Major-General Sir J. Malcolm on the Bhills. 87 



performed to the memory of the deceased. On this occasion, some wheat 

 flour (not less than two sers), half a ser of rice, a small quantity of ghi, 

 and some arrack, are prepared by the male relations of the deceased, and 

 carried by them to a stream. Two of the relations perform the ceremonies 

 of ablution, a third toasts cakes, while a fourtli arranges, along the bank, 

 five cups, made of the broad leaves of the Palds '* tree ; and by the side of 

 these cups, which are filled with water, are placed, in a parallel line, five 

 cakes of bread. On the latter, rice is strewed, and arrack is sprinkled 

 upon the rice. A small fire is afterwards kindled, and set in a blaze, by 

 ghi being put in it. The water is then thrown out of the cups, and things 

 being left in this condition, the party partake of the food, drink the arrack, 

 and then return home. 



Another ceremony, exclusive of the above, generally takes place to the 

 memory of the deceased. It ought, properly, to be on the twelfth day ; 

 but in case of that being inconvenient, it may be performed at any time, 

 within the twelvemonth. It is a feast to guests, who are invited, in the 

 name of the deceased, to partake of the best fare that their entertainers 



Settlement of Disputes. 

 Disputes, of a trifling nature, amongst the Bhills, are, in general, amicably 

 settled by the heads of families. Should a Bhill kill another, of a different 

 tribe, or family, he must be adjudged by a PancMyat, or Court of Arbi- 

 tration, of the most respectable of the different hatis, or Bhill villages, near 

 the place where the murder was committed. Efforts are always made to 

 compound every crime, even murder, by fines ; and the price of blood is 

 generally given to the family of the man that has been killed. The sum is 

 proportioned to the circumstances of the offender ; sometimes, it does not 

 amount to more than ten or twelve rupees ; at others, several head of cattle 

 are given. There is, however, often great difficulty in compounding for a 

 murder ; and as it is deemed against usage, to put a man to deatli, in cold 

 blood, the cause of revenge is left to the relations of the man that has been 

 murdered; and, in such cases, blood-feuds are often commenced, which 

 continue for many years, and, sometimes, for generations. Consequently, 

 one murder, amongst this wild race, is usually attended with the loss of 

 many lives, beyond that of the individual by whom it was perpetrated. 



* Butea frondosa. 



