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The general pattern of pre-British administration in Jaintia Hills were of three tier system of administratio, the office of Syiem(Raja), the Dolloi (Provintial governor) and Waheh Chnong (Headman) . This kind of administrative set up is the foremost administrative unit in this part of the country. This old political system of government still continues to exist till date except for the Raja. The Doloi has his own durbar as well as the Rajah. There are durbars of different denominations, like village durbar, Elaka Durbar, Syiem Durbar. The power of the Rajah and the Doloi were checked by the durbars of their respective areas. The durbars provide opportunities to people to participate in their own affairs. The Durbar checks the functionaries of the government. Therefore, consent is the basis of political authority. Jaintia Hills was originally known in the local parlance as 'Ka Ri Khadar Doloi' or ' The Land of the Twelve Tribal Chiefs'. Because in those ancient days, it was ruled by the twelve Dolois who had their own Elakas, boundaries, power to govern and a sizeable population and the twelve elaka are: The Twelve Elakas are :- 1. Amwi Elaka 2. Nongtalang Elaka.3 Nartiang Elaka 4. Jowai Elaka 5. Nongbah Elaka 6. Nongjngi Elaka 7. Raliang Elaka 8. Mynso Elaka 9.Shangpung 10. Sutnga Elaka 11. Nongphyllut Elaka 12. The La kadong Elaka . The War Jaintia area falls under the jurisdiction of 5(five) Elakas , namely Jowai, Darang, Satpator, Nongtalang and Amlarem.
The general pattern of pre-British administration in the war area was the same as prevailed elsewhere in the whole of Jaintia Hills. During the period of time, a three-tier system of administration raised among the Jaintia i.e the office of syiem (Raja) at the top of administration, at zonal level below the syiem there are the dolloi (provintial governor) or pators (Lt. provintial government ) and who sent the Elaka (province)at the lower rang of the leader of administration there existed the office of the village Hedaman (Waheh chong/ Rangbah chong) who runs the village.
After the British annexed the plain areas of the Jaintia kingdom, they also took over the administration of the hills relation of the kingdom on the 15 march 1835. The whole of Jaintia hills being a British area came under the direct control and administration of the British, one of the drastic measures taken by the British was abolition of the office of the syiem which also lapsed in 1835 itself. However, the British retained the offices of the Dolloi/Pators and village Headman, these offices continue even today.
In general, the powers and function of the Dollois in the war area were and are still the same as prevailed among the Elakas of Jaintia Hills. Of course, these are variation and differences here and there, for example the dollois of war area do not perform any religious functions and also own no markets or rent lands as do by certain Dollois in other Elaka of Jaintia Hills,
A Dolloi is ekected from among the candidates set up by the original or founding clan(s) (kurs). Since the Dolloi has his respective province or Elaka, he is therefore elected elected by the adult male members of the Elaka . once the Dolloi is elected and taken up his office, he normally holds it for the rest of his life. But he maybe punished, denounced or stripped of his office , should he arouse sufficient hostility to his people .the people of the Elaka him to supervise and run his administration smoothly and not to suppress them. He is regarded as the pivot of administration , the exis of their political relations and the symbol of unity. The people of the Elaka therefore look into their Dolloi to guide, supervise and provide leadership in traditional administration.
With regard to the village administration in Jaintia Hills in general and the War area in particular, it is found that no two villages have the same typology of administration. This may be illustrated from the following example of a comparative study of two villages – Lamin and Nongtalang.
Village administration in Lamin villge centres round the village Headman, the village durbar and the village committee, the last one being introduced as a resent phenomenon. The same pattern is not followed by the the people of Nongtalang village. Thus, unlike Lamin village, village administration in Nongtalang centres round one Durbar (council) known as Durbar-manniew, literally meaning, the council of Uncles. There are twelve “Uncles” selected among the twelve clan represent him in the Durbar. The unity , peace, tranquility and even all administration of this village is therefore held by this important Durbar.In other villages also they have their Village Headman in general and some have Lyngdoh.As the village was formed in ancient time by certain Clans,hence the clan who came first dominate and claim the post of Headman and till date they follow the same system ;only few and also if that clan agree they may allow from the other clan to be chosen as Headman. Another important issue relating to Nongtalang village administration, is the role played by the two Lyngdohs – the Lyngdoh niam (priest) and the Lyngdoh- Durbar (secular head). The former as his title or office suggests, performs the religious and sacerdotal function, though at the same time he has also secular duties to perform. He is at the same time the village Headman and thus his duties, functions and responsibilities are manifold. The letter is strictly the secular head of the village administrative affairs of the village. However his status is that of the Deputy Headman. Both the Lyngdohs are selected from among the male members of the Lyngdoh clan. Moreover beside the Durbar-mawniew, there is another Durbar connected with the village administration, that is , the Durbar chnong (village Council) . War Jaintia area have 1(one) MLA , and 3 three) MDC |
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