The
Panchayat raj is a
South Asian political system found mainly in the nations of
India,
Pakistan,
Bangladesh and
Nepal. It is the oldest system of
local government in the
Indian subcontinent. The word
raj means "rule" and
panchayat means "assembly" (
ayat) of five (
panch). Traditionally panchayats consisted of wise and respected elders chosen and accepted by the local community. However, there were varying forms of such assemblies. Traditionally, these assemblies settled disputes between individuals and between villages.