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·REPORT
ON THE
C'ONDITION OF THE SONTHALS
IN THE DISTRICTS or
BIRBHUM, BANKURA, MIDNAPORE AND NORTH BALASORE.
Ву
MC. MCALPIN, ICS
FIRMA MUKHOPADHYAY
CALCUTTA, INDIA

·Published By
J. Mukherjee
FIRMA MUKHOPADHYAY
2/1, Dr Aksay Pal Road, Calcutta 700 034 India
1 st Edition
Calcutta 1909 (Bengal Secretariat Press)
Printed by Skylark Printers at 11355
Idgah Road, New Delhi-110055

·CONTENTS. PART I PAGE OA APTER 1-5 : 6-13 1 I-Preliminary Stal-Tour-Origio of enquiry -Terms rolerence - Aros uodor enquiry-Tribes onder enquiry - Method of eaqurg-Objects of enquiry, Arrangement of the report II-Sonthal villages Bubhom (6—8), Bankun (8-10), Midna pora (10-12), Balasore (12-13) III-The Sopthal beadman and the Sonthal communal system General (23 14), Birbhum (14-17), Bankura (17 2)) Midnaporo (20—23), Balasoro (23 24) IV-Loos of landa by Sonthals and their indebtedness Birblom (2428) Bankara (29-31) Midoupore (31-96) Balasoro (36-97) General (37-38) VI-Civil Court proccedings VI-Arbitrary eviction VII-Rents Birbhum (41-44), Bankura (44-45), Midnaporo (46-47) Ballore (47) 13- 24 24-9 2 38 39 39-41 41-47 III- Effects of nottlencats 48-49 60—67 63-61 IX-Sub-infeudation by the Proprietor Birbhum (60-61). Bapkura (61-62), Midnapore 62, Balásoro 59, General 53 X-Macellaneous Education-Birbhuin (53-54). Bankorn (56- 57), Midpa poto (57), Balasoro (57-58), Gonoral (58)- Liquor trafficBirbhum (68). Bankura (58), Dijdpaporo (69), Halaacro (50), Goneral (69-60) - Agne ltural Banka Burbhum (00), Baskun (60), Midnapore (60 61), Balamoro (61), Gencral (61) XI-Migration and domand for labour Birbhom (61 02). Bankara (62), Midnapore (62-63), Balasoro (63), Gogoral (63) XII-Olber aboriginal and somi-abonginal tribes Birbliun (69 64), Bookara (64 - 67), Midnaporo (67 68), Balasore (H). General (68) XIII-General foeling Birbhum (88-70), Bankura (70), Midnapore (70), Balasore (70-71). XIV-Legislation-Discuamon (71–82)-Proposed Bll (82—87) XV-Sottlement proposals and transfer of junediction XVI-Bummary of Tocommendations 61-63 . 03-08 88-71 71-87 87-91 IL 91-92 Glossary List of Pleasure, . 92 99 . List of rulages proposed for gettlement 93 94

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·CHAPTER I. PRELIMINARY. I have the honour to submit my report on the condition of the Sonthals in tho districts of Birbhum, Bankura, Midnapore and Balasore. ор 2 Slaf.-Maulvi Saiyid Muhammad Nasiruddin, Sub-Deputy Collector, and Maulvi Ekramuddin, Kanungo, were deputed to assist in the enquiry. 'I he former joined on the 16th and the latter the 6th December 1908. Maulvi Ekranuddin's work was of great assistance. The Assistant Bettlement Officer, Bubu Rampada Chaterjı, Deputy Collector, prepared a valuable report on the areas under settlement in Nayabasa'i, Midnapore. I took over charge on tho 27th November 1908 and gave uver charge on the 3rd May 1900. Tour - Maulvi Saıyıd Mulan mad Nasiruddin made independent enquiries in the thanas of the Sadar subdivision of Bubhum, in the eastern portion of the Sadar subdivision of Bankura, vız , in Onda, Sımlapaland the portion of Raipur thana cast of the Kopsye river, and also in thanas Garlbeia and Salbani, in Midnapore. Maulvı Ekramuddin made onquirich in the northern and western portions of the Solar subdivision of Bankura, und the western portions of Binpui and Jhargram thanng in Midnapore and in Balo4010. He also made a separato enquiry nio the condition of thio Bhumi Glatwals in Khatra bana in Bankura I toured in the Rampur Flat subdivision of Bubhum and the outlying outpost of Suri, Mohummad Bazur, then down the contro of the Sadar subdivision of Bankura, and through Binpui, Jhargram, Gopibellabpur and Nayagram thapas i Midnapore into Jellasore thana in Balasorc. With the exception of the period yet aszlo foi tho report, the wholo timo was spent in what was, owing to the lur ye urea undei onquiry, a rapid tour through each arca to discover the peculiarities of each portion of it. No area was twice covered, excopt Khitra where tho enquiry relating to the Ghatiala mentioned above was made, and to a small extent Jellasore in Balasore. Origin of the Inquiry.- From tv o sourccf, Birbhum and Midrapore, there had come simultaneously two appuls to help the Sonthal, Thio grievances in Birbhum use of long standing and date back to 1872, when an enquiry was made into the condition of the Sunthals by Mr, T. T Allen, who was then Magistrate Wulst tho samo discontent led in the Sonthal Parganas to the passing of Regulation Ill of 1872, wluch mado vast changes in the administration of that ultrict, ond laid down the linils of the policy on which it has ever since been conducted, it led to nothing in Birbhuni on the boundary; In 1881, howevor, ull attewpt was made to re-intioduce tlie Montagiri or headman system, and to reduce the lents by a measurement of lanas and a compromise between the landlords and te into In 1892, a regulai settlement was effoctod of the Mollarpur Estate t The fuct, lowever, that on the other side of the bordor, in tho Sonthul l'arganas, thu Sonthal 18 secure from enhancement of rents except by order of a Revenue oficer, and also from dispossession by the mahajan (moncylendeı), las seisol to acentuate the grit vancos of the Sonthals in Bubhum, and to impel them, under the loudership of Durga Manjhi, to approach Government now with a request for a settlement, and for the introduction of the Sonthal Parganas lawn amongst them, For the last two or thrco years the Sontbals in Rainpui Hát subdivision bavo leen petitioning Government to redress these grievances, which ale in the main grievances against the mahujan or zamindar who have taken their lands or raised their reute, Mr Foster, as Collector of Birbhum, enquired into the matter and submitted a report on it to Government in 1907. Some agrarian dintubunce was then apprehended, and Mr. Fostor was of opinion tbat the matter called for vigorous action, Meanwhile, in 1909, the question of the Tous by the Southals of thoir lands and othoi matters had been laised by some Sonthals in Midnapore, who petitioned Governmcut through the Rerd A. L Kennan. On this petition the Collector, Mr Woston, recommended that the provisions of scction 10(a) and 10,6) of tho (Old) Chota Nagpur Tenancy Act should be † Maubi Nuadji's selllemtot # Bbuban Moban Raba's settlement.

·2 5 extended to Midnapore. The Commissioner, Mr. E. H. C. Walsh, agreed, but observed that this matter ought to be taken up and legislation introduced for the whole Province. The other Commissioners were then consulted. Later Mr. Maddox, then Commissioner of Burdwan, had an enquiry made into the loss of the lands and the indebtedness of Sonthals iu Rampur Flat subdivision. This enquiry was tested, and the results were submitted to Government with Mi. Maddox's recommondation that a special officer abould be appointed to enquire into the whole question io the Burdwan Division. Tho suggestion was adopted, and a Comwittee was appointed to consider the terms of the reference. Terms of the Reference-Thcho are as follows:- The enquiry should be limited to Birbhum, Bankura und Midnapore, and permanently-settled parts of Balasore, north of the Subarnarekha, if these were not done in the Origsa settlement The objects of the enquiry should be- (1) To ascertain in thanas shown to contain a large Sonthal population, what nunbor of villages contain a population which is nearly homogeneous. In such villages bow far does tho Sonthal headman system still subsist? 13) To ascertain tho inte of mutation from Sonthals to non-Sonthals both in such villages, and on the outor fringe of less homogeneous villages, taking a selected number of villages A complete and exhaustive examination of the facts of overy raiyat in a small number of typical villages in cach aros of a distinctive character is to bo preferied to the accumulation of general information. An examination will have to be made of the extent to wluch Sonthalı lands have been transferred in the last twenty years or 80, how far tho transfers have beon occasioned by rent docreos, and how far by moi tgago or by private sale, and what is the stato of indebtedness at present. (4) To examine transfers in consequence of civil decreo, and to ascertain to what extent the proceedings are ex-parle. The stamination of Cıvıl Court proceedings may be on tho lines of Maulvi Ekramuddin's. (5) To examine how far arbitrary eviction by landlorde is prevalent. (6) To examine the effect on tho Sonthal hoadman system of subinfoudation by tho zamindar, and whether tonure-boldors are more opprossive than landlords, (7) Comparison of past and present rent-rolls. There have been several local settlements in past years, certainly two in Birbhun, thoso of Munshi Nundji and Babu Bhuban Rohan Raha, and possibly others. The facts then recorded to bo compared with existing facts. A reforence to the settlemont proceedings of the Nayabasan and Jhargram Estates now going on will givo valuable information, (8) Is the condition of the Sonthal population in these areas to any extent better than in adjoining unsettled areas? In fact, have those settlements produced any effect? (9) The examination of old Road Cess papers might assist to a conclu- (10) The state of education, liquor traffic and the possibility of co-operative banks may be incidentally considered. (11) General feeling of the Sonthals towards the alion raiyats and their zamindars to be examined. Has their feeliogany political importance ? (12) To consider whether any legislation should bo proposed, taking into account the provisions in restraint of transfer in other Acts- Bengal and Foreign, e.g, Sonthal Parganas Regulation, new Chota Nagpur Tenancy Act, Central Provinces Land Revenue Act, and Punjab and Bombay Acts (Deccan Agriculturists Relief Act). • There were not available in the Dutriot oficer of Bubbum and Dankurt, and were only oocesionally produced by the landlords. 6100.

·(18) To examine whether in the same areas there are other aboriginal or semi-aboriginal races whose position is bumilar to that of the Sonthals. (14) To indicate the thanas or estates which should be covered by any settlement operations, and subunit a draft programme in consultation with Director of Land Records. (15) The effect of the increased demand for labour in mines, etc., on the Sonthal population economically and socially should be considered, 6. Area under Enquiry.-The tour mentioned in paragraph 3 was desigoed so as to cover the area under enquiry, which, relying on the first clause of the terms of reference, I restricted to thanas shown to contain a large Sonthal population. These are the following DIATRICT Subdi 71810n. Population, Thana. Sonthal popula. tion Peroent- Peroentege. Bhumi) population age O. Rampur Llat Murare: 86,182 Nalbati 83,521 Rampur Hât... 102,810 Mauroswar 93,839 3,108 4,110 8,220 8,791 36 4.9 80 72 Birbhum Suri -- {Bolpur i Sadur DOI 140,033 110,849 12,195 8,781 87 7.6 :: JO Bankuro. Sadar Bankura Gangajalgbati Oade Kaipur Simlapal Kbetra 148,870 122,399 122,017 101,345 38,109 115,313 15,373 10-3 7,709 63 12,232 99 35,166 34.7 8,765 229 19,899 17 3 6,480 54 O .. 11,440 99 7,104 68 .. .. Midnapore Sadar Binpur 104,982 Gerhbeto 133, 122 Salbadi 60,850 Jhargram 76,063 Gopiballabbpur 163,156 36,752 35 007 26,187 19.7 11,872 19 5 19,284 25.4 32,406 19 9 4,003 4,304 19,220 6 6 5 7 11 8 Balasoro Sadur Jellasore 59,721 6,099 10.2 ... ... 3 There are small settlemonts in Dubrajpur thana in Birblium, in the Bishnu. pur Subdivision in Bankuia, and somo largo onen* in the central thanas of Miduapore spreading out from tho very large settlement in the west Theso have not come directly under enquiry, with the exception of Dubrajpur. # For comparison the punibors are given below Thana Population Sontbal population Birbbum I Bankara tec . Labpar Dubrajpar Sakılıpur Berjora Bisboupur Kotalpur Indas Bonggukbi: Kharagpur Middepoza Debra Keshpur Narayangarh Danten Babang, Gbatal, Chandra. l kons, eto 64,281 198,026 77,740 68,012 142,873 98,063 83,943 82,468 111,016 78,821 07,879 88,490 118 441 123,641 1,25 2,3114 16A 311 2,970 490 361 426 6,760 1,609 9,826 2,867 2,020 1,602 0. Midaspore 1,999 B 2 ·T'he total Sonthal and Bhumij population of the different districte is ahown below Soalbal Bhumly Population population. population Birbhug: 902,280 47,221 Bankura 1,116,411 105,682 19,785 Midnapore 2,789,114 148,261 44,233 Balasore 1,071,197 8,856 4,279 The whole of the area under enquiry (including the small portion of Burdwan excluded from the enquiry) consists of a bolt of irregular thickness stretching from the large Sonthal arca of the Sonthal l'argadas to another thickly populated Sonthal area in the Native State of Mourbhanj,' between Bengal propor on the east and the Dravidian area of Chota Nagpur on the west, whole the Sunthal settlements aro dovetailod amongst and finally get lost in those of the Ilos, Bhumijes, Mundus and other tribes of that plateau. In population the alea presents the meeting place of the aborigine and the Aryan; the latter being the lator anival. The Sonthulo cannot be regarded as immigrants more than any one else. Thoy certainly aro inmigrants, but then so are the Aryans, and in that the Sonihals on Bhumijes have been the clearers of the jungle and the pioneers of the cultivation of the larger portion of the aren, they have a better claim to be considered the original inhabitants of the area than the Aryans, except possibly than thie zumind irs and Rajas and their immediato followers, whose real ancestry 18 Uow shrouded in Rajput tradition As regards distribution of Sonthals, at may be noted that the portion of tho area runst densely populated with Sontbals is at the south-westf of Bankura and the north-west of Midnapore. Io physical aspects the arca presents the change from the plateau to the plains of Bengal in an undulating country, with patchos of junglo here and there, which in Midnapore bocoine larger and are more carefully protected. In the 18th century, a considerable portion of the aren under enquiry appears to have formed part of an indefinite administrative unit called tho Jungle Mahalo lying between Chota Nagpur and the plaids of Bengal. Thus was subsequently detined as being composed of certain Parganas in Birbhum, Bankura Aud Midnapore; but on account of the disturbances of the Bhumijes, it was split up amongst the neighbouring districts in 1833. The name of Jungle Mahals, however, still survives in a portion of tho Maureswür thana in Birbhum, and in the whole of the western area of Midnaporo The fact that there was once an administrative unit roughly corresponding to this area, uvd thefact that this area contams the largest population of Sonthals outside the Sonthal Parganas and outside Chota Nagpur are not acodents, but due to the plıysical aspects of the Liea which appears to stamp it us belonging to the non-regulation portion of the Province. I liave, liowever, tention of proving that this uroa, with the exception of that in Birbhum, ought to bo retranstorred to the non-regulation divisions which it bordersthough this would be the proper procedure to adopt if it were not otherwise rather impracticable--but of trying to show that some of the laws of the regulation districts are not suited to at lcaet one consi lcrable portion of their population. 7. Traber under Enquiry. The enquiry relates to the Sonthals, but one of the terms of the reference 18 whether there are in the same are other races, aboriginal or semi-aborigual, whose position is similar to that of the Sonthale. The principal of theso tribes 18 the Bhomij, and for this Gason the statistics for this race have been included in the last paragraph; other tribes will receive attention in the course of the roport 8. Nethod of Enquiry.-- Three forms were devised. The first was designed to show tbe different constituents of the population of a village, together with the history and a gonerul description of the village. The second was devised to show the past and present area held by the raiyat, details of land lost, details of land acquired, and the past and present rent. The third form was framed to show the raiyat's present debts, rate of interest, how much repaid, how much due and how secured, . A few general questions • Bonthul sacount for 90 pez con of the population La Moarbhanj. aro no IN- + Thu anna forma part of Monhhum ·BIRBROT were also drafted, supplemented from time to time by other instructions as further knowledge showed their necessity. Armed with the first form the enquiring officer on arrival at any spot, could record the partioulars of a large number of villages from the collected Sonthals. Then one or two villages were selected, and a day or two devoted to filling up the second and third forms from information given by the Sonthals, testing the same when necessary by reference to the zaminder or mahajans. In this way details of each raiyat (or rather of & number of the raiyats, as it was often impossible to get them all together) of a large number of villagos were obtained. Of these villages, a number have been selected as representative and printed in Appendıx No. 1. It is not claimed for these results that they are strictly accurate There was no lime for going back for the attestation of tho facts of each village, but when the officer had once onquired into a village ho bad to hurry on to anothor place. Consequently strict accuracy could not be obtained, but the details of each village are, roughly accurate. It is thus evident that the main source of my information was the Sonthale. In one estate I reversed the proceduro and took my information from the landlord, who was also a mahajan, first. The Southals becamo reticent, and my information was nearly valueless. 9. Objects of the Enquiry.—The objects of the enquiry were confined to the terms of the reference, which were more than comprehensive, coosidering the time at my disposal, the urca under enquiry and the smallness of tho staff. I have throughout est bewed all tales of llogal opprossion of the Sonthal, which I could not verify. If every story of oppression had been verified, and this would have required a long residence in cachi area, doubtless I could haỹe prosented a much darker picture of his troubles. 10. Trrangement of the Report -A chapter has been devoted to each of the muin terms of reference, and each chapter deals with every district separately. An attempt has been made to make the description of each district complete in itself The result is necessarily a certain amount of ropetition. CHAPTER II. SUNTHAL VILLAGES (I'crms of Referonce No. 1.) BIRBRUM 11 Kampur Hâl Subdivision – The figures below show the relative density of the Sonthals in terms of population, and of villages in the Rampur Hát subdivBIOD VILL.ES Population Bonthal population Total number of villagoa. Total number of Sonthal nllages 36 Murarai Nalhati Rempur Hat Maurdawar 86,182 82,521 102,10 93,839 3,108 4,110 8,220 6,891 260 265 307 426 80 447 e reTeque 12. The figures for the population have been taken from the Census tables of 1901, and those for the villages frona statistics carefully prepared yo view of a settlement in this particular area. By a village 18 not meant muuza, but a village hamlet locally recognized as possessing a separate entity; and by & Sonthal village 18 meant such & village or bamlet containing a practically homogeneous Sonthal proportion, 13. A Sonthal village or hemelet 18 readily recogaisable from a long way off by its clean, tidy, well swept and white-washed houses, sometimes relieved by a dado of bright colouring. Not only does this appearance distinguish it readily There is very little about Jhargram thana (Midos poro). Figaros sopplied by the Polipo for tiby thens, ·6 BIRBHUX-Sonthel Villago. from the Bengali village, but also the absence of trees, bamboos and tanks from round about the yıllago sito. The Sonthals live in tolas separate from the ordinary Bengali, whom they avoid as much as their avocatione permit, but they live side by side with occasional Kamars, Muchis, Maryas, Dhangars, Kodas, Domes and Bhuiyas , hore and there Dikkus are found in the same tolis. Tho size of the village varies. Ordinarily it contains between six and twenty houses and should properly be called a hamlet, but in a number of cases, particularly in the south-west of Rampui Hát thana and in Maureswar, larger and more substantial villagos occur. 14. Theu age is not vory great. In the majority of cases they wero mado by the grand-futhors of the prosent Sonthal. Such is the statement of the middle-aged and old Sonthals, whose fathers and grand-fathors are now dead. This places their origiu about the middlo of the first-half of last century. That this is not too recent a dntc, is borne out by the fact that Mr. Allon in 1872 found old Sonthals living there who renemborod when the whole place was a mass of jungle, and the timo when tho Sonthals first cleared it. The Sonthals' own statoment show that thcy are an off-bboot of the great Sonthal movoment towards the Sonthal Parganas at tho beginning of tho last century. But the limit to the formation of the new villages had been praotically reached by 1880, when Babu Bhuban Mohan Raha made his settlement of Sonthal villages. In only a very few cases havo any villages been formed sinco then. Yet though the limit to the formation of frosh villagos had been practically reached in 1880, tho limit to the extension of cultivation had not been reached, but is still going on, and will still presumably go on duspite the fact that the soul most capable of cultivation has now been brouglit under the plough. 15. Tho retums of 1872 show that the Sontbal population for the wholo district was thon only 6,954, it is now 47,221 according to the Census of 1901. This largo apparent increase, omitting errors in calculation, in the population 18 due to the fact that the Sonthals no extraordinarily prolific, and owing to then out-door habits very naidy, us well as to the large increase in population in the Sonthal l'argenas pressing the Sonthals eastwards But theso figures do not ropresent tho sum of the increase of the population in this area Many of them, particularly from the northern portion, have, owing to the prossure of the increasing population or to dispossession by mahajans or zamindars, either cmigratod to the Bauind, 1 quasi-latorite tract of country in Dinajpur, Rajshah anul Bogra, or olso to Murshidabad, there to break fresh country, to clear the jungles, and to make new terraces of rico land, for doing which they possess the most extraordinary aptitude, eyon out of tho most unpromising countıy. 18. According to Mr. Gait in his Census report, “these wanderings of the Southals bavo hitherto becu confined to a laterite soil" This fact is strikingly illustrated in this subdivision. The Sonthal villages border those in the Southal Parganas, and are situated in the narrow strip of broken high country west of tho East Indian Railway, lying between the hills of the Sonthal Parganas which approach the Birbhum border on the one side, and the alluvial soil of the plains proper on the other. Where thos0 hills recedo from the border, as in the south-west of Murarai thana, thero are practically no Sonthal villages. This strip of country 18 where Bengali and Sonthali cultivation meets. On the one side there is the Sonthal country ; on the other there is the Bengali country. As such it is debateable land, and there aro Bengalı villages in it. But novertheless thero are considerable areas in it, in which the population 18 mainly Sonthal, and which, but for the accidont of their boiug a moro convenient centre of administration at Suri nearer than Dumka, and of their being portions of large parganas where the Bengali eloment predominated in other places, would possibly have been included in the Sonthal Parganas. In fact they were originally so included, but were subsequently excluded on these very grounds in 1857. But what was true of these parganas as a whole, was not true of partioular portions of these parganas. 'The Sonthals have cleared the jungles and made the lands of the villages of these portions, and as I have already stated, they have less cause to be • Part I, page 189 Government lottor No. 1088, dated 14th February 1872 ·BIRBH01-sonthal Village. 7 stamped as immigrants than the Bengalis, who, though in a few casos they may have had cultivation in these very areas before the Sonthals oame, have tukon advantage of the fact that the Sootbals had cleared the dreadod jungle, to come in and reap the fruits of the Sonthals' labour by oppression, extortion and cheating These are strong words, but however exaggerated Mr. Allen's report on the condition of affairs in 1872 may bave been, there can be little doubt that they were then justified Now-a-duys various measures have tenipered the actions of the Zamiodars and mahajans, and the various malpractices that these words conjure up do not exist to such an extent, but ihe Sonthals are still the victims of sharp practice and greed. 17. The figures givon above do not imply that the cultivation of.evory village is mainly Sonthul, and by no mcans that the best lands aro Sonthal In some cases, as in Karangdih, Dharampur and Debdattapur (vede Appendix I (a), Nos. III, VIII and X], practically all the lands have gone into the hends of Dikkus, who on account of its extent havo givon it out agam adhz or on a temporary under-raiyatı lense to the Sonthals. But this 18 not the ordinary rule ; tbe lost cultivation generally pasacs away from the Sonthal altogether, with the result that in a few cases the village has been practically depopulated. Eight hoplets have been counted in wluch practically all the cultivation has passed into the hands of Sonthals, and five others in which the village has been quite or almost depopulated. The cultivation 18 still largely Sonthal in a majority of villages, but in the case of 'many of them this romark is very mis-leading, as the mahajan often takes the best lands and leaves the worst uplands which occupy a much larger aroa (vulo Kusumkandor Appendıx I(a), No. XVI.) llo les Do use foi thche until tho Sonthal turns thom into rice lands Very fow intact villages zu which no Bengalı has yet obtained any cultivation are still believed to oxist. Experience has, however, shown that a dotailed examination of such a vıllage would revoal the presence of a mahajan. 18. The villages belong to a large number of different proprietors, patnıdara, or tenure-holders, the only proprietor of a large number of yıllages is the Mohant of Mollarpur, in Maureswar. 19, Sadar Subdivision. From tho figures below it will appear that the only other thanas in which there are an approciable number of onthals aro Mohammad Bazar, Rajpagar and Bolpur, and of these Rajnagar is the most important THANAB Population. Bonthal population. Namber of villages Number of Bontbal villages, Mabammad Bazar (outpost) r 182 28 Buri 140,133 12,196 Rajpagar (outpost) 168 68 . 325 6 Khyrasolo (outpost) Dabrajpurt 138,025 2,304 ... UL Imambazar (outpost) ... 97 3 115,894 8,78 Bolpur... 303 37 20. The villages in the Mubammad Bazar outpost or thana are arranged mainly in two groups, ong in the north-west, and the other in the west next to the Sonthal Pargadas. The others are scattered here and there amongst Dikku villages ; a few, including the largo yıllage Haringinghe, are adjacent to the large group cf Soothal villages in Mauroswer thana. In Mohammad Bazar ono or two entirely new hamlets of whioh the oultivation has been formed in recent years are to be found Io one case six years ago a portion of a waste area estimated at 100 bighas was leased on a rental of Rs. 75 & year for a salami of • Thore are 7 Bonthal yıllages in Bon thene + There are 19 Santhal villager la Dabrajpur na.

