There were sub-chiefs, assistant chiefs, headmen elders, ritual officials, etc. Some appointed existing traditional chiefs as Principal headmen, who had significant authority locally. Underneath the king were a number of chiefs who had sub-chiefs and headmen under them. These Services are tasked with the protection of chiefs and headmen. In times of prosperity, the headmen and zamindars generally obliged. Many tribes adapted representation by having a council of headmen who run tribal affairs. Villages remained under the traditional authority of the local headmen or "chao muang". All village headmen and community leaders were directed to evacuate their people to safety. The title broadly represented the category of village headmen irrespective of their hereditary background. They are worshipped and offered sacrifices by the village headmen. The headmen of the community were escaped slaves named Warren and Forbes. At the level of the village these functions were performed by the village headmen. The Vellalars who were village headmen and landlords bore the title "Udaiyar". The community also adopted the surname "Patel", which was traditionally applied to village headmen. Land reform started in earnest in January 1956, destroying the power of the village headmen.