Mohd Amin Mir
In the intricate machinery of local governance in Jammu and Kashmir, the twin roles of lumberdar and chowkidar were once pivotal—serving as the trusted eyes and ears of the state in both urban and rural settings. Appointed as intermediaries between the administration and the populace, they were responsible for maintaining public order, assisting in revenue collection, and providing local intelligence.
However, a system conceived over a century ago during colonial rule is now groaning under the weight of unprecedented demographic shifts.
What was once a sensible ratio—one lumberdar or chowkidar for every 100 families in rural areas, and one for every 100 to 150 families in urban areas—has become obsolete. With the population having grown nearly fivefold since independence, the scope of responsibility assigned to these few individuals is not only impractical—it is fundamentally unjust.
To understand the gravity of the issue, we must revisit the genesis of these roles.
The lumberdar, a legacy of British administrative design, was typically a locally influential figure appointed to act as a village-level informant, revenue assistant, and representative of the state. He assisted in land revenue collection, maintained records, and relayed official orders.
The chowkidar, on the other hand, served as the village watchman—tasked with maintaining vigil, providing nightly security, and supporting criminal intelligence efforts.
These appointments were often fixed and hereditary, with the government offering a small honorarium or a portion of revenue (known as lumberdari bata) as remuneration. Their authority stemmed more from tradition and social hierarchy than from statutory law.
Fast forward to 2025, and Kashmir’s demographic reality is starkly different. Villages that once housed a few hundred now accommodate thousands. Urban centers such as Anantnag, Baramulla, and Pulwama have evolved into bustling semi-metropolises. Yet, the number of lumberdars and chowkidars remains frozen in time.
The Consequences of Demographic Mismatch
- Dilution of oversight: One individual cannot realistically monitor hundreds of families scattered across different mohallas or wards.
- Erosion of authority: An overburdened lumberdar or chowkidar loses the ability to enforce their mandate, reducing their role to a ceremonial formality.
- Increased vulnerability: Crime, encroachments, and social disputes have risen, yet these functionaries remain under-resourced and overextended.
1. The Vanishing Chowkidar in Urban Anantnag
In localities like Lal Chowk, residents often remark that they’ve never seen their designated chowkidar. “He might exist on paper,” one shopkeeper quips, “but we rely more on CCTV and our own vigilance than on any chowkidar.” In a mohalla with over 3,000 households, how can one chowkidar patrol effectively?
2. Without Records in South Kashmir
In villages around Qazigund and Dooru, lumberdars are still called upon during land demarcation exercises or welfare scheme implementations. However, many admit they no longer maintain traditional records, are unfamiliar with digitized land data, and lack both assistants and clerical support.
A major reason this system continues to function in its outdated form is administrative inertia. Despite numerous reports and departmental reviews, no concrete overhaul has been initiated.
- Legal ambiguity: The J&K Lambardari Act and Chowkidari Rules are outdated, with no provisions for revision in response to population growth.
- No performance audits: Lumberdars and chowkidars are often retained for years without any formal reviews.
- Limited political weight: These roles carry little influence compared to elected panchayat members.
The Cascading Effects
- Increased burden on police and revenue officials: Without local-level support, tehsildars and SHOs are overwhelmed.
- Loss of traditional intelligence networks: In the absence of real-time, ground-level reports, the administration operates blindly.
- Public disenchantment: Citizens increasingly view these roles as irrelevant, eroding faith in decentralized governance.
Regional Comparisons
Other South Asian countries have either modernized or phased out similar systems:
- Nepal: Local ward chairs and assistants now handle administrative and vigilante duties.
- Bangladesh: Community policing models, involving trained local volunteers under official supervision, have replaced the old system.
- Rajasthan, India: Chowkidars are integrated into the police’s community beat system for proactive patrolling.
A Roadmap for Reform
To rejuvenate this institution, a comprehensive reform agenda is essential:
- Appoint one lumberdar and one chowkidar per 300–400 households in rural areas.
- Assign one chowkidar per 150–200 households in urban wards.
- Provide for assistant chowkidars and deputy lumberdars.
- Amend the Lambardari and Chowkidari Acts to mandate decennial reviews.
- Introduce fixed terms, reappointment criteria, and performance-based removal mechanisms.
- Equip them with mobile apps for reporting local issues.
- Build a centralized dashboard for administrative tracking.
- Launch induction training in revenue procedures, law, and public service.
- Conduct annual refresher courses and performance assessments.
- Administer community surveys on their visibility and performance.
- Set up toll-free complaint lines and online grievance portals.
- Revise honoraria to account for inflation and increased job complexity.
- Offer incentives for land dispute resolution, encroachment detection, and positive citizen feedback.
- End hereditary appointments.
- Set minimum educational and physical criteria.
- Involve panchayats or ward committees in a transparent, merit-based selection process.
- Require quarterly logs of activities and outcomes, cross-signed by patwaris, panchayat heads, or municipal officers.
If grassroots governance is to thrive, its instruments must evolve. The lumberdar and chowkidar system is not beyond repair—it is simply out of sync with contemporary realities.
Rather than discarding these roles, we must reimagine them as 21st-century local officers—trained, visible, equipped, and accountable. A hybrid of tradition and innovation can restore their legitimacy.
Modern Kashmir needs functionaries who are not symbolic figureheads but operational pillars. The tools are at our disposal—digital infrastructure, robust local governance frameworks, and engaged public feedback mechanisms.
All we need is political will and administrative courage to act.
Mohd Amin Mir is a legal and policy columnist specializing in land revenue and grassroots governance issues in Jammu & Kashmir.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any government agency, organization, or institution. This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or professional advice.
