1 212 APPENDIX — LAND REVENUE.
2 very discerning and experienced man, to estimate the
3 quantity in a field of standing- grain : In some it is over,
4 and in others under rated. The Butaee is detailed and
5 tedious, an establishment also is required to watch the
6 different Kuhvarah, or heaps of grain on the field.
7 Cultivators are apt to steal it during the night, and in
8 stormy and wet weather much of it is damaged, ere it
9 can be housed. It is a common saying " Butaee lootaee,"
10 or Butaee is plunder. Some Chiefs exact a half of the
11 produce, others two-fifths, and a few, one-fourth. Sugar-
12 cane, cotton, poppy, indigo, and all the lands under the
13 denomination of the Zuhtee, are assessed at fixed rates,
14 and the rent is received in cash.
15 In the Sikh states, the lands of most towns and villages
16 are parcelled out into puttees, turufs, or divisions,
17 amongst the Punch, or Zumeendars, who are answerable
18 for the Sirkars or Ruler's share. In some, where there
19 are no ostensible heads, the lands are held by hulsaree, or
20 ploughs. Thus, if in a village society, there be twenty-
21 five ploughs, and 2500 beegahs, the Jinsee and Zubtee
22 lands, are equalized amongst the Asamees, or husband-
23 men, which gives 100 beegahs to each plough, and each
24 Asamee pays his own rent, much on the principle of a
25 Ryotwar settlement. In general, the Punch hold a few
26 beegahs, and also the Puchotrah, (5 per cent.) on the net
27 collections, in Inaum.
28 The system of assessment by the Kun or Butaee,
29 pleases the agricultural community, and the Chiefs, who
30 pay their armed retainers and establishments every six
31 months in kind, with a small sum in cash called posha-
32 kee or clothing : it also accords with their internal plan