1835.] 



History of the Ramoossies. 



107 



Satara, that the claims against the Punt Suchew might be 

 investigated^ but that he would not venture to go there. 

 About a month after this, one of Oomiah's followers, and 

 a great friend of his who had been plundering in the 

 Satara territory, was apprehended and executed by the 

 Rajah's orders. 



In the month of January, the collector had directed 

 Oomiah to withdraw the sepoys he sent into the Punt Su- 

 chew's villages, which he accordingly did. Orders were 

 subsequently received by Mr. Giberne from Government, 

 directing him to inform Oomiah, that he ought to remem- 

 ber the kindness and mercy that had been shown towards 

 him, and that he should conduct himself in a more be- 

 coming manner, and await the decision of Government ; 

 and to order the Naik to produce all the papers and docu- 

 ments which he had in possession, that a full and fair in- 

 vestigation of the rights which he claimed might be madeo. 



When the collector was in the Poorundur district on. 

 revenue duty, Oomiah and his brother waited on him, and 

 laid before him twenty-four papers, on which they appear- 

 ed to place high value, as establishing their claims to manj 

 rights and privileges as the owners of Poorundur fort. 

 These documents were grants, orders> and letters, given to 

 the Kolies, Mhars, and Ramoossies of the fort of Poorun- 

 dur, by former princes of the country, by Governors and 

 Mamlutdars. Mr. Giberne made an abstract translation 

 of these papers, and transmitted a long and full report on 

 the subject to Government on the 30th April, 1830. 



Mr. Giberne in his report, alludes to the circumstance 

 of any Rajah or Government granting to such persons 

 lands and other rights for service, with the reservation of 

 right of withholding, or resuming such grants on the failure 

 of service, or in committing acts against the welfare of 

 the state ; he remarks also, v/ith vrhat affection and 

 reverence these people look upon such old torn papers^ 

 which they consider to confer a right withheld, and that 

 they are fully impressed with the idea of their being un- 

 justly deprived of their wuttuns. He thinks no threats 

 will prevent them from availing themselves of the first op- 

 portunity to obtain their rights^ and that by hints they have 



