a i 
1922.| Dhupi Copperplate Inscription of Ramasimha. 77 
coins. ‘The queen similarly had the title ‘‘ Mahadevi.” This is 
further clear from an inscription of queen Kasasati of Jaintia 
(to be shortly published) . 
The kingdom of Jaintia appears to have been organised 
into provinces called ‘ rajyas.’’ Thus, for example, this in- 
scription tells us of two rajyas, namely, Kharil and Jayantipura. 
The term ‘‘ DeSammukha”’ (i.e. the Chief of Desa) suggests 
that there were further subdivisions or districts called ‘‘ desas,”’ 
each under a ruler designated ‘* Desammukha ’’ (degamukhya). 
The Marhatta government appointed officials under this desig- 
nation (see also Sukraniti I, 374). In the districts or desas 
were groups of settlements called “ khelas”’ or ‘‘ khalas ”’ cor- 
responding to villages The word ‘‘ grama” (village) or 
“gama ’”’ is also in vogue. I think there is distinction between 
a‘ khela”’ or ‘‘ khala’’ anda grama. The former being usually 
situated on elevated lands called tilas, lacks the compactness 
of the latter, and the homesteads of a khela are often scatter- 
ed in the midst of cultivable tracts. 
most all the places mentioned in the inscription, I am 
told, still go by the same names. I myself have visited some 
of these places. Baravakra is the old name of the modern 
Barak River. e mention of this river may help us in forming 
an idea of the east and south-east boundary of the Jaintia- 
raj. 
Economic.— The inscription makes it clear that the king 
was not the absolute owner of the whole land. He apparently 
a the right of ownership with regard to his ‘‘ demesne ’ 
only, such as the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 7th and 8th plots of land 
ieatisied in the inscription, since he took away or resumed those 
lands from their occupants without paying a price. But on the 
other hand he had to purchase the lands taken from the inhabi- 
tants of Chaila-khele, Mirttidhara, and Juda-brahmana. 
The gift as recorded in the plate is unconditional, the ab- 
solute ownership being transferred to god Siva, i.e. the property 
is inalienable and free from any rent ordinarily payable to the 
king. This is thus an instance of Devott 
Measurement of land according to Kedara or Keyara and 
Hala or hala is still recognised thus :— 
3 krantis=1 kada ; 
4 kadi=1 ganda 
a 
4 panas=1 rekha 
4 rekhas=1 st the 
7 jasthis=1 
4 poas=1 ceilnen or keyara 
12 kedaras=1 hala or hala 
= 34 acres. 