·8 BANKORA-Bontbal Villages. Rs. 80, the condition being that no sal was to be cut. The Rejnagar villages lie on the west of that outpost in the north-west corner of the distriot next to the Sonthal Parganas border. In a third of these villages Dhangars, Domes, Kamars and Maharas are found living with the Sonthals. The Bolpur villages are more recent than the villages directly lying on the Sootbal Parganas border. Their age 18 probably not more than 40 years at the most; most of them are 20 or 21 years old, and there are others I am informed where the age of the Sonthal sottlement does not exceed 10 years or so. BANKURA 21. The figures balow have been givou for the thanas which contain a large Sontbal population I POPULATION TEATAR, opthal Bhumi) Popo'stlon, Baun popolation population population Gangajalgbatı (including Baltora) 122,399 7,709 25,931 Bankura (including Cbbatna) 118 670 15,373 1,714 24,606 Khatra (poluding Indpore) 115.313 19,899 11,440 20,147 Raipur 101,345 35,166 5,480 7,172 Sımlapal (1ndependent outpost) 38,109 8,756 550 3,078 Onda (including Taldeagra) 122,917 12,232 147 9,580 ► 1 II –VILLAGEA Percentage of Sonthal villagen to total Aunur of village .. ... 10 9 7 38 19 I. .. . Gangajalghati Baltora (outpust) Bankura Chhatpa (outpost) Iodpore (outpost) Khutra Kaipur 6ımlapnl (indepondent outpost) Onda Taldangra (outpost) 28 70 JO Il 14 22. These figures cover the whole of the Sadar Subdivision of Bankura, excepting the Barjora Independent Outpost. The subdivision of Bishnupur has been omitted, as it contains comparatively few Sonthula. The figu.es in Statement II have been compiled from statistics furnished by the Police, which are only fauly accurate so far as they afford a comparison botween the total number of villages and of Sonthal yıllages. For instance, 55 Sonthal villuges are shown as existing in Teldangra, whereas tho conditions of 71 villagas in that outpost were examined and some 30 other8 wero found to exist. As it is probable that the system of examination adopted in the enquiry, under which each bamlet with a different name was classed is a sopratu village, would show also a much larger total number of villages of all clususe, if thicae had beon counted, the Police figures have been given us sufficiently near for the purpose. The figure 70 per cent for Raipur thanu is however unduly large, and appears to reprosent the number of villages in which there is a Sonthul population. It is undoubtedly a fact that the great majority of villages contain a Sonthal population, but it 18 improbable that so many villages with a population practically homogeneous exists. 23. The Sonthals in Bankura are found mainly on the west and southwest in the undulating tract, thus described by Sir William Iluntor " Bankura the alluvial Hats end in the undulations, isolatod peaks, and short, low rangos which form the advanced guard of the hill system of the central Indian plateau. A poor, ferrugiuous soil and hard beds of laterite bere take the place of the fortile deltaic dotritus, with expanses of scrub jungle and sal wooils for the closely-tilled villago lan is of the cast." In the storth west the Susun and Bibarınath Hilla loom on the horizon, and in the south-west in Khatra and Raipur the country breaks up into ridges of low, ploturerque and jungle-clad hilla, Terraces of rice cultivation fill up the dips between the hills, or in wide expanses skırt the undulating uplands. • Pud. alco the " Gazetteer of Bankurs' by V, O'Malley. ... 9 lo ·BANKURA-Sonthal Villages. 9 24. The Sonthal occupation is old ; how old it is impossible to say. Chhatra, or the pargans of Samantabhum (called by the Sonthuls "Santbbum in the north-west. named after a "Samanta ” or General of the Emperor of Delhi, who is said to bave subdued the original Raja, is recognized by the Sonthals of the south as having almost an equal claim to that of Sikherbhum, abich is conterminus with it, to be regarded as their original home in comparatively recent times. South of Chhatna and in the north of Indpore the Sonthal population is less dense, but furthor soutlı it beconies denser and denser till it reachos its maximum in Raipur. The Sonthals cannot account for the deficiency in the middle aroa, but enquiry elicited the fact that the ancestors of the village of Rangibari, ono of the largost and one .of the parent villages of a number of other villages in Khatra thana, did not como straight south from Sikherbhum, but had emigrated first south to Midnaporo and then northward again. Ravgibari they declare to be at least eight or ton generations old, that is, about thrce hundred years ago On this theory the colonization of Khatra and Raipui proceeded from somo central nucleus in Midnapore, to which they omigratod from Sikherbhuni, meeting a minor ctream flowing southwards from Chhatna. This accords with Colonel Dalton's theory that the Sonthals colonised from Saont in Midnaporu. 25. All this is of course conjectural. But thero is a curious significanco in tho fact that immediately south of Raipur there is a pargana, called Silda by Dikkus, but by the Sonthals “. Santbhu " (rcolly Samantabhui, having the saine derivation as Samantabbum 1o Bankuia), which is, I understand, the Suont in Midnapore, referred to by Colonel Dalton and from which tho Revd. L. ( Skrefsrud derivce his derivation of the word Sontha). Any one travelling in Bankura or Midnapore and hearing the constant references of the Sonthals to the parganas, esther of Santbhum in Chhatna near the Daniodar, or of Santbhui in the north of Midnapore, cannot fail to be struck with tho similarity betwoon the names Santbbum, Santbhui and Sonthal. The similarity may be accidental. The Sonthul himself will not admit to it as a possible derivation. With these remarks and the bint that the word Sonthal or, as it is sometimes spelt, Santal, may be the same as Samantal, an inhabitant of the country of Samantabhuni or of Sapantabhui, I leave the derivation of the word. 26. In Raipur tho Sonthals aro the densest, and largely out-number any other tribe or class. That the Sontbal population dominates This aroa in point of numbers, and that it is to all intents and purposes a Sonthal country, is at once obvious to anyone who tours through this thana. Hore we have the Sonthal in the country he loves, in a corner of the world romote from civilization, tho Dikku, the country still posscoses all the terrors of tho junglo, with its bears and leopards, magnified into tigers. Near the River Kosye tho Dikku clusters in greuter numbers. 27. Everywhere the Aryan propor is an immigrant. Tho Sontbals were there before him. But it does not follow that the Sonthals, even though that ancestors clearcd tho jungles and made tho villages, are the original inhabitants of the country. There 18 reason to belovo that tho Blumijes were the origmal people, inasuch as they were the Ghatwals or guardians of the jungle passen In Khatra thana there is still a large Bbumij population. A few Southal ci- Ghatwuls exist Another somni-aboriginal caste that exists in large numbers is the Bauri, excopt in Raipur where he gives way to the Sonthal, 28. Tnce size of the village varies, in the north in Chhatna thero 10 villoges with no many as 450 inhabitants, in Indporo and Khatra thoro aro small bamlets containing 6, 8 or 10 houses, but theie are larger villagos like the porganait's village Dullah containing 40 housos ; and in Raipur though the mejority vary between 10 and 20 boubes, there are larger villages'comprising two or three colas, like Rajahatu, with as many as 80 Sonthal families in then Such aboriginal or semi-abonginal castes or tribes as the Bauris, Bhuya-, Domnes, Kurmis, Tantis, Kodas and Bhumijes aro found living alongside the Bonthals in the Sonthal tolas, occasionally Dikkus are also found to have taken up their residence in the name tole to bo Dear the souroe of their gail But the latter generally live in difforent tolas. Few Muharpmadans are found Tambolis aud Chai dhrs have the worst reparations as grain dealers und mahajans. As a general rule the Sonthals have cleared the jungles and made “Tho Aboriginal Races of the Conthal Pergalas" by Mr H M Phorson, ICE For • Pode ·10 BANKURA MIDNAPORE-Sonthal Villages. their own villages, but cases are not infrequent where Kurmis or Bhumijes have beon the original clearors and have givon a small patob or khap of joogle to the Sonthal to clear and cultivato. In Indpore, Khatra and the extreme jungly south-west of Raipur the formation of fresh hamlets in recent years has been noticed. In Onda thane, on the outskirts of tho area, tho Sonthal occupation is quite recent, not much inore than twenty yoars old, That in Gangajalghatı 18 also recent Derei tod villages have boon found, doserted, owing to the feni of onl sputa, or becnuse the mahajun has dispossessed the Sonthuls of their lands, or on account of the great tamine of 1865-66, when many persona dicd, many persons fled and whole villages were depopulated. This damine 18 a historical land mark, the famine of Bahattar (1272 B). There are legends relating how thu mahajan of that period gave the head man a a loun of 2 pion of grain, und in exchange took the whole village. 29 In alniont every villago there are to be found three or more houscs of non-cultivators, who eke out a living by labouring in the neighbourhood, by biennial journeys to Buriwan for tho sowing and harvesting of the rico ciop, and by cultivating bhagta or krishani" for Dikkus. On the outskirts of the area in Taldengra und Sınlapa), it is reported that there are Beveral Sonthal villages containing a purely labour population. It is true that the major portion of the cultivation in Sonthal villages 18 still in the hands of Sonthals, but to what extent such a remark conveys an absolutely fulae impression of the condition of affairs will be troated in a later chapter 30. Finally, a word about the jungly. The proprietors appear to be alive to the profits to be guined from the forest, for almost everywhere the sontbals ere forbidden to cut sal trees In Raipur they are allowod to take other wood from tho jungle, at a rate of Re. 1 or Rs. 2 a cart-load, or at a rate of 2 pies in the rupeo of rent. MIDNAPOKE 31 In default of sufficiently accurate figuros, it may be held that the proportion of Sonthal hamlets or vıllages recognised locally as possessing a separate existenco, with a practically homogencous population, to the total number of hanılots or villugos 18 probably very nearly the same as the percentage of the Sonthal population to the wholo population in each thana. Police figures for two thanas, which have been received, support this conclusion, The figures for othoi thadas have not been roceived. THANAS Population Sonthal population. Percentage Bhumij population Peroentage. Biopur 104,982 36,752 35 (384)7 7,104 7 Balbani 60,850 11,872 20 4,003 7 . Garh beta 133,122 26,187 20 752 ... Jhargram 76,063 19,284 25 4,304 6 Gopīballabbpur 163,153 32,405 20 (23) 19,220 12 (12) + l'olico figuros, 32. The above thanas compriso tho area in this district still known as the Jungle Mahal, It is genorally of tho samo charucter 48 that in Bankura, except that it 18 not so billy. Towards tho west in the northwestern and bully corner of Bupur there are small scattered Sontbal villages, with a few larger villages near Sılda. These give placo further east to Dibku villages containing large stretches of cultivation like the neighbourhood of Binpur. But the cast of the Kosye river, in the lands belonging to the Ramgarh and Lalgarh Rajas, 18 probably one of the most densely populated Southal areas in the district, Sonthal villages are spread • A kashap is given a certain amount of land to cultivate for ibo owder, A. rumuneration bo gets about A-third of the crop.

·MIDNAPORE Sonthel Villages. 11 11 tho ovor Jhargram and portions of Garhbeta and Salbani. As tho A. tho River Subarnarekba in Gopiballabhpur is approached, tho country becomes less jungly and more fertile. South of the Subarnarekha, where the land r18e8 towards the hills of Moui bhanj and 18 covered with jungle, with opon spaces in it dotted here and there with small patches of jungle and isolated troes, the proportion of Sonthal and Bhumiy villages considerably incroABAB. The cultivation here 19 poor, and the country presents a curious grey and dreary appearance, even in brilliant sunlight. This Area, with its Southals, Bhumijes, Pans, Bluyias (or Purang) and Kurmi Mahtos, has up to dato bocn rather avoided by the mahajan proper, except for an occasional Teli, as a place of residence. Further south in Mourbhanj, the Sonthals account for 30 per cent of the population. 33. It 18 difbcult to state the age of the Sonthal occupation of this district, but it 19 certainly very old. Many of the Sonthals have no idoa whence they caine originally. The Reva. A. L Konnau reports that the Lalgarh Raja baid that the Sonthals were thero before bus ancestors arrived, four hundred years ago. He also reports that Bengalis he has consulted have beon unanimous in their opinion that the Sonthals proceded them in the cultivation of niost of their lande, It seems certain that the Dikkus camo after the Sonthals. However that may be, the physical aspect of the country, the large proportion of aborigines and serni-aborigines Jungle Mahals, and the fact that it is they who have recluimod tho jungle, all combine to throw tho burden of proof on the Dikku of proving that he was thoro first. And, so far as I am aware, excopt, and that only possibly, in the case of the zamiudars and their immediate ontouinge, there is no evidenco available of the same. In the extreme north-wost tho reclamation of the wilder portions 18 more recent. 34 As a rulo tho Sonthals are tl o clearers of the villages w which they are the mouin cultivoting population, but this is no criterion south of the Subarnarekha There frequently one aboriginal tribo makes the villuge, leaves it, and another takes their place For example, Darkuli was originally made by Bhumijes, but they left the village, because they thought there was an evil spirit in it, giving place to a few Southals, l'ans and Kurmis In Roknmara the origmal Sonthuls were replaced by Bbumijes, and after thom otbır Sonthuls came into the village. As in Bankura, & few villages were found in tho north. west, which were practically depopulated of the original Sonthals in the great famino of 1865-66, and other Sonthals have Dow taken their place In the north Tuntis, Kamars, Gorains, Bhogtas (Bhuiyas) and Kurmis are found living in tie mano villuges als Sontlıuls South of the Subarpurokba cultivating Kherias and l'any must be udded to this list THI0no l'and, who call themselves l'enie or Tamarın Tantis, and are of a much lighter shade of colour than eithor the Sontbal or the Bhumi), can talk the Sonthal language just as the Bhumiy can, and in villages where the thiee tribes congrogato iogethor they converse together amically in Soothalı, though both the Pan and the Bhumij have a language of their own, A striking feature of Garh beta ard the areas nearer the plains particularly, Jambanı (thane Jhargram) and of Nayagramı (thuna Gopballabh pur) 15 the large labouring population, who to thoir knowledge never had any land of their own. In thic other areas also villages are to be found containing almost a purely labouring population or only Whagtı cultivators. Mr. Gregson estimates that õ5 per cent. of iho Soothals now bolong to the labouring population in this district. Though this figure 18 probably exaggerated and 18 noie applicablo to middle northern area, it is valuable as indicating the impression rccewodd by one who has been acquainted with the Sonthals m the northern portion of the district for very many years. 30. Tho Junglo Mahals are divided amongst large land-owners, of whom some of the chief arc the Blidnupoie Zamındant Company in Garh beta and Salbanı, and in the large pargana of Sılda, which accounts for almost tho whole of the area went of the Kooye in Biopur, the Ranigarh and Lulgarh Rajas east of the Koaye in Binpar, the Raja of Jhurgram in the Jhargranı Pargana, which covors the greater part of the Jhargram thana'; the Maharaja of Mourbhan) who owns Nayabasan and Robini in Gopeballabhpur, and the Nawab of Murshidabud in the purganas of Nayagram and khol irgram in the east of Gopiballabhpur Thn south of the area diffois very widely from the districts of Bapkuru 35. 2 ·12 MIDNAPORE-BALABORE-Sonthal Villagos and Birbhum, in that the mihajan does not play such an important part as an intermediate proprietor 37. Nayabasan and Rohini Estates (thana Gopiballabhpur) –The figures below give the distuibution of the villages amongst the different claskos of population according to the record-of-rights recently prepared : NAYE OF LATATE Fillage: 10 which the Sonchol element, Number of 13 100 per cent Vu of silages Number of villages 10 which the abouginali ole. ment exceeds 40 per oent Number of villages in which the abomgaal ele ment exceeds 60 per oedt, but 18 below O per cent Namber of villages in the aboriginal element les botween 10 per cent and 60 Vamber of villages in Bebi aboriginalt element exceeds 60 per which of villages in sem 1-aboriginal clement lies between 10 per cent, and 50 per cent Nomber Nomber of pllages 10 which semi-abongoal and abongdal elemente toge. thor aceed 10 por cent per cent cent 4319a 6 Nayabasan Roluzi 409 174 19 33 6 64 21 100 27 • Sonthala, Bhunnies and Mundas + hurmi Maltos, Bhuiyan and Dauda Chattra Vonics Those Bgures Are mutually exclusivo It 19 not very oleer what the latter ero 38. In Rohını the aboriginal population is not nearly so dense as south of the River Subaradarekha 10 Nayabasan, where on the Mourbhanj border it generally exceeds 90 per cent. of the total village population, The following figures show the different classes of raiyats according to the record-of-rights recently prepared for Robini and Nayabasan :- ESTATE Total pomber of riyats Sonthel Danda Chatra Manjhi. Bbum) Mabto. Bhuiya. Munde. Others 19,000 2,629 1,465 392 103 58 19 14,334 Nayababagga 601 101 101 33 6 6 318 Those who have got holdings. Those who have got bomestead laod oply Those who have got holdings Those who have got homestead land only. 7,531 658 1,041 85 1,004 31 4,717 Robi 30 3 4 14 From the figures obtained from the record-of-rights, it would appear that there are few labourers in the villages; as a matter of fact, villagers, at all events from the more northern quarter, who have not sufficient cultivetion, regularly go off and labour in tho plains. That there are only a few labourers in the villages who possess only homestead land, is due to the fast that both in this pargana of Nayabasen and particularly in the neighbouring State of Mourbhunj there are still jungles, ready to be cleared for cultivation. There is therefore every opportuuity for the Sonthal of continuing his hereditary occupation of clearing the jungle, and he need not be reduced altogether to the position of a labourer yet in this area, BALABORE THANA. Popula- Bontbal Bonthal popule- Villages villages. tion tion Jellasore 122,694 6,090 298 88 ·The Sonthel Headman System. 18 39. The Sonthal population in Balasore is mainly confined to the area in the permanently-settled pargana Fatebabad, which adjoios Mourbhanj and the Nayagram Muhal in Midnapore, in the extreme north-east corner of the dig. trict. Thirty-four of the Sonthal villages are to be found in this pargana The villages are mostly small, containing from six to eight houses, and the lands are poor. CHAPTER III. TAE SONTAAL HRADMAN AND THE. SONTHAL COM UNAL SYSTEM, (Torms of the Reference No. II.) 40. The Sonthal headman system.-Before going into detail in this matter, it seems necessary briefly to explain first of all the nature of the Sonthal communal and headman system. When the parent village is over-crowded Sontbals prospect in the jungles for fresh land cultivate. They then find out the zamindar of the particular patch of jungle they want to clear or have cleared in anticipation of sanction, and an arrangement as to rent is made through tho headman or Manjhi, who is appointed for this purpose. Thereafter all arrangements as to rent are made through this Manjhi, who is ordinarily in no way a tenure-bolder, but merely the person through whom the collective rents of the villages are paid. The villagers formerly used to parcel out the land amongst themselves into roks, and to appoint certain village office bearers, who each received a small amount of rent-free land, generally called man land, for the duties be had to perform. Those seven, including the Manjhi, formed the village committee for the performance of all village business, internal, external and spiritual, or home, foreign and ecclesiastical. They were and are • The Manjhi.The beadman of the village. He represents the village in its relations with outsiders. The Paranıck or Paramanick - The headman's assistant. The Jog-Manjhi. The master of ceremonies in dances, weddings, etc. He is also the moral censor of the village. The Jog-Paranick or Jog-Paramanick.- A deputy jog-manjhi, The Nauki. The village priest. The Kudam Naiki.--A deputy village priest. His duty is to ward off evil spirits by offering up his own blood, scratched from his arm and mixed with rice. The Gorant or Kolal.-The village messenger of peon, All these officials are not however found in every district, as I shall show. in dealing with each district. 41. But above the Manjhis of different villages, there is a Perganait, generally the representative of the original leader of the Sonthals to any particular locality. He decides social questions and matters of caste, in Consultation with the different Manjhis. Ho 18 ashisted by a deputy koown as a Desh-Manjhi. The fines he inflicts frequently take the form of a supply of rice-beer. It should be qrute unnecessary to mention that the village communal system is an essential part of the Sonthal national life. The Sonthal does not regard himself as a separate unit, but as part and parcel of the village community whose head and representative with tho outside world, is the Manjbi. In union is strength; and when the landlord ceases to take his rent through the Manjhi and recognises each Sonthal as a separate raigat, the first and most important step in the disintegration of the communal system has taken place. In all the arong under report, the existence of man land, except in isolated cases, is now practically defunct. In this chapter therefore & village will be referred to as intact, if the Sonthals still pay rent through the Manjhi or headman, to whom a receipt is given for the total of the rente of the village. As the incidents of the Sonthal beadman system differ in different areas, this single definition of it will suffice in the first instance. The beadman's profit used to consist of his man land, and the roots for exces, • This vrangement u takon from "The Trbos und Ouster of Bangalo.

·14 BIBBHUTI-The Sontbal Handman System. cultivation of waste-laods. But when a village is even now intact, very little profit is, as a rule, made by the headman from the waste lands. lo a broken village all the rents are paid direct to the landlord. direct to the landlord. The establishment of Manjhi, Jog-Manjhi, etc, will be referred to as the Sonthal village or communal system. BIBBHUM. 42. Rampur Eat Subdivision.-In the year 1871 there were vague rumours of discontent amongst the Sonthals._Nothing happened, beyond & panio amongst the Bengalis. But Mr. T. T. Allen, who was thon Magistrate of Birbhum, toorad amongst the Sonthals, and finally submitted a report to Government in which lie showed that the Sonthals were the objects of oppres- Bion by tho zamındar and the mahagun in every possible way. Nothing appears to havo beon done till 1381, whon a measurement of the Sonthal area was inaugurated and an attempt mado to briøg the zamiodars to terms, particularly in the matter of rents, by threatening that their lands would be transferred to the Sonthal l'arganas, This settlenient is known as Babu Bhuban Mohan Raha's settlement, and his final report was submitted in 1883. Ho measured 169 villages, very nearly all of the Sonthal hamlots in the Rampur Hât subdivision. He had no power to fix cents, but be was authorised to try and get tho zamindars to settle the villages through a headman callod a Mostagır with the Sonthale at ruasonable rente He was successful in the case of 81 villages out of 169; the notable exceptions wore Lall Mohan Singh of Gopalpur in Murarai and the Mohant of Mollarpur. The result was that tba zaolodars who accepted the proposals, gave leases to the Mostegurs foi soven years, 43. " The benefits that accrued to the Sootbals were according to the Settlement Report “(a) The holdiog of each raiyat has been accurately mcabure, defined and recorded in the measurement papers, and tho Ennual amount of rent payable by him has been in most CHBOS fixed at the Southal l'arganas ratos. Thors 18 therefore now no fcer of arbitrary enhancement or rent or ejectment The lease 13 to run for soven years, commencing from the first day of the current Bengalı year 1289. (6) After the expiration of the lense, there will be a new settlement ; and until that is accomplished, either by mutual ugreement or by the intervention of the Court, the Manjhi and bis raiyats will continue to pay the jams now fixed (c) All illegal cesses and abwabs have been abolished, and cesses which the Blanibia and tho riyats will henceforth have to pay will bo the Road and Public Works cesses, and any other cess which the Governmont may hereafter impose. The system of bhet begar or free labour hitherto supplied by the Sonthals to the land-holders has also boon abolished. (d) Every headman or Manjhi of the village has been supplied with a rent-roll under my seal and signature, showing the names of his raiyats, the quantities of lands of different kinds held by each, the rates at which the lands have been assegyod, and tho total rent payable by each mau. The Sonthals will not buvo to pay the Manjbi a farthing in excc8s of thio Anouat specified in this paper. (@) Waste lands reclaimod by the Sonthal raiyats during tho torni of the lease will be assessed at half-rates, and the other half iates remitted. (1) The Manjhi or beadman did not* hitherto enjoy rent-free or mun lands, and he will therefore, as his remuneration for collection duty, get from the land-bolder a commission at 6 per cent of the money realized, plus the balf-rates which the Sonthal raiyata will have to pay for waste lands brought into cultivation, he will also during thc continuance of the lease enjoy ront-fres waste lands which he may himself reclaim. It will bo tbus • brc Probably & clerical error The records show the euktence of mas landı. Tle "Dol" should be omitted.

·BOBBHUN-The Sonthal Headman System. 15 seen that daring the term of the leage (seven years, the landholder will not get a farthing for waste-lands brought into cultivation. (9) To the headman and raiyats has been secured the right of cutting grass and brushwood for doniestic purposes free. () The Soptbals will have the ront-free enjoymeut of the fruits of the trees planted by themselves or their ancostors. The right of cutting theso trees for building purposce has also been secured to them. The Sonthals price highly mahua fruits and flowers, and the rent-free possession of these has been secnred to them. They will not bowever have the power of cutting these trees without the permission of the landholders. () Sonthals Lutherto onjoyed rent-freo posacssion of homestcad lands. Tlus privilege has been retaiued to them by the present errangoment." 44. The status of the headman is to a certain extent that of a temporary tenure-bolder, and such bo has been held to be by the Courts. I VILLAGE Number of Bontbal villages. Number of Sonthel patiweze sales Number now intact Number now broken Murarsi Nalhati Rampur Hát Moureswar, 33 44 80 44• 33 40 67 35 18 20 25 16 20 42 28 . Total 203 176 70 105 II 81 69 42 27 Number of Sonthal villages of which settle- Dont was offeated with & headman by Babu Bhuban Mohen Rahs (1881-83), Nihinber of villages measured, of which settlement was not affeoted by Baba Bhuban Mohan Raha, 88 75 19 66 Total 169 144 61 83 . Relieved to be an under-entimate + Inoludes five villages in which tho Sonthalı pay rent separately to ono proprietor and through a beadmes to another. 45. The above statements show the numbers of intact and broken villages out of thosc examined, The 169 villages of Statement Il are included in the 203 in Statement I. The most valuable result 18 obtainablo from State. ment II, and that is that at the least one-third of the villages eettled by Babu Bhuban Mohan Raba in 1882, and at the least threo-fourths of those which were measured by him but not settled, are now broken 46. Though in 88 villages the settlement of the Deputy Collector was not accepted, yet in some cases, e.g., in tho Case of the villages of Lall Mohan ·16 BIR BHOM.The Sonthel Headmea System and Village System. Singh, the proprietors appear to have made such settlements with Mostagirs, but at their own rates of rent. The Mostagiri system also still existed at the time in a number of these villages. But the Mobant of Mollarpur, who owned 32 of them, coveted their khas possession, and he proceeded to break down tho system by bringing rent suits against the Mostagirs for arrears of rent and turning them out. According to the Sonthals, he did not always employ this procedure, but puerely evicted them. Finally, the relations between the Mohant and his tenants became so strained, that a settlement of his estate under the Bengal Tenancy Act was ordered. This was carried into effect by Manshi Nundjı who submitted his report in 1893. No attempt was made to reintroduce the Mostagiri system in this estate, but fair rents, as will be showo later, were scttled. 47. It will be observed that two of the essential features of the Sonthal bcadoan myston in this area are firstly, the purely temporary nature of the headman's right; ond, secondly, the motability of tho rent. 48. Broken Villages —In many cases the method by which the village camo. to be broken was unknown. It is therefore impossible to divide the broken villages into classes satisfactorily. The dumber of villayos which have been broken by being sold up for rent is certainly large. No less than 18 such villages were counted, besides tho 32 villages of the Mohant of Mollarpur, tho majority of which, Munshi Nundji states in his settlement report, were sold up for arrears of rent. The notes recorded during the enquiry on this area show that, socording to the Sonthal, a fair number of villages were resumed, but they also show that, where the zamindar's agent could give & rollable explanation, they were actually sold up for artears of rent. Salbani (Murarai), for instance, was settled with a Moblagir, who died leaviny a minor. According to the Sonthal, the zamindar simply rosumed the village, as a matter of fact it was subsequently sold up for arrears of rent, and 8 settlement made with a mahajan. At rent sales the proprietor generally purchases the village. There is thus very little evidence to show that those proprietors who accepted Baba Bhuban Mohan Raha's settlement have done much in the way of deliberate resumption, though in a few cases the system has broken down, because at the end of tho lease the rent was raised; the Mostagir could not pay the increased rent, and the village was either resumed 49. To tho temporary nature of the headman's right must be attributed the fact that only 13 cases have been counted in which the mahagon bas bought the villages privately or in an auction sale for a money.decree, within recent years. But on going deep enough into the circumstances of all the villages, it will be found that in a large number the breakago 18 initially due to the mahajan. For example, at Karangdih (ordo Appendix 1(a), No. III) the bieakago was due to the fact that the Bhagats had so involved the Sontbalo in debt as to lead to the village being sold up for artears of rent. The Bhagats subsequently got a lease of the village. In some cases the proprietors are also mahajuns, like the Mulauti Babus. They have obtained direot possession of a number of villages after mahajani transactions with the Sonthale. 50. Intact villages. The most notable examplo of a proprietor who has kopt his villages intact 18 Babu P. C. Padde of Pakour. He has also maintained the rent fixed by Babu Bhuban Moban Raha. Another example is P. C. Chaudhuri, but rents have been largely inci eased. Generally, at the termination of the lease, a fresh measurement is made by the propriotor before granting a fresh leave at a higher rate. In some cases rent is paid by each Sonthal seperatoly for the new lands, while the rent for the original land is paid jointly to the Mostagır. In the case of a fow villages the Sonthals pay rent through a Mostage jointly to one set of proprietors, but individually to another, 51. Commission.- Babu Bhuban Mohan Raha Gzed the headman's commis sion at one anna in the rupee paid by the proprietor. This is still paid in some cases, though by no means in all. In the patlas recently granted by P. C. Chaudhuri no mention of it is made. In a few cases also the mustagirs say they get commission from their raiyats also. 62. illage system.-The Sonthal village system is full of vigour in this subdivision. Io the Rampur Hat thana there is & perganait, Durga Manjhi, who exercises a great deal of influence over the people. To him a reference has or sold up. Page 1.

·BIRBELI-BANKUBA-The Sonthal Headman System. 17 already been made. In small villages the village officials have to double their parts; and in villages where there has been a large amount of dispossession some of the officials have ceased to exist, as in Tetilbandi where there is no Paraniok or Jog-Manjhi. Man land bas practically ceased to exist. BADAR SUBDIVISION, VILLAGE. Number of Bontbal villages. Number examined. Number found Number found intact. broken Mohammad Bazar Rajnagar Bolpur 26 63 37 17 66 37 o 12 10 45 (Headman syatem never existed ) ..t 53. The headman has the right of letting out waste-lands, and even now holds man lands in the Rajdagar villages. Out of the 72 villages examined in Mohammad Bazar and Rajnagar, 17 villages were counted in which tho mustagire right was known to have been sold to a mahajan; 16 others were counted in which the right had either been sold up for arrears of rent or had been resumed by the landlord. For the rest it was unknown how the breakage had como about. It may be presumed that the mahajan is mainly responsible. Some of these villages were settled in tho Burdwan Khas Mahal settlement in the early nineties, and the Mostagir was then recorded as a raiyat, and the other Sonthals as under-raiyata. Cases have been found [vide Kusumkandor Appendix I(Q), No. XVI) of half of the right of the collection of rents being sold to a mahajan. BANKURA. I. THANA. Number of Sonthal villages (approximate). Number of villages examined. Number found intact. Number found broken Bankura (including Chhatas)... 145 Unknown Nil All believed to be broken (145), Gangajalghatı (including Bal- 90 Do. 3 .. 8 20 26 Indpore (outpost) Khatra Raipur Simlapal (outpost) Onda Taldangre (outpost) 56 126 475 119 น 100 32 84 202 84 22 71 Practioally all (87) 24 64 176 65 22 42 29 ... NI 29 10 Total 115 10 615 LI. Batste. Year. Number of villages with a Sonthel Mandal 14 10 Shyamsandarpur, Raja Su Soarindra Mohan (1892 Thakur (Oourt of Wards) 10 Respus 1909 Ambilanagore, Raja Sir Sourindra Mohan Thakar (1884 ( 1 19 .. 1884 Gisbome & Co. (Raipas) 1909 • Laoluding one partly under . Sontbal Mandal A ·18 BANKUBA-The Sonthal Roadman System. allnum. 54. In these statements all villages in which the Sonthal headman of the village, whatever his proprietory, right 18, pays the rent of the village, bave been classed as intact. In this district the Sonthal headman system 18 merged in the Mandali system, common to all castes and triben. A coording to this system, the Mandal who is the representative of the original clearers of the village, collects the rent of the village for the rent receiver and receives some service land in exchango It is practically confined to the south western portion of the district, particularly to the thanas of Raipur and Khatra. ceased to exist very long ago in Chhatna. But in the south-west it has become transforable, heritable and divisible The service land where it exists amongst the Sonthals is not generally recognised us remuneration for the headman's seivico in collecting rent, but as remuneration for the services per foi mod by the Manjbi in the Sonthul village systom. Occasionally, however ile Mandal has to pay a nominal rent called panchak to the landlord for his ni jote lands, wherever a separate settlement has been made regarding these lands at the same time as the settlement of the village. No anthentic cases of recent resumption of the Mandali right by a landlord have been discovered. Uuder the heading of intact villages, besides the Mandali tenure, other tenures have been entered when there is one rent-payer for the village. 55. Tbese are : (1) Mokurrari or darmokurrarı tenures.-n such cases a rent is fixod in porpetuity, and some salami has to be paid. For oxample some land in Kendbunc in Indporo was let out at a rental of Rs. 18-12 in 1886, for which salami of Rs. 75 had to be paid. There was also an arrangement in tbe patta that 18 carts of wood, valued at Re. 1-2, should be supplied by the Sonthal per I here is no jungle now, and tho price of wood having gone ap, the proprietor now wants Rs. 18 a year instead of Ro 1-2. In the same hamlet some other sbarere (proprietors) have given a harmoku, arı lcase to the Sonthals, in wluch there is an arrangement that one seer of ghee should be paid annually 10 addition to the rent Where a patta bas been givon jointly 11 the name of all the Sontbals, sometimes each pay their rente ecparately. (2) Janualburi tenures.—In such a case proprietors let out tho jungle for clearing on progressive rates of ront, only Dominal OT DO roat being charged in the first instance. (3) Jamar or pote tenure. - This is a hereditary and transferable tenure, of land given to the Sontbals for the purposes of cultivation. Sometimes it is given to a numbor of Sonthals in a village jointly. (4) Ghatwals tenure --Only one Only one or two Sonthal Ghatwali topurcs have been found. In some cases & portion of the tedure is panchaki j.e , granted on a dominal for rent services rendered. 56. Broken villages - In a very large proportion of the villages, it was impossible to discover how the system under which the bonthals used to pay through a Mandal to the proprietor came to be broken. It was admitted by all the old men that the system was once universal. In Raipur, where I examined 110 villages, I found that 47 villages had been broken by sales to mahogans, but thoro was reason to believe that in the majority of other cases the village had been broken in the same way, because there was such a large number of nahajan proprietors, 49, Goberda in the Appendix I Ab), No. VIII. Only seven of these 119 were known to have beon sold up for rent. A small proportion have beeu sold for money decrees. A hamlet of Mayurlachna was sold in execution of a decree for the value of the large trees the Sontbals had cut. Two cases in Raipur were found of the Manybı having sold bis nght to a Sunri liquor vendor, on accouot of debts incurred at the liquor shop. la a few cases, liko Pacham, the Manjhi had employed a Dikku to collect his rente for him, and the latter had subsequently obtained possession of the village. Even Dow, as in Badla, the Sopthals, who still retain an eleven-BD0A share of the village, maintain a Sunrı muharrir to collect the rente. They pay bim Rs. 2 a year, and he gets 4 pice in the rupee of rent from the parjas or raigate.

