MB SU'UVEY OF THE aANGES, 



than any sacred Hindu establishment in this part of India, It is said. 

 to possess seven hundred villag-es^ situated in different parts of Gerwdi 

 .and Cam-don'o Many of them ha¥e been conferred by the governme'nt j 

 others have been giveo^., in pledge for loans; and some few, })urchased 

 by individuals, ha¥8 hmn presented as religious offerings. All these 

 ^possessions are urid@e the jurisdi6lion of the high priest; who holds a 

 ^paramount authority, s^Ofiimally independent of the ruling power. The 

 -advantage-s, which the government derives, from this institution, wouM 

 make it cautious in infringing openly its rights ; while the aGcumuIation 

 of wealth, secures to the state, a certain resource in times of exigence. 



The Rajas of Snnagarv/eve in the habit of applying to this quarter, in 

 any case of emergency; and, under the plea of borrowing a sum of 

 -money, would give up two or three villages, as security for the repay- 

 ment;; but the produce of them wae so inferior, in value, to the sum lent, 

 rthat the loan was never repaid, and the villages continued under pledge. 

 Thus the appearance of independence was maintained, on the part of the 

 Hauhti, who was so well aware of his actual weakness, that it was more 

 'for his advantage to yield to a request, than subject himself to the risk of 

 compulsion. The seled:ion for the office of high priest is confined to the 

 casts of Dekhini Brdhmens of the Chauli or Namhuri tribes. In former 

 times, the situation was a permanent one ; but, since the Gurc'hdli con- 

 squest, the pontificate is held up for sale, and disposed of to the highest 

 bidder. . 



All the villages belonging to Bhadn-JVdt'h, which we had an oppor- 

 tunity of seeing, were in a very flourishing condition; and the lands in a 

 high state of cultivation. The produce is brought hither, and disposed 

 of to the pilgrims, who are obliged to pay deariy £or the fpod furiiisiiei 



