OF KAMAON. 27 



In matters of police, the Bhotias are held responsible for the com- 

 munication to the neighbouring authorities of all important transactions, 

 which may occur in the Himalaya states. The local tribunals take cog- 

 nizance of all cases brought before them by the Bhotias, whether originat- 

 ing in Tibet or elsewhere. In civil proceedings, the decrees of the court 

 written in the Tibet character and language, and sealed by the presiding 

 officers, are delivered to the successful parties. A confirmation of these 

 documents where they affect general interests, as also of grants exempting 

 lands from public assessment, are obtained by the parties concerned from 

 succeeding governors. It does not appear, that this government ever ori- 

 ginates any enquiry into crimes or offences committed by the Bhotias else- 

 where, than in Tibet; nor does it delegate any power, judicial or fiscal, to 

 the Bhotia village functionaries. Such are the marks of subjection which 

 the mother country continues to demand from the Bhotias. Those exacted 

 by their Hindoo conquerors have ever been more costly and more extensive. 

 On their final subjugation, the Bhot Mehals were subjected to a tribute 

 in gold-dust : the quantity to be paid by each village, was ascertained and 

 recorded in " Kanch" or Tola, Masa; and Ratti, the detailed cess, fixed 

 under these denominations, has since constituted the standard estimate of 

 each village, and represents the modes of measurement in use elsewhere. In 

 Niti, the assessment was calculated in " Damola," equivalent to half a 

 " Kanch." The assets made available to the government demand, comprised : 



1st. Profits of trade. 



2d. " Tandkar," or loom-tax. 



3d. Produce of agriculture. 



4th. Produce of jungles, (roots and drugs). 



5th. Musk. 



6th. " KotaBaz," hawks. 



7th. " Bhera," or wild bees' nests. 



In 