·BANKURA-The Sonthal Headmar Bystem and Village Bystam 19 Considering the nature of the Mandali tenure, it often happens that only a share is sold to a mahajan, and the raiyata in the other shares still pay rent to the Sonthal holders of these shares. But occasionally there would be a diffcnlty, because the manajan would then consider the whole village had been sold and would proceed to take possession. In one instance in Saldobra the other Sonthals managed to obtain the shares again through the Civil Court, but they had to transfer these very shares to the mahajans who had financed them in the case, In a number of cases the beadman lost his right at the time of the grout famine of 1805-66. Io Taldangra, I am informed, the headman's raiyats are regarded as under-raiyats. 57. In broken villages the Southals oultivate in the following tenures (1) James or pote right. This is really a riyati right. It is either pormacent (chotosther or maurusi), temporary (myadt) or verbal mukhyabanı). (2) Mokurrari right held at a rent fixed perpetuity.-- Occasionally individual Sonthals or individual groups of bonthals are given a mokurrari lease of a small portion or chak or jungle. 3) “ Saphaı" on a produce ront. The origin is generally a bale of the tenant's raiyati right to a mahajan, who again rasettles it at a higher produce rent ſvide Ladhapokur and Harnagurni in the Appendix I(6), Nos IX and XXV). The amount of produce is definitely fixed. (4) " Bhagtı."--The produce is divided between the landlord and tenant, generally in equal shares. The ongin is frequently the same as in the case of sajhal In Onda, however, it 18 reported that the Son. thals have cultivated lands bhagts ever since they had been there. (5)“ Kurfa" es an under-raiyat. 58. Compared with the total number of broken villages examined, tho Qumber of intact villages is small, This number is, however, much larger than a settlement would disclose, because in a settlement & number of th486 intact hanulets which are generally small, would be classed together as ono village, this could not operate to the same extont in tho broken yıllages, as these are more often revenue mauzas, 59 The figures in Statement II on page 17 aro interesting as showing the fall in the number of intact villages m selected estates. During recent years thus fall in most marked in the estate of Messrs. Gisborne and Company in Raipur. The transfer of the Mandalı right has expedited the dispossession of the Sonthals. Before the transfer of this right, transfer of tenants' rights also frequently occur in a village, but when it is broken, the mahujan becomes the landlord and sees to it that be is the tonant's chief 'mahajan, with the result that in the end he obtains almost all the best lands in the village. 60. T'he village system. The Sonthal village systom shows little or no signs of breuking down. In overy village five at least of the different officinls are to be found, unless another post is temporarily, vacant, The two oficials that are not always found are tlic Jog-Paradıck and the Kudam-Naiki. T'ho first, thc Jog-Paranick, in some aroas in the south-west is quite unkuown, and hie office has never been heard of The second, thio Kudam-Naiki, generally performs the work of four or five villages. In Chbatna it is reported that the Paranick is also rare Occasionally there is plurality of officers. It 18 not uncommon to find that the Manjbi is alm tho Naißı of the village, this is generally the case in Cl.latna Regarding the village system in Bankura, the Rev. G. E. Woodford, of the Wesleyan Mission at Sarenga, writos; “It is exceedingly tenacious of lifo, and pot likuly, in my opinion, to disappear altogether. The village officials still hold away in tho Sonthal villages of this area, even where the Morcls (Manduls or Manjhis) Do longor own the village lands, and where the khem lands have passed out of the hands of the officials But this villago system 18 80 intimately associated with the social and religious customs of the people that it 18 practically impossible for it to divappear altogether so long as the Sonthal race retains any individuality at all.” Thebe nemarks were ondoi sod at every point by tho rosults of the present enquiry. Originally man, or as they are called in Bankura khm, lande existed in overy village. With tho 1 ·20 MIDNAPORE-The Sonthal Headman Syuton. disappearance of the beadman's right to collect rents in the village, these sei vice lande have in the majority of cases disappeared, and are not even to be found in intact villages. The most common that still remain are the Goraiti and Naiki service lands, but there are a few intact villages wbere the majority still exist. In Kosia in Raipur all the khem lands, except that of the Jog. Manjhi still existed. In Khatra and Raipur, so I am informod, the Perganait's jurisdiction is co-terminous with that of the thana ; it is certainly the case with Khatra. In Khatra also the Pergadait has a chakladar to help him; he 18 apparently the Perganait's gorait or messenger. Both the Pergapaits of Khatra and Raipur are young men of very little apparent infiueace at present. MIDNAPORE 61. The conditions and incidents of the headman system in Midnapore vary_pot only_from thada to thada, but from estate to estate, and it is only in the Raja of Ramgarh's property that it still exists to any great extent. Elsewhere it has almost disappeared, or has been entirely broken down by the proprietors. The following remarks show the condition of affairs in oach thanı, so far as the principal estates are concerned. 62 Thara Binpur (Sölda).-In the Sılda pargana, accounting for the greater part of the thana of Binpur west of the river Kosye, the Midnapore Zamiodarı Company report that 38 villages out of 918 are held by Sonthal Mandals, which is alinost one-ciglıth of the number it ought to be. The trouble of the Southals began when Gangaram Dutt acquired the patni right is this pargana. He purchased the Mandalı right of córtain Sonthals by rent decrces lle subbequently lcalled the patni nght in the estate to Messrs. Watson and Company The tehsildors of the estates purchased the Mandalı rights privately or in rent sales, then other money-lenders appeared on the scene and aoquired the Mandalı nights of the Sonthals. The incidents of the Mandalı system aro generally the same as thuge prevailing in the south of Bankura, hereditary, divisible and transferablo, sometimes perpetual and sometimes limited to a term of years. Thc uew orations are now generally limited to a term of years. The Mandal 18 called either a Pradhan, Mandal or Manjhi. There are however a few cascs of villages in which the Mandali right is not transferable. Out of 330 villages I examiued, 15 bad beep broken on account of debts incurred by the Mandalı family , four or five had been sold up for arrears of rent; in the rest it was not very clear how it occurred. 63. Binpur (Ramgarh) – The condition of affairs in the north of the thana, east of the Kosye, in the Raja of Ramgarh's estate, 18 quite different. Here the Mandalı right in tho village is not divisible, and the Mandal has learnt to make a profit from the rents. Occasionally the Raja re-measures the village and brings a suit for enhancement of rent. A compromise on the total rent of the village is made, and the Sonthal is left with a profit. The position of the Mandal is practically that of a tenuro-bolder. He nominally holds & certain amount of his land rent-free, but all these lands are practically so.. Maulvi Saiyid Muhammad Nasiruddin found 50 villages out of 69 he investigated intact in this area, and be assigns this lurge proportion to the fact that the Mandals make a profit on their collections. Considering that a profit must form a bait for the mahajans, this does not appear to be a very satisfaotory, reason, But as I did not go into this area, I refrain froin hazarding a more satisfactory explanation. 64. Bingur (Lalgarh).- In the Lalgarh Estate, in the south of this area, west of the Kosye, the villages are practically all broken. 65. Thana Garhbeta.- In this thana the Mandalı system goes under the name of simadari, but no village was found in which & Sonthal now POBOOBSOR this right. The incidents of the aimadari tenure are practically the same as those of junglebari tepures, subject to no rent or a small quit-rent for the first few years, and then to a fixed or i progressivo runt; heritable, transferable and uniesumable. In almost all the villages the Sonthal's right as an almadar ceased to exist 40 or 50 years ago. Maulvı Saiyid Muhammad Nasiruddin examined 188 Sontbal villages in this area with the following results : In 120 villages there were once Sonthal I have do information regardlag the Jhargram Estate.

·MIDNAPORETho Sonthal Headma System. 21 Mandals or Aimadars; in 35 of these the Sonthal Mandal bad sold his right to defray bis debts; in 54 it is unknown bow the right ceased to exist ; in 6 it was surrendered ; and in 19 others it was said to have to been forcibly taken GWBy. In 22 villages, Sonthals were found to be the sole oocupants of their haulets, bat holding no land. In 32 other villages, the Sonthals in the village had individually takon settlements of patches of jungle from the Diklu aimadar for the purpose of reclamation. In eight villages the Sonthals cultivate the lands, made by them, bhagti; and in six others some of the Sonthals hold raiyati lands. 68. Thana Salbani.- The Mandal in this area goes by the paine of ijaradar. A lease of the village is given for a short term of years No Suntbal ijaradar was found in eoy Sonthal village, except one amongst those examined by Maulvi Syed Muhammad Naziruddin. In 50 homogeneous villages he examined, he found 11 in which the ijara had passed to a mahajan for the Sonthal's debts, and four in which it had been sold up for artears of rent; in the remainder it was not clear how the right bad ceased to exist. The Sonthal ijaradar practically ceased to exist many years ago. In 17 other villages examined, it was alleged that the Sonthals had never had a Sonthal ijaradar; in 12 others the Sonthal cultivators had not made the lands of the village. There are a few villages containing only Sonthal labourers or bhagti cultivators. 67. Thana Jhargram (Jambani) — There are 20 Sonthal villages which are more or less homogeneous, of these, nine are still hold by Sonthal Mandals. The Mandal right is not divisible. The Mandal has no rent-free lands, but he gets & profit of 3 anpas per bigha on each raiyat's holding. When the Mandal's rent 18 increased, he proportionately increases the rent of each raiyat. There are 30 other villages here in which Soothals live, but the latter are labourers. It is reported that not more than 40 per cent. of them have got any lands. 68. Thana Copibrllabhpur.-In this thana the Mandali right appears to have been almost purely that of a collector of rents, and in places almost rosumable at will. It corresponds more closely to the headman system of the Sonthal Parganas. Nayabasan and Rokins.-In these purganas the village headman goes by the name of Pradhan. The tenure is regarded as hereditary, and the Pradban's remuneration for collecting the rents of the village is 121 per cent. on the collections. It is not divisible, nor is it transferable. The following figures show how the Pradhani tenure has fared since 1291 (1883-84) in Nayabasan, Bod since 1299 (1891-92) in Rohini- 89. of NANE OF ESTATE. number Total Total aumber of number of villages yıllages containing containing оте over 50 por 50 per cent oent semiaboriginal abongipal population population. Former number of headmen. Present number of headmen. Namber of villages in column 6 Dow khas, Total villages 2 3 6 6 7 62 Nayabasan 499 103 18 321 0 83 49 21 .. Sontbal bead. DED Bhumij headmen Sonthal head man Bhumij bendmeg Mehto head шер 6+ 2 Rohuni 6 *,} 3 (3: 174 28 27 10 23 17 . • Inolude one bald polatly by Bhanu nad Dikk. + Ditto bro by Santhal ved Bhaly, and ono bold jointly by . Boothal and Mabto. Ditto on. bold jobutly witb Mahto ·22 LIDNAPORE-The Bonthal Headman Syston The following is an account of the decrease in number of the aboriginal Pradbans in Nayabasan given by Babu Rampada Chatterji:- “The Pradhan was a widdle-man between the proprietor and the cultivetor. The latter used to pay rent to the Pradhan who was responsible to tho propriotor for the rent of the entire village. For the collection of the rent and for calling the tenants, the Pradhan had a village officer called a Kotal. He WAB & BcI vant of the Pradhan. Ilus pay used to be deducted from the gross rent of the village. Twelve and-a-half por cent. of the pet collection, after thus deduction, was the Pradhan's remuneration, “In 1288 Amli (1880-81) Raja Krishna Chandra Bhanj Deo, the father of of the prosent Maharaja of Mourbhadj, the proprietor of this estate, in view of a general settlenient of Nagabasan proper, called a large number of influential tenants of the pargana aud took the signatures of about 700 of them on an agreement, by which these people bound themselves to allow measuromont to bolo and a settlement done of Nayabasan proper (as distinguished from Rohini). This agreement pas not registered owing to the death or absence of a few of the executants. Io pursuance of this agreement & Deasurement was made in 1289 of the 499 villages under report. But in that year the Raja diod. H18 son, the present Maharaja, was then a minor. The estate was taken under the Court of Wards, and Babu Kali Narayan Rey, Moneger under the Court of Warde, made a settlement and prepared a Jamaband, in 1291 (1883-84). Tlus settlement was confirmed owing to the Board of Revonue This settlement was for 15 years. It expired in 1899-1900. By this settlement, the rents of individual raiyats were dotermined by apply, ing the rulou agreed upon in tho agreement of 1288 Amli, upon the arou found by the measurement of 1289 Amli, according to tho different classes of soil. The villago assct was then determined. From it, the pay of the village officers, expenses for the worship of village deities, etc., were deducted, and of the net amount thus found 12 per cent. (and in exceptional cases 15 per cent.) was granted as Pradhani allowance and a settlement was made in the majority of cust's with tho Pradhan, who was granted a copy of the abstract jamabando showing the area and rent of cach tonant, with instructions to collect according to it The office of tho Pradhan was hereditary ; but when he died witbout leaving a descrving heir, or whon he relinquished the office, the estate was at liberty to make khas collection or to appoint a new Pradhan. "In 1900, on the oxpiry of the above settlement, the proprietor wanted to revise the settlement But the Pradhand and the tenants were not willing to allow it Various complrcations arose ont of the imprudence and want of sympathy of the local officers of tho estato. A great combination of the Pradhang and the tenants took pluco. Lawlessness prevalled. Tho old Manager wus iccalled Babu Purna Chandra Mitter, a retired Judicial officer, was oppointed Manager. With his willingnose to do justice to all parties, and with the active intervention of tho Collector and Comb14810ner, order was at length iestored This eventually gave occasion to the 'inception of tho presen: Suvy and Settlement operation. " In 1901 the Managor publicly announced that he was willing to accept kabulsyats from tho Piadhans and the tenants who would come to tornis But most of them di ci lcd ju favour of khas collection. I cannot do better than quote from Mr. J. [I. Kerr's letter (while Collector of Midnapore) to the Commissioner, No. 223Ch., dated 25th October 1904.- (1• At about 3 P.M. a crowd of somo 300 or 400 people assembled, including about 60 l’rodlany, and said they had decided that it would be best that the Pradhani system should be abolished, aud that thoy would raise no objection if the Ray nade direct collections from the raiyats closely questioned 45 of the Pradhans individually, including all the leaders of the melie, but they adhered to their declaration 1 warned them of the important and far-reaching effect of their docision, and I am antisfied that they thoroughly understood the position and were acting voluntarly.' " The reason assigned by Mr. Kerr is detailed in paragraph 5 of the above letter. It runs thus "'Owing to the attitude assumed by the leader of the Pradbane, it is not RDy easy matter to decide what the real reason is, but I think the story ·MIDNAPORE-BALABORI-Tho Santhal Hondoan System and Village System. 23 told by the smaller men gives the key of the situation, Several of them said that they had no influence over the raiyats, and that the trouble of collecting rents was not worth the 15 per cent. (or 124 per cent.) allowed them for collection charges. A number of others said, that now that there was no waste land left in their villages, it was no longer profitable to be a Pradhan, and they did not care to be merely tahsildars. On the whole, I am stioogly inclined to believe that it is the extension of cultivation which is mainly responsible for the present state of affairs; whero waste-land 18 pleutıful, the Pradhans make a profit from settling it. The rent-roll is fluctuating, and their collection accounts cannot be closely scrutinised The Pradhan 18 & men of authority and influence in the village. But where extension of cultivation has reached its limit, as it has in a considerable part of the pargana, all these conditions are rover sed. The Pradhan loses much of his influence by the fact that be has no longer any waste-tands to settle. This loss of influence rendors it more difficult for him to collect rents, and at the same time as the rent roll 18 fixed the management brings closer scrutiny to bear upon his account.'” 70 Belyabera.—Belgabcra belongs to Bubu K. C. Prohoraj. A measurement was made in or about 1898, and the villages made khas. The Mandal used to receive a fixed remuneration for bis work. 71. Nuyagram and Khelargram. In the Nayagram and Khelargram Dahals the old Court of Wards jumabandı 1886 show that the Mandal's right had been resumed even then, and the villages made khas. 72 The village system.-The Manjbi, Jog-Ilanjhı, Goialt and Naiki are to bo found in every villago, nnd an occasional Kudam-Naikı, the Jog-Paranıck is practically unknown, and a Pannick does not exist in every village. Poate are duplicated, and in the south, where the Kudam-Naıkı 18 aleo alor.ost unknown, It is by no means an uncommon occurrence to find only two men in the villages distributing the various duties amongst them; eg, the Manju is almost universally the Naikı, and the posts of Gore it and Jog-Manjhi aro more often Juplicatod than not. The existence of the village system does not depend upon whether tho villago is intact or not, but doubtless the disappearance of khem lands once enjoyod by the different officials free of rent has led to this duplication of posts, as the officials can now only look for remuneration in the shape of rice boer, or what the villagers are pleased to give thom for their performances. Practically, the only them lands to bo found tow are that enjoyed by the Manjhi in intact villages in areas like Ramgarh, where he is practically a tenure-holder, and to all intents and purposes all his land is reutfree; and that enjoyed by the Naiki, occasionally both in intact and broken villages. The Kanungo reports that in some intact villages he hus discovered the existence of other their lands; in none of those that I examined did I come across any. Such Cancs are raro; most of thein have now been assessed to rent. The more frequent existence of Naiki khem land shows that some respect has occasionally been paid by the Bongalis to the religion of the Sonthals. In Gopiballabhpur in one village a Kurmi prest was found porforming the duties of Naiki for the Sonthal. In the pargada of Nayabasan there are thre Perganaits. In Gopi. ballabhpur, in the Nayagram and Khalargram estates, instead of dividing their jurisdictions according to estates, or acoording to thanas as in Bankura, the Pergabaits had dividod the estates amongst themselves acoording to tho collection circles of the Nawab. In one circle there were complaints that the Nawab's tahsildar had nsarped the powors of the Pergabuit, and insisted on settling their disputes himself. 'The Perganait 18 helped by a Desli-Pradban. BALABORE Four annis share of pargana Fatehabad Ten ditto ditto Intact. Nu 25 Brokon, 9 Nu ANDAS 73. Originally there were Sonthal headmon in the four anpas share ot the pargana, which share is now hold by two widows. But with the appointmont of tahsildars, the tahsildars, the headman gradually became a mere go-between them and the tenants, and finally their only duty has now become that of collecting the latter together to pay the rent.

·24 BALASOBE-BIRBAUX-The Sonthn Beadman System And Village System. Low of Lands and Indebtednogs. In the ten anpas mbare, Bonthal beadmen called ijaradays still exist. They merely collect the rents and in retorn receive land for their services. ijaras are given for a term of years only, and, if untransferable, are scarcely worth transferring. At the end of the term of years, the landlord can give the yara to whomsoever he pleased. According to the above statement furnished by the estate, it would appear all the Sonthal villages were held by Sonthal ijaradars; one other village was, however, found in which the ijaradar was a Dikku. One village is held by a Sonthal on a perpetual yara. 74. Village_syston. There is a Perganait for each of the two shares into wbich parganna Fatehabad is divided. Besides the Desh-Pradhan, a Kazi helps the Perganait in dealing with social cases; it appears it is his duty to realise the fine imposed, whether it is in money or rice-boer. As in the south of Midnapore, the seven officials are reduced to five at the utmost, the Manjhı, the Parenick, the Jog-Maojbi, the Naiki and the Gorait; and these five posts, if the Parapick exists, which also is not always the case, are in practice by two persons, and at the most by three persons, in the village. The Pradhan or Manjhi, the Gorait and the Naiki have still got in some cases man or service lands left. But this is, in the case of the Pradban and Gorait, more for their services as servants of the landlord, than for their duties in the village community. These two are appointed and dimissed at the will of the landlord. CHAPTER IV. Loss OF LANDB BY SONTHALS, AND THEIR INDEBTEDN589. (Terms of the Reference No. 111.) 75. As directed by Government in the terms of the reference, the rate of inutation has been shown by examining the facts regarding each raiyat in s number of villages in each area of a representative character. These facts have been recorded in the description of different villages in the Appendices [Nos. I (a), I (6), 1 (c) and I d)], and they afford & more striking proof of the great rate at which the Bonthals are losing their lands than anything else In fact, the state of affairs is even worse than that shown by the figures in the Appendix, because it is always the best lands that go into the hands of the mahajans. The lattor bave no use for the largor area of uplands, cao. BIRBHUM Aprendicos and illa! Il(a) Pripute cales by Bonthale. CITIL OOURT BALES OP BONTHALS' LANDS. Simple Usufruotoary mortgages mortgages Money Title, by Sonthale by Sonthals. Rent deoreo. mit, sto. 1906 1907 76 54 19 17 8 3 6 8 70 51 9 7 The above figaras dealing with Sonthals have been obtained from the Registrar and from the District Judge. 70. Birbhum, Rampur Adt subdivision, Private sale, The District Sub- Registrer reports that 80 per cent. of the private sales of land are on account of previous debts. This is a moderate estimate. The vast majority of those Cases that camo under enquiry belonged to this category.

·BIRBE01-Lou of Lands and Ladebtodnom. 25 The price at which the Bonthal sells his land is exceedingly low (vide Appendix II). It is generally between Rs. 10 and Rs. 20 & bigha. This is because the mahajan oan practically fix what price he likes, whilst the Sonthal bas very little idea of the valae of his land. In villages like Dharmpur, Karangdih and Debdattapur [Appendix I(Q), Nos, ILI, VIII and X] where the proprietor is also a mahajan, the degree of dispossession is very large, and the Sonthals are practically servants of the mahajan proprietors. Dharmpur and Debdattapur ve oloser to the market town Rampar HÀt than other villages, It is in such villagos that are nearer the mahajan's buad-quarters that the most dispossession is to be found, Ia thone Cases some of the land has been given out again to the Sonthal adhi (half of the crop goes to the landlord) or (on a temporary under-raiyati lense. But the land usually goes away from the Sonthal altogether, because the Dikku can pay & higher rate of rent. In intact villages like Jagarnathpur or Murgadanga [Appendıx 1(a), Nos. II and V] the dispossession is not so striking. At first sight this appears to be due to the fact that they are intact villages, and it is a fact that intact villages show less diapossession than other villages. But one reason is certainly to be found in the fact that tho land is generally, of poorer quality in the majority of such villages that are still intact. In villages like Saldeha and Sealdanga (Appendıx I(Q), No. VI] where thero is better land, there is more dispossession. 77. Rent decrees. Though considerably less than that effooted by private sale, a large amount of transfer has been effected by rent decroes. Baramesbia, Gobrajolo, Saldoha and Tetilbandi (Appendix 1(a), Nos. VI and XI) are examples. Another example is that of Jetia [Appendıx I(Q), No. XIII but in this case the land 18 still in the possession of tho Sonthals; the transfor is shown in the increased indebtedness of the Sonthale who have had to execute kutibandu or arrangements for yearly repayments of the amount due on the rent decree. Except in the Mohant's villages, -Jetia is one of these where I am informed that tho first choice of vacant Sonthal land is given to other Sunthals, the land is genorally settled with a Dukku, because the latter can pay a higher rate of rent. The decrees are generally et-parto. 78. Civil Court decrces Cıvıl court decrees generally follow on inortgages or on monoy suits if the Sonthal does not agrees to the mahajan's terms. The figures in the Appendus show that the plaintiff is almost always successful and that in at least 50 por cent, of the casos the decrees are ex-parts. A favourite defence in this area, where a mahajan 18 resisted in obtaining possession of land sold to bim, is to assert that the deed was a mortgage, and that the Sonthal did not know it weg & sale. In the case of Karangdıb this was unsuccessful. The number of transfers of this kind are comparatively few. 79. Usufructuary mortgages.—The very small number of usufructuary mortgayes shown in the returns 18 a curious commentary on the greed of the mahagan to gbtain possession of the land, without any chance of its going back to the Southal. 80. General.-The above classes do not, however, exhaust the number of ways in which transfors occui. Occasionally an illness occurs in the village, the villagers think the village is bewitched and flee. This is said by the to Lave happened in Dharmpur (Appendıx I(a), No X). It is doubtful, because documonts were produced of sales of land in the village to the mahajans. But in Sibpahari this ocourred. Occasionally a Sonthal having lost some land leaves tide rest which is practically valueless, and goes off to pastures new. In aome cases, they have run away because the rent has been too high and they have been unable to pay up the arrears, 81. Indebtedness.-Every Sontbal has to take every year, after the supply of grain of the previous barrest has been exhausted, supplies of grain from time to time from his mahapan. Of this be repays what he can with his paddy at 50 per cant. interest, talled dørhia. No matter when he takes the loan, interest for the whole year is charged when the account is made up at the end of the year. The transactions are made by volume. The Sonthal repay. newly reaped paddy for what he took as dried paddy, Consequently owing to the shrinkage in Bize, this interest would work out at less than 50 per cent. by weight, were it not for the fact that there is every reason to believe that the ·26 BIRBHULI - Indebtedness. mahajans use different measures for their receipts and disbursements. But where the shoe pinches is in that the mahajan charges compound interest. The small unpaid amount of the year is carried on till the next year, until at compound interest it becomes something very appreciable. At this stage the Sonthal is called upon to dofray his debt. This is generully done by means of & sale or mortgage, and very rarely, by a usufructuary mortgage. If the mahajan is willing to make an arrangement by which the grain can be repaid in instalments, there is some chance of the debt being repaid ; but if, as more frequently happens, the grain debt 18 converted into money, then the land will almost inevitably go into the hands of the mahajan on the expiry of the mortgage. One hundred per cent. or dubra (“double”) is the rate of interest chaiged on grain supplied by the mahijan for seed. The mahajans are careful enough to be on the spot, whero the crop is reaped, so as to ensure repayment of some of the loan at least. Money dobts are less frequent than grain debts. The Sonthal does pot need money, except for occasional expensos and for toe paymont of his reut or of agricultural loans, where ono of the kests for repayment 18 fixed in the summer months. A simular running account is kept with the mahajan. The rate of interost for money is generally 25 per cont., called SLCC2, and compound interest is charged. In some cases the rate of interest is higher. If the loan is taken in either Magh, Fagun, Chast, Byeak or Joyt, the rato charged for these months is 2 annus in the rupee; but if it 18 dot paid till lator, 4 annas in the rupee 18 charged for the winter months, so that the total amount of interest is 6 annas in the rupeo. If the loan is taken in either Asardh, Suwan, Bhado or Asin, the rate is then 4 andas in the rupce. The rate of interest 2 annis for the summer months 18 called korali, and the rate, 4 andas in the rupee, is then barsalı. Two other kinds of interest have been found to exist in this area. The first is chotha. If the Sonthal urgently requires a small loan of money in Asin or Kartık (October or November) the mahajan will give it to him on condition that he repays it in grain ut tho following harvest in Agrahan or Pous December or January) at a fictitious price fixed by the mahajan with one ani (about 10 seers) in the rupee as interest. For instance, in one case, a Sonthal borrowed Rs. 2, and the mahajan fixed the rate of repayment at Bevon eris in the rupee, with one arı as interest in the rupee, whilst the actual price at the timo of repayment was three arts in the rupee. This rate of interest 18 not common, The second je dhurta A small loan is taken in Kartık (October or November) for sacrifices. Paddy is repaid in Pous or Magh (January or Fobruary) at tho proper price with one art in the rupce as interest. When the Sonthals' debts have passod the stage of the current account and have been turned into money and a document has boen executed, tho rate of interest chargod is supposed to fall, but tho statistics of the Sub- Registı y office (Appondix II) show that the rate of interest even then lies most comwonly between 1 annas and 6 annis in the rupee. Examplos of indebted ness will be found in thu villages in Appendix I. One startling feature is that every Sonthal has not only one but several mahagane, Whero persons have lost all their landa, they are as a rule free from debt, in fact it 18 regarded as sign of respectability to have a fair amount of debts. It betokens credit. As matters stand at present, the mahajan is an absolute necessity. Her in effect the village banker. Labourers have do credk. In Dharmpur (Appendix 1(a), No. X) where the villagers bave lost most of their lands, tho indebtednegs is very little. Murgadanga [Appendix l'a), No. V] afords an example of indebtedness in an intact village, but with only fourth class dhan land in it. Arendra and Kusumkandar (Appendix 1(a), Nos. IX and XVI) are good examples of indebtedness 10 fairly substantial" villages, It is easy to pick out in these villages the persons who will love their lands because they have mortgaged them. A debt which has been converted into a mortgago is very seldom repaid. Three or four mortgages in a village of 25 houses cannot be regarded as a very small number. As one inortgage is converted into a permanent sale, another appents, and so on, till practically all the good land in the village goes I am inclined to the opinion that the suppression of debts in this area has not been so great as might be expected, L ·BIR BHUT-Indebtedness. 27 :: The following is a statement of the account of onc Kuar Nandhi of Kusumkandar taken from the mahajan Tinkouri Mandal's book : YEAR 1315. REOBIPTE. Dete. Grein. Money. MapBull. pies pawe, Rs. A, P. 1 plum trao valued at 2 11 11 4 9 10 Re. 1-2. 19th Pas 7 maps 4 sulis Due according to page 11 of account book for the year 1914. Payments to Kuar Manjhi- 17th Chait 0 0 25th Beibaok 0 2 0 0 29th 0 ? 0 13th Jeyt 0 2 2 0 ..... 9th Asadh 4 0 Before this he took 0 0 15 16th Asadh Cash taken for the blacksmith 0 0 0 0 0 23 d Agadh 0 0 25th 0 0 0 30th 4 Measurod grain 6 pies of noe valued at STAID 0 14 0 17th Bhraban 4 0 0 0 4 0 9th Bhado 3 0 0 24th 0 0 30th valued at 0 1 2! 0 6 15th Asin 1 15 0 “Pujatı Sobare" 2000 DONDOO . II .. .. . . .. ooooooo 1 pioe. Total Interest 12 6 7 3 2 11 17 04 8 1 1 157 8 84 2 4 Ropayments, plum tree Grain 19 0 7 2 0 4 13 0 0 7 10 1 2 .. Due 11 6 13 21 8 4 NB-plo = 1 noor (dutch), ple - 1 guli, 8 golie = 1 map mod 1 seur (Pula) - 90LT (kutela) The debt of Kuar Manjhı 18 thus about 12 maps, which is about 10 maunds. Ho started with a debt of 6 naps at tho beginning of the year, he took another 6 maps during the year, ropaid moro than 6 maps during the year, but at tho end of the yoаr owed 12 maps, twicc what he owed at the commencement. Such arc tho results of compound interest. The account Is also interesting as an cxample of the inability of the Sonthal to ropay money loan. 82. Sur, Sadar subdivision.--I gather from tho roport of my assistant that the rate of mutation and indebtedness is practically, the samo in Rajnagar outpost as in the Rampur Eat subdivision. It is au Mohammad Buzar, but it 14 aggravated by the fact that in some cases the Mostagir is regarded as, and, an already mentioned, has been recordod as a settled raiyat, whilst tho other Sonthals are lookud upon as under-raiyats. In the village of Dhengalpura the mahajan purchaser of the Mostagır's right deliberately defaultod payment of rent with the intention of having the Soutbal undor raiyats dispossessed. Ilaringpara is another caso in point. An auction-purchaser came id, dispossessed all the Southals and now the latter cultivato adhi, In another case a Banya purchased a hamlet and then proceeded to Bay bat the Bontbals were only "krishans", or labourers on tho land, and lie won a caso about this. Maulvi Saiyid Muhammad Nasiruddiu found a few villages also in Rajuagar in which the Sonthals had boen tieatod as under-ruiyats and ·28 BIRBELUM BANKURA-Loss of Lands and Indebtedness. were dispossessed. Iu the same area he found a few villages in which the Sonthals are only labourers on the land, receiving one-third of the produce as remuneration for cultivating it. In Bolpur where the cultivation is quite recent, the loss of land and rate of mutation is low. BANKURA SADDAR SOBDIVIAION. Apreromen Il()) ADU T1' YEAR Sales Civil Court sales (money and root docrees). Mortgages Usufructuary mortgages 1906 1907 -| 137 154 22 25 147 186 27 15 83. The abovo figures have been supplied by the Registrar and the District Judge of Bankura. The hyures supplied by the Registrar aro not oxhaustive of all the ducuments cxecuted, as a number of simple bonds are not registered. Tlie main features these figures exbibit are that sales in the Cıvıl Courts aro small in number compared with othor sales, that usufructuary, mortgages or temporary transfers are very rare, and that sales nearly equal the number of mortgages, thereby implying that almost all mortgagos eventually end in salos which is undoubtedly the case. In the Appendix, examples of many villages have been given showing the very large amount of transfer of lands from Sonthula to Dikkus, which resolves itsolf merely into transfers to mahajane. Thu Sarenga Mission, it is said, endeavours to prevent transfers in its own villages. 84. Private sales. These sales are almost invariably for grain debts incurred to anahajans, converted into money debts They are sellom for cash down, except when the Sonthal 18 involved in a civil or criminal guit. Private salo to mahajans accounts for by far the largest amount of transfer from Sonthal to Dikkus. Tho statement in Appendix Il shows that the price paid is Rs. 10 pcı bigha or under in over 25 per cent. of the cases, though in overy case it is always the raiyat's best land that is sold. But somo of the mahagans like R. C. Choudhri of Rajahatu (Appendıx !(), No. XXIII) profer to put large sums in their decdh, bo obtained a balf share of the village for Rs. 1,499 in 1890. There is very little inter-transfcr of this description amongst the Sonthals themselves, only 8 very occas. ɔnal Sonthal money-lender is to bo found. The areas where the least aniount of transfer by sale bas taken place aro the cast of Bankura thanı avd Onda thana. In the first area, thir 18 due to the fact that the nahajan 18 a very small man and 18 Ad agriculturist also by profession. But the amount of sale is growing. In Onda it is because the Sonthals have very little land of their own and aro soid to have cultivated lands bhagtı all along. In Indpore outpost also a comparatively largo number of hamlets exist with little disposgest cion in them, particularly tho eight villages which were found to be intact out of the 32 examined. By far the largest amount of dispossosszon has occurred in the compantively thickly populated Southal arca in the south-west of the district, where the mahajan bas practically run riot. The amount of dispossession in the very corner 18 very remarkable, considering the jungly and broken nature of the country, the mahajan's groed has in this case overcomo his fear. The amount of transfer varies according to different circumstances. It is generally least in vıllages where the cultivation is poor, or because (6.9., Sunderpatti) the cultivation 18 recent or because, as in Susna, the original clearer of the village was a school-master, educated in Midnapore, who was able to cope with the mahogans. Both these villages are said to have no Dikkus cultivating in them at all, but in all the 190 villages I examined in Khatra and Raipur thanas, only 12 small hamlets were discovered in which it was said e Dikku had not got any cultivation as yet. • No distinction was made in the Aguras rapplied ·BANKURA-Lou of Land 29 3.C., In the northern ares, resettlement of the transterred lands is not very COD mon, for the reason already mentioned that most of the money-lenders are by class coltivators. But they do so, if they live in distant villages, or have acquired too large en amount of cultivation to cultivate themselves, or have acquired the interest of so many villagers that it would be difficult for them to obtain direct possession. In the south-western area resettlement of the land, A common, mainly for the reason that the mahajans havo acquired an unmanageably large amount of land, and owing to the jungles, do not live at the source of their gains. Such resettlement takes tha form of a high produce rent (vide the cases of Hardagurni and Ledhapokur in the Appendıx I(6), Nos, IX and XXV). In the first case over one-half of the village has gone into the hands of mahajans, but one-third has been given back on high produce rento, in some cases increased to 20 times the previous rent. In the second case the whole hamlet has gone into the hands of the mahaganproprietor, who has let out the lands on different sajha leases, raising the combined rent from Rs. 20-10. to Rs. 31 plus 58 raunde, valued at Rs. 116, the rent bas been raisod seven fold. Another interesting examplo of a resettlement is to be found in the village of Rajahatu, where & Sonthal in fighting the mahajan proprietor [Appendix I(6), No XXIII) finally won the case, but had to sell a fourth share of his land owing to the costs he had incurred, obtaining & resettlement of it at a rate of 72 maunds & year. His rent was thus increased from Re. 1-4 to practically Rs. 144. in this area the mahajan is dependent on the Sonthal for the cultivation of the land, but he fixes a produce rpot which makes the Sonthal practically his servant on the land. In Tilabad [vide Appendix 1(b), No. X) the rate of sayha is 8 maunds a bighu for other villages it has been found to be as much as 11 maunds a bigha, as the good land. To such & rate the Sonthals very much object; they would prefer to cultivate bhagtı. But the rate varias very much, and many examples will be found in the Appendix. In other cases of resettlement the land is given out bhagtr. Such cases cannot always bo regarded as a resettlement because the land is sometimes changed from year to year and the Sonthal acquiros no right to it. The main dispossession in these villages appears to have begun about the time of the great famine of 1865-66. Since then the amount of transfer to Dikus has been inoressing and increasing, till for want of a better adjectivo, it can now only be characterised as enormous, particularly in the south-west of the district. Ask a Sonthal bow much land in his village has gone into the hands of the mahajan, and 8 or 12 andas will not be a surprising answer Examine the villago, and occasionally the proportion may appear to be loss. but all the best land will be found to have gone and the major part of the remaining rico-land, leaving the Sonthal with a small proportion of the inferior rice land and a large area of dhangar uplands, the latter of which he occasionally cultivates. Rajabatu (Appendix I(6), No. XXII] is An example of a large and substantial Sonthal village in which the main dispossession has occurred since 1880. Since 1895, the mahajan proprietor adınits from his pamabandı8 to having acquired 120 odd bighas of Sonthali land in the village, and to having made 80 bighas khas. In fatt, I am not at all suro that the proper number is not 200 bighas, but his pamabandis require explanation, and I give the smaller number. 85. Transfers owing to rent decrees.—The figures supplied by the District Judge do not distinguish between rent and civil saits, but they show that there are comparatively few sales in Court as compared with private sales. This was horne out by the enquiry. Sales for rent are infrequent When & decrne for rent has boos obtainod, the Sonthal borrows from a mahajan and repays the amount. Money rents are also small and afford no difficulty in paypiont. In CABB of grain ronts the manajan proprietor is careful to be on the spot when tho crop is roaped and to credit the proceeds of the crop to rent first, leaving tho other debts of the Sonthal to acoumulate until they are ripe for the purchase of his remaining land. 86. Transfor by Cwil Court decrees. These are equally infrequent. The mahajan does not find it so very necessary to go to Court to obtain possession of any land. If he does, he either effects a compromise or in over 30 cent. of the cases he obtains an e-parto decree, even although there 18 a Monsifi at Khatra just on the outskirts of the almost purely Sonthal country in Raipur.

