The local administration under the Vijayanagar Empire was a significant aspect of its governance system, reflecting both the continuity of older South Indian administrative practices and adaptations made to suit the empire's specific political and military needs. The empire, which rose to prominence in the 14th century and lasted till the 17th century, had an efficient and decentralized administrative structure. The local administration was closely connected with the village units, municipal towns, and provinces, and was largely based on cooperation between royal officials, local elites, and the community. The Vijayanagar Empire was divided into several provinces called *Rajyas* or *Mandalam*. These provinces were administered by governors or viceroys, usually from royal family members or trusted nobles. These governors were given considerable autonomy to manage regional affairs, including collection of revenue, maintenance of law and order, and supervision of local administrative units. They reported to the central government and were expected to ensure the empire’s loyalty and taxation from the region. Below the provinces, the administrative divisions were known as *Nadu*, *Sime*, *Kottam*, and *Kampana*, with each level covering a cluster of villages. The basic unit of administration was the village, which enjoyed a high degree of autonomy. Village assemblies (*Gram Sabhas*) played a central role in managing the day-to-day affairs of the village. These included assessment and collection of land revenue, management of irrigation systems, resolution of disputes, and upkeep of public works like roads and temples. Members of the village assembly were usually drawn from the local landholding and influential families. Land revenue