241 



conquered conquerors with a good code of laws, 

 which, if never fully in force, have furnished the 

 ruling idea, and hence the guiding principles in, 

 disputed points, for many centuries. 



Hindoo Law it is true, is not always very clear 

 on any point; but the following extracts will 

 afford some insight into tLe views of Indian law- 

 givers regarding rights of occupancy and property 

 in the soil : 



Neraslnha pur ana. Thrice seven times extermina- 

 ting the military tribe, PARASU KAMA gave the Earth 

 to CASYAPA, as a gratuity for the sacrifice of a 

 horse. " 



On which the Commentator remarks, 



<( By CONQUEST, the earth became the property of 

 the holy PAHASU RAMA ; by GIFT, the property of the 

 sage CASYAPA ; and, committed by him to Cshatriyas 

 for the sake of protection, became their protective 

 property successively held by powerful conquerors, 



and NOT BY SUBJKCTS CULTIVATING THE SOIL/' 



" BUT, annual property is acquired by subjects on 

 payment of annual revenue: and the king cannot 

 lawfully give, sell, or dispose of the land to another 

 for that year. But if the agreement be in this form, 

 "you shall enjoy it for years ;" for as many years 

 as the property is granted, during so many years 

 the king should never give, sell, or dispose of it to 

 another. Yet if the subject pay not the revenue, 

 the grant, beiug conditional, is annulled by the 