·90 BANKURA-Loss of Lands and Indebtodness. A favourite defonce of the Sonthals in this area, doubtless engineored by some mukhtears in Khatra, is to set up a claim that the sale was a benami transaccion In cases that I have seen, it has not been successful. 87. Transfers by usufructuary mortgages.--Attention has already been drawu to the fact, demonstrated by the statenients obtainod from the Registrar's office and provod by the caquiry, that usufructuary mortgages are rare compared with out and out transfers, This throws an important light on the methods of tho mahajans and money-lenders. It shows that all he wants is permanent possession of the land, and that he will be satisfied with little else. Take the example of ono Jherka Manjhi and his sale of 2 big bas 10 oottahs, sold for Rs. 90 in Goberda [Appendix 10), No. VIII]. Ho has obtained a resettlement on the moderate terms of eight maunds a year; at tho mahajun's calculation this is Rs, 16 a year. The monoy rent 18 a bagatelle, annas 12. At this rate the mahay in will recoup himsolf in about six or seven years for the actual amount of thie debt, Rs 99, which itself was arrived at by compound interest at 50 per cent Eron allowing him a small amount of interest on his monoy, Rs. 99, Bay 6 por cent., only a small amount, because the land is now his and the risk has gono, the mahajan should recoup bimself in eight or nino years. Suroly a usufructuary mortgage for that period for the principal and interest would have beon Dioio equitable than the out-and-out sale tho Sonthal was compelled to oxecuto. 88. Indebtedness.--As in Birbhum every raiyat has a running account with ono inahajan or several mahajans for grain for domestic purposes. This indebtednoss 18 the first stago leading to the transfer of his land and only ceases when he has lost all his land Examples showing the indebtedness of tho raiyats of difforent villages will be found in the Appendix. There is some reason to believe that the Sonthals have given a more completo account of their debts than they did in Birbhum. They have a more accurate idea of the difforent kinds of deeds and know a mortgage by the same term. One characteristic is the large number of simple bonds executed in the south-west. Mortgages are vory froquent, and, as has already been obsorved, judging from the figures supplied by the District Judge and the Registras, in the majority of cases they load to sales of the mortgaged lands. The total amount due on a mortgage is boyond the Senthal, and he leaves that unpaid except possibly the interest. Noverthelose a few casoy occurred in which a mortgage hos boon repaid, generally ly executing a fresh mortgage or aule in favour of another mahagan. One fact that the villagos givon in the Appondıx illustrate is important, and that 18 that when a kislsbanılı 18 made, that is to say an arrangemont by which a Sonthal pays off his lebt by yearly instalments of gram, the Sonthal gonorally pays the instalments unless there 18 en untoward year, as thero was two years ago, when theo WEB U Acarcity and certain relief measures wo10 adopted. The Sonthal understands a kistrbunde, he knows how much he has got to pay per yeur and pays it. If ho had his will, he would always exeouto kusubandı8 for tho repayment of his debts. Another class of loan in this district is an advanoo taken for the cultivation of lac This is not regarded as a dobt, and it is gonorally rcpuid in Bysak, when the lac is taken from the tree. The amount of idebtodness showo in the villages in the Appendix indicate that there is likely to bu no falling off in the rate of disposgesn10n untıl all the Sonthals lose all their lands and are reduced to the position of tho muzhagan's serf, which position a lerge number have already roached But in the south west tho mahajan will loave the Sonthal just onough dhangar land and give him just cnough land on a high produce rent to prevent him kicking over tho traces altogether and leaving the distnct. He is a decessity to the mahajan in the cultivation of his lands. I do not believe this is an exaggerated View of the situation Tho ordinary rate of interest for money is 25 per cent. Other rates ruch as 2, , or 4, annas per supee are charged, but are not common. When small loans aro taken, the intorest is 3 pice per month in the south of Bankura, The ordinary rate of interest for grain for Sonthals is 50 per cent., but down in the south of Kapur thana, in one village & mahajan declared that the ordinary rate was 23 per cont., and that it had been increased on account of ·BANKUBA-KIDNAPORE-Loss of Lands and Indebtedness. 31 the recent scarcity to 10 per cent. In another village the mahajans said the usual rate was 25 per cent, and only occasionally 50 per cent, those mahazıing gave a different story, and said they had allowed remissions on account of tho scarcity. Amongst Sonthels vory few cases of interest at 25 per cent. were, however, found, most of the cases were either ratası 374 percent. or derhia 50 per cent. Interest for seed grain is charged at 100 por cent. In all cabes compound interest is charged, and the amount mado up with the interest on the wholo of the year, howover few nuonths before the ond tho loan had been taken If tho total value of the money debt exceeds Rs. 100 or Rs. 200 and a bond is given, the mahajans say that the interest 18 decreased to 124 per cent. But the statement regarding mortgages (Appendix I) shows that in the large majority of rancs the intorcst charged 'lies between 23 por cent, and 3373 per cent. The mahajans were rather chary of producing the bonds, and in fact on one piotext or another failed to produce thom. In Chhatda tho Tambolis have the worst reputation, whilst in Raipur there are large gruin. dealors, such as Tambolis and Cboudhris who rulo the grain market, and must have made considerable fortunes out of the Sonthals. Alpen lius Ad Illic) 1907 MIDNAPORE Sales Mortgages Usufructuary Cıvıl Court mortgages. Bales 1906 332 226 17 14 200 • 191 24 17 89. Examples of the stato of dispossession in the different areas will be found in the Appendix. So far as the distribution of transfers betwcen private sales, usufructuary mortgages, rent sales and Cıvıl Court sales 18 conceined, the proportions are practically the same as in Bankuia, by far the largest amount of transfer is by private sale to mahajans on account of debts alrcady incurred, and the least by way of temporary transfer or usofructuary mortgage or by way of the Civil Court The statemonts in Appendıx II show that the price poid pei bigha is also low, by far the largest nuinber of salos being affected at a prico below Rs. 20, aud hulf or more than half of these at a rate of Rs. 10 a bigha or below. 90. Binpu thana.—The state of diapossession in this thana is akin to that in Raipur in the south of Bankuia, where mohajans have been able to secure possession of the villages as Mandals. As also in Binpur the transferred land is often let out temporarily on a sojha lease varying from 6 kuris to l; nrast per bigha and sometimes moic. At the rate at which mahajans havo hitherto calculated the price of grain, Rs 2 per maund, this works out at between Rs 2.6 and Rs 8 a bigba, Mont of the dispossession has occurred in the past, and 18 gotting less frequent now-a-days by reason of the fact that the best lands have now been transferrod. In such cases the Sonthels will occasionally say they have lost 10 land, becauso the land has buen given back on a sukne leaso, eg., in Asanbani che Sonthels said they lost oo land, but it subsoquently appeared that o.any years ago the village had been sold up for rent and 8 settlement made at 8 kuris per bigba. Thoro are a few smali hamlets in which there is little or no dispossession, but in these villages the lands are mortgaged But that dispoesereton is still going or at by no means a slow rate is shown by the village of Kawai bandı in the Appendıx I(c), No. I, which affords a good exumple of transfers in a substantial village, wliore the Sonthals are more educated and imagine that they know to cope with the mihajan, One quarter of the land has gone up to date, and that more has not gone is due to the fact that the Mandalı family have so for managed to play off one malajan against another. A reference io this village will, lowover, slow that in a few years large amount of land will incvitably go into tho hands of the village mahugan, including the vıllage ngiit itself, ono or two Southals are oven now ou tho verge of losing their lands at once East of the Kosye amongst the intact villagos under the Raja of Ramgarh the condition of affairs is better. The rate of transfer is less, and this can only . Includos ront anles + Alout 4 maunils ·32 IDNAPORI-Lons of Lande. be ascribed to the fact that the mahajans have not yet broken down the headman system. 91. Garhbota and Solberi. Several villages examined by Maulvi Saiyed Muhammad Nasiruddin are given in the Appendix I(c). Nos. XI-XX. He reports that in Carbbeta, nearer the plains, the amount of dispossession that bas occurred in the past is so great that only a few villages are now to be found in which the descendents of the original clearers cultivate the land their ancestors bad cleared, in other villages they aro cultivating lands of which they have taken a fresh settlement; but a large proportion of Sonthals are now merely labourers, who have lost all their lands. In Galbani the amount of dispossession appears to be equally largo, though the particular villages selected for the Appendix sbow less. The rate of mutation of lands from Sonthals to “Dikkus in these thanas appears to have been aggravated by the facts that they are nearer the plains and more accessable to the mahajan, and that the ijardarı and mandali tenures were transferable and were transferred to mahajans by Sonthals, thus giving the mahajans & greater hold over the village. It is true that only 45 villages out of 170 homogencous villages were counted in which the Sonthal headman's right had been transferred to mahajans On account of debts, but doubtless this does not represent the wbole proportion of villages bold by mahajans, and it is sufficiently large to favour the above conclusion, 92. Jhargram.-The rate of dispossession in this area is growing. Private sale was formerly uncommon. 93. Nayabasan. -If tho jamabando figures of this ostato are accepted for comparison, it would appear that the area in tho hands of the aborignal raiyats is now 20 por cont. more than it was 25 years ago; that in the hands of the semi-aboriginal raiyats 42 per cent, more, and that in the bands of the non-aboriginal raiyats 9 per cent. moro. If the figures of the present record-of-rights are compared with thoso of the jamabonde figures of 25 years ago, the area in the hands of the aboriginal raiyats 18 now 95 per cent, in excess of what it was then; that in the hands of semi-aboriginal raiyats 145 per cent. moro, and that in tho hands of non aboriginals also 145 per cent. more All that these figures disclose is therefore that there has been a very large amount of reclamation during the past 25 years and give no cluo to wbat dogree the aborigines and semi-aborigines have been losing their lands. From a statement prepared showing the transfors of occupancy right from aborigines and semi-aboriginos tho following figures are obtained: Lour of area & dros. Fromt Abongines. From Semiaborgmes. To Nonaborigines Since 12914 2,822:19 44 83 1,192 64 (rust parti ) • rose dotsulod agora ere - AELA W (ACLE) TRAKOARED TROYel (IL AGO) WITV To- Danda Tota ora trapford Mahto Bhul Denda Ohein Walbi. Bhon Non -borigue. . Vansbil. 108m 1,436 B7 otta 23780 44D6-80 149070 NO 107 Anu 11 1813 13 ACR3(Jonabandi) A 4OCODIO 10 4001 OH-RAIT PLUPARID Aboriginou Slenka borlicida Mau-Aborigines Aborygion Bonakaborgina Non abortgloe 9. Sud 1488 14,603 LA 1. # bootbal, Bham und Hande. # Laroul Nahtes, Bheid Danda Ohata Yol ·IIDNAPOBI-u of Lande. 33 It can Compare this with the jumabandı figures of 1291– Held by Held by semi Held by non- Aborigines aborigues. aborigines. Arda in 1,291 in sores 7,4893 672 13,6493 be roughly estimated that at the least 31 per cent. of the lands originally held by Sonthal, Bhumiy or Munda occupancy raiyats haro gone into the hands of Dikkus. The actual proportion is probably higher as the jamabanats contain figures for all classes of raiyats. The detailed figures for semi-aborigines show that Bhuiyas are of no consequence in this respect, that the gains of Mahtos outweigh their losses by transfer, and that the Danda Chatra Manjhis are the chief losers. In considering theso figures at must De remembered that the reclaimed land is tho worst and tho land transferred by the aborigine his best land During the last twenty five yours in actual figures reclamation may have outstripped transfers, but this must necessarily cease and there is reason tu believe that the end is not very far off. 94. Rohini.-The figures for Rohini on the north of the Subarnerekha do not show such a large amount of reclamation as in Nayabasan , if only tho jamaband: figures for 1299 and 1313 are compared, there has been none. Tho figures for the record-of-ughts, if compared with the provious jamabando figures of 1299, would show a large amount, but this is of litte account as the Jamabandz figures are probably quite inaccurate. At all events it is clear that the limit of extension of cultivation 18 much nearer than in Nayabaran south of the Subarnarekha. From other settlement papers we get the following figures for transfers of lands held by occupancy raiyats.- Area transiei red in Actca opco 1:95 ... .. From aborigines From sel-aborigines To non-aborigines 354 88 1,177 481 09 Compering theso figures with the jamabande figures for 1299– AICR|10 1 299 ... Held by Aboriginos Semi-abongines Non-aborigines 2,280 2,407 6,447) UU we find that in 17 years, at least 15 per cent. of land, held by aboriginal and 5 per cent of land held by semi-aboriginal occupancy raiyats have gone into the hands of Dikkus. In this aren tho Blumiges are tho most important so far as transfers are concerned, Bhuiyas are of no consequenco at all, and Mahtoq, have to their credit most of the transfors from amongst the semi aborigincht. • More detailed agardare - ABBA (IN AC828) TEAVAZ102 ED INOM- SUBS (17 ACRES) TBAN PIRLED TO- Total area Irenalr mid Sonthal Boumi) Yunda Nahto Bhiss Tradu Cliate Majhi Boothal punk Vahto & Bhum!) Dands Chatra Manlı, Bhuna Non borigoco 139 14 SUO OU 189 77 23 48 180 3 15 20 32 1546 462 00 ARBA ACCOLINO TO Jamaband: OP 1313 (IN ACSBN) JNBA aCCIDING TO RECONN P HIGITS BBC SATLI TELI ALBI) A Loigines Non-aboriglots Non aboriklues. I bergines mi aboriklupy Ni aboriginal 2013) 2,433 4,079 1,8217 + Detailed agurts for every village in Hohni and NarabnBn Aro lo bo fonnt in Ilie appendices ellacbod to Bubu Rampada Chustler] ruport op Noyulup Bud Lubini Tlus in LLU Director ol Lun.] Iccord Acu ·34 MIDNAPORI-Low of Lands. А 95. In order to obtain a comparative idea of the amount of dispossession in Gopıballabhpur compared with the amount in the northern areas, I went into the circumstancos of a few villages both in Chiara and Belyabera, as well as those given in the Appendix, and I rvaghly examined the circumstances of some 15 villages in Nayabasan and of 35 others in Nayagram and Khelargrans, Tho general impression I received, which is borne out by the villages in the Appendis, was that the dispossession in this area was not so great as that in the northern areas or in the areas nearer the plains. I found that individual Sonthals or Bbumijes, as I had beon informed, would get into the hands of the mahajans, and that there is a general transfer of their lands to Dikkus, but that there is not that wholesale dispossession 80 noticeable elsewhere. One of the main causes appears to be the practical resumability in this neighbourhood of the Mandali tenure, and the fact that the Mandel is practically & servant of the zamindar, collecting his rento, for which he gets a certain amount of remuneration in money. Such a tenure is really not a tenure, and presents no attractions to the mahaan, even if the large land-owners of this would suffer his presence as a Pradhan. This they do not, generally speaking, and this is the second cause. The mahajan has therefore had very little opportunity of obtaioing posseSBLOn of a village, and of course in largu areas like Bolyabera and Nayagram, where the Predlani system has ceased to exist and the villages are now kbas, he does not intervene between the proprietor. The third cause is that tbe mahajan avoids the south of the Subarnarekha river with its jungles and wild animals, and leaves the Southals to the tender mercics of cultivators liko Kurmi Mahtos, who also do mahajahı, but to a smaller extent thun the Banya proper. In Bolyabera and Nayagram, another caus0 18 to be found in the fact that the proprietors, * Babu K. C. Prohoraj and the Nawab of Murshidabad both lend grain, the former at five kuris in the ara (31 per cent.), and the latter at 25 per cent. (excluding the 31 per cent, that tho muharını takos for weigbing the grain). It is presumed that loans are given with discretion. fifth cause 18 the lesser fertility of the lunds south of Subarnarekha. In conclusion, I find that though the rate of dispossession in Nayabasan rund Rolini 18 high, it is not so high rs in Birbhuin, whure the Sontbals are on the vergo of tho purely Dikku area, where reclamation is drawing to a close and where there is no jungle possessing any terrors for the nahajans, and not nearly 80 great as in the thapas of Raipur and Khatra in Bankuru, wliore the Sonthals have been reduced to tho status of a raiyat or under-1asyat rack-lented on a large produce rent, or, as in the north-casteru area of the Jungle Malals in Midnaporo, where the Sonthal is being reduced to the position of a labourer. 96. These remarks are not complete without a reference to the facts that verbal transfers are not u common in Midraporo, and that the aborigine often hands over to the vakujun a blank stamped paper, signed on his behalf, to be filled up when his dubts roach an appreciable amount by an agreement to transfer bis lendg. 97. Indebtedness. ~Examples of indebtedness will be found in the Appendix Whore, as in Binpur thano, in Kamarbandı, [Appendix I(11), No 1) tho Sonthal has valuable lands to lose, the indebtednoys isgreat, or in a village like Dhaugalpara, where their lands have not yet gone, they are mortgaged. In Garlbota tbana, where most of the lands have gone, the indebtedness in small But in Gopiba)- labhpur, where the amount of dispossession is less than elsewhero, for tho' very reasons given for the comparatively small rate of mutation of lands there, the indebtedness would aleo be comparatively small, woro it not for one important factor, vız , tho recent scircity. This, particularly in Belyabora and Chiara, has resulted in a very large number of mortgages being executed in favour of the differont mahajans as well as in favour of the proprietor of Belyabera. The villages selocted sllow, howover, that these mortgages are gradually being repaid, where the repayments are to be made in grain. In Belyabora, the proprietor, the tegants informed mo, treated them well now, and it 18 to be hoped tilat none of the mortgages in his favour will develop into sales. He only lends grain, and has no regular money-lending business. . I found no ordenco of the lands being sold to these proprietora on account of debto, It de alleged that the propeton do not sa'l tho onthale up on this accouRL The squirya Babu K Proboray'ı stato was bowopor rory sig beting The u tho leadlord related that tho end of pereknapb 8. Indo, however, page 10.

