PRAJA: A Customary Village Council of the Pangwala of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract Customary village councils are pre-democratic informal councils found in almost every tribal village in India. Praja is one such customary village council, yet unique in its own terms and is found in villages of Pangi tehsil of Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. It owes its uniqueness to its geographical conditions. This article discusses about the Praja and the role it plays in the lives of the Pangwala. Praja is a social organisation which works in a close relation with the other units of the Pangwala society. Pangi’s rough geographical conditions like rugged topography and harsh climate, and lack of contact with other areas in earlier times led to formation of Praja, whose function was to deal with socio-cultural, developmental and legal matters. However, with time it became quasi-judicial in nature. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that it is an apolitical organisation. Though changes have been observed in Praja’s role, it is still the supreme body responsible for social solidarity of the Pangwala.