1841.] On the Laws and Law-books of the Armenians. 249 



originator of a code of Armenian laws, which was then generally used 

 in the courts of judicature of our country. History also tells us that 

 another code of laws was in existence in Armenia, so far back as the year 

 of Christ 1046, written or prepared under the auspices of the Armenian 

 king, Johannes Bagratian. The latter has been in general use among 

 the numerous Armenian population of Poland, where a transcript of it 

 is preserved, with a Latin translation; but the text or original work is 

 not to be found. As neither of these law-books has found its way to 

 India, I am unable to say whether the volume you have sent me is a 

 transcript of the one or the other, for the name of the author or legis- 

 lator has unfortunately not been inserted therein. I am, however, 

 inclined to think it to be a compilation from both, but cannot take it 

 upon myself to say, whether it is one of established legal reputation in 

 Armenia. It is greatly to be regretted that the code of Mechithar 

 Ghosh has never been printed or published to this day. This, under 

 existing circumstances, is certainly a very serious evil to the Armenians 

 living under the jurisdiction of our Zillah courts. 



The following is a translation of a portion of the Chapter on Inherit- 

 ance : — 



" Chapter CIV. — Of the division of Property, 



" Conformably to the rule of division, property must be equally di- 

 vided in the following manner: that is to say, the whole of the property 

 to be considered as one drachma, and the drachma as six oboli. If there 

 be a son and a daughter in the family, the property must be thus divid- 

 ed : that is to say, two and a half oboli to the brother, two and a half 

 oboli to the sister, and one obolus to the mother. But, if there be two 

 sisters, and both of them married, the two sisters are to be looked upon in 

 the light of one brother. Two and a half oboli to be given to the brother, 

 two and a half oboli to the two sisters, and one obolus to the mother." 



From this it will appear, that the wife or mother is entitled to one- 

 sixth of the property bequeathed by the father or husband. This cus- 

 tom or usage, so far as my information extends, does to this day obtain 

 among the Armenians residing in the various parts of Persia and 

 Turkey. It is difficult for me to ascertain whether the Armenians living 

 under the rule of Russia,* are equally guided or influenced by this usage. 



* A code of laws, bearing the affix of the imperial fiat, was concocted and 

 published in 1836, for the guidance of the Armenians living in Ararat, one of the 

 provinces of Armenia which is now under the sway of Russia. A copy of this code of 