·35 LODNAPORE-Indebtodaou. The following is a specimen of a Sonthal's account from the Belyabera books: BITD. RICANTI, Grenfor food A. X. Y. P. Gnue for cada Tot 1. A. L. P. 6 6 No. 88 - Ind January , kurus nan 1 3) pai Arroar of content Account Armour of former kustbands 8 11 30 COM 6 11 9 05 Tostal 12 3 1 8 . 12 3 18+ Romitted 0 2 1 87 11 0 3 1 9! العام 12 00 18 0 0 0 10 Kustbandi Year 1818 1311 1818 1919 . 12 Total loans given during Ourrent JeAr 5 o 1 1 0 5 0 0 Total 17 4 0 0 1 1 0 18 6 0 0 + Konas 4 Pais 4 Mans 16 Kung - 1 pai SI DAD i kan 1 ara (approx. imalely 9 manud. 8 SeoTa ) Ioterent for 'grain for food at Give tone per era, and for faed, at per ara (10 18-6 18 ans are kustband, and 8-5 corront loann) 6פס 1 10 1 0 1 1 0 2 11 10 To Total 18 14 1 0 3 0 21 0 1 0 Tho account was closed in 13154, 7-14-0-31 has been repaid subsequently, but no payment was made in 1315 as there was & scarcity in thet year, As an instance of how a mahajan can run up an account even at a comparatively small rate of interest, se, 25 per cent., the following is taken from a plaiot brought by a makapan against a Sonthal io Biopur thada. Original debt Interest for 1310 Interest for 1311 A 10 2 2 0 8 8 0 0 0 100 IVO I. Total 16 2 0 0 Repaid in 1311 Remaunder 13 3 0 4 Interest for 1312 .. 0 Total 16 Laterest for 1313 ... Total I. 20 1 5 0 Repaid in 1313 1 1. 111 Remaindor 19 5 4 13 NON a Noloooooooo Iaterest for 1314 .. . Total 24 6 2 0 2 & Interest for 1315 ..! Total Du 80 7 1316 .. 2 8 6 4 Interest for DI Total 37 11 1 0 Repaid 1 1316 .. 36 11 Total 8 Beers = 1 kuri. 16 kuris=1 ere. F2 ·36 MIDNAPORE-BALASORE-Loss of lands and indebtedness. The Sonthal orginally owed 10 aras; be repaid 4 aras; be now owes 36 erns. As ex parte decree and his land will go. The subject of the indebtedness of the aboriginal has been receiving attention in Nayagram (Gopiballabhpur thana), and Mr. J. B. Wood, the Manager, hopes, with the permission of the Nawab of Murshidabad, to start agricultural banks in that estate. The rate of interest varies. The 50 per cent. rate for ourront loans of grain is common, but not quite so frequent as it is in Birbhum or Bankura. In the north-west of the district, in the more remote areas, it is more common and has been generally raisol to this rate on account of the recent scarcity, though it was common onough before. But nearer the plains in thanas Salbanı and Garlıbota the rato 18 more usually 25 per cent. In Jumbuni it is either 371 per cent. or 50 por cent. In the south in Gopiballablıpur, it is gonerally 50 per cent., the practical minimum is 6 kuris 10 the ura (10 kuris), or 37} per cent. , 5 kuris in the ara and 4 kuris in the ara are mainly confined to the Belyabera proprietor and the Nawab, rospectively. Cases have boun found in the noith of the district of interost at 10 kuris per ara. For seed loans 100 per cent. 19 universal. Compound interest is always charged. Small moncy loans are usually given at two pice a month per rupeo or 374 per annum. But 10 Jambuni the rate of interest for a loan below Rs. 15 is reported to be usually one apna in the rupeo per mensem For larger sums the intorost is less. In the south in Gopbaħabhpur interest as high as 50 per cent, 18 sometimes charged for small money loans. As usual, the indebtedness of tho Sonthul is mainly for grain, and when the debt is converted into a mortgage which he 18 to repay 10 money, his chance of repayment has gone. So long as it 18 m grain, the chances of repayment are more favourable. By far the largest proportion of these mortgages are executed with a rate of interest of 21 por cent., or above, and about threefourths of these at a rate of interest above 37į per cont. (vide Appendıx II). The high rate of intorest has nutur.ılly an effect on the ultimato amount of dispossession, but it is the fact that it is not simplo interest, but compound intercst, that kills. In the north-west of the district there are complaints that tho mzhajans got sales cxecuted when an agrecnient has been made for & usufructuary mortgage, and in the south Mi. J. B. Wood roports that sales aro occasionally exocuted when the Sonthal only intended to executo a mortgage. Complaints of a similar nature were received in Birbhun. There 18 po doubt something in this, and it is very important that Registrars should explain documents to Pago 02 (Racom- Sonthals when registering them. There are two minor rensons for the indebtedness of the Sonthal in the south. The first Mr. J B. Wood reports 18 the systematic extortion by the small excise oifioials who for a consideration allow illicit homo-browing or distillation. The socond is the extortion by the zemindarı peons when the Sonthal is found cutting súl trees or 18 allowed to cut them with the poon's mindation No 11.) conuivance. BALASORE 98 Tho rato of mutation is rather Bunilar to that in the south of Midnapore but is growing. but is growing. Instances of transfery will be found in the villages in the Appondix 99. Private sale. - This does not appear to have been very prevalent twelve years agn, but is now growing. Vorbal transfers are occasionally made, and the Sonthals have a practice, which also exists in Midnapore, of handing the nahajans a stamped paper blank oxcept for thoir signaturo. The amla of the fanne share 10 Fatehabad pargang are making use of their position to get the lands of the Sonthals into their own hands by mahajani. " The Sonthal, themselvos do not distinguish between the amin and the estate, and they wero rather bitter against the amla for compelling them to crocute doonment for the loans they had taken. 100. Civil Court sales for money or rent.--As in other districts, such sales are not very common, ·BALASOBE-General loss of lands and indebtedness. 37 101. Usufructuary mortgages.—These are common now-a-days, though not common about 12 years ago There 18 a far greater amount of transfer comparutively by usufructuary mortgage in this area than in any of the other districts. These usufructuary mortgages are, however, commonly only for the interest; the principal stands very little chance of repayment, so that they are to all intents and purposes permanent transfers Occasionally the land 19 given back to the Sonthal bhagti 102. Indebtedness. The number of mortgages in the villages show that the amount of indebtednons in this arca 18 large, and is growing despite the poverty of the land. As usual, the Sonthals have all to take paddy loans during the yoni, and the majority were still ludobted in March after the annual payments had been paid. The prevailing rate of interest for grain is locally 50 per cent., but a few money-lendors in Midnapore lend glam at 37% por cent. In somo cases the rate is 371 per cent, if the Sonthal takes the grain to the mahagan in ropayment, but if tho mahajan comes for it, be charges 50 per cent. interest for late trouble Small money loans are given at a rate of ong-unda per rupeo, and larger sums at balf-anna por rupee por month. Tho rate of interest charged by the amla in the 4-anna sharo of the Fatehabad paigada 18 311 per cent. Compound interest 18 charged on all grain loans as usual. Owing to the small number of Sonthals in this district, I did not ask the Registrar or District Judge to havo returns prepared showing the number of mortgages, Civil Court sales, etc. - QENERAL 103 Ceneral caners of loss of land and indebtedne88.–From the Sonthal's point of view, lo lvaes his land because bo is uneducated and submissive, and the mahajan takes advantage of his ignoranco to chcat hun out of his land. by sharp practico Th18 is tte CORO, but it not the whole truth Sympathetic observers also recognise that drink and thriftlcsenons completo the main causes. Only occasionally have the Soutlials admitted to losing their lands, because their ancestor frequented tlie grog-shop too much, and it is not from their statemonts that I could deduce this Ounclusion. But it is so patont a fact that it needs no proof. Another cauec to wluch the Sontbals ascribe the loss of their lands 18 the breaking down of tho intact village system. Intact villageAs Intact villages as a rule bave disclosed less dispossession than broken villages. It is however difficult to нау. to what extent this cause operates, because a broken village zp8u tacto generally denotes a moro advanced state of dispossession. But when a mahajan obtaine possession of a village, it 18 entiroly at his morcy. There is not tho slightest doubt that tlo rate of dispossession is greatest in areas like the south-west of Bankura or tho north-west of Midnapore, where mahajans have been able to secure tho headman's right. Another minor cause which has possibly operated to some extent is the loss of nan lands formerly hold by village ofhcials. The wine forefuthors of the Sonthals, when they inventod the village communal systom, doubtlos intended to form each village into a self-reliant unit which could cope with the outside world. In their wisdom they, huwover, remembered that each village official, though a Sonthal, was still a human being, and had, like the vast majority of human beings, to be paid for his services. They thereforo decided that the official should got some lands ront-free for h14 Hervices But now-adays this rent-free land has all but disappeared. There 18 thusevcry probubility that the villago officials, not being properly paid, havo ccaged to regard many of the affairs of any individual one of thom in the village as a matter that conceined the whole village, and have reducod thoir duties to a ininimum compatible amount of rice-beer or number of hons they receive for tho porvices they must perform, Tlus I think is a fact. The officials have, therefore, possibly ceased to voice the desire of tho villa go cominunity to keep out tho Dakku, and tho Sonthal is allowed to live and to sell lule lund us he likes. I am indebted for this oi rather a similar theory, to a record in the Suttlement Office, Sonthal Parganas. The idea 18 fascinating, but it is difficult to say how much there is ·38 GENBRAL-Lous of Lunds and Ladobbodnot-Civil Court Proooedingu in it. The causes of the Sonthal's indebtedness or of the loss of his lands oan be olassified as follows: Kutere. Internal (1) Mahajans sharp practice. (1) Drink (2) Mahagan hond men, (2) Thrittlenen.com (3) Zamindari sharp practice (to & muon less extent, except when the namiddar is . (8) Want of education. mahajan). (4) Bubmissivenes. (4) Loss of Dan lands, and breaking down of the intact village. It is possible to legislate against the external evils. Internal cause No.(4) can be turned into self-reliance by maintaining villages intact. Internal cause No. (2) can be partially eradicated by removing internal cause No.(3). No.(1) can be partially cared by taking away the temptation to go to the liquor-shop. It is hopeless to expect to eradicate it. CHAPTER V. CIVIL COURT PROCEEDINGS. (Terms of the Reference No. ID.) 104. I havo atilised the figures (vide Appendix III) obtained from the different District Judges for Chapter IV, and vory little remains to be said in this chapter, as the exabination of Civil Court proceedings was to be on the lines of the statements in the Appendix. Tbeso figures must be received with caution. I am doubtful whether they are any use for the comparison of districta. BIRBHUM 105. Besides the large number of cr-parle decrece obtained agaist the Sonthals, the most noticeable feature is that in 24 per cent. of tho casus brought against Sonthals, the intorest of the Sonthals has been sold. This is very remarkable, as compared with the Sadgups, in which the figuro is 9 per cent. It will be observod that a large number of decrees against the Sadgops also are oi-parte. I selooted the cultivating caste of Sadgops for comparation in Rampur Hat subdivision, as they are a Hindu cultivating casto who bulk largely in the population of this subdivision. BANKORA. 106. An examination of different villages disclosed the fact that the Dikku was not uniformly successful in the cases he brings, particularly in cases brought to increase rents. The figures show that tho Sootbals, Bhumijes and Baaria, in a large proportion of cases have 67.parta deoroes passed against them, and the number of cases in which the Bauris have been sold up, as compared with the total number of cases brought, would appear to indicate that their position is somewhat analogous to that of the Sonthals. Tho percentage of cases in which the right, title and interest of the Sonthal has been sold is less than that in Birbhum ; it is only 13 per cent. MIDNA POBE. 107. The percentage of cases in Midnapore in which the right, title and interest of the Sonthelo has been sold ismmaller than in either Birbhum or Bankura. It is only between 7 and 8 per cent of the total number of cases bronght. But compared with the figures for Kormis, in which coses the percentage is 2 per cent., it is large. If these statistics are socurate, whereas in about 35 per cent. of the cases decrees against Sootbals are st-parto, in the case of Kurmis the percentage is 46 per cent. 108. The Sontha)s contest 24 por cent. of the cases and the Kurmis 20 per cent. The Sonthals compromise 22 per cent of the cases and the Kurmis 16 per cent. The figures for Bhomijos are of little practical no.

·BANKURA-BIBBHUI-divll Court Proobodingi-Arbitrary Eviction. 39 GENERAL 109. Es parte decrees seem equally common amongst all classes for which figures have been supplied. The figures for appeals, I have omitted, as of little practical use. The Dikka can appeal, and does appeal up to the Righ Court. I have not heard of , Sonthal appealing to that extent. He cannot afford it, nor can be afford to defend himself there. It would be more equitable Page Da if appeals and applications for revisions in all but criminal cases were not (Becommandation allowed to go higher than the District Judge in cases brongbt by or against aborigines, urless the District Judge certified that the aborigines wero only Lominally a party, and therefore the case was a proper one to go before the High Court. This question might be considered in connection with the Bill proposed in Chapter XIV. No 12 ) Pago 32 CHAPTER VI. ARBITRARY EVICTION. (Terms of the Reference No. V.) BDBHUBL. 110. Arbitrary eviction is not prevalent. Tbore are very many complaints that the Sonthals havo boon arbitrarily, evicted, but few of them would bear examination. The zamindars and mahajans have been very careful to observe the law. There have already been a series of agitations by the Southale, resulting in two settlements, and there is no reason to believe that this form of oppression exists to any particular extent now. Of course there are the usual casos of boundary and land disputes, and probably a few of the coraplaints of arbitrary eviction are true; but to say that it is provalont would be, I think, quite beside the mark. A settlenient can however only disclose 1) what otent it is provalent. One form that once existed is the following. A proprietor would, when giving frosh learo of a village to a Mostagir, cut off portions of it as sulam for his own benefit. There wore a fow complauts made of this in Rampur Flat subdivision which it was very difficult to check But it has beon apparently more prevalent in the Rajnagar outpost. 111. Apother form is the settlemont of reclaimed land with some poreon other tban the person who reclaimed it, because the latter rofused to pay the rent denunded. The proprietor presumably, as the law at present stands, has the right to do this Complaints were made against the Rov. L. 0. Skrefsrud that bo was in thu habit of arbitrarily evictiog the tenant, spocific instances were, however, wanting. On enquiry into one caso, it appeared that the Sontbul cultivated some lipd under Mr. Skreførad 288 service holding for doing some missionary. work in a village other than his own. lle got into & tanglo with a woman Mr. Skrefarad heard of it. The Sonthal heard that Mr. Skrefsrud had heard of it. Ho promptly filcd to his original village. The Rev. L. 0. Skrefsı ud 18 quite strong enough to arbitrarily evict, but ho denies that he does it, and there 18 Do proof that hu door. 112. Athird form that exists is the dispossession of Sonthals after a sale for ront of a whole village on the ground that tho Sonthals are the under-raiyots of the Sonthal whose village was sold. This is not provalent in the Rampur llit subdinalon where their rights as occupancy-riyats are securou, but in the part of Suri whure the Mostagir is regarded as a raiyat, specific instances of this have been found. The fact that, whether raiyat or under-raiyat, they have or should bave occupancy rights has been ignored. 113. Rappor (Appendix 1(a), No XV) is an instance of a village where the Sonthals have been arbitrarily evicted froni their uplands on a large ncale. BANKUR. 114. Numorous complaints were mnde of arburary eviction, but a few minutes' cross-OIBDination gencrally broke down the theory. It is unnecessary to adopt illegal methods with the Sonthale. AD na-parto decree in Court or a sale of the Sonthal's land by a registered deed is all that is sufficient and both ero ·40 BANKURA-IDNAPORE-Arbitrary Eriotion easy to arrange. There exist, or existed however, some subtle forms of arbitrary eviction in which the landlord puts forward a claim as of right. They are: (1) Briction on the ground that Sorthals are under-raiyats. When a Sonthal headman has been sold up for the rent of a portion of a mauze, the now proprietor assumes at once that the former is & raiyat and takes possession of the land of the other Sonthals whom he regards as under-raiyats. Cases of this description are reported from Chhatna and Taldangre ; in the latter area it is reported that the raigata of the boadinan are generally regarded as under-raiyats. In Raipur and Khatra, the form of this that I found was the common habit of a headman selling his right to a mahujan, and the mahajan trying to obtain possession of his co-sharers' interest also. This particular form is, however, one of the usual incidents of mahajani sharp practioe. It has not, howevor, inet with universal success in Raipur and Khatra, because the headman's right 18 regarded as divisible. (2) Arbitrary eviction on tormination of a temporary lease.—On the one hand the zamindar esaerts that the Sontbals have oultivated beyond the boundaries of the land that he gave them, aud, on the other side, the Sonthals assert that they have not. In the end the propnetor gives a fresh patla, eadcuts off portions of the cultivation. Sometimes he does this on the ground that it is salam for the fresh lease. There is a village, just south of Khatra, in which this is at present the bono of contention between the landlord and the Sonthal headman. (3) Evction by a new proprietor.-Isolated instances have been discovered of a new proprietor coming in and trying to set up a claim to direct possession of land on the ground that the Sonthals wero mere tenants-at will and cultivated the land bhagh. Such a claim is helped by the practice, common in Khatra and Raipur, of making verbal (mukhubani) setilements; the proprietors allege that the Sonthals having no patta have no nght, and therefore are not entitled to receipts But I am glad to report that the Dikku 18 not universally successful in such cases in the Civil Courts. Circumstances are, however, so much in favour of the Dikku being able to establish such a claim, that it is quite possible that cases of this description are more common than I think. (4) Arbitrary eviot in from "man" lands.-From Chhatna there are many complaints that man lends were resuined by tho acquirer of the headman's right very many yoars ago on the ground that the Sonthals paid no rent for them. It is doubtful whether this form exists at all at present in any area, and thus is probably due to the difficulty of distinguishing man lands from rented lands, As well as to the fact that such lands have practically ceased to exist. Pag. 10 MIDNAPORE. 115. The Kanungo, Maulvi Ekramuddin, found that arbitrary eviction had been very prevalent in the remote northwest of Biopur thana, bad was getting less prevalent every day. If a Sonthal did not pay bis rent or his debts to a tenure-holder, the tenure-holder would tell him to leave some of his land and the Sonthal would do so. The Kanungo states that the Dikku Mandale he intorrogated were unable to givo any satisfactory explanation of this. The Raja of Ramgarh has obtained land in almost all his villages by the favourite method of taking some of the land as salasu on giving a new settlo ment of the village. There aro somo uninvestigated complaints that the Nayagram tahsildars mako arrangements to transfer portions of a Sonthal's joto in ardor to defray the arrears of rent or debts due by the latter. • Bocoited after the close of tho anques, orde footnoto also on page 34 ·BALABORI-BIRBHUI-Arbitrary Eviction-Rants 1 For the rest, most of the complaints of arbitrary evictions, 80 often made by the Sonthals, resolve themselves into ez-parte decrees or evictions by a legal process wbiob to the Sonthal was not justified. repay it BALASOBE 116. I So far as I can gather, arbitrary eviction is occasionally rod ulged in by the amla of the 4 anna share in the Fatehabad pargana. One case is rather interesting. Dukhia's mother owed the Naib some money. She went to The Naib's wife was on the point of death, so she was told to come later. By the time she came again, the Naib's wife was dead. The Naib promptly accused the Sonthal woman of having killed his wife by witchoraft, and fined her Rs 24. She could not pay it, so had to give six bighas instead. The Naib was questioned, but he could not deny it. In another case a cook belonging to the estate contrived to oust a Sonthal from 10 cottahs of land. I am informed that this is to be returned. GENERAL. 117. In dealing with the subject of arbitrary eviction, I have not taken into account evictions from land let out on a temporary lease to a raigat who is already a settled raiyat of the village. That class of eviction is probably prevalent, because it is doubtful whether the Sonthal recognises that he is entitled to occupancy rights in such land, whon it is not the proprietor's private land. Should a settlement be undertakon, a great deal of good might possibly be done by sccuring the Sonthals in the possession of these lands alleged to be given 10 e temporary lease; though probably, particularly in Bankura, & number of such Sonthal raiyats will be suppressed by the mahajan proprietors. CHAPTER VII RENTS 118. (T81148 of the Reference No. VII) BIRBHCM Rompur Hat subdivision-Practically there is only one proprietor of any importance, Babn P. C. Pando of Pakaur, who has not increased the rents of his villagos. That the others bave done so is due to the fact that reclamation 18 still going on, and frosh rent is Assessed for the new land. The old land is the lower and more fertile land, and the new land is the higher and lose fertile land, so that it may very well be assumed that the new land is worse than the old. Yet rent, show that, in the majority of cases, the rate of rent is higher for the poorer new land than for the old land. The reason of this is that the proprietors wapt to ra 180 the Sonthals' rate of rent to that paid by the Dikkus. À Sootbal pays a much lower race of rent than a Dikku, because he has made the land himsolf, and 18 entitled to privileged rates accordingly by the custom of the country. What these rates should be were fixed by Babu Bhuban Moban Raha in 1881 in his settlement. Thoy are :- D) Per bigbus AA 15 10 6 4 6 2 Free. > 1 First ClBBB paddy land Geoond Third Fourth First upland Second Homestead land 119. Partab Chandra Choudhry's villages afford & most strıking example of how rents can be increased. His villages were settled by Babu Bhuban Moban Raha in 1881, but last year Babu P. C Choudbry has given a fresh lease of bis villages to Mostagirs, after a measuremont, at a fixed rent of 8 addas por bigba. Babu Bhuban Moban Raba's rates generally work out at about 4 annas ·42 BIRBAUX-Ronte. por bigha, so that the rate of rent have been practically doubled. This has been done regardless of the fact that the settled raiyat way entitled to hold his original land at the rates fixed by Babu Bhuban Mohan Rabe, subject to certain restrictions, none of which cover the case of doubling a rate of rent. But not only has the rate of rent been doubled, but the actual rent is quadruple, and moro than quadruple what it was in Babu Bhuban Mohan Raha's time, .g. Aron Rent Present Praent 1801 1881 Sre. Rønt Bigbas. RE Bighos. Re Chandernagore 111 0 51 21 12 10 217 2 O 108 8 16 Murgadanga (No II). 9 1 12 1 16 6 32 6 0 16 2 8 120. The kısts are paid in Asin and Pous. The Sonthal generally has to boriow money from a mahajan to pay the rent in Asin. Even in intact villages such as Murgadanga No. I) vide Appendıx I (a). No. V), the rate of ront for excoes cultivation 18 much higher, eg., for 30 bighas tho total rent is RA, 21, whilst for the whole village of 198 bighas the rent is Rs. 40. The rate of rent for tho new land would make it socond class land, and as only 10 bighas of third class rice land oxisted in the village in 1881 (the rest was land of a lower ) clase), it may very well be assumed that this is not tho Digalpahan [Appendıx I (a), No. VII) shows a gradual increase in the rate of rent from annas 5. a bigha to annas 71 A mukhtear bought the village of [Bajpara Appendix I (a), No X!I), and raised the rents froin Rs 18 to Rs. 93. 121. Instances could be multiplied of cases whero the rent has been arbitrarily incroased, and for some of these a reference to the villages in Appendix may be made. Othors are cuse. Provious Present NAME Previous ront Preopt ront. REMARKS aren are Ra. A B. Ro A P B K D P 299 0 0 53 11 11 173 3 163 30 10 11 198 15 0 30 0 3 Kanchpabari Molibona Mosnia 79 Adalpaberi Manda Murgadanga 304 0 16) 14 330 0 0 157 12 16 38 7 8 0 169 9 2 1... K D 284 0 0 0 0 Till 3 yo&r8 ago 45 15 19 An Inordee of about 8 &DDAS 11] the rupeo 18 said to be on the tapes 350 14 0 201 0 0 61 0 0 284 15 0 188 0 o Tull about 8 years ago. 153 13 14 61 7 14 A patta recently 441 14 0 213 13 0 granted for 25 315 10 0 209 0 O bigbas at Re 1 201 & bigha 4,9 0 297 0 0 108 0 0 Kirtipur Tildanga Arondra Tontbandi Bartola Dhokubatu Dhadpore ... 128 13 14 28 7 14 405 11 13 160 13 43 421 14 5 1177 11 15 75 0 19 () 0 106 0 0 31 0 0 00000000 .. .... .. U. 122. In the abovo list of villages there has only been a modorato increase in the rent (with the exception of the last four). ln such cases without a nicasure ment and classification of lands, it is difficult to decide whether the increase 12 rent 19 moderate or not. In Adalpaharı, however, the excess land about 50 bighas was 188ossed at about Rs 50, according to which it would be first class rice land, wbich is not the case at all. A similar rosult is seen in Kirtipur. In one area, as in the villages of Saldoha and Sealdonga (ride Appendix I (a), No. VI) a very curious method of assessing rept ents. An eotirely fictitious rent 18 fixed, and then a large rem1861on from this is made, and the remainder realised. As fresh cultivation is neasured, a fictitious amount is added to the onginal fictitious amount, and another large remission made. It is to be boped that no Court will wistake tho fictitious amount for the real rent. Luckily in a ·BIRBAUX-Rente. 43 number of these cases the Sonthals can prove by receiprs that they have paid the same remainders for 20 years In Murarai thana, Sonthals who cultivate land, which was not made by thom, pay a highor rate of rent for that land. Dikkus pay much higher rates. Foi example, some Dhangars were found to be cultivating 17 bighas on a rental of Rs 43. In a few casos the Sonthals have objected to pay the inci eased renty, and are depositing them in the Civil Courts. Roceipts aro generally granted, but the areas are not written on thom in a large number of casos. 123. In tho Mollazpur Paigana, Munshi Nundji also fixed rates of rent foi Sonthal lands, in 1892. These woro slightly different froni thoso fixed by Babu Bhuban Mohan Kala. They wore- Per bigba Re. A. 0 17 27 ... 0 0 9 6 ... . .. 6 4 First class paddy land 1 Beoond 0 12 Third Fourth Uplands 04 Homestead land Mal 124. But the excony lond is being troa te hore by the Mobant of Mollarpur iu exactly the same way as it 18 elsewhero. Thoso fixed rates are being ignored. In Jotia I found that the amm was a98e8bing new land as follows Ro. A l'addy land 1 4 Uplands 0 Good prospeotıve paddy land 1 l'air 1 0 125. One fiold of 7 bighus 13 cottahs, which was examined and could at the utmost have only been hall third class and half socond clase, wus Angosscd at Rs 9-9. Assuming that it was evon all second class, the rent should not have been nioro than Rs 5-10, The landlord's amin explained that he regardod it as first class land, because it was the best land the Sonthals held i The Sonthals also brought a compluint that the amin had been assessing to now roots lund already in their khatians, on the ground that it was parte at the time of the settlomont in 1892. This was found to be incorect, though the land just being assessed, had undoubtedly been made several years ago. Tho Mohant's men have been collecting turce years rent for the excess land. By this means, according to the Bongal Tonancy Act, it becomes a fixed rent 128. The Mohant was given an opportunity of oxplaining the high rate of ient for new land. But all the information that was forthcoming was that Bengalis pay higher rates for similar lands, an answer that begs the question entirely as Sonthals are entitled to privileged rates in this area. He has measurod increased area in Raipur, in Raipur, "Jetia and Polasbonı. According to 118 own statement, new cultivation is being assossed at the following rates P'er Bigbo Ro. A 8 1 99 1 0 6 First clasa paddy land 1 Second 5 Third Fourth 012 Upland 127. Homestead lands are alao being charged for at 4 anger and 6 andas per bigba, which is also against the recognised custom of the area.. The rates in the last paragraph are very much in excess of those fised by Munshi Nundzı , and they aro practically tho rates fixed by him for excess land in Bengali boldings. The subject of rests in the Rampur Hît subdivision cannot be finished without a reference to the jalkar charged by the Revd. L. 0. Skrefsrud There 18 a band which he has built in Aturia and for which he charges all the villagers 4 ABD88 in the ropeo of rent jalkar. The villagers say that all the Sonthals have to pay palkar whether they benefit from the tank or not G 2 ·BIRBH01-Renta. This is substantially borne out by the rent-roll of the village, though one raiyat was produced who did not pay the jalkar. The Sonthals are now apprehensive that a further jalkar will be charged to every body for another teok in another village. 128. The following statement of some rents and areas of some villages in Maureswar thana choson at random for comparison shows both the tendency of Tents to be considerably enhanced and the loss in lands: Senal number. Past land of Sontbala, Bug BhOWD ID settlement VILLAGE Landlord Present Past rept of Present rent rent of Bontbals, m Bonthals, as of Bon thala, ghown in as shown in showa ID settlement landlord's landlord's papers papers pe pers papers of 1892 A GS 1 A goa Rs A GB. 322 11 0 B D. 494 13 8 Rs 300 1 67 ... 2 Rampur 3 Ghage 4 Paobami 5 Raipur I. B K. D Mohant Bhagwad 676 6 12 Dags. A tenure-holder 1609 18 0 Ditto 174 17 Ditto 89 6 12 Mohant Bhagwad 122 9 0 Dass Ditto 188 12 Ditto 107 19 8 Duto 940 19 13 273 1 5 224 17 141 13 7 148 1 12 27 5 5 64 2 56 8 121 62 2 8 Dico ogon * 315 8 0 130 10 0 73 4 0 40 13 12 . 6 Nimpabari 7 Kalaipahari 8 Polashboni 70 1 174 239 17 4 35 7 67 76 9 12 409 12 7820 10 8 101 4 16 67 7 15 421 3 2 Oo The figuren for Rampar are extraordinary, but ato correot Vide Appendu l(a) No. XV 129. Sadder subdivision — The area in Sur differs in respect of rents in that there has been do settlement, except 10 a few yıllages belonging to the Maburaja of Burdwan. In the other villages, the total rent of the village les been incroased from time to timo by the proprietor after a rough appraisement or a measurement, fresh paftas being gives on such occasions In one village of Karanjabani, there was an incronse from Rs. 9 to Rs.55 in the rental of the village after a measurement in 1311 The receipts show a rental of Rs. 110, with a remission of Rs. 55, The area is 207 bighas 7 cottabs. The Hotampur Raj also has incroased the rents of its villager. In Moralpur the rent was first Rs. 56-10, then Rs. 80, and now Rs 171, and in Kuyumkandar it was first Rs. 32, then Rs. 45, and new Rs. 85. Without measurements it is impossible to say bow far these rates aro wrong. What is clearly wrong is the large audden increaso, whether the actual increase be justified by the increased cultivation or not. In the Burdwan Khas Mabal settloment renta were increased on account of increased cultivation, but this was done gradually. For example in Moldanga the rent of 242 bighas 2 outtabs 10 dhurs was increased from Rs. 50 to Rs. 88-11-3, by an arrangemont that Rs. 60 should be paid for threo years, Rs. 70 for the next three years, and then Rs. 88-11-7 In Bolpur, Maulvi Saiyid Muhammad Nasiruddin reports that the old rate of rent vared botween 8 annas and to 12 annas per bigha, and in many cases it has now been increased to Re, 1 and Re. 1-12 a bigha, but where it was originally fixed at Re. 1 a bigba that rate bas been maintained. Areas aro not always mentioned in the receipts, and somo cases have been found in which no receipts are granted. BANKURA 130. It has been stated that when a mahajan has obtained possession of a village, he has generally frightened or persuaded the villagers into executing registered documents for their lands at enhanced rents, Such a statement would probably be true of the state of affairs some years ago, and was probably true ·BANKUBA-Rants. 45 this way: years. then in the case of almost every village which wont into the hands of a mahajan, 4.9., Barnagurni, where the rate of cont per rok was increased from Rs. 3 to Rs. 7. But it is not literally true of the present day, though recent instances have been found in which the mahajans have increased the rente. The mdhajan. proprietors find it difficult to prove their right to an increase of rent in Court, and many, instances have been found in which they have been unsuccessful. They find it more advantageous to involve the Sonthal in debts, then buy his land and resettle it at a high produce rent. 131. The method of raising rents by ineasuring increased cultivation and as essing the increase to rent is not very prevalent. In some of the villages of Messrs. Gisborne and Company, rents have been increased in this Ip onc village, Pindagadia (Appendix 1 (6), No. XXIV) an enterpriang Sonthal headman had measured the lands in the village, but had been unsuccessful in razsing the rent in the Civil Court. 132. Jangalburs tenures, from their nature, and also Mandali tenures are liable to increase in the rent, 9., a patta of 1873 for Roktagarua shows that the rent from 1280—1284 B was originally nil, and it was then asseased at Rs. 7. It is now Rs. 23 In Tilaikanali, a patta was given in 1888 with ront at Rs. 20 plus balf the adl cut. The rent bad originally been Rs. 4. In Polasbani, a patta was given in 1889 for a term of years on a rental of Rs. 21. Subsequently, in 1900, a mokurarı patta was given to all Sonthals on a rental of Rs. 74, eight pounds of ganha,* cight seers gundlı, eight seers bajra, ono seer ghee, ono seer kag and eight seers kalar. The rent had been raised to R8, 60 in between But with no measurements, it is difficult to say that the increase in rent was not perfectly justifiable; at all events there has been no excitement amongst the Sunthals concerning the increaso, But in a very large number of villages, omitting the change to e produce rent after a sale rents have not been increased for many This is almost universally the case where there has been no recent cbange of proprietors. obang 133. Comparison betweon past and present rent-rolls was practically impossible, as the tenure-holders in the majority of cases said that rent-rolls did not exist. This, judging from the haphazard way in which receipts sometimes are and sometimes are not granted, and the fact that mensuremonts are not, as a rule, given on the roceipts, is possibly the case. Thogo that I saw were of Jittle value. The rents in some Ghatwal villages in Chhatna wcro compared with the Ghatwali chethus prepared during the Ghatwal settlement, and the rent was found to be the same. In one Gbatwal village that has been sold, the purchaser 18 trying to increase the rent. 134, On tho whole, it can safely be said that a noticeable increase in the rates of rent is not a characteristic of tbe Soothals in the Bankura district, except when there has been a change of title in the land. The oxception 18 a very big one. Whon a mahajan-proprietor buys land from Sonthal, he proceeds to resettle it with the latter at a very highly increased combined monoy and produce rent, or simply a produco rent, c.g., Jherka Manjhi, of Goberda (Appeudix I(6), No. VIII), sold 2 bighas 10 cottahs restod at 12 apnas in Goberde. He got it back at a rent of 8 maunds, valued by the mahagun at Rs. 16. This, however, is moderate. In Tılabad (Appendix I (6), No X) a sazha rental 28 8 maunds a bigba for good land, and in other villages sajha at ii maunds a bigha has boen found. Io Lodhapakur (Appendix 1 (6), No. XXV] the rent has been increased from Rs. 20-10 to Rs. 31 plus 58 mounds, i e., to about Rs. 147, tuking the mahajans standard value of tho maund at Rs. 2. Many instances will be found in tho Appendix. Receipts are not always given. When no settlement has been made m writing, the proprietor does not consider it 18 incumbent him to grant receipts. Ho maintains the Sontbal has no right is merely an under-raiyat, Tho Sonthals aro rather lucky in that there have not been many untoward results. I am inclined to believe the formation of a Munsiffi at Khatra has had a good effect. This system of rack-renting 18 characteristic particularly of Khutra and Raipur thanas. Beveral examples Beveral examples of Road Cess boldg charged at very high rates have been noted e.g., Goberda and Ragnat in the [Appendix I (1), Nos. VIII and XXVI). Pulsos OD OL ·46 MIDNAPOBE-Rente. MIDNAPORE. 137. Mednapore Zamındar i Company (Thanas Brnpur, Garbheta and Salban) I instructed my Assistant to obtain past pamabandis from the Manager, but the latter failed to produce them In Binpur there has been, and is apparently still going on, a gradual mcasurement of the villoges in the Silda Pargana hut us to how rents would be inoroased, the Aseistant Manager, I interviewed, was reticent All the information available was that rents would be increased by 2 annas in the rupce of reut, whore there was reason for doing so, and fixod rates would be settled for fresh cultivation, Iu Kamarbandı I obtained a lot of ronts, Rs 7-3-10 for bighas 17-6-4 for some recent fresh cultivetion, which betokons a moderate rentul. But the Sonthal Mandal himsolf, while objooling to the inciease in his owo rent, makes a considerable profit on the colloctions of the village [vide Kamerband, in Appondıx I(C), No. 1). In Garbleta apd Salbanı, generally spouking rents have been lucreased. This 18 well illustiated by the villages in the Appendıx. The average rato in the broken villagos of these tnanas is very much bigbe iban in the intact villages of Ramgarh (vede statement below) 136. Rangarh and Lalgarh (Thana Binpurl-The Rajas of Ramgarh and Lalgarh are, I am informed, addicted to measuremont of increased cultivation The statement on the next page gives some idea of the change in rates and rents 11 Rangarh. It does not appear from those figures (collected by Maulvi Saiyid Mulanwad Nasiruddin) that there is very much to complain of in the rates at which iente uno assessed for increased cultivation Some of the villages in the Appendıx however show rents that have been increased out of proportion to the increase of cultivation. 137. Belyabera (Thana Gopiballabhpur). The rents have not been increased for 12 years since 1896 97, when a moasurement of the whole mahal was undertakon, and rente fixed at different ratos in difforent villages for different classes ol land. l'evious rent rolls were not forthcoming. The following is a specimen of the ratos in Dhanimara villago Ront per bigbo Upland- Aanas (laygı 6 ft 9 inaboa) .. . lot olase hula 2nd 3rd 14 10 8 Rioe land 1st class gul 2nd 3r. 4th 3rd class pal (rabi lands noor the river) 14 10 8 77 2P > . 138 Khelar-Nay agrem (Thana Gopiballabhpur).-In Nayagram there was a miasurement anl sctilemont by the Court of Wards in 1886. In 1898-99 the uplands or dah lands hitherto unassessed were measured and assessed to rent. The estato used to cultivate indigo under an arrangemeut that the raiyats were to sow half a higha of indigo for each plough they owned, and in roturn they were poimitted to cultivate as much dahe land as they pleased. In 1898 indigo was stopped owing to the falling off iu price. The four indigo factories of the estate were closed, and in the following yoаr all tho uplanda were measured, and an Emnicable settlement of the same was carried into eflect A statement 18 given on the noxt page showing the result of this settlement in a few sclected villages. But though the assessment in some villages was largely inci eased thoro are now no complaints regarding the increase , in point of fact it 18 regarded as a blessing in exchange for the labour of cultivating indigo, which from all accounts was not very popular.

