324 ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF 



The customs of the Bauddha portion of Netudrs are peculiar to them- 

 selves ; but in general the Neivdrs and Pdrbattiahs both acknowledge and 

 are subject to the same DharmasMstra, although in some points there are 

 appropriate usages for each. 



It is not indispensably necessary that the Ditha should be versed in 

 the law Shastras, but he must be acquainted with the principles of law and 

 justice, and be a man of high respectability. 



Neither is it required that the Bichdris should receive a regular legal 

 training ; but they must always be well educated, of high character, prac- 

 tically acquainted with the law, and conversant with the customs of the 

 country and the usage of its various tribes. And when a Ditha or Bichdri 

 is removed by rotation, or otherwise, he cannot retire till he has possessed 

 his successor with a knowledge of the state of the court, and the general 

 routine of procedure. 



§ 18. Adoption, Inheritance, Sfc. 



Whoever would adopt a child must do so with the consent of all his 



near relations, and with the permission of some court of law, to which he 



must proceed, and in which he must complete the act. So, if he would 



alienate any portion of his property, by will, in favor of such adopted 



child, he must obtain, first of all, the consent of his heirs and perform 



the act in presence of a Panchdyat. In neither case, therefore, can there 



be, or in fact ever is there, a dispute and appeal to the courts of law. If any 



one in adopting a son and assigning to him property at his death, hath 



neglected the above prescribed forms, and a dispute therefrom arise and 



resort is had to the courts of justice, such dispute is settled by calling 



together several elders of the tribe to which the deceased belonged and 



taking their judgment upon the usage of that tribe ; which usage governs 



the court's decree. No man can adopt, or devise, at his own will and 

 pleasure. 



With regard to inheritance, also, the custom of each tribe is ascer- 

 tained by reference to some of its elders, and that custom so ascertained 



