of Candy . -271 
venues, and see that good order and strict discipline be main- 
tained in their commands. But great as is the authority en- 
trusted to these and the other great officers of state over tlieir 
fellow subjects, none of them are allowed to bring any one pub- 
licly to capital punishment without first bringing the matter 
before the king, whose exclusive prerogative it is to pronounce 
sentence of death. The power of the Dissauva Udda, or com- 
mander in chief of the forces, is very great; and this officer, 
having the complete disposal of the military, often becomes an 
object of apprehension to tlie king. While I was at Cohmibo, 
it was even said that the king had entirely abolished the office, 
judging the power attached to it too great to be entrusted in 
the hands of a single individual. I had, however, afterwards 
an opportunity of finding this report unfounded from my own 
personal observation, as the Dissauva Udda accompanied the 
Adigars to meet governor North, and was received by the 
troops under arms. The Dissauvas, as long as they hold their 
office, are allowed by the king a certain portion of land for 
their services; and they often besides squeeze the people under 
their command unmercifully, under pretence of collecting con- 
tributions for his Majesty. 
These great officers generally reside at court, and personally 
attend upon the king, who is, perhaps, afraid to allow persona 
endowed with so mueh authority to remain in their provinces 
and have opportunity of courting popularity. As the Dissauvas, 
therefore, cannot attend in person, they have inferior officers 
under them, who act entirely by their orders, either in collec- 
ting the king’s revenues, or in squeezing he people for the 
emolument of their patrons. These . deputy officers are known 
by the names of Roterauts, Vitanies, and Courlevidanies, and 
5 
I 