·MIDNAPORI-BALABORI-Rente. 47 139. Nayabasan and Rohini.-In Nayabasan and Chiara the rents were last settled in 1886 and 1891, respectively, and since then there has been no change, so far as my information goes. There are settlements under the Bengal Tenancy Act now going on, or have just been completed in Jhargram, Rohiui, Chiara and Nayabasan. In the northern thanas of Midnapore the practice of mohajans Jetting out lands on large produce rents is much the same as in Binpur thanu, but it gets less prevalont eastwards and southwards. RAMGARII Serial To Name of Zumindar Present arca Lield by Old arca hold by Sonthal Mandal Name of Village Old Jama l'resent Jana REMARES Sonial Mandal в с B (D 1 Haja of Ramgarh Harulia 193 9 j0 90 96 in 1291 ga 5K dr Hy 27 11-9) A. RB 60-9-44 In 1296 the gunn was RA 418 plus 9 Ara paddy for H 142 2 Ditto Benagaria 118 9 10 1309 to 1316 64 10 6 3 Ditto Chota Brindabanpur Chonpara 16 A 4 E Rs 19-8.6 LA paddy R: 21-50 B, 12-0.0 IBA 12 k R. 31-191) 1 A 14 K Fg 27-8 0 12 A R3, 14-0-0 ► Ditto 78 6 10 1302 to 1,08 4110 in 1305 Mot Vauze 1876 CUBO Tituin III 13 ) in 1293 217 2 0 in 1889 182 0 0 Ditto Gayra .. 111 130 No change Ditto Bonpokbaria 22 A 7, 6P KB 47-11-6 26 A Be 42-9.0 21900 22 a 71 6P Rs 47-11 6 25 A B. 42-9-0 (11 18 olloged ibni the old village yama wa RN 12 and 12 Ara. paddy) 7 Ditto Bandgons 103 40 163 40 41 , 7 P. N97-16-9 41 A 7+ P Rs 97-16-9 paltu 1886 Asaru - 16 kuris, Kkuri16 pais P= Rents are paid uu money and i grad Jamalandis of the Kliclar-Nayagram Estate BETTLEMENT OF RENT OF LANDS, EXCLUDING UPLANDS SETILEMENI OL UPLANDS. Serial No Name of Village Year Year Aros, Rent Area Rent в к сн. Rs. A. GB в к CH Rs A. GB 1 2 3 4 3 6 7 8 9 Babyabhol Palasiya Panchgachia Rokbaimara Mohonpura Chalımda Bara Talpa la Rakhoi Astin 1884 21 6 4 6 10 71 1800 200 3 5 78 11 61 130 0 14 49 14 51 111 14 0 36 11 01 1886 189 2 0 118 1 11 6 4 114 0 101 1884 102 14 0 68 7 7 1885 188 4 4 9.) 2 107 1884 998 14 37 9 0 1899 46 8 8 14 6 6 26 1 10 16 1'18% 147 16 8 56 1 05 86 1 12 35 14 0 1398 10 9 109 8 31 20 3 0 6 5 5 206 1 12 90 12 41 47 1 4 21 R 8 162 2 7 73 7 15 81 .. . BALASORE 140. There has been no recent mcrcase of rent. The last measurement in the four-annas share of pargana Fatehabad was in 1305. The old Jamabunda papers are said to be non-oxistent, but rents appear to be still low. In the other ten-annas share, ronts have been the same for at least 20 years, since the last moasurement when rents were fixed.

·48 BIRBEUNIRoots of Settlomants. CHAPTER VIII. EFFECTS OF SETTLEMENTS, (Terms of the Reference No. VIII.) BIRBHUM 141. The effects of the different settlements in Birbhum have already been observed as different questions arose It remains only to bring briefly together the leading results of these settlements. There have been three gettlements - (1) Babu Bhuban Mohan Raha's settlement (1881-83), in which praotically all the Sonthal villages in the Rampur Hat subdivision were measured, in which a compromise was arranged between the proprietor and a headman, and in which certain rates of rent given in Chapter VII were fixed. This was not a record-of-rights under any law, but a record of rents and areas, (2) Munehi Nundji's settlement of the estate of the Mobant of Mollarpur (1891–93) under the Bengal Tenancy Act, forming a record of existing rights and conditions, in which rates of rent wore fixed for the Sonthale. (3) The Burdwan Khas Mabals sottlement under the Bengal Tenancy Act finished in 1892. 142. The principal results of the first quasi settlement, so far as the Sonthals are concerned, are as follows (1) The breakage of the Mostagiri system has been delayed. In the villages settled with a Mostagir one third of the villages are now broken, whilst in the unsettled village the proportion is three quarters. (2) By fixing a low rate of rent, a restrictive influence bas been brought to bear on the increase in the rate of rent. Though rates are now being increased, and in some cases very largely, there can be no doubt that thoy would have been very much higher, had it not been for this settlement. (3) The Sonthals have acquired rights 28 occupancy raiyate. It has had no effect in the following particulars :- (1) It has not prevented the proprietor from charging higher rates of ront for excess land or for fresh settlement of land, though As before there has been a restrictive influence at work, (2) It has not prevented transfers. 13) It has not entirely done away with illegal abwabs amlas exactions. (4) Though & chittha or detailed description of the lands in the whole village was prepared, no khatran was given to each raiyat. Consequent on the inevitable changes since 1881, and the amount of reclamation that has taken place, these chitthas are now of little ог use. 143. The main effects of the second settlement were in effect to settle all outstending disputes between the landlord and tenant, to confirm the rights of the Sonthals as settled raiyats, and to fix the Sonthals' rent at rates less than those fixed for Dikkus. But it has not prevented the landlord illegally increasing the rates of rent for excess cultivation. In A fow villagos, e.g., Rampur [Appendix I (a), No. XV), the record-of-rights has been absolutely ignored by the intermediate tenure-holders, 144. The effects of the third settlement on the bonthals have been unfor. tunate in one respect owing to there being no law regarding headmen. In the report the following remarks occur :- The Manjhi jotes prevailing here, are to all intents and purposes the same as ordinary "settled " boldings, but they pertake somewhat of the nature of "tenures properly 10-0alled. The Manjhi or Mostage is the Sonthal yıllage headman, who takes a settlement ·BIRBHUI, oto.- Biosts of Sottlomants. 49 of large traots of land and subleta it to Bonthel settlers in small patobes, reserving & portion for bu. OWO 1180 They hold generally at low rates in oodaderation of their usefulness to landlords in reclaiming wasto-lands. As a hardy race acoustomed to a rough life, they are pre-eminently Atted for all kinds of diffioult oultivation, and are on this sooount very much in requisition among Birbhum land owners for bringing barren high lands and forest trasts under the plough. 145. These remarks demand some criticism. In the first place, they give the impression that the Sonthal in the landlord's labourer, whose age 18 to reclaim land for the ultimate benefit of the landlord. This 18 entirely the landlord's point of view. Ho forgets that the Sonthal has made the land out of what was to bim then an almost valueless about. Ho proceeds to raise the rent, or to try and oust the Sonthal, because he is covetous of the fruits of the Sonthal's labour. It 18 only recently the landlord has bogun to exploit the jungles, and to preserve them for their timbor. But in this area he has now no opportunity of doing this, as there is practically no joogle left. It seems to be the duty of Government to combat this forgetfulness on the part of the proprietor. In the second place, the recording of tho Manjhi, as a sottled raiyat, has bad the unfortunate effect of causing all the othor Soathals to be recorded As under-raiyats. The result is that in neighbouring villages hold by small proprietors, whenever a Sonthal villago is sold up for zent, all the Sonthals are treated as under-raiyats and are disposressed. For instance, in Dhangalpara, a mahajan bought the vıllage from the Mostagır and obtained recognition by the proprietor (not the Maharaja of Burdwan). The mahagan deliberately dofaulted in tho payment of rent; be was sold up for rent, and all the Sonthals were dispossessed He is said to have been in lengue with the proprietor, who has now got khas possuasion over all the lands, and 18 going to give the mahajan a loage of them In Moldanga, where the Sonthals are recorded in the recordof-rights as under-raiyats of the Mostayır, some of thom have sold their lands to mahajans, who refuse to pay rent to the Mostagır. Consequently the Mostagir cannot pay lus rent, and the village will possibly be sold up for rent, with the anticipated result that one of the mahajans will somehow or other obtain possession of the hamlet and oubt all tho Sonthals from possession, 146, Mr. Skrefsrud s villages have been measured by him, and assessments made at rates similar to those fixed by Babu Bhuban Mohan Raha, or in somo Co Bed at lower nutes. The totul rents are high, but the vılıages are much larger than the ordinary Sonthal villages. One thing to which definite exception must be taken is the illegal gomastha cess of ono anna in the rupoe. There 15 howover not much doubt that the villages alo kept in bettor order by the Revd. L. O Skreferud than other villages in Birbhum. 147 In the unsettled area in Rajnegar and Muhammad Bazar, except foç tho Burdwan settlement, the majority of the villages have never beon nettled, and tho ralyats are at the mercy of the landlord, so far as the total of the rents is concerned in intact villages, in this respoct it differs from the settled villages in the Rampui Hat subdivision, where they are more at the worcy of the landlords, so far as excess cultivation is concerned. In broken villages, in the unsettled area of Rujnagar, there has been little restrictive influence, beyond the neighbourhood of the Sonthal Pergadas, at work iu preventing rents being raleed For example (Appeodıx lía , Nos, XVII and XVIII) in Madempur the rents now average 12 annas a bigbe, and in Kuraluetia Rs. la bighe, which are much lugher than the cutes, to which the zamindars in Rampur Aät subdivision have yet been able to raise their rents. In Bolpur the condition of the Sonthals 18 reported to be better, but this is doubtless due to the fact that the cultivation 18 more recent. BASKURS, MIDNATORE AND BALASORE 148. There has been no settlement in tho areas in Bankura or Balasore under report. In Midnapore the settlements in Jhargram, Nayabasan, Chiara and Rohinı are only just completed. or are still going on, and it is too early to ascertain their effect.

·50 BIRBELUI-Subinfendation. CHAPTER IX. SUBINFEUDATION BY THE PROPRIETOB. (Terms of the Reference No. VI.) BIRUHUM. are Pago 41, Page 16-43 Page 2 Page 18. Pago 49 149. In this area there is a large number of proprietors, most of them small ones, who either patnidara, darpatnidars or sepatnıdars. Jo thuse circumstances, it 18 diflicult to draw the line between the actual zamindar and tho tonure-holder. There are a fow landlords, like P. C. Pande of Pakour, who acroptod Babu Bhuban Mohan Raha's settlement in 1881 and has not even changed the ronts of the village since then, although there must havo beon considerablo reclamation. There is a big proprietor, liko the Mobant of Mollarpur, who up to 1892 was always fighting with his tenants, and was then 'believed to have beon most oppressive, and who is now settling new reclaimed land at rates mucli lugher than those settlod by legal proceedings for the Sonthals in the pargana. There aro landlords, like P. C. Chaudhry, who bas recently incrcased his rents to quadruple what the rent was in 1881, though the area undor cultivation bas only doubled. There are mahajanproprietorx, liko somo of the Mulhati Babus, whose aim has been to get most of the cultivation of their yıllages into their own bands. In tho Sadar subdivision, there is the Maharaja of Burdwan, who is admittedly a good landlord. 150. Exactions of Re. 1 by the gomashta and Re. 1 by the peon per village are by no moans uncommon. In some cases the Sonthals apparently pay something for their receipts, but it is difficult to distinguish this from gomashta-cese. The Rev. L. 0. Skrefsrud charges gomoshta-coss at the rate of one anna in the rupee. Th18 18 defonded by him on the ground that it is the custom in the Sonthal Parganas. It finds a place in his books, audited in Calcutta. 151. Bethbogar, or frce labour, from the tenants at the time of plougbing and harvesting the crop, is still taken by the proprietors, either directly or indirectly by paying the tenants below the market price of their labour. Vegetables are supplied free to the proprietors' amla and occasionally to the proprietor. Landlords ocoasionally come down to the village when the crop is cut, there havo it sold to the mahajan or banya, and the rent is realised on the spot At all events all the landlords arrange to have some one present when the crop 18 being cut. The Sonthals tern it forciblo roalisation of rents, which it really is. I have myself soen a zamindarı peon in a position which can only be describod as that of a custodian of the raiyat's crop, whilo it was being threshed. He seemed a bit ashamed and divested himself of the large staff be was currying 152. But the mattors mentioned in the last paragraph do not trouble the Sonthals much, excopt in a few cases. Their main objections are to the dispossession of lend by mahajans, to the loss of the headmen's right and to the raielog of ronts. Changes in ownership by sub-infeudation since 1881 are not very common, but in the Appendix will be found several instances to prove that in such cases tenure-holders are moro oppressive than landlords. In Jitpur [Appendix 1(a), No. Ij tho mahagan put in by the proprietor 18 assessing renta for ozcess cultivation at double rates. In Karangdıb [Appendıx I(Q), No. III] a similai mahajan has dispossessed the Sonthale of most of their lands and turned them into their servants. In Dobdattapur and Dharmpur (Appendix I(Q), Nos. VIII and X] the Sonthals have become the servants of the owners. In Dhaimpur one of the owners bas given to his own son and others a lease of some bonthalı land in the village, which he had obtained by sale, and now the son has become a raiyat ant planted Sonthal under-raiyats on the land. In Bajpara [Appendı 1(a), No. XII) a mukhtear bought the village at an auction-sale, and proceeded to raise the rents from Rs. 18 to Rs. 93. In the Mollarpur villages, intermediate tenure-holders are absolutely ignoring the record-of-rights. For cxample, in Rampur they have taken away all the uplands of the Sonthels and Tages 13 17 Payos 24 25. Pogcu 41 44 ·BANKURA-Subinfoudation. 31 increased the rents (Appendix I(Q), No. XVl. There is not the slightest doubt that tenure-holders are more oppressive than landlords. Their aju make money out of the village. They have gedorally only that village and can therefore devote their attention to it. DANKURA Bat Page 15 153. To the question what effect the practice of subinfeudation by zamindars has had ou the Sonthals, the only answer can boa most adverse effect. To the other question, whether tenure-holders are more oppressive than zamiodars, the answer is undoubtedly "yes," provided thoy ale mahajans. The reason is that in Bankura, subinfeudation takes tho form of subidfeudation Pager 28 20. Pago 18 to money lenders or grain-dealors whose only object is to mako monoy. in this area there is very littlo chance of a comparison between the metlods of the zamiodar and the tenure-holder, because subinfoudation 18 so very prevalent; the large zamindars have let their villagos out on lease or distributed them amongst their adhorents, in a number of cases aro heavily involved and in other cases their estates have been sold up in satisfaction of their debts. The villages under tho Chhatna Raj havo beon leased to tonureholders, so long as the villages were under the Raj they appoir to have been intact, but the tenure-holders proceedod to break down the system and raisu the renie. As an example of the kind of thing a tenure holder indulges in, the oldest and largest village in Chhatna may bo cited. Tho tonure-holdere brought successively egainst the Sonthad hondman, who was formerly a substantial mokurridar, a suit for componsation for having cxcavatod a band and turned wasto-lands into cultivation, a criminal case for having cut troos, & title suit for the uncultivated area and a ront suit on uecount of increased demand, but each of thom was decided in favour of the houdman. But the headman and his co-bbarors had already oxecutod & mortgago bond for Rs. 399 in favour of one Gayaram Ker, who is said to have paid ou 108dy money, but promised them to look after the civil suits and supply the necessary expongcs. As he failed to do so, othors camo in and looked after the civil suits, to whom the headman and his co-shares had to transfer their lands on the termination of the civil suits foi the expenses they had incuired, and so on, until tho mokuraridar was jqinod. In Chhatna tho Tambolis (or botel-sellers) possoss the worst roputution ns tenure-holders, They are also caltivators and mahajans, and indulge in all the usual mahajani practices in order to obtain possession of the Sontbals' lands. The smaller tonure-bolders also indulge a little in arbitrary eviction. 154. Klatra thana used to be called Dhalbhuin, and formorly belonged to a Raja of the washerman casto. It is now divided unto two ostates, Supur and Ambikanagar Tho greater portion of the Supur ostate has beon sold, and that of Anbikanagar has been sold to Sir Sourindra Mohan Thakus, and is in the Court of Wards. The big landowner as the immedia to rent-receiver of the Sonthal does not now exist, oxcopt in the villages uzder Su Sourindra Moban Thakur, Messrs. Gisborne and Company and the Sımlapal Raja, the mahajang have taken the place of the ront-receivers. The result 18 [orde in villago Goberda in the Appcndıx 1 (), No. VIII] that they immodiately try and get all the land in their possession. In the sumo villago the mahajan proprietor charges road cess at an illegal rate, about 2 annas in the rupeo. The difference between the ways of the mahajon tenure-holder and tho zamunder are well illustrated 10 the village of Hainagurni (Appodıx I (b), No. IX] by the rents. Where the mahajan has bought land, he lets it out again ut a bigb produce rental equivalent to twenty fold the original rent, but tho zaminder 16 contont to inclong the rent, when land has been sold up to a little more than double the origiual (vide case of Duma Manjhi No: (7)). The Sonthals respoct the Khetra Raja. but dikke the mahajan-proprietor and his ways. 155. In the Raipur thana, portions of the obtate of Syamsunderpur have been sold, Phulkusma has also been sold ; and Raipur has been leased out to Messrs. Gisborne and Company in satisfaction of debts. Of the villages examined, except those held by Messrs. Gisborou and Company, all the villages wore held by tenure-holders, inostly mahajans. An occasional village would be found, like Halodkanalı, where the proprietor was a Bengali Brahmin, and not a mahajan, G 2 Lugo 10 ·52 MIDNAPORE-Subinfondation. Page 11 Pagos 20 29 who admittedly treated the Sonthals well. In Onda the tendre-holders are not reported to be oppressive; in this area the Sonthals cultivate most of the lands bhagti. Bethbgear is practically a universal institution. In some cases, As in Goberda and Harnagurni, the Sonthels have to give bethbegar both to the immediate rent-receiver and tho Khatra Raj. Thoy appear to give it willingly enough to the Khatra Raj, which they regard with respoct and & certain amount of sympathy on account of its indebtedness. Besides bethbegar, vegetables have to be provided either for the tenure-holder or for the zamindar's amla. At festivals of funerals & subscription called mangan 16 levied. If a mahagan-proprietor buys a horse, the Sontbals are made to contribute towards its purchase. MIDNAPORE 156. The Jungle Mahals, divided as they are betweon large proprietors, of which the chief are the Midnapore Zamindari Company, the Nawab of Murshidabad, the Maharaja of Mourbhanj and the Raja of Jhargram, may be divided into two halves. The aorthern half is that in which the Mandal or Aimadar or Ijaradar corresponds to a tenure-bolder, and has intervened between the proprietor and the raiyat, and the southern half is that where tho mandal or Pradhan is practically only the zamındar's tahsildar or does not exist at all, and there is practically no subinfeudation As to how far this state of affairs has affected the Sonthal Leadmın system has already been discussed in the chapter on that system 157. In the first area where the Mandal is also a mahajan, he is enabled by his position to carry on his mahajanı business with greater success with his rayats, and he is more opprossive than the proprietor. The Mandal in this aroa also manages to distribute the road coes he has to pay amongst bis tenants; even the Sonthal Mandal doos 80 [vide Kamarbandi, Appendix I(Q), No. I ] in which village the cess has been levied at one anna in the rupee of rent on nach raiyatı. Bethbear is sometimes taken, When the mahajan tenuren holder obtains land from the tenant by arent or privato sale, he lots it out un a produce iack-rent This the landlordproper does not do. 158. Iu the second asca, the mahajan is tabooed by the proprietor as a tenureholder. In the first area, however, the Midnapore Zamındari Company is the principal proprietor, and as a company formed to make tnoncy out of zamındari they may be relied upon to obtain their pound of ficah I hoy have increased rents in the past in Garlbeta and Salbani. In Binpur thoy are about to do so. Thoy seemingly are not free from trouble with the tenants. In one case the zamindari peons had been sent to obtain possession of somo jungle, but the Southal who owned it resisted and shot one of the peons with an arrow. The Sonthal was convicted for this (he admitted to me he had shot the arrow), but he was found . possession of the jungle. Tbe other landlords who demand notice in this area are the Rajas of Ramgarh and Lalgarb. The first or his ancestor, as already remarked, has cut off slices of villages for his own use whon they are cleared and ready for a settloment. He also indulges in periodical measurements and rovisions of rent. Ho charges mangan called haltakı at the rate of a rupee a plough on the occasion of a birth, death, or marriage io his family Tho Raja of Lalgarh charges a ceas on the prohts it realised by the Mandals from the raiyats over and above the rent. This is called "perjar munafar upar dharja." In the south, amongst the other large proprietors, little oppression now exista, except by the Zamindari peons or amnia In Nayagram, there are many complaints against the peons of the cstate, who always exact something whonever they come to the village and who take hush money from the Sonthals for cutting the forbidden sal. In the same estate the rents were considerably enhanced on account of the assessment of dehi lands (uplanda) in 1898 (vude Chapter on rent), but the present fixity of the rent 18 regarded as a blessing by the Sonthals, and there was no complaint regarding this. Mangan, or a cess collected on tho occasion of any ceremony or other special reason, c.9, the purchase of an elephant, is common oven amongst the smaller of the large proprietors. Occasionally the Sonthal does not even know what the collection is for. BALASORE, 139 There are few rebiarks to be made on the subject of sube infeudation because the villages are all khas in the 10 anna share, and are 12, 16 Panu 11 MgO 16 Paley 46 47 Page 29 ·BALASOBE-BIRBRUX-Sabinfondation - Education 63 held by Sonthal Pradhans or Ijaradars in the other share. In the first area there is practically no oppression by the zaminder, but the tahsildars demand and receive bethbegars for the cultivation of their own lands and are supplied with fuel at certain festivals. 160. In the socond area where the amla have a great doal of power in the estate bethbegari is said to be regularly demanded by the amla. The amla in this estate, as already noted, have taken advantage of their position to get lands into their own hands by mahajanı, and a few instances of Arbitrary eviction by then have also como to light. Page 41 GENERAL 161 The roal proprietors of the soil the Sonthals respect, howevor much they grumble at their exactions. There are good and bad proprietors, but the tenure-holder is as a rule more oppressive than the landlord , far more if he 18 a malayan, which he is to a large extent in Bankura and north Midnapore and to some extent in Birbhum. Such a tenure-holder receives no respect from the Sonthals Tho effect of sub-infeudation on the village headman stom bas been sufficiently indicated in the Chapter on that system It is difficult to Bay of proprietors and tenure-holders which are more keen to break an intact village. On the whole, it is probably tho latter. CHAPTER X. MISCELLANEOUS, (Terms of the Reference No. X.) The matters treated in this Chapter have only been the inoidental subject of inquiry ] EDUCATION BIRDHUM 162 The following note by the Deputy Inspector of Schools in Birbhum illustrates the stutc of education amongst tho Sonthaly in that district – From a roſorence to my ofhco records, I find that the history of Southal education in this district dates from the year 1881, when five schools wero openod as an experimental masuro Okpecially for the education of Sonthal children, Since then Buch schools have been maintained with varying success, but the eduoation in thum has all along boon mainly confined to the 3 Rs, taught through the medium of Bengali, the vernacular of the district Z'he Middle school ruturns sometimes show Sonthal pupils in stages higher than the Primary. but euch cases are very rare, and the exact numbor cannot be given, as figures are not available, During the current yeni, as far as I romember, I noticed two or throu Sonthal pupils receiving oducation beyond the prinary stage in Middle sohocls A statement showing the progress- of Honthol education zu thus district durwg the quoquennium endiug in Maruh 1909 IS Bauexed It shows that the progress, though not very encouraging during the first three years of the quinquennium hae, during last two years, been sutisfactory as far as schools and pupils aro conoerned. But the progress of education 18 not judged only by the number of schools and pupils, tho principal factor determining it being the effioionoy of the tenohors aud the taught What we have dono now 18 the oollection of materials only, and it will take years to complete the work of construction and consolidation, which, having regard to the conservation of the footbals, cannot but be slow • 1D 1907-38 tho Director of Publio Instruction on the roport of the District Magistrate) was pleased to sanotion Rs 4,800 for Sonthal eduoktion in this district, tho full amount for which we have applied. In the latter part of 1906-07, the Sub-Inspectors of Schools were requested to open now Bontbal solools in their respective arend, with the result that so many 89 61 schools were returned in 1907-08 Most of the existing schools are still in their infanoy, and it would be premature now to say anything about their aniccers The working of those schools 18 watched with keen interest, not only by the Educational officers, but also by the Diatriot Magistrats himself, and it 18 hoped that the result achieved will, if not fully commensurate to the cost incurred, bo not quite disappointing The Sontbal pupils are exempted from Payment of sobool fees, and special Lower Primary Sobolarship has been reserved for them It will not be out of place to mention hero that the age limit, which 18 13 years in the case of aboriginal pupils' competing for Lower Primary Scholarships, stands not infrequently a ·54 BIRBEUT-Edpontjon. the way of their getting such soholarships; and I am of opinion that it may be raised to 16 years, at least, in the case of scholarships reserved for them, if not for general competition, A Sonthalı-knowing Assistant Bub-Inspector of Bobools bas of late been appointed to supervise tho progress of the Sonthal oducation in the distriots of Birbhum, Bankura and Midnapore, and his offorts to populare education araong the Bontbals will, I believe, not Trovo altogether fruitless Stalement shcucing the progress of Southal Eilucation in the District of Burbhum during the quinquennium ending in March 1909. 10 EXTENDITORE FROM TUBI IC I UNDA YEAR. Number of Sontbnl Total number of schools, excluding those in schools colomu 2 Sonthal of Sonthal 10 column 2 on those Percentage of figures ID column 3 Total pupils at schools, pupils 10 escluding those Number schools. column 5 Percentage of figures in column 5 on those in column 6 Provincial Revenues REMARKS. Number of Sonthal teachers employed on these sobools, and their qualifications Distriot Funds from Namber passed the Lower Primary Examination Sonthal schools. Total. 1 21 3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 1901-05 ... 18 1,034 17 436 | 27,607 17 840 1117 4 957 1 Upper Pri mary pagsed AllLower Primary Echools. 1905-16 ... 1906-07 ... 20 20 1,035 1,0.30 19 28 518 018 28,449 27,722 18 23 821 113 790 155 2 3 938 Ditto 945 1 Upper Pri. mary and 1 Lower l'rl- Mary passed 4,600 3 Upper Pri- Mary and 2 Lower Puls mary passed 1907-08 GL 10198 55 1,219 | 29,757 40 4,600 3 . 1 Upper I'rimary and 60 Lowo Primary schools 1908 09 G1 l'igures not avail- 1,181 Figures not avail. 4,600 ublo now alle now 4,600 3 Upper Prie mary and 1 Lower Pr. mary passed 163, Thero certainly has beon an advance made in education, as compared with the condition of Bankura and Midnnpoic.* In the village of Gopalpur there wero as many as 20 Sonthals on the registor, and only 15 Muhammadans When & school hals been established in any vıllage, the Sonthals of that village and a fow from the villages very near attend it But, if the school is at a little distanco, very fow of the children do. Iu villages where there has boon much dispossession, the peoplo aru rathrı apathetic about educating their children, as they say they have to work now as labourers, and will always havu to work as such. For examplo, in Kalyanpur, the villagors go off to work in the quarries of Pakaur, and tako thoir children along with them. Tlicio are a few, but very fuw, well-educated Southals. An examplo 18 Durga Manjbı, the Perganait in Rampur IIat, who has stirred the Sonthais up to a sense of their wrongs and grovancoe. To this I must add that Mir Skrufsrud, a matter which is well known to Government, has done a grout deal towards cducating the Sonthals. His Mission can be relied upon to furnish Sonth.al school masters in the Birbhum schools. Pago 1 District. Birbhum Hankura Midoapur Sonthal population 47,231 1,06,0R2 1,48,261 Nomber of Bonthal pupils 1,184 1,328 1,481 ·BANKURA-Education. 55 BANKURA 16t. "No one in the villago can read or write. We do not sond our cbildren to school. 1 hicro is a Achool a mile off. It has a Dikku master, We do not send our chuldron to it. It is too far, We cannot pay tbe fecs. Our boys are frightenod of the Dıkku boys. They also are required as labourer8. Yes, we recognise that education will help us against the makajan. If there is a school close at hand, a Sopthal school master and do fees, we would send our children to school." That is the usual kind of roply received. Somo of them, lowovor, are very much alive to the necessity of cducation as a weapon against tho mahajan, und would welcome cducation. Tbero arc, of course, educatod inen here and there, and possibly 10 cvery othor villago or so a inan can be found who can read and writo, and in a few villages even thico or four mon. But in the north, in Cl:batna, it is reported that oducatod pcrsons can almost be counted on the fingers of one hand, a collecting member of a panchayat, two daffadars, one village school-master and few others. 165. Two villages were found in which Sonthal schools existcơ somo ten or twenty years ago, but they were subsequently discontinued la onc fees had to be paid, which was a deterrent. In another village tho childicn used to go to school, but a Dıkku school-master, who punished them, was appointed iustoad of a Sonthal, and they ceased going to school. Where villages have just started with a Sonthal school-master, I have noticed an increase in attendance 166 Such an outlook is not very encouraging , but, as a matter of fact, in recent years bomo progress has been made in education, as the following figuros show - 1908-1909 1902-1903 CLAGB OP SCHOOL. Total Total Sonthul number | 80 number of pupils! pupils of pupils Sootbal pupils ... | ... > Iligh English Midille Vorniculai Uper Primary Lower Other Schools l'riyate lastitutions 2,161 1,928 1,140 8,748 28,854 557 2,116 1,467 1 1,138 102 8,031 224 2 1,851 1 315 477 91 395 6 455 | Total 43,846 1,328 | 38,795 497 It will appear that the number of Sonthul pupils has risen from 497 10 1902-03 to 1,328, or by 831. The ohildron generally end their education in Primary schools 167. It is soported thint as a rule the boys pay practicnlly little or no food. The incroago in numbers lepoited to be due to the introduction of capitation allowancos paid froni the departmontal primary grant to the guus for teucluing aboriginal pupils in addition to the ordinary Distiict Board grant-a method calculated to increaso puper numbers. 168. Tho percontayo ol Sonthal pupils to the wholo numbor of pupils is 3 02,, but as tho percentage of tho Sonthal population to tho wholo population 18 9 5, the number of Sonth ly attending school 18 considerably in defect of the population. Under the 15 per cent. rulc, 15,852 Senthals aro of a school-going ago, whereas only 1,328 actually attend school, thint 18 8.3 per cont. of the wholo nurbor of a school-going age. At present there are 13 Sonthal teachers in the district against 9 and 11 in the last two preceding years respoctively.

