950 Translation of a Servitude- Bond [Nov. 



IV. — Translation of a Servitude-Bond granted by a Cultivator over his 

 Family, and of a Deed of Sale of two slaves. By D. Liston, Esq. 

 Gorahhpur, 



Some months ago I was requested by Captain Lawrence, under 

 whose charge the survey of the Eastern Division of the district is 

 placed, to furnish answers to statistical inquiries regarding Sidowa 

 Jobena, a purguna of Gorahhpur, bounding on Sarun. I in turn 

 thought of applying for aid in the compilation of the replies to a friend 

 who has been settled as an indigo planter* for several years in Sidowa, 

 and who proved to be possessed of a competent acquaintance with the 

 habits and usages of the natives in his neighbourhood. 



One of the queries put was, " How t do zemindars pay people who 

 water and cultivate lands for them ?" The reply was to this effect : 

 " They employ bond servants who are paid at half a cooly's rate, and 

 are at the same time liable to fine in case of absenting themselves from 

 their superior's work/' Further inquiry procured me the accompany- 

 ing bonds or deeds, and as they appear curious and valuable from 

 throwing light on the condition of the agricultural population of this 

 portion of India, I have translated them and now forward them to 

 your address. If you regard them in the same light as I have done 

 perhaps you may think it worth while to publish them in the journal ; 

 if you do not think them of sufficient importance for this purpose, pray 

 dispose of them as you may think proper. 



The deeds you will observe are blank, but still such as are daily 

 executed and in full force ; they were written out by a common village 

 Putwari, and are in the rustic dialect or Patois of the section of the 

 province where he resides. The spelling you will also see is not ordered 

 according to any very uniform system. 



Servitude-Bond. 

 Translation. 



Deed. — Abheeman Kooroomee and his children's plough bond for fifty- 

 one rupees written, signed rupees fifty-one, 51. 



[Place for the Master's namet.] 



Writing. — Abheeman Kooroomee, inhabitant of Futapoor, perguna 

 Sidowa Jobena Elaka Sooba Oudes zillah Gorahhpur, having received a loan 

 of fifty-one (51) rupees from J (the above mentioned individual), I have 

 granted a bond agreeing to pay interest for the said rupees at eight anas 



* Mr. J. Finch of Bubnoioli. 



f Mr. Finch's name is set down in the original which it is hardly necessary 

 to repeat is fictitious. 



X Blank in original. 



