The 12 Pillars of the Kakatiya Village Republic While the Kakatiya Kings ruled from the stone fortresses of Orugallu, the real strength of the empire lay in its Grama (village) administration. They perfected a decentralized governance model known as the Ayagar System . This system made every village a self-contained, self-governing republic—a structure so robust it survived for nearly 800 years. The Core Philosophy An Ayagar was a village functionary who was granted tax-free land, known as Manyam , in exchange for their hereditary services. There were 12 Ayagars in a standard village, ensuring that every social, economic, and religious need was met locally. The 'Big Three' Village Leaders 1. The Reddy Role: The Village Headman. He was the chief executive and magistrate. He settled local disputes, maintained law and order, and was the primary link between the village and the King's officials. ...
Telangana History, Culture and Travel