·56 BANKURA-Edpoetion. 169. The following table shows the number of scholarships awarded to Sonthal pupils for the past four years.- NOWBER OF BONTHAL PUPILS OBTAIN- ING SCHOLARSHIP, YEAR. Junior Middle Sobolar-Boboler. abip. slip Upper Lower Primary Primary Sobolar-Bobolarship ship- 1 . 1908 1907 1906 1905 2 2 ܒܬ ܟܬܗ 1 * * Including one girl 170. The Saronga Mission lias also done a good deal towards the education of the Soothals, as the following socount kindly given by the Revd. G. E. Woodford will show - “Our educational work ainongst the Sonthals began at Bishnupur about 30 years ago, when a boarding school for Sonthal·boys was established, which has continued up to the present time, It was removed to Bankurs soon after its inception, and there it developed into the “Sonthal Training School.” Then about pino years ago, when we took up the Sonthal work in earnest, and established ourselves at Sarenga, tho school was transforred to that placo. The school 18 a Middle Vernacular school and has a good record. For a number of years in succession our boys won scholarships, and quito a number of teachers have been turned out by it. We have some dozen village schools in connection with the Mission, the average about 20 pupils each, but are not purely Sonthal, the teachora of all of which we have trained ourselves. An even greater number of our old Sonthal boys are running, with moro or less Buccess, independont schools in the district. Three or four of our best boys have been sent to Bankura to read English, and ono of them takes his intermediate this year About six years ago we established a Sonthal girls' boarding school, which toaches up to the Upper Primary standard only Our pupils in this school are all Chistians. Besides the ordinary subjects, we teach the girls sewing and drawn thread work We try not to lift thom out of their station. Our aim is to create a community of intelligent, thrifty, sobei, clean Sonthal cultivators, in this aroa. There are from 40 to 50 boarders in each of these schools. As a rule, the pupils in tho village schools do not get very far They are taken away to holp their parents whonevur thoy are busy, and, being discouraged, they soon give up reading under such unfavourable circunstances altogetlior. In the boarding school, on the other hand, it is she rule for the boys to rend steadıly, as long as wo sec that there 18 any hope of their being able to profit by it Tho American Baptists of Midnapore once had a lot of village schools in this neighbourhood, and I am constantly coming across Sonthals who have learned to road and write under theia. I uuderstand that Government used to give thein generous help for developing education amongst the Sonthals. With help from Government, we could do much to develop the village schocl systom in this arer Probably a dozen men, who have read up to the Middle Vernacular standard, are available as teachers, if Government require them. If Government is in varnost about extending education amongst the puople, I consider that a spocial man should be appointed to work it up in each Flo night work under the existing Educational authorities in each district, but I should prefer that he did not. The essentials for success in village schools are perhaps : (1) Ilolidays during tho very busy times of cultivation. (2) Absence of fees. (3) Employment of Sonthal teachers. (4) Absence of Hindu scholars, at least, in any number. агса.

·MODNAPORE-BALASORE-Education. 57 Another thing that I think the Sonthals feel is that there is no prospect for them when they have learned, say up to the Middle Vernacula 7 standard- All they can look forward to now is the becoming a teacher of an indepen, dent Primary school, where they may or may not earn enough to keep body and soul together. The Distriot Board may possibly give a small grant, but that is uncertain, and depends on infuence to a large oxtent. It usually mean8 great sacrifice for Sonthals to educate thoir boys up to the Middle Vernacular standard, and some of thein, I fear, are coming to the conolusion that the result is not worth it." OU .. . . U.. MIDNA PORR. 171. My information on the subject of the education of Sonthals in Midnapore is rather meagre. The are 45 Primary schools undor the control of the Missionary bodies, where Sorthals and other aboriginal bodies receive instruction, each having on an averago 20 boy pupils, Altogether there are 900 boys'and 190 girls under training. All these schools are taught by Bonthals. The number of Sonthal pupils in ordinary Primary schools taught by non-aboriginal teachers for the last two years is as follows: 1908-09 391 1907-08 387 The Midnapore Distriot Board has reserved two Lower Primary scholarships for aboriginal papils. In Jhargram, though many of the sohools are connected with, or contiguous to, Sunthal bodies, they rarely attond them, But the state of affairs is very similar to that'in Bankura, and south of the Subarnarekha is ever worso. Bunpur, Garhbeta, Jhargram and Salbani aro well within the influence of the different Missionaries, and efforts are being made to educate the Sonthals, but even in Midni, a laige village of 6) bouses, where there is a school, only two persons know how to read and write, and four know a little. How liable to failure these efforts are, is obvious from the fact that in two or three places like Kristonagar there woro once schools, which have now been given up There was another school at Chamarband (Gopiballabhpur) under the Bhimpur Mission, with a school-master who was paid Rs. 5 by the Sonthals ; but ihoy ceased to pay, and the school coased to exist, 17. The Sonthals in this district are more or less apathetic on the subject of education, but occasionally an enthusiastic Sonthal will be found who wants his childron educated. One brought threo of his children to mo for examination. He used to send thew to school in another village, but had taken them away because they only pretended to go. In Kohini also there aro comparatively a large pumber of Christian Sonthals, who are oducated. In the samo mabal thero is a pathsala with a Sonthal guru who gets about Rs. 4 or Rs. 58 month from about 25 pupils paying fees varying from 2 to 4 annis a month. These remarks do not apply to the Bhumijes in Rohini, who are still more backward. South of the Subarnarekha the almost universal state of affairs is that no one can read or writo, and no one goes to school indeed; in some placos, they do not know Bengali well enough to go and normal to labour amongst the Dikkus. Yet at Ambi there is a palksala whose master is a Bhumij; he bas 30 pupils, of whom 10 are Bhumi) and 20 are Sonthals, and he roceives about Rs. 2-8, or Rs. 3 a month. Tho school had not been inspectod by the rural Sub-Inspector for three years. Tho percentage of Christian Sonthals south of the Subarnarekha is very smal. BALABORE 173. There are 37 schools in the area inhabited by the Sopthals in the permanently-settled part of the district, north of the Subarnarekha, of wbioh ten are classed as 'Lower Primary Sonthal Mission Schools, and are managed by the Baptist Mission. There are besides this six other Mission schools of different kiods-kindergarten, girls,' zonans and mistresses'. 174. The Mission are thus doiog all they can to educate tho aborigine, Nevertheless, touring through the district and taking op haphazard villages, the usual reply I received was that no one could road or write, and that no ;

·68 BIRBHUI-BANKURA-Liquor Info. one went to school. Sonthal school-masters are employed in the schools; and from the accounts and papers of one Sootbal school-master, it would appear that no fees are charged." His remuneration was Rs. 4 a month; the total number of popils on his register 21, and the average attendance 76 per cent. Page 92 No. 8) GENERAL 175. I entirely agree that the essentials mentioned by the llocommendatior Rovd. G. E Woodford are essential for success; of these, the most important are # Sonthal school-master, and the absonce of fees; the holidays in cultivetion time should be given 28 & mattor-of-course, and the schools should be for abonginos only. I would suggest that Sonthal education be developed on these lines. Missions might be asked to supply schoul-masters, and in return some subsidy might be given. The Sonthals of different villages would probably agroe to build a house for the school-master. A clean house, such as the Sonthals build for themselves, would be quite sufficient. I would certainly not attempt to raise subscriptions for expensive schools built on any standard plan. The first offort should be made in the Perganait's village through the Perganait, and his influence brought to boas on the Sonthal head. men in all the other villages. STATE OF LIQUOR TRAFFIC. BIRBHUM. 176. The Sonthal is proverbial for his taste for drink, but he prefern to manufacture his own liquor called hanri or nce-beor. This also he use. for religious purposes, when it is made by the women in a ceremonial manners In this district at the Barne and Saharul festivals, its manufacture is allowed on payment of a small fee. But there is no doubt that illicit manufacture goes on at other times, although the Sonthal aros 18 covered with pachwai shops held by Sunrıs as vendors. This pachwar (Dikku rice-beer) is the favourite drink of the Sonthal. Country-spint 18 too expensive for them. Some say they do not care for it; others that they really prefer it; but. in any case, its price is beyond the Sonthal, and he does not drink it. Women drink rice-beer, but not pachrar, because they are more particular in ceremonial matters than men and will not touch what a Dikku has prepared. The old men are the worst drinkers, and the money that the labourers make is mostly spent in the pachwar shops. But thoney is not a necessity, as grain is accepted in lieu of cash. The Excise Deputy Collector reports that for & seer of paddy by volume, a reer of diluted pachwai by volume 18 generally supplied. The price of a seer of paddy is about three pice, and that of a seer of pachwai oneand-a-hall pice. This agrees with my enquiries, whicb showed that the Sonthal in giving grain had to pay about twice as much as he would if he paid in money. This barter should be stopped. Tbe Sonthal in this area wants to be allowed to brew his own rice-beer: firstly, because he uses it at all religious ceremonies; (Rocare mandation secondly, because the women can drink it; and, thirdly, because he wants to drink withont let or bindrance. Pro 92. BANKURA. 177. As in Birbhum, the Sonthals in this district are in this district are addicted to liquor. They prefer, however, the liquor made from mahua, molasses, etc., but where its price is too high, they drink pachwai or rice-beer whioh they regard As both food and drink. Pothwai from tne shop is practically unknown in Raipur. They are allowed to manufacture rice-beor at home during the Barna festival, but they want it for other festivals. For those ceremonies, and for the uso of the women, thoy indulge in zllicit manufacture. A good mahua crop is also said to lead to illicit dietillation. Grain is not accepted instead of money. Sonthal vendors are not employed. Sonthals aro no more babitual in their attendance at liquor shops than Bauris or other castes.

·MIDNAPORE-BALASOBE-Liqdor Tratio. 69 MIDNAPORE. 178. In Midoapore there is one striking feature in the state of the liquor traffic which differentiates it from Bankura and Burbbum, and that is Bucording to the Excise Deputy Collector's repurt, that Sonthal and Bhumij sellers hold pachwai shops. Sonthal and Bhumij sellers ato found in almost all shops. A Sonthal woman will dnnk the nice-beer prepared by a Sopthal in such a shop. But no Sonthal will use it for his cerowosies, because it is not properly, prepared in a clean and ceremonial manner in now vessels. He freely admits that for these purposes he manufactures rice-beer of his own, and Mr.J. B. Wood reports that the Excise peons make hush-money out of this illicit manufacture. It is supposed that educated persons drink less than the ordinary Sontbal, I should not like to state this as a positive fact. Doubtless under the immedia.e notice of the M18810narios they are temperate, but I have seen cases, e.g., a school-muster intoxicated at 9 A.M., which lead me to acoept such an opinion with a considerable amount of reserve. It is their natural fault, and very difficult to eradicate. Grain 18 not received instead of money in the shops. 179. Distilled liquor 18 regarded as a luxury, as compared with rice-beer, which is looked upon as a necessity and as both food and drink. It is only when the Sonthal comes back from the low-lands with a little money in his pocket that he drinks country-spirit, or when there is such a liquor shop in his immediate neighbourhood. I am informed that ho prefers tho spirituous liquor in the cold weather, BALABORE 180. The main difference between the state of the liquor traffic 10 this area and elsewhere is that housos are given Licenses at 4 annab each for the home-brew uf rice-boer, and the Southala only obtain liquor from shops on market days. The women prepare the nce-beer. an GENERAL. 181. In early chapter it has been already premised that drink is ono of the reasons for the impoverishment of the Sonthal, by which I mean drink obtained from the shop or outstall, whore they spend the grain that the mahajan has left them out of their barvest. The only way of stopping this 18 to close liquor shops and outstills. 182. Country-spirit they can do very well without, but they cannot do without rice-bear. The latter is both food and drink to them, is bealtby, and 19 used by them at thor ceremonial and religious festivals But it can only be used then, when it 18 made by themselves in a special ceremonial manner. Rice-beer made by : Sonthal at a liquor-shop cannot be used for these purposes.. And, as a matter of fact, 18 we have been, they manufacturo it illatly, and the gains gº, not into the hands of Government as license foes, but into the hands of thé smaller Excise officials 88 husb-money. There is therefore ground for conceding that the Sonthal should have reasonable opportunities of manufacturing this rice-beer. The two festivals at which he is allowed to manufacture rice-beer in Birbhum are not sufficient. The provision for house-tickets and for aboriginal villago headman's pachwar home-brewing licenses under rule 13, section XI, page 131 of the Excise Manual, is all that is required, In Balasore they have these house-tickets, and the Sonthals can only go to a liquor shop on market deys once a week. In the Sonthal Parganas, Chota Nagpur and the subdivision of Banka, in Bhagalpur, free homo-browing is allowed. 183. The question now arises whether these house-tickets, and the abolition of the liquor shop, would mend matters. I bave it on the authority of Mr. Bompas and Mr. Gregson, an official and a non-official whose acquaintance with the Sontbal 18 of long-standing, that home.brewing would mean loss drunkonness and less poverty. It is a rather difficult question to answer when put to the test of Balasore where it exists, for there the land is so poor that in any case the Southal does not appear very prosperous, and he also has his weekly market liquor-shop at which he can spend his money. There is, however, I think, considerable force in the argument that, if home-brewing is allowod, 12 ·marriages, cattle, etc., that he wants money.. 80 BIBBHUI-BARKURA-WIDNAPOR—Liquor Tramabant. then only a moderate amount of rice-beer will be drank, because the women will only prepare sofficient for their needs according to their means. In fact, in Balasore, the men admitted that the women did not prepare enough for them. As to drunkedness and poverty, therefore, there is some reason to believe that home-brewing will lead to lens, provided the liquor shop is removed. The above is the case for the extension of the special provisions of the Exoise Mandal to the districts under enquiry. I have however Do recommend. ation to make as I understand the matter has been disposed of. THE POSSIBILITY OF AGRICULTURAL BANKS OR GRAIN GOLAS. BIRBIUM. 184. It has already been observed that the majority of the Sonthal's transactions are in grain. In tbis district he sells his grain to pay his rent. In December the price of paddy was 23 seers to the rapee, and the Sonthal sold it at 22 seers, leaving the banya with a profit ' of one keer in the rupee. He buys nis liquor with his grain. It is only in incidental cases, e.g., for time his supply of the last year has run out till the next rice harvest. When a debt is turned into money, the debt stands very little chance of repayment. He has no idea of the value of money: For these reasons A money agriculturul bank would be practically useless, and the development of grain agricultural banks, or as they are called grain golas, should, if successfal, go a long way towards the improvement of the condition of the Sonthalo. Two essentials are necessary for the conduct of grain gola—the first is A safficient number of educated men in the village, and the second the ability to conduct the bank in a businesslike manner. As ignorance and thrftlossness, the negation of these two essentials, are two of the faults of the Sontbal, it stands to reason that the extension of the system, except under the direct guidance of some competent person, is remote. In some villages a sufficient number of educated persons can be found, but the ability to conduct a grain gola in a busin cos-like manner would be almost sure to be wanting. Such villages are to be found near Mr. Skrefsrud's Mission. He has suggested the formation of a grain gola at Salbudra. I would suggest that one might be introduced there, provided that the Benagoria Mission will undertake to supervise it and, of course, provided the Sonthals will accept this supervision. That they will do so is not very certain. Ms. Skrefsrud is not popular with them at present. I his supervision to my mind is, however, a necessity. In this district, I understand, the Sonthal pays op agricultural loans due to Government with great promptitado, althongb he has to borrow from the mahayan at 25 per cent. to do it. Mr. Skrefsrud complains however that he has difficulty in realising the money loans be makes. One reason for this is that it is a money loan; another that Mr. Skrefsrud is not Government. If the Sonthals are led to believe that a gole is not an institution under the control of Government, but a form of self-help, there will be a risk of failure, The Southals appear to understand the principles of co-operation involved thoroughly, and have expressed the most lively desire to have the golos; their ardour was, however, damped by the knowledge of their lack of educated men who could ron them, BANKURA 185. There are no banks in tbis district under the control of the Registrar of Co-operative Societies. For the reasons already given ander Birbhum, money banks would be impracticable. The Rard. G. E. Woodford started a bank amongst the Sonthals with & money branch. He found that the realisation of money was & difficult task, and the bank has now become a grain gola, pure and simple, which works without the slightest bitch, The rate of interest is one buri in the are or 6 per cent. The Rovd. G. E. Woodford is of opinion that grain golas can be easily extended amongst the Bontbals, MIDNAPORE 186. Thero are at present nine Sonthal" agricultural banks in this district. As to their working I have no knowledge. If they are monoy banks, I recommend their conversion into grain golas, when the mahajans have been ·MIDNAPOBE-BALASORE-BIBBHUM-Bank-Labour. 61 paid off. That supervision which is so very necessary exists in this district to some degree. There are the Missionaries, and there is the Midnapore Zamindari Company, Mr. Gregson of the latter company also is of opinion that agricultural banks would be of little use, but that grain golas might be, and he would be willing to co-operate. Mr. Wood, the Nawab's Manager, is about to introduce agricultural banks in the state of Khelar-Noyagram. Jhargram, being under the Court of Warde, afforda Gorernment with an opportunity of starting them in that area. The Manager of the Mourbhanj Estate of Nayabagan and Robini could also be recommended to introduce them in these estates. BALABORE 187. There are reported to be no agricultural banks uoder the Registrar of Co-operative Societies in Balasore, but there aro Misßions here who could work them. GENERAL 188. The first thing to be done appears to be for the Registrar of Co-operative Societies to obtain the co-operation of the different Missionaries Page 93(Recommondation No o) in the different districts, and the other persons and bodies I have already mentioned, in organising and supervising agricultural golas. They will be able to select suitable villages where there are educated mon to run them. Without personal supervision, there is little chance of the golas being a success at present. As already stated, money banks are not likely to be a success, The necessity for them is less, and a Sonthal will pay back & lonn of grain, but rarely a money loan It is 'understood that one of the objects of monoy banks is the paying off of mahajans, but I think that the realization of tho money lent would be found to be difficult, without forcing the Sonthal to go to another mahajan to raise it. This is what happens with the agricultural loans issued by Government. Two kists are fixed as a rule. One is fixed in the summer, when no Sonthal has bay money. As a result he has to borrow from the mahajan at 25 per cent. to pay back a loan which he got Page 92 (Rosonfrom Governmont at 6 per cent. Incidentally I may recommend that the mandatoa No 10) kuats may be fixed by the Collector in such cases with reference to the time of harvest of the Sunthal's crops. 189. It would be futile to recommend Government to start a huge grain and moboy-lending business with the Sonthals, but it is the only practicable method of solving the problom of their indebtedness. It might, however, be tried in Governmont estates The loans would have to be in grain principally, and given proccmcal. CHAPTER XI. MIGRATION AND DEMAND FOR LABOUR. (Terms of the Reference No. XV.) BIRBHUM 190. Ranganati (vrdo Appovdıx I(a), No.IV) affords a good example of the migratory customs of the donthal. The cultivation of the Bonthal in this area is on the edge of the laterite soul that he loves, so that, when the pressure of the population or the loss of his land drives bim from his village, he is compel. led to seek now land far away, if he does not remain to work 88 a labourer. This he has found in the Borind, already referred to, and in Morshidabad, . In the more northern thanas, & good number have emigrated to those places, A few have gone to Assam tu tea gardens, Then there is a large amount of inter-village migration in the neighbourhood. One man marries the daughter of another who has no 800. He thon goes and takes up his residence in the latter's village. The family of one of the original cloarers of the village is left without & support; the children occasionally go back to the original village from which their father came, or else follow their mother to her village, and so on. 191. As the area is on the borders of the plain proper, there is no great amount of omigration for labour. Tbis the Sontbal foods at his doors. In the northern thanas, he finds employment at the Pakaur quarries, where they get ·82 BIRBHUK-BANKUBA-DNAPORE-Labore . five ennas a box of stone. The whole family work-men, women aud children, lo other places, they labour for tbe Dikkus in the neighbouring villages. Near Rampur Hát, they also labour in that town. Others go and work in Bolpar thada, and settle in the southern thanas as labourers. A fair proportion of the Sonthals are now only labourers. As daily labourers, they earn about 4 or 5 addas a day: As agricultural labourers, they work as krishans, e g., in some cases it is said that the land-bolder gives them 6 bus of grain at 50 per cent. interest ; for this they have to cultivate 12 bighas of land. They are allowed one-third of the crop, from which they have to pay back 9 bis of grain. Assuming that they get about 30 bis of grain from 12 bighas of land, they have very little left. All this contact with Dikkus has had a demoralising effect on the Sonthal. The demand for labour has given him a means of getting ready cash for his liquor Its presence at his door reems to be warping his energies for seeking fresh jungles to clear, and he is settling down as a labourer. Hitherto be has had the reputation of being truthful. Hero be bas lost this to a certain extent, but he has not arrived at the stage of telling an uptruth without being almost at once detected. BANKURA. 192. Io Chbatna, near the coal-field, Sonthals, who have no landa, go and work in the coal mines in the months of Ohart, Bysak, Joyt, and also in Bhado, Arin and Kartık, when there is no demand for agricultural labour at home. They work for a fortnight or so and then return home, going again after a few days. They earn about 4 apnas 8 day. A few families who bave lost all the lands, havo emigrated to the coal minos permanently. From the south-western portion of the district emigration to the coal mines is by no means prevalent, but from here they regularly go in large numbers to Narmal, that is to Burdwan and the plains of Bengal for labour during the transplanting and harvesting seasons, wbere they get as much as 5 or 6 AndAS a a day They bring back a small amount of money, Rs. 2 or Rs. 5, and occasionally larger sums, with which they pay off the debts incurred by their families in their absence. The rest goes in drink. The class that labours 18 drawn from those who have got no lande; but two or three individuals from lurge families. who have not sufficient cultivation, also go off and labour. The labourer who goes narmal 18 a less attractive personage then the Sonthal who remains in the jungle. 193. The Sonthals appear to have given up going to Cochar and Assam, though they used to emigrate there. In Basdebpur one Sontbal actually brought back Rs. 100 from Assam. MIDNAPORE 194. As in Bankura, there is a very very large amount of biondial emigration towards Narmal in the districts of Hooghly, Burdwan and 21-Parganas for labour at the time of the sowing and cutting of the crops. In the extreme south, in soine of the jungly villages on the Mourbhanj border, there is less of this emigration, but it has been given a fillıp by the recent scarcity, and they dow go regularly. They come back with Rs. 2 or Re. 10 with them, with which they wipe off small debts incurred at home. They also labour in the eastern thenas. Some of those io the south go to labour in the large railway works at Kharagpur. The Sonthals do not emigrate for work to the pines, and only a few have gone to Assam. 195. The effect of this supply of labour is summed up as follows by the Revd. A. L. Kennen Thousands of them, having beoome Landless, wander the country Booking coolie work. The mingling of the sexes on the road, the miserable provision for their sleeping where thuy ohance to labour, being borded together berg and there amongst constantly, obanging oompanions without any of the restraint of the village organisation to which they have been acoustomed, 18 rapidly lowering the morals of the community Moreover this wondering life rapidly destroys any inolination they have towards patient industry. It is a feast or a famine. It leasons their love for bome. It tends to inorense petty wayade thefts and arimos. The mortality amongat these wanderers is very great, and greater amongst infants and obildren From a lotter dated 31st July 2000 wita wbuab the potation of the Sonthale of Midnapore var qabmitted to Govpredt.

