1 Mode of disposing of
2 cases of larceny,
3 Theft
4 And highway
5 1obbe1y.
6 Boundary disputes,
7 Duty on land
8 And merchandise.
9 The Nénalputras.
10 294 HISTORY OF THE PANJAB.
11 the most incorrigible culprit was, in most instances, let off on payment of
12 a heavy fine.
13 In cases of larceny, the party injured, had first to pay the magistrate,
14 or thanadar, a sum of money equal to one fourth of the value of the article
15 stolen; the money so paid becoming the property of these functionaries.
16 Without this preliminary, no steps could be taken for the recovery of the
17 property. In the event’ of the property being recovered, the culprit was
18 handed over to lynch law, though in most cases a mahar khdi, or approver,
19 stipulated for a full pardon if the delinquent offered a handsome nuzrénd,
20 or present of gratitude, to the chief and magistrate, which was considered
21 as their due, and divided equally among them. The sufferer was kindly
22 advised to keep on his guard, and take good care of his property in future,
23 and, with this satisfaction for the wrong done him, he was dismissed.
24 In cases of theft of cattle the rules as to tracks choj,* or swrdgh, were
25 strictly followed, so far as the detection of the thief was concerned, and
26 when stolen cattle were tracked into another’s ground, the latter was com-
27 pelled to show the track beyond the boundary of his own land or village,
28 or to pay the value of the stolen cattle.
29 In cases of highway robbery and burglary, the injured parties usually
30 adopted similar means to the aggressor’s for the recovery of their property
31 or its equivalent. Unless restitution was made previous to the aggrieved
32 parties arming, blood was sure to be spilt in the settlement of the dispute..
33 The chiefs themselves harboured thieves and robbers and participated in
34 their booty.| Their share of the spoil was known by the term kwundi,
35 namely, such portion of the plundered property as, by division, fell to the
36 share of the chief.
37 Boundary disputes among zemindars were, in most cases, attended with
38 bloodshed, which was atoned for by the gift of a daughter in marriage to
39 the nearest relation of the deceased, or the payment of a heavy sum of
40 money, or the surrender of 125 bighas of land.
41 The Sikhs levied revenue in kind for the grain, half of which was the
42 share of the chief, or sardar, under whom the 7'a2yat served, while the other
43 went to the proprietor. All other produce, such as sugarcane, cotton,
44 poppy, indigo, melons, &., was paid for in cash. Heavy duties were levied
45 on merchandise by each chief as it passed through his dominions; the
46 result of this being that traders were never safe, and suffered much. Every
47 chief exercised the power of taxing trade by prescription. The shawl trade
48 was carried on between Jammu, Srinagar and Nadaon, but the merchants
49 preferred adopting the difficult mountainous routes tv reach India, so as to
50 avoid the unjust demands of the Sikhs. The charge of the caravans was
51 most frequently given to Ndnakputras or descendants of Néanak, who,
52 owing to the sanctity of their persons, enjoyed certain privileges, and were
53 less exposed to the lawlessness of the Sikh custom houses. They had the
54 reputation of being a mild and inoffensive race, and were revered by all
55 the followers of the Guru, who considered it a sacrilege to molest the race
56 Se as ie tre ne eg ge ne eee nes
57 ing the loss of the sight and left hand a i *
58 ne and and of an ear for heinous offences. An eye for eye,
59 Sean 20% sony ay the Mosaic law. This law is the law of retaliation. The penalties
60 lation passed during the reign of the British monarchs, as quoted, were for heinous
61 offences. But with Asiatic monarchs it i . i i vhi a)
62 in the absence frequently of all oes Pe iecauently espryed porn: office bp gratify eeu
63 one the youl ne Appear that the law as to tracks now followed in the courts of the Panjab,
64 districts, Ahocaies ee sents followed. Its success In most cases of cattle-lifting Jin
65 marked. 8 h Jungle Bar, where the offence is of frequent occurrence, is quite
66 +t Not an uncommon practice even now with the headmen.of villages in the jungle Bar.
67 Sri Satguru J agjit Singh Ji eLibrary NamdhariHibrary@ gmail.com