The village communities are little republics, having nearly everything they can want within themselves, and almost independent of any foreigh relations. They seem to last where nothing else lasts. Dynasty after dynasty tumbles down; revolution succeed revolution.... but the village community remains the same... This union of village communities, each one forming a separate little state in itself, has, I conceive, contributed more than any other cause to the preservation of the people of (Panjab)India through all the revolutions and changes which they have suffered... Sir Charles Metcalfe.[edit]
