Which one of the following statements about the headman of the village panchayat in medieval India is not true ?

According to standard historical texts like the NCERT Class 12 (Themes in Indian History Part-II), the village headman (known as muqaddam or mandal) was generally chosen through the consensus of the village elders, and this choice was often ratified by the zamindar. While the post often passed from father to son, it was not always hereditary; the headman held office only as long as he enjoyed the confidence of the village elders. If he lost their confidence, he could be dismissed.

• Option B is true: His primary function was supervising village accounts, assisted by the patwari.
• Option C is true: The panchayat and headman ensured that caste boundaries were maintained.
• Option D is true: Historical records specifically mention that in eastern India, marriages were typically conducted in the presence of the mandal to ensure communal and caste norms.