Answer to the Fourth Question. The power and authority of the Zemindar have been already defined, he being as a fervant of the Hakim. Answer to the Fifth Question. The origin of the jurifdiction of Jageerdars is this: when a fervant of the crown rendered any eminent fervice, he (usually) had a fageer conferred upon him, which Jageer was confidered in the fame light as the ground forming the area of his house, and equally with that efteemed his home or property fo long, as he was not guilty of difobedience or rebellion. 'The Answer to the 6th, 7th, and 8th Questions is compreffed by his Highness into his answer to the 6th. All these (that is, all these various defcriptions of perfons) are fervants of the Crown: first, the Hakim, called alfo Nawab, or deputy; next, the Talookdars, otherwife Turafdars, to whofe authority the Zemindars and Jageerdars are subject, in the Dd fame manner as the Talookdars are subject to the authority of the Hakim, and as the Hakim is fubject to the authority of the King: in fine, whatever orders, either King or Hakim iffues, are as obligatory on the Zemindars, fageerdars, and Talookdars, as the holy law. Tranflation of the Anfwer of Meer Abul Coffim, Ambafador from the Nizam, and Meer Bend Ali, a Native Judge in Bengal, to the aforefaid Eight Queftions. Answer to the First Question. The proprietor of the foil is he who renders it flourishing, whether it be the Reyut, (that is, fubject) by the permiffion of the Hakim, or the Hakim himfelf. In the former cafe the Sovereign is entitled to tribute from the foil, as the price of protection: hence it follows that the Sovereign can be faid to be entitled to tribute only when he effectually protects the fubject from the oppreffions and injuftice of ufurpers or lawless tyrants. Answer to the Second Question. The jurifdiction of the Zemindar is defined in the Zemindary Sunnud, or patent; and is just as extenfive as is therein expreffed. Answer to the Third Question. These are alfo defined in the Sunnuds. Answer to the Fourth Question. The powers of the Zemindar extend fo far only as they are fixed by the Hakim's authority: these are also stated in the Sun, nud. Answer to the Fifth Question. All the rights of the State or Crown, agreeably to the nature of the Hakim's (perhaps it fhould be the Sovereign's) bounty, are vested in the Jageerdar. Answer to the Sixth Question. These points are all fettled in the Sunnud of every Talook, from the terms of which it is not ufual to deviate. Answer to the Seventh Question. Sunnuds were introduced in order to remove all doubtful points: all the particulars of thefe feveral heads are set forth in the Sunnuds, and alfo appear on the records it is with the fame view that written instruments are taken from persons entering into engagements with Government. Anfwer to the Eighth Question. ; In order fully to explain the ufages of former times, and of the prefent, it would be neceffary to enter into a minute detail nor is it practicable, without confulting Sunnuds and Muchelkehs, (or engagements) to treat at all of fuch intricate and contradictory matters in a narrow compass. N. B. The character of the Nizam's Minifter is publicly known to be highly respectable for ability and intelligence. The character of the native Judge in Bengal is authenticated by a tranflation of the Testimonial of Mr. Petrie, in Perfian. These are to certify, that Meer Bundah Aly, Duroga, of the Calcutta Adawlut, conducted the bufinefs both of the Fouzdarry and Dewannee Adawluts, during the whole time of my holding the office of Judge and Magiftrate, (till fucceeded by Mr. Gladwin) with propriety and great ability; and that I was well fatisfied with his conduct, which, as far as I know, gave general fatisfaction. (Signed) JOHN PETRIE. October 29, 1785. Calcutta, Jan. 18, 1785. Meer Bundah Aly having requested that I would peruse the above-written Testimo |