute | A conflict arising between two or more villages, referred to the Doklo Sohor for final settlement. |
| Social Discipline | The regulation of behaviour according to established moral and customary standards. |
| Collective Life | The system of social organization in which the welfare of the community is given priority over individual interests. |
| Panchayati Raj Institution | The modern statutory system of rural local self-government functioning alongside traditional tribal institutions. |
| Appellate Authority | The higher traditional body empowered to give final decisions in serious or unresolved matters. |