258 -SKETCH OF THE SIKHS. 



the rich produce- of Cdsmir to be carried to India by the difBcult and 

 mountainous tra6l of Jmnmu, JVadd/t, and Srinagar. The Sikh chiefs have, 

 however, discovered the injury which their interests have suflered from 

 this cause, and have endeavored, and not without success, to restore con- 

 fidence to the merchant; and great part of the shawl trade now flows, 

 through the cities of Lahore, Amritsar, and Patidld, to Hijidilstm. 



The administration of justice, in the countries under the Sikhs, is in a 

 very rude and imperfe6l state ; for though their scriptures inculcate gene- 

 ral maxims of justice, they are not considered, as the old testament is by 

 the Jews, or the Koran by the Miihammedans, as books of law: and, 

 having no iix!ed code, they appear to have adopted that irregular practice, 

 which is most congenial to the temper of the people, and best suited to 

 the unsteady and changing character of their rule of government. The 

 l"ollowing appears to be the general outline of their pra6lice in the admi- 

 nistration of justice. 



Trifling disputes, about property, are settled by the heads of the vil- 

 lage, by arbitration,* or by the chiefs: either of these modes, supposing 

 the parties consent to refer to it, is iinal ; and they must agree to one or 

 other. If a theft occurs, the property is recovered, and the party punish- 

 ed, not with death, by the person from whom it was stolen, or by the in- 

 habitants of his village, or his chief, on either of whom he has a right to 

 call, upon such an occasion,"f for aid. Murder is sometimes punished by 



* This is called Panchayat^ or a court of five, the general number of arbitrators chosen ia 

 adjust differences and disputes. It is usual to. assemble a Panchai/at, or a court of arbitra- 

 tion, in every part of India^ under a native government ; and, as they are always chosen 

 from men of the best reputation, in the place where they meet, this court has a high character 

 for justice. 



t A Sikh pricstj who has been several years, in CakuitUi gave this outline of the adminis- 



