110 ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF 



The D wdriah assisted by the Mukhiah or head villager* also collects the 

 revenues and settles all the village disputes. He is in fact the principal 

 source of justice in the villages. His cognizance extends over all cases not 

 included in the Panch-khat, nor touching life or limb, or the substance of a 

 man's property. He cannot capitally condemn, maim, mutilate or confis- 

 cate. He can imprison, and punish with the corah, and fine. The extent 

 of his local limits is not fixed : sometimes he presides over several villages ; 

 sometimes over only one, if it be large. 



The Mukhiah is the representative of the community, the Dwdriah of 

 the government, both in matters of revenue and justice. The latter is the 

 responsible person, but he acts with the assistance and advice of the former. 



III. Forms of Procedure. 



§ 9. Practice of the Courts. 



In civil suits, if the plaintiff be not forthcoming he is searched for, and 

 if not immediately found, bail is taken from the defendant to appear when 

 wanted, and he is let go ; but no decision is ever come to in such circum- 

 stances. If the defendant be the absent party, he is not on that account 

 cast. He must be searched for, and until he is found, no decision can he 

 come to. 



The parties almost invariably plead viva voce, but the plaintiff 

 sometimes begins his suit with a written statement. They also almost 



universally tell their own tale ; but instances of a pleader (Mukshdr), being 

 employed have occurred, usually a near relative, and only when the principal 

 was incapable. Professional or permanent pleaders are unknown. So 



* The head villager is called by the Pdrhattiahs the Gaon Mukhiah ; by the Ne.wdrs, 

 Naikiah and Pradhdn Prajd ; ia the Tardi, the Jeth rdyat. The ryots are called Prajds ia 

 the hills both by Pdrhattiahs and Newdrs, The Dwdriah is a title of the new dynasty. The 

 duties of this officer and of the Pradhdn Praja belong rather to the head of " Courts of 

 Justice." H. 



