The "he" mentioned above assumed the role of owner, master, or leader of a household, exerting authority over its members, such as women, children, slaves, and workers, who lived together under one roof. Additionally, he possessed ownership rights over the household's valuable resources, including land, animals, and other possessions. Furthermore, this designation occasionally served as a symbol of prestige, particularly for men belonging to the urban elite, which encompassed prosperous merchants and individuals of high social standing. |
Gahapati Gomastha Sarapanch Rajpati |
Gahapati |
A gahapati was the owner, master or head of a household, who exercised control over the women, children, slaves and workers who shared a common residence. He was also the owner of the resources – land, animals and other things – that belonged to the household. Sometimes the term was used as a marker of status for men belonging to the urban elite, including wealthy merchants. |