The headman had to persuade and keep the Members of the community happy to retain his position and could not go against their wishes.They have less genetic affinity with local populations in Telangana and other states. Gonds ruled in four kingdoms in central India between the 16th and 18th centuries. They built number of forts, palaces, temples, tanks and lakes during the rule of the Gonds dynasty. The Gondwana kingdom survived until the late 16th century. They also gained control over the Malwa after the decline of the Mughals followed by the Marathas in 1690.