1855.] Notes on Northern Cachar. 627 



has a minister and more frequently several, called Thushois or 

 muntries who have the privilege of being exempt from labour and 

 taxation at his hands. This office is not, strictly speaking, heredi- 

 tary, although in most cases, except when thoroughly incompetent, 

 the son succeeds the father, but is given to those qualified for it, as 

 being men of property and influence as well as of ability and good 

 spokesmen. The Rajah himself is on the contrary invariably suc- 

 ceeded by his eldest son, for whom, should he be a minor, the king- 

 dom is managed by a council of muntries. In default of sons, the 

 Rajah's brother succeeds, and failing him the nearest male relative 

 takes the guddee, the salique law being in full force. 



Should the Rajah die without any heir to the throne, the chief 

 muntri, if he be an influential man, takes his place, or some neigh- 

 bouring Rajah of the same clan is called upon to take the government 

 or usurps it. Each of the clans have one great Rajah, supposed to 

 be the main branch of the original stock, to whom, although those 

 immediately beyond his own villages owe him no allegiance, great 

 respect is shown by all, and acknowledgment of the superior title 

 given, although in power and wealth he may be much poorer than 

 others of the tribe. 



No regular courts are held among the Kookies, but complaints are 

 always heard before the Rajah assisted by his muntries whenever 

 they may be made. Heinous crimes are very infrequent among 

 these people. Theft is almost unknown, and they chiefly offend in 

 slight quarrels and disputes among themselves, which are settled by 

 their Rajahs, a fine being exacted from the guilty party, according 

 to his means and the extent of his guilt, either in wine, fowls, pigs, 

 goats, cows, or methins. When cases of theft, burglary or arson 

 occur, the criminal loses his independence and becomes a bondsman 

 to the Rajah for the term of his life. Cases of murder and man- 

 slaughter are of course taken up by our authorities and punished 

 by our laws. But the punishment awarded for murder among the 

 Kookies, was confiscation of all goods and property and perpetual 

 bondage for the murderer, his wife and family, who thenceforth 

 became slaves of the Rajah and did his work. The only crime 

 punishable by death among the Kookies was high treason, or an 

 attempt at violence on the person of the king, and treacherous 



