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while able to protect it, is unknown. Hindoo Sove- 

 reigns, if revenue is not paid, imprison and otherwise 

 punish their subjects, seize their lands, cultivate 

 them themselves, give them away, or make such 

 other arrangements as will insure their receiving* 

 their just share of the earth's produce ; but I have 

 A not heard that Hindoo Rulers have ever adopted the 

 system of selling* land. 



According* to Mohammadan Law, in countries 

 that have been settled, the proprietary rig-lit does 

 not vest in the Soltan. Nor can he sell lands that 

 escheat to the Crown by proprietors absconding-, 

 unless no one can be found to cultivate them on behalf 

 of the proprietor ; nor remit the revenue justly due, 

 unless in favour of certain exempted persons, or 

 unless he compensates the Bait ol-Mal, i. e. the 

 public treasury, either from the amount received 

 from the land, or from his privy purse, by a sum 

 equal to the khiraj or revenue accruing 1 thereon. 

 Private individuals cannot sell lands at all, other- 

 wise than chargeable with the revenue due to the 

 State. In practice, it is true, Sovereigns have 

 availed themselves largely, and often wholly regard- 

 less of the laws by which the Bait ol-Mal is con- 

 stituted, of their supreme power to bestow lands, 

 free of revenue, as rewards to faithful servants. 

 Much again of the land so bestowed on individuals 

 has been bequeathed to the Church, and to be devoted 

 to the c service of God ;' and out of this illeg*al exercise 

 of a despotic power, has arisen, a beacon as it were 



