360 T. H. Hendley — An Account of the Mahodr BJiils. [Xo. 4, 



Punarwa, are supposed to have more influence than Rajputs of pure descent. 

 On the female side these men are Bhils ; they affect, however, to be pure 

 Kshatriyas, although they have certain privileges, such as applying the tika 

 or mark of investiture on the forehead of the Ranas of Udaipur, which are 

 due entirely to services rendered by their ancestors as Bhils or semi-Bhils. 



Tenure of Property, Sfc. — The lands are held at the will of the landlord, 

 the Rajput, nominally. The Bhil makes a will by calling all his family 

 around him when he is dying, and telling them verbally how he wishes his 

 property disposed of. If he die too suddenly to make a will, the wife and 

 son, if on good terms, succeed, and support the rest of the family, that is, 

 those who were dependent upon the deceased ; if not friendly, the wife takes 

 all ; in default of wife or son, a brother succeeds, and so on ; the daughters 

 and other female relations (except the wife) do not succeed unless by will. 



The prominence of the wife in the testament shows that she is looked 

 upon as an equal, while the disposition to a brother in the absence of direct 

 heirs male, proves that there is a desire to keep the property in the family 

 of the man, and to obtain one who will best be able to support the weak sur- 

 vivors. 



Quarrels. — Should a quarrel arise, which cannot be settled by arbitra- 

 tion, the inhabitants of one or two or more allied pals turn out and fight 

 with their foes. They let down their long hair and begin the conflict with 

 their bows and arrows — the women looking on encouraging them from the 

 hilis and displaying also great bravery and humanity in aiding the wounded 

 of either side indifferently —occasionally seeking a truce for a general refresh- 

 ment ; when rested, they commence again. Very little damage as a rule is done, 

 there is much noise with a great expenditure of arrows, but few are wounded, 

 as they are but poor shots, especially under excitement. They show them- 

 selves very skilful in taking advantage of cover, and, I am told, when in the 

 Maiwar Bhil Corps are quite at home at " Sheltered Trench Exercise". A 

 dead or badly wounded man generally brings on a truce, which is obtained 

 by the suppliant party waving a piece of cloth or running round in a 

 circle. A noisy talk then ensues, all, however, being still armed, to resume 

 battle at a moment's notice, should occasion require. The solemn adminis- 

 tration of opium (the drug used in most cases of murder and suicide) by 

 the jogis or gammaitis secures peace, and a grand feast and debauch on 

 mhowa spirit follows. Battle is generally preceded by the dance called 

 Ghanna — they have a war-song of loud and very unmusical abuse, with 

 magical incantations and nonsense. Quarrels between individuals are gen- 

 erally settled by arbitration, the more easily as, though quick-tempered, the 

 Bhils are very good-natured, even in their very rough play. Immediately 

 strangers approach the pals, the Bhils rush to the hills, attacking only when 

 they feel themselves strong enough to master. When a single man is in 



