1S75.] T. H. Hendley — An Account of the Maiiodr Bliils. 359 



service in the regiment is so popular, that hosts of applicants appear when- 

 ever a vacancy occurs, and men are willing to he drilled for a year or two 

 before receiving pay rather than run the risk of final rejection. At the 

 same time, though earnest good soldiers, they object to serving at a long 

 distance from their homes ; they would, however, in all probability not de- 

 cline a temporary absence. 



History proves them always to have been faithful to their nominal Raj- 

 put sovereigns, especially in their adversity. 



The Bhil is a merry soul loving a jest, the better if a bannia or cheat- 

 ing kotwal be the object of sport. 



Laws and Government. — Crimes are almost invariably punished by 

 fine, with in some cases confiscation, and the awards now given have been in 

 use from time immemorial. 



The heads of villages and other men of mark form a panchaj'at, and 

 arbitrate and adjudicate in all cases both civil and criminal. Such has been 

 always the custom. AVhere the Rajput has the Bhil in his power, his justice 

 is stern enough, decapitation, burning his pal, &c, for even minor crimes. 



Murder. — A murderer was formerly either killed by the friends of the 

 victim or fined Rupees 210 (Rupees 187 Imperial), twelve bullocks, as many 

 goats, and jars of wine, and had a dozen arrows fired into his back. The fine 

 is now the only punishment, the additional penalties have long since been 

 discontinued. 



Adultery. — The laws of divorce and punishment for this crime have 

 been already noticed. 



Theft. — The thief has to restore twice the value of the property stolen, 

 and is fined from Rupees 5 to 10 Imperial. 



Treachery . — In this case there is a general plunder of the possessions 

 of the guilty person, and in addition he becomes subject to any award the 

 panchayat may afterwards decree against him, should he wish to re-esta- 

 blish himself in his village. 



The headman in a village is called a G-ammaiti. The office is usually 

 hereditary, subject to confirmation of the Rajput suzerain, when he has the 

 will to exercise his power or feels able to support an adverse order. Some of 

 these men are really hereditary Chiefs, and are held responsible for the peace 

 of their pals. 



The Bhils are locally very clannish, but have not the elements necessa- 

 ry to form a great people : a man thinks only of his pal and his neighbours, 

 and is unmoved by outward changes of government, which affect him but 

 very remotely. There is no tradition of a king amongst them, although Raj- 

 put chronicles mention one, who was succeeded or rather supplanted by the 

 G-ahlot, Bapa Rawul, the descendant of the Balabhi monarchs and ancestor 

 of the lianas of Udaipur. Certain chiefs of mixed race, notably Oguiia and 



