GOVERNMENT

CONTENTS

GOVERNMENT:- After crossing the formidable geographical barriers, people have entered Lahoul in search of peaceful abode. They must have been nomads first than gradually settled in small villages. The division of several valleys amongst several influential people must have been convenient for the rulers of Kullu, Chamba and Ladhak to enforce their rule on people through them. Several villages grouped together formed kothis. Lahoul was divided into fourteen kothis. The valley of Bhaga river known as Gara or Punan had four kothis: Khoksar, Sissu, Gondla or Tinan and Gushal. The valley of joint rivers of Chandra and Bhaga known as Pattan was divided into six kothis: Tandi, Warpa, Ranika, Shansha, Jahalman and Jobrang.

The valley of Chandra river known as Rangloi was also divided into four kothis: Kardang, Kolong, Barbog and Gumrang. Each kothi was divided into Phatees. Generally there were two phatees if the kothi was big. Negi was the overall hereditary official incharge of all kothis in Lahoul. He was responsible for revenue from the whole of Lahoul. He was also responsible for providing begar or forced labour as and when required. He used to get small percentage of revenue collected. Every phatee was put under the charge of a lambardar.He used to be a man with superior position in terms of land and was appointed by the common consent of the inhabitants of the phatee. He was responsible for the collection of revenue and exempted from begar or forced labour. He also received remuneration i.e part of land revenue. In 1846, British East India company took the area under them by the treaty of Lahore and Amritsar. Now the Assistant Commisioner was incharge of Lahoul, who was subordinate to the Deputy Commisioner of Kangra. But the system of administration continued through Negis. Captain Hay was the first Assistant Commisionar incharge of Lahoul Spiti. Thakur Tara Chand was enjoying the status of an honorary magistrate in Lahoul who could imprison a person for a month with a fine. In 1876, Hari Chand was given the title of Wazir and empowered to grant 'nautors'. Many wazirs followed Hari Chand till 1941, when Naib Tehsildar was posted and in 1943 a seasonal police post was created, making the end of Negi and Wazir.

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