222 Statistical Eeport on the Northern and [No. 38, 



is hereditary — but if the official be notoriously corrupt, or impenetra- 

 bly dull — he is quietly shelved, and another referee is selected ; cer- 

 tain immunities however remaining to the hereditary possessor. Many 

 disputes are determined by these without further ado — but an appeal 

 from this decision to a Punchayet is permitted. Each party naming 

 two members — the surpunch ought properly to be chosen by the 

 members — but if the subject matter of dispute be of importance, Go- 

 vernment interferes and appoints the President. In mere caste and 

 family differences the legitimate course is adhered to. The deci- 

 sion of a Punchayet is held to be final and a Razeenamah is granted 

 if required. Boundary disputes involving the right of Phoollery or 

 grazing, claims on toddy trees, &c, are settled by Government, but 

 petty bickerings about village boundaries, such as Dandie Dinmont 

 had with his neighbours, are settled by the villagers themselves. 

 The Dhers on both sides are consulted and appealed to, their claim 

 to carcases of animals who have died from disease being supposed to 

 constitute them good evidence. 



If the Dhers cannot determine the matter, a sacrifice is made to a 

 Sakti, some live animal from a buffaloe to a fowl being offered. 

 After this the party have a drinking bout, and on the following morn- 

 ing, the head Dher fills a basket with images of the avenging deities, 

 well sprinkled with turmeric and hooly powder — with this basket 

 on his head he marches to the boundary where he deposits it, invok- 

 ing the curses of the gods on those who transgress boundaries. 



The Police may be classed under two heads, the Government and 

 the local, the first is nominally under the Cutwal of the Kusbah who 

 receives a monthly pay of Us. 30 or Rs. 40, but is virtually under 

 the Naib. The Peons get Rs. 3 a month — a rabble rout: they are 

 indifferently armed and clad and not famed for their efficiency. 



The local Police is under the Zemindars and is composed of men 

 born in slavery called Kitmutgars, and of another class, called 

 Khussahs, but who are not bondmen. They are both clothed, fed 

 and supplied with such indifferent arms as they have at the expense 

 of the Zemindar. They receive no fixed pay — but quartered as 

 they often are on the villagers, they come in for certain perquisites 

 of grain and clothing which^serve in lieu of it. There is besides the 

 village watchman, called Talarees, who exercise the functions of 

 policemen within the limits of their village. For all robberies and 

 thefts occurring in his domain, the Zemindar is held responsible. 



