1 APPENDIX — SUCCESSIONS. 199
2 may be considered applicable to public property and
3 Chiefsliips,) tbe prior title of tbe widows is held ;* but
4 the Sikhs, with a view to avoid an open and direct viola-
5 tion of a known law, have a custom termed Kurawa or
6 Chadur-dula, which obtains in every family, with the
7 exception to those of the Bhaees. The eldest surviving^
8 brother of the deceased places a white robe over, and the
9 neeth, or ring in the nose of the widow, which ceremony
10 constitutes her his wife.
11 This practice accords with the Hindoo and Mosaic
12 Lawsi* and acts as a counteractive to the many evils atten-
13 dant on female rule. If tbe free will of the widow were
14 consulted, it is scarcely to be doubted, she would prefer
15 the possession of power, and the charms of liberty, to tbe
16 alternative of sacrificing her claims to her brother-in-law,
17 and taking her station amongst his rival wives. Judging
18 from the masculine disposition, — want of modesty, and
19 of delicate feeling, which form the characteristic feature
20 of Sikh females, necessity, and not choice, must have led
21 them to yield to the adoption of an usage, which must
22 often be repugnant to their natures, and disgusting to
23 their thoughts.
24 On failure of brothers and nephews, the general prac-
25 tice is, equal division of lands, and personal effects,
26 amongst the surviving widows of Manjhee Singhs.
27 * In the Bengal and most generally current Shasters, this is the rule :
28 but not in tbe Mithila province, fTirhoot, &c.) the widow is there ex-
29 cluded, and receives only a maintenance.
30 t Deuteronomy, Chap, xxv, v. 5 to 10.
31 t Yajcyawoleva says, " If abrotherdie without male issue, let another
32 approach the widow once in the proper season." And Menc ordains.
33 " having espoused her in due form, she being clad in a white robe."