THE SAORIAS OF THE RAJMAHAL HTLLS. 59 



first wife loses her privileges as head wife, they pass on to the second wife. A wife 

 may not divorce her husband for adultery. 



A divorcee may marry again. Her children by the first marriage remain with the 

 father. The marriage in such cases is similar to the bandidwoh of widows. The children 

 of divorcees and widows share as in the case of younger wives, if there be another wife, 

 if not the widow or divorcee becomes the head wife and enjoys the privileges of that 

 individual. 



The children of concubines of another caste are classed as Saorias and not after 

 the mother. 



The widow of an elder brother may marry a younger brother. But this is not 

 compulsory. Parties please themselves. The younger brother's wife cannot, under 

 any circumstances, marry an elder brother. A widow's children remain with the 

 first husband's family in case of re-marriage. She, however, has no rights in her first 

 husband's property. In case she marries a younger brother she shares her first hus- 

 band's property with her children. In the case of the widow being childless by her 

 first husband, the second husband, being a brother of the deceased, succeeds to the pro- 

 perty and through him his children inherit. In the case of issue from both brothers 

 the children only inherit the shares of their respective fathers. 



X. Sharks of Property. 



If a man has two sons the property is divided in the proportion of 6 to 4. For 

 instance, if there are 10 heads of cattle, the elder son gets six heads and the younger 

 four heads. Similarly with land and other property. In the case of other brothers 

 they share equally in the second brother's property. Unmarried brothers are, however, 

 entitled to a separate share from the ancestral property termed the marriage portion. 

 If there be no sons the daughters inherit equally, but in this case the panchayat is 

 entitled to a buffalo, or a pig, for the usual feast. If there be sons and daughters, 

 the daughters are entitled to one cow and a thallia each (brass plate). Grandsons are 

 entitled to an equal half share of the grandfather's property. The balance goes to 

 the uncles on the father's side. On the mother's side the uncles have no rights. The 

 daughters of uncles are not entitled to any share. In all cases of dispute the matter 

 is referred to a panchayat. As a matter of fact, property always descends among the 

 Saorias in the male line, except in the absence of male descendants. 



A widow with children may not alienate except with the consent of the children. 

 This implies years of discretion on the part of the children. In the case of minors, 

 the husband's male relatives have to give their consent, and the alienation is effected 

 by these relatives. In case the alienation is indispensable, and these refuse their 

 consent, they are required to see to the maintenance of the children till the days of 

 trial are over. A widow is not entitled to alienate property by gifts or otherwise. 

 Being childless she holds the property during her liftime. As soon as she dies, it passes 

 to the male relatives. But in case of re-marriage a widow's rights disappear and she 

 no longer holds the property. Movable and imfnovable property are divided accord- 



