The ancient institutions of village assemblies or sabhas continued during Vijayanagar times. The village sabhas had the right to acquire or dispose of lands in the name and on behalf of the village community. It also collected taxes on behalf of the state, if asked to do so and had the right to levy local cesses or to remit old ones.
But these assemblies could also protest if new taxes were imposed by the state. These sabhas had certain judicial powers. They could try and punish the offenders in certain cases. Their jurisdiction also extended to the temples and acted as guardians of public endowments and charities and trusts.
Besides, there were about 12 officials appointed by the state who looked after the affairs of the village. They were collectively known as ayagars. They included gond or potail (judge), karanam or shanbhog (registrar), taliary or sthulwar and toti (watchmen), neergantee (who distributes the water of lakes, streams or reservoirs), jyotishee (astrologer), the smith, the carpenter, potter, washerman, barber, and goldsmith.
There were some other officers who served as a link between the centre and the local administration.
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Parupatyagar was an executive officer, who was entrusted with the collection of local taxes, and repair and maintenance of local temples, while adhikari, special officer, had to confirm the grants of land and even to lead his contingent of troops when required. Tantrimar had the right to associate with the sabha in its work. There were other officer’s nattunayakkar, superintendent of nadu, gaudike and sthalagaudiki and madhyastha (mediator).