About: Sardari system

The Sardari system (Bengali: সরদারী প্রথা) refers to the panchayat system used in the city of Dhaka (present-day Bangladesh) from the second half of the nineteenth century. The system developed during under the Nawabs of Dhaka. In this state-recognised practice, a five-member committee was formed in each mahalla of the city, consisting of local influential Muslims who would take care of the minor issues of the mahalla. The chief of the mahalla committee was referred to as the Sardar. The Sardar was appointed for life, and after his death, his son was usually the next Sardar. The Nawab of Dhaka used to give approval and formal recognition to the family panchayat committee.