Question

In the seventeenth-century agrarian society, women of Rajasthan could send petitions to _______ seeking justice.

• A. Village panchayat
• B. Amin
• C. Diwan
• D. Subedar

Hint:

For questions concerning local-level administration and justice in pre-modern Indian society, the village panchayat is almost always the key institution. Higher officials like the Diwan or Subedar dealt with state-level matters.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks about the accessible avenues for justice for women in 17th-century rural Rajasthan.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
In the agrarian society of pre-colonial and early modern India, the village panchayat (council of village elders) served as the primary body for local governance and justice. It was the most accessible institution for all villagers, including women, to resolve disputes, address grievances, and seek justice on a wide range of civil and social matters. Historical records from Rajasthan confirm that women actively participated in and petitioned the village panchayats.
The other options were state officials with specific, higher-level functions:

Amin: A revenue official responsible for assessing land revenue.
Diwan: The head of the revenue and finance department of a province or state.
Subedar: The governor of a province (\textit{suba}).
While one could theoretically appeal to these higher authorities, the first and most common resort for local justice was the village panchayat.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Women of Rajasthan could send petitions to the village panchayat to seek justice.