panchayat

[ puh n-chah-yuh t ]

/ pənˈtʃɑ yət /

an elective village council in India.

Origin of panchayat

First recorded in 1880–85, panchayat is from the Hindi word pañcāyat

The Panchayat is only a rough and ready way of settling disputes, or punishing minor offences.

India and the Indians |Edward F. Elwin
There is another reason why the Panchayat, as applied to Christian congregations, is not altogether wholesome.

India and the Indians |Edward F. Elwin
He however refused to accept the decision and said that he would go and find two people to represent him on the panchayat.

Folklore of the Santal Parganas |Cecil Henry Bompas
However he had to give back the cow and pay twenty-five rupees to the panchayat.

Folklore of the Santal Parganas |Cecil Henry Bompas

So off went the owner of the cow to the Raja and told him that he wanted to call a panchayat.

Folklore of the Santal Parganas |Cecil Henry Bompas

Panchayat

/ (pənˈtʃɑːjət) /

a village council in India

Hindi, from Sanskrit panch five, because such councils originally consisted of five members