1835.] 



History of the Ramoossies, 



17 



forward the money, that stones* will be placed on their 

 loins that neither pity or remorse will prevent their taking 

 the money ; that no respect or consideration will be shown 

 to them who refuse it, and that every one making an outcry 

 about the matter shall be put to death, and their houses burnt 

 to ashes and dust. 



Sassoor was the head village of that district, and a detach- 

 ment was stationed there. Notwithstanding this, the chiefs 

 of the gang had the effrontery to send an order to the place. 

 It was of course disregarded, yet they repeated it three times. 

 The following is a copy of this document. 



" From the camp of the respectable Oomiah Naik and 

 Bhojajee Naik of the Fort of Poorundur. To the heads of 

 departments of the town of Sassoor, the principal town of the 

 district Soor Sun, 1236, (the Arabic year.) The aforesaid 

 town, on account of a contribution of six thousand rupees, is 

 quickly to collect and keep in deposit this amount. You are 

 not to permit the Soobah (the Mumletdar) to collect any 

 part, (money.) If you will allow one pyse (a copper coin) 

 to be given to the English, make sure of the inhabitants 

 being punished by us. We shall fire the town and reduce 

 it to ashes and dust. Make certain of this : therefore be 

 quick and keep the money ready in deposit. Be this known 

 to you." 



In this manner did they demand payment from all the 

 villages in the southern quarter of the Poona collectorate, 

 to the amount of 13,784 rupees : they did not however rea- 

 lize much above 5,000 rupees. They levied contributions 

 likewise in the northern boundary of the Satara territory^ 

 and in the Punt Suchew's districts. 



Although many of the Patells and farmers received occa- 

 sionally rough treatment at the hands of the members of the 

 gang, when collecting this money, yet it gave many opportu- 

 nities to the Koolkurnies and Patells to falsify the village re- 

 cords, by inserting larger sums than they actually paid to the 

 gang ; the latter also in general acted on th e principle of 



* Not unfrequently, when a poor man (especially such as were reckoned 

 troublesome) declined paying his share of revenue, he was placed in charge of 

 a peon, who took him into the open air, and made him bend himself nearly 

 double, and a stone was placed on his back. He was kept in this position till he 

 agreed to the terms required of him. This vile system has now been abolished 

 under the British rule, although I have seen it had recourse to, not many 

 years ago. Sometimes aative bankers exercised this power in recovering their 

 often unjust debts. 