·MIDNAPOBE BALASORE-BIRBELUX -Labour-Other Tribes. 63 12 who perish from diseases due to exposure. Those who retain their lande are still under oload. No one knows how soon he may be dispossessed. The encouragement to improve u absent. The better a man's lands is, the sooner some Bengali will covet it, and oust him from it 196. South of the Subarnarekha there is transmigration over the Mourbhanj border; and persons who have lost their lands, or have been pressed out by the increase of population, have orossed the border to seek fresh lauds to cultivate. But the fact that a large labouring population still exists there and that labour is obtainable, leading to the condition of affairs stated by Mr. Kendan, seems to have in a measure demoralized their energies, and to heve made them less eager to seek out new jungles to reclaim. Mr. Gregson is of opinion that 95 per cent. of the Sonthals in Midnapore are now labourers, or belouging to the labouring classes, with only a fow bighas barely sufficient for their necessities. This 18 possibly the case in Garhbeta, Salbani, and the other areas like Keshpur and Chandrakonu in the plains proper. But I am of opinion that it is an exaggeration towards the west and south. Though, no doubt, the proportion of labourers there is also largo, many of them have lands which are still worth saving. BALASOBE 197. The Sonthals of this district, though in each yıllage there is a fairly largo labouriog population, do not, as a rule, go to Narmal for work, but go over to Danton in Midnapore, or labour for the Dikkus in the neighbouring villages. Foi working in the neighbourhood they get 4 seers a day, and 2 seers of fried noe. The demand for, labour in the Bengal districts of Hooghly, Burdwan, etc., does not appear to bavo penetrated amongst the Sonthals here as yet. GENERAL 198. The demand for labour has had the following effect: It has had the effect of diminishing tho intensity of any prevalent ecarcity, of providing labour for the landless labourer, and of helping the change of the population gradually from a cultivating to a labouring population. So far as making the Sonthal better off, it has had no effect at all, because the Sonthal spends all the little that he earns. Socially it has had a debasing effect, because in his search for lahour he is freed from the influenco of the village cominunity, and 18 tlırown into contact with all sorts and conditions of persons, many of these of a criminal type, from whom he derives loosor veas of truth, morality and caste These evil social effects are in their tarn woaning the Sonthul from bis boreditary occupation of cleanog the jungle. CHAPTER XII. OTHER ABORIGINAL AND SEMI-A BORIGINAL TRIBER. (Tertas of the Reference No. XIII.) BIRBAUM. POPULATION 10. . Mareri Nalhati Rampur Hat Maureswar Buri Bolpor Dubrajpur Kodas. 727 723 448 2,841 2,827 625 1,257 Bhuiyas. 41 43 199 184 829 34 83 Bauns 97 714 1,987 1,616 9,583 2,899 16,967 01. 199. Aborigines, BodakThe Kodas are an aboriginal tribe (Dravidian), who, in some villages in Birbhum, have cleared jungles in the same way as the Sonthals. According to the “Tribes and Castes of Bengal" they are allied to the Mundes, which places them at once in the same category as that of the Sonthale. Ono of the tolas in Rangamati [Appendix (a), No. IV) was made by a Roda. The Mostagiri right of that village was held aad lost by ·64 BIRBAUX-BANSURA-Other Tribes. & Koda. No detailed enquiry has beon made into the condition of the Kodas but there is no reason why any distinction should be made between, them and the Sonthals if any legislation is undertaken. 200, Sems-aborigines, Bhuiy as — They call themselves Ghatwals in Birbhum. Their numbers are very small, but a few have been found who have cleared the junglo and made the cultivation of the village. Tbey display e tendonoy to adopt Bengalı customs, and are generally classed as low-class Hindus, but are really an aboriginal tribe who come from the Tributary States of Chota Nagpur. Cases have been found in which they used to pay through a headman. 201. Baurus. - There are also a number of Bauris. Some of them are bearers pure and simple, but othors aro responsible for having cleared the lands of their villages. According to the "Tribes and Castes of Bengal ” they are classed as semi-aboriginals, because their habitation is prinoipally Western Bengal, and because their appearance shows they are non-Aryan, but they are not allied to any of the semi-aboriginal tribes, and they themselves profess to be Hindus. 102. Dhangars.-1 havo bocn unable to find out ander what heading Dhargars have boon entered in the Census Return. Two villages were found in which the Dhangars pay the rent through a Dhangar Mostagir, and another [vido Dobdattapur, Appendix I a), No VIII) 20 which they used to do so. This group is, from its absence from the Census Report, not a tribs, but a synonym for an agricultural labourer In this area they appear to be Uraons, and are accordingly an aboriginal tribe. BANKURA. POPOLATION. THANA Bhumij. Beuri Bhaiya. Koda. DAI. 1,704 513 . ... Bankara Gangajalgbati Onda Raipur Sımlapal Independent outpost Khatre 117 5.480 550 11,440 24,606 25,9 1 9,380 6,172 3,078 20,147 11 1,072 114 1,884 539 1,066 18 772 1,451 945 868 163 8,619 1,623 0,290 203 To investigate the conditions of all tho other aboriginal and semiaboriginal tribes in Be..kura and Midnapore would have given work for å separate inquiry of itsrlf. We could only touch tho frioga of the inquiry. 204. Aborigines, Bhumiges.- Bhumijes aro_an original tribe, principally inbabitants of thanas Raipur and Khatra. They are generally regarded as Hinduised Mundas, and are called Mundas by the Sonthals A Munda will marry his daughter to a Bhumi), but will not take her back any more intovhis house. In Bankura, where they have lost their originul language and speak Bengalı, they hail from Barablum. They clear the jungles for cultivation just as the Sonthals do.. Bocauso they hold the majority of the ghats in Khatra, it is believed that they are the original inhabitants of the country. The following office-bearers, I am informed, used to exist (1) Mandal or hoadman, (2) Laiya, the priest , (3) Kudam-Laiya, the Laiya's assistant, (1) Kotal, the mossenger (5) Paramanick, tho menial who collects materials for the priest's devotions The Mandal and Loiya aro reported to be invariably the same in an intact Mandalı village, in a broken yıllage the Laiya is the descendent of the old Mandalı No ofhce bearers were found amongst the Bankura Bhamijes, except the priest, and in north Midnapore the offices of Mandal and Kotal are extinct. It is a natural corollary from the assumption that the Bhumijes are Mundas, that they should be in the same state as rogards dispossession of lands etc, as the Sonthals are, This is the case, 8.9., village Ran band ·BANKURA-Bhumijes. 66 (Appendix I(6), No. XVIII). In thus village 50 per ceut. of the land has been transferred by private sale during the last 25 years A large number of Bhumijes in this area were Ghatwaly The police service they rendered for their lands has been done away with, and their villages were assessed to rent instead, and settled about ton years ago with the Ghatwals. Provious to the settlement these lands were not transferable, but now they are passing into the bands of mahajans. The statemont given below shows the rate of mutation in some typical Cases of Gbatwalı lunds from Bhumij to non-Bhumi, withio the last 10 years Village where land Ghet Name of Ghatwal or Tabedar Area lost Aros lost Ares origi- | Area lost by in euotion nally in private salé sale for the in auction Bale for POsbosslon for dobt QrTears of | debt rent REMARKS. 18 held B. с CII B C CII B C Narkoli, 8897 8 859 7 8 Kajalkudra Nanderohand (Sirdar) 41 1 8 44 7 12 I 3 5 4 Columns 4 and 5 - Qultivoted as we as patit loul 12 2 8 - Tutto Ditto | Kauhoi (Tabo 44 I 8 dar) Ditto Ditto Ruioharan (Ta. 44 7 12 bedar). Ditto Ditto Hidu '(Tabe- 495 12 dar). Damdi Ditto Balai (Tabo- 17 11 8 dar). Do Ditto Jadu (Tabei9 2 0 dar). Jhhati. Ditto Chamah (Sar- 18 6 8 pabari dar) Gopiuuth- Melradıb | Bipin (Sardar) 29 18 pur littu Ditto Pelu (Bardar) 29 18 0 Ditto Ditto Bbasat (Tabe. 140 6 0 dar). 19 2 0 18 6 ...... 0 29 18 0 . 29 18 0 17 10 121 Baund, ba Mashasa 72 10 4 22 10 0 (Bara) Hriday (Tabedar) Ditto Do. 118 11 0 37 0 0 BOT . Auhbay (Tubedar) Column --The cultivated area out of tbe amount 18 only 38 bighus 6 cot the land losl 18 a portion of the oultivated area Column 4-Tho cultivated urel 18 only 46 bigbos 7 cottas 4 dlons, out of vluch the amount shown in column 5 has been lost Colnmn 4-The oultivated aroa 18 only 59 bighes, 11 cottas, of which the amount transferred found part Colunin 4-The cultivated ares is only 56 biglas 3 oattahs 12 dhane Tho land lost 18 & portion of the same Coluinn 4-The oultivated area 18 only 29 bighas 13 oottas The land lost 18 portion of it. Douli Deuli 83 9 12 1900 ... Chandı (Tabodar) . Do. Do 34 20 Lakkban (Tabedar) 13 13 0 There are many other Bhuwij ex-Ghatwals who have lost lands in the same way. General inquiry shows that most of those who have not yet transferred their land are aleedy indebted, and have mortgaged thour lands • in the same way as the Sunthals baro. K ·60 BALI KURA-Other Tribes. The statement below shows how the Bbumij Mandali right has tared in seleeted estates : Number of volg Ath Bbomly Mandi 2 Shyamoundarpur (Court of Words for Raja ( 1892 Su Sourendra Moban Thakur). 1909 Ambikongoro 1884 ditto ditto 1909 :884 Gisborne and Company (Reipur) ) 1909 . 206. The position of the Bhumijes is the same as that of the Sonthals, and anything done for the Sonthals must be extended to the Bhumijes also in Bankura. 205. Daswal Sonthals. These are Hinduisod Sonthals, or half-Sonthals. as they are called by the Sonthals. They worship the gods and goddesses of the Hindus, and can neithor talk nor understand Sonthali. Tho Sontbals regard them as of inferior caste. No Sonthalı woman will eat in thoir houses, but a Deswali women can eat food cooked by a Sonthal. Apparently they used to have the following office-bearers amongst them - (1) Mandal, the headman. (2) Laiya, ibe priest, (3) Kotal, the messenger (4) Paramanick, a menial (probably of the priest) The Mandal is always the Laiya. The Laiya is generally descended from the old Mandal in a broken villago; he is generally the only office-bearer left in the villago now The office-bearers used to have mon lands. The position of those half Sonthals is no better than that of the Sonthals proper (o4., village Akhuta in the Appendix I(0), No. XXII] Their numbers are few, but unknown, possibly they were classed us Sonthals during the Consus. Kodas.-Their numbers are small, but their position is similar to that of the Sonthals (e.g., Kumarbahal in the Appendıx I(6), No. XXI). 207. Semi-aboriginci, Bhuiyas — Like the Sonthals, the Bhuiyas are in a small number of villages the original clearers of the soul, but tbeir number is very limited. They live in Sonthal, Bhumij and Hindu villages. In the Ambicanagare and Raipur Messra. Gishorno & Co) Estates thero used to be three Bhuiya Mandals in 1884 ; now they have lost their nghts, and thore is only one vlllage partly held by a Bluya Mandal. Their position in Khatra is even WOTAO, if it could be, than that of the Southale. Rajasol (Appendıx !'b), No. XIX) is a typical village. The Bhuiyas have lost about 83 per cent, of their lands in this villago during the last twenty-five years. In Chhatna only two small villages of Phuiyas were discovered, whose ancestors had been the original clearers of the soil. All the land they had, had been transferred to the money-lender, and the Bhuiyas are at present daily labourers. 208. Baurus.—The population of Bauris in Bankara 18 very large. I do not pretend to have made any inquiry into their condition. In most placos the majority appear to be labourers with no land of their own. They have followed the Dikkus into the villages, and earn their livelihood by working in their fields. But in Khatra thana a fow of them are the original clearers of the soil, like the Sonthals, and in those villages that were examined they were losing lands in & manner like the Sonthels te g., Banini in the Appendix I(6), No. Šx]. Io a few villages there were alec Bauri Mandala. I understand that on the whole the Bauris liave no: lost their land at such a rate as the Sonthals have, because they are known to be desperate men. 209. Kurmis.-Thono are semi-uborigines in this district. They are to be found principally in Raipur and Khatra thanas, wbere they dumber 8,619 and 5,190 respectively. They are regarded by the Sonthals as superior in caste to themsolves. I have no particular information regarding their position, 210. Khereyas.—This tribe appears to have escaped separato enumeration at the census in this district. I give below the following interesting report of the Kanango Maulvi Ekramuddin on this tribe:- The most aboriginal race in the district. They live in the midst of jungles Bometimes only one, bat generally two or three, and sellom more than six or seron families live in one pleoe. They make very small huts with branahes of tree to live in, and thatoh them with ·BANKURA-DNAPORE-Othar Tribas. 07 leaves of trees, using creepers as ropes. They lie down upon the ban ground, and never use any coat or wrappar even in winter. They eat food io Vegsels made of leaves of troos, and make fire by rabbing one piece of wood against another. Thar males are aid to have been naked, and the females half-naked about Afty years ago. The latter need to cover only • part of their body with leaves of trees. Even 15 or 20 twenty years ago they lived solely upon boiled roots of some creepers kod fruits of trees of the jungles. The anght of mon frightened them, and they avoided men, oivilised or aboriginal, and have ever been knowa to have fled away, leaving their houses when they confronted a man near their houses. They need to come to villages only rarely on hat day, and stand by the sudo of an qufrequented path way to prooure from a passer-by, or from those who brow their habits, the bare DEDORLATIES of life, ach us salt, eto, exchange for the boney they colleated in jungles in vessels of leaves. Even now his most favourite and common food is the boiled roots of some creepers, sod his QCOAsional food fruts of trees, though he takes rios at least once a day, when available. Though he frequents the villages now-a-days to work for others on wages, he us oonfounded when he sees & Man near his house, and invariably turns upon his back, if found by somebody while digging earth for the roots they sat, for reasons unknown. They seldom appear, if sont for; as I bave tried and failed. As they often require to sharpon their shovel for digging out the roots, they have to do the blacksmith's work themselves, and they manage the banners with bellows prepared of leaves of trees, whiob I found to bo in good working order when I vinted their house Their women oan prepare very fine mattresses, which they sell in neighboanng villages, but never use them thomselves They still sell pure honey collected in jungles. A fow of them have recently been making mud-houses, instead of houses of trees, and thatching them with straw. Only one or two families live in one jungle; and whon the family growB, some of them remove to a new jungle, probably beoeuse they fear the scarsity of food-roots, 2f many livo together. Thoro atu also Deshwalı, of Hinduised Kharayas, who live in Lindo villages But neither inter-marriage not edy social intercourse is prevalent between the Khereya and the Destiwali Khoreya. But the Kbereyas aro very small 10 number, and are nowhere the original olearers of the soil of any village A few of them bave recently taken to turning a few Lands of the jungle under oultivation. MIDNAPORE POPULATION, Pinga 11 12 Page 21 Page 32-34 THANA. Bhumij. Kurmi. Bhaiya. Munda DOP Jhargram Bippur Balbani Garbbeta Gop.ballabbpur 4,304 7,104 4,003 752 19,220 17,966 8,846 12,130 3,541 15,426 1,492 2,528 1,849 646 2,114 483 2 1. 10. 16 DO 211. Aborigines, Bhumijes.—The proportion of Bhumijes is large, particularly in thana Gopiballabhpur. Thero is practically nothing to distinguish their condition from that of the Sonthals In the south of the distriou that section of the Bhumijes who have not forgotten thour own language Thar, and have not been influenced by Dikkus, predominate. The majority of those that I found called themselves Patkumia Mundas, and took their dead to their ancestral sasmdiri (burial ground of erect gravestones) in their original home in Patkuw. They havo a dhers for a priest, and call themselves Singh. Those in Nayabasan are mainly Nagpuria Mundas. There they call their headman a bhalbhai, and his sosistant a behara. Examples of dispossession and indebtedness are to be found in the Appendix. The remarks on the Sonthals apply more or less to this tribe throughout. In chapters 2, 3 and 4 information has been given regarding this tribe in dealing with Nayabasan and Robini. 212. Mundas.—There aro only a few of this aboriginal tribe in the southwest of Binpur. Their condition is reported to be even worse than the condition of any one else, and nothing can be done to save them. In one village (Pachapan)[Appendix I(C), No. X) they had lost 220 bighas out of 270. There is no reason for making any distict on between them and the Sonthals. 213. Semi-aborigines, Bhuiyas. No particular investigation was made into the condition of the Bhuiyas. They have been mentioned in chapters 2, 3 and 4; I 2 ·68 MIDNAPORE-BALASORE-BIRBHUM-Other Tribes-General Feeling p1ge 3 I have no particular evidence showing that their case demands much attention, though I am not sure if a cuse cannot be made out for them. 211 Kumus —'The figures show thout there 18 & very large proportion of the arni-aboriginal casto of Kum. Mahtos in the Junglo Muhals But that thoy are in any way in the same position as the Sonthals 18 ratlier doubtful. The discussion 10 chapters 3 and 4 as to how the headman system hus fared, and the rate of mutation amongst them in Nuyabasan and Rohini, shows they are much (spendus No III(r)] better off The Civil Court returns also warrant the same conclusion South of the Subarnarekha, the direction of mutation is from the Sonthals to the Kurnu Mahto, and the latter is the mahajan. Such a condition of affairs puts the Kurmi at once on a highor plınc so far 18 land is concerned. That they have a greater force of resistence to the nahajan 18 evidenced by the fact that in Salbanı, 12 out of 35 Kurmı villag98 examined are still held by a Kurmi Ijar adai in 15 of those villages the ijana wus sold up for debts or for rent, in one surtondered, and in 8 it 18 not known how it was lo-t). But in Garhbeta, so far as the headman system 18 concerned, the Kurmu Multos eso pory nearly as badly off as tho Sonthals In 24 villages examined, in which there had been a Kumi headman, in only one village does it now exist, in 13 of these villagos the unmadari right had been sold. This is possibly the worst aspect in the condition of the Kurmis. To arrive at a definite conclusion that the Kurmis requued protoction, would necesitate a further inquiry Suffice it that so far as the present inquiry has shown, I am of opinion they are in a much better position than the Sonthuls, and that there is very little evidenco that such an inquiry 18 Iccesary. BALASORE 213 There are 1,381 Bhumion and 785 Kodes in Jellasore, whose position 18 similar to that of the Sonthals. GENERAL Page 72 216. My inquiry into other tribos and castes wis limited, because the examination of all the different tribes and castes would have involved an inquiry extending over a much longer period than was at my disposal. But I am of opinion that anything done for the Southals should be extended to the Kodas in Birbhum ; to Bhumijos, Kodas and Bhuiyas in Bankura ; to Bhumijo, Mundas and Kodan in Midnapore, and to Bhumijes and Kodas in Balasore. It may be that any legislation that may be undertaken should be extendod to other tribes in these areas, but it is only with rogard to the above tribes that I can speak with certainty. I have not mentioned Doswalı Sonthald, as I include them under the houding of Sontbals. Should any legislation be undertaken, it can casily bo framed so as include any other castos or tribes which the Collectors of the different districts, or which subsequent settlements, may show should be included. For a complete list, & settlement must be awaited. CHAPTER XIII. GENERAL FEELING. (Terms of the Reference No. X1.) BIRBIUM 217. Alien raiyats.- In the chapter on population it has been shown how the Sonthal generally avoids the alien as much as possible, and only associates in the villages with other aboriginal or soml-aboriginal tubes. This is due in some degree to the fact tbat be knows that he 18 too weak to struggle agaiort the alion by himself. The feeling is one of dislike; not active dislike, but more ·BIRBAUM-General Feeling. 69 cess. akin to indifference. As they say, they work for the alien and they talk with him, but they much prefer bis room to his company. The feeling has no political importance. 218. Zamındara.—Tho feeling against the zamindars in this area secms to be part and parcel of tho intense all feeling against the mahajans ; because there are so muny of tho former who are also mahajans. The Sonthal does, however, distinguish between them and admits that it is the mahajan that he dislikes most. In fact, in a few cames the Sonthals admitted that they were well treated by their zamındar, or "Raja " as they always call him, be he a petty trader or a large proprietor. Their main objection to the zabindars 18 that the lattor have raised their rente. As has been shown 10 Chapter VII, there can be no doubt that the proprietors have raised the rents for excess cultivation beyond the ratos they are entitlod to, but it is quite possible that in a number of cases an accurate measuroment will show that rents are not unduly high. Their othor objectiona ar to being sold up for arrears of rent, to their crops being forcibly taken for rent, and to the realisation of gomashta- They do not seem to regard bethbegar and exactions by the proprietor's amla as of niuch account. These they accept generally as facts, without commont, if the proprietor 18 not a mihajan. 'In other words, they have an innato fooling of loyalty to tho landlord proper. 219 Mahajans.-- but it is against the mahajan that the most intense all. feeling is displayed. The Sunthals state, and with perfect truth, that the maha- 2018 lond them monoy only with the view of ultimately obtaining possession of their lande. The mahajan will very rarely make an Arrangement with them by which they can pay off their debts in yearly instalments of grain, but he turns the debt into money, wbich to the Sonthal is the last stiaw before final dispossession. The mahajan inaccurately inaccurately records their repayments He uses a different measure for payments and repayments. Another of their contentions 1s that the mahajan deceives them by getting them to execute documents wbich they are told are mortgages but which are really sales. In isolated cases this may happen, what is generally true is that the mahajan insists on & sale instead of a mortgage, wbich the Southel finally has reluctantly to agree to. Another contention 18 that the mahajans commit forgeries. This is not confined to their dealings with Sonthals The mahagan gives the Sonthal a lower price for his land than he should On the other hand, tho Sonthal borrows from whomsoever and when he can. Tho Rev. L. O. Skrefsrud says that the Sonthal now tries to cheat the nahajan even out of his just duos. It is difficult to define what are the just dues of the mahagan, and a preforable statement of the facts would be that the Sonthal has boon gouded into trying to cheat the mahajan out of his unjust dues. 220. This foeling against tho mahajan and incidentally against the mahajan zawindar is intenso It has however to a certam extent been engineered The Rov. L. 0. Skrefsrud points out that it has been engineered by Durga Manjhi, of Thakurpaia, and Brojo Manhı, of Salunga, two of his naiyats, whose personal characters he disparages. This 18 undoubtedly the case. Durga Manjhi, though sent in by Mr. Skrefsrud, the very day I arrived at kampur llat, ou a charge of extortion, the same day tried unsuccessfully to get a relation of his appointed as my interpreter, or, in default, as my chaprasz. Duiga Magjhı 18 tho Pergabart of Rampar Hát thana and he has had a good oducation, He has a wily tongue and the Sonthals of the neighbourhood obviously look to him as their leader. He has taken the foremost place in the present movemont. Iu December 1906 he submitted a petition to the Lieutenant Governor, who was going to Dumka. This petition was repcated in February 1907 and again towards the end of the same year, praying for a settlement, and also for the rights and privileges enjoyed by the Sonthals in the Sonthal Parganas. Meanwhile Mr. Foster had enquired into and reported on the subject. Subsequently a kadungo, Maulvi Ekramuddin, was ordered to make a further enquiry. Later the Comm19810Der of Burdwan himself held an onquuy and as a result recommended a general enquiry into the condition of all the Sonthals in the Burdwan Division, as the question was of more general importanco. Now the present enquiry has been concluded. Two influences have thus been at work. The first is that of Durga Manjhi, who has been busy manufacturing all-feeling and sturing 'the Sopthals up to a sense of their grievances. The second is that Pago 1.

·70 BIRBEUL, Gto. -Goneral Faolin , the people are now in a state of expectation that Government is going to do something for them. Time after time I tried to explain that Government would not give them back the lands they had lont, but it was useless. They are determined on a settlement, 221. If Government does nothing in this area, then despite Mr. Skrefsrud's Assertion that the Sonthala will not rise, I maintain that, given a leader, which they have in Durga Menghi, no one can be so definite as to say they will not cause trouble. I should be unwilling to pledge myself to a definite statement either way. They know quite well that the Sonthals in the Sonthal Parganas got all they asked for by rising, and they know that they themselves have already got some concession in 1881 by a little agitation. They possess a simple machinery of Perganaita by which combination can easily be effected. But a settlement will not satisfy them. They want their lands back This is impossible. The only practical way of meeting the case is to forbid transfers in the future. The above remarks apply to the Rampar Hat subdivision. In the area in the Sadar subdivision I am not swaro that such an intense feeling exists The zamindar is disliked if he is a mahajan and has taken their lands. Io Bolpur there is, I believe, very little feeling at all on the matter, and the zamindars there are not disliked. BANKURA. 222. Sonthels are friendly with the Bauris and the other aboriginal and semi-aboriginal people with whom they live a their villages. They are indifferent to other Dikkus. The zamindars, if they aro pot mahajans, they do not regard with any animosity; rather they respoct and obey them. The mahajan they dwliko. Tb18 enquiry, fortunately or unfortunately, though they were told no lands would be given back to them, “has awakened them up to a songe of their wrongs. Now many of them are indulging in the wildest dreams, and others that appeared quite resigned to their fate a short time ago are now waking up, and even talk of ro possessing themselves of the lands that their fathers owned." So I am informed by the Rev. G. E. Woodford of the Sarenga Mission, A mahayan, who was about to sell up a Sonthal's land, was murdered a short time ago, before the enquiry began, by a Sontbal. But tho feeling has no political significance beyond the fact that the enquiry has raised their hopes. But when an enquiry is made for the purpose of finding vut how much land has been lost and of finding out all the grievances of a tribe like the Sonthals, such a result seoms inerztablo The movement in Birbhum is quite detached from this area. MIDNAPORE 223. The excitement in Rampur Hat I oxpocter, but it was only in the last two or three days of my stay in Bankura that there appeared signs of interest in the enquiry in that district. Before that they had been more or less apathetic But I thought it advisable to make loss detailed enquiries in Midnapore, and the only excitement creatod was disappointment that I was not distributing ugricultural loans-on impression received from the fact that I was enquiring into mortgages. Except in the case of the Raja of Ramgarh, the feeling towards the zamindar is on the whole good, though his amla and poons are disliked Sontbals in return are rocognised by the zamindar as making the best ralyats they can have and prompt in the payment of rent. The Sontbals regard the other aboriginal or semi-aboriginal tribes in the district with friendliness, but they avoid the Dikkus and dislike the Dikku money. lender who takes away their land from them, and whom they regard as a cheat. The dislike has no political significance in this distnct. DALASORE 224. The Sonthals are indifferent to the Dikku alien raigate and will Associate only with Kodas, Bhnmijes, Pons, and Kamara and such like. The #ride Bir Serefsrud', letter dated 28th Jaozary 1908 to the Colleotor of Dirbhom (A Prooooding No 46 of November 1908) The Lone of the letter 18 very much to be deprecated, and discounts the value cona derably of what ought to buro boed a raluable opinion ·GENERAL-Logislation. 71 raiyata in the 10-anna share of pargana Fatehabad admit that the landlord treate them well. But the amla of the 4-anna share appear to have an undue amount of power and are disliked for their land-grabbing methods. Mahajans are disliked because they charge such a high rate of interest, which prevents the raiyat repaying the loan and results in the love of his land. CHAPTER XIV. Pagou 82 87 LEGISLATION. (Terms of the Reference No. XII.) 225. The chief reference on which I am asked to report is whether any legislation should be proposed, taking into account the provisions for the restraint of transfers in other Acts, Bengal and Foreign, e.g., Sontbal Parganas Regulations, new Chota Nagpur Tenancy Act, Central Provinces Land Revenue Act, and Punjab and Bombay Acts. The answer to this question 18, Chaptor III I submit, an emphatic affirmative. Legislation is required to prevent trans- Chaptor IV fers of land to money-lenders and grain-dealers, to maintain the communal Chapter XI system of the aborigine, to regulate his dealings with money-lenders und thereby incidentally to prevent the formation of a debased and possibly crimi. nal, wandering, labouring population, into which the Sonthals are unfting, out of a race of hereditary cultivators, hitherto honest, merry and law-abiding. My report, 1 venture to think, shows that this legislation must be aimed primarily against (1) nahajans and (2) mahajans as landlords, and in a leus degree against the legitimato landlord. So far as the landlord proper is concerned, it is moro with a viow to maintaining the communal system intact that legislation 18 required, than with a view to protecting him against eviction. But the power for evıl of the mahagan landlord class 18 so great and this class 18 so prevalent that, in an effort to protect the aborigine against it, it may be that matters will be made a little irknome for the good landlord. The proposals that I first had in mind interfered very largely with the nights of the zamindar under the Bengal Tenancy Act. I have now considerably modified these proposals down to a minimum of interference. Some interference cannot very well be holped, without relaxing, to & very large extent, the provisions against muhajanlandlords—a class of persons who give no mercy acd deserve none. At the end of this chapter my proposals will be found in the form of a skeleton draft Bill, It will be observed that, however retrogade the proposals may neem, there is chapter and verse for each section, not only in one part of India, but in several (Rocommendation other parts of ludia. The provisions are therefore by no means now. The evidence of their necessity 18 contained in my repoi't. In this connection I must deprecate the use of the word "retrograde." "We are here dealing with a tribe or tribes whom legislation has long ago outstripped, and it 18, I vontuie to think, necessary to go back a step or two in dealing with them. Perhaps it 18 not necessary to meet the argument that the proposals interfere with freedom of contract, bocause that is actually what has never existed and does not exist in tbo relations of the aborigine with the Aryan They do interfore, in an attempt to adjust the balance of these relations. They also interfere very considerably with credit But my report shows that it is credit which is the ruin of the aborigine; no untoward results appear to have been brought to light in Chota Nagpur and the Sonthal Parganas where credit is rüstricted Though credit 18 restricted, stress must be laid on one point which is apt to be overlooked in dealing with the prohibition of the alienation of land, and that is, that the prohibition does not extend to the alienation of the crop or a fixed amount of the grain for even a term of years. The proposals are for the most part pern 188ive. It will rest with the Collector to see that the aborigine 18 maintained in the possession of his land. The following paragraphs contain some slight discussion as to the draft proposals. 2:26. Preliminary section 1 (3).-This sub-section follows section 4 of the Punjab Alionation of Laud Act (XIII of 1900). The only practical difference • The polioy that it u the duty of Government to protest the weaker Indian roes from otinotlon has, 1 bolovo, boca loan catablished Io Canadbore Red Indians are like the Sonthale in the Boptbal Parqueu kept in rosorte, thus policy of protpotion hu led to the best rest Page 91 ·72 LEGISLATION-Extent of Jurisdiction-Transfers. Page 09 between the soctions is that the words "aboriginal or semi-aboriginal tribos" tako the places of the words "agricultural tribes or groups of agricultural tribes" of the Punjab Act. It is necessary It is necessary to limit the application of the proposals to such tribes and to such areas as experience or enquiry reveale or proves should be covered by them If adopted, the Act should bu extended at once to the following tribes and following areas - Birbhum Godthals and Kodas Bankura Sunthale, Bhumijes, Kodas, and Bhuiyos Midnapote Sontbale, Bhumijes, Mundas, and Kodas Balocore Sonthals, Blubijes and Kodas Page 41 (Recommendation No c) Page 5 | (hul onim ud ilon l'age 1 hecunntoni itinn Au Quli) (bapter 111 It should be extended to other tribes to whom the Collector may prove or a settlement may disclose that it is necessary to extend it. In the progress of the scttlowonts that have beon orderod under tho 24 yrars' programme, tho question of its cxtension to other smaller aboriginal and semi-aboriginal tribes might be made the subject of spocial enquiry. It should probably be cxtended to Bhagalpur, Monghyn, and Purnea. The Settlonient (thcor, Bihar, would, I understand, be inclined to recommend its extension to some of these districts The Sonthals in Murshidabad should not be excluded from consideration, and tho Collector might be consultid rogarding them As to the Eastern Provinco, I would strongly recommond that its attention should be drawn to the matter probably the condition of the Southals in the Barind 18 as bad as elgowhere. Section 2 (1) - The Chota Nagpur Tenancy Act, 1908, defines in sec100 3 (11) a "thugut bundha” mortgage. This term is not usod in the arra under enquiy, and I have therefore taken the libcity of inventing another tom completo usufructuany mortgage" for this kind of mortgago, as there does not appear to be another distinctive name for it. Section 2 (C)-A definition of a village headmun appears to be necessary for the purposes of the proposul. It has been frumed so as to cover all the different kinds that have been discovered in the course of the conquiry, or it 18 conceivable may occur. Iu tlo Sonthal Parganas a villago headman 19 11ot a tenure holdui, and it is an official licrosay to regard hiin as such In Balasoie lie is littlo more than a tnheildar, in Bankura und North didnaporu lic 14 a tenuio-holder, and in Birbhun bo is a qu6281-tenure holder. 'The definition thus overlap, the definition of a tenurc-holder, but as the proposals go, this does not appear to be a matter of much conscqucncs Section 2 (3). - This sub-section has been franied merely with tho purpose of presenting the reiteration of the words "aboriginal or semi-aboriginal 227. Prwate Trunufcrs-Holding8mSeclions 3, 4, and 5-Practically the whole report deals with this subject The evidence produced shows that, if nothing is done to check the transfor of land by the aborigine, in a few years ho will be dispossosaod of all the land that he has reclaimed from the jungle, Though, aj in South Bankura, he may still be kept on the soil, as a undur raiyat oL non-occupancy raiyat on a produce rack-rent, the timo will como wlien the mahajan can even there do without him and the Sonthal will become merged in the largo labouring population. All the officials who have made a study of this matter, that I havo aCi 088, unanuous in their opinion that transfers by the Sonthals to mahajans should be prevented M1981onaries like the Revd. L. 0 Skrefsrud of the Benogarin Mission (on tho borders of Birbhulo) anu the Revd G, A Woodford of the Carenga M18810n (Bankura) are of the same opinion Such is, I understand, also the opinion of tho Revd. A. L. Kennan of the Bhimpur Mits100 (Midnapore) But Mr Gregson, Manager of the Midnapore Zamındari Company, in conimon with tho Rerd G. Woodford, is of opinion that logislation of the kind ought ically to have been undertaker some thirty years ago. There can be little doubt that the proposal in some cases 19 akin to a suggestion to shut tho stable door after the horso has gone, but there are still plenty of lands to bo saved from the mahnun, more particularly in arcas liko the south of Gopiballabhpur, whore the mahapan lias not as yet muude luis miluence felt to such an oxtent as in other pluces. Pages 28 29, 31 conio Are PALL 31 ·LIMIALATION-Prirate Transfor. 73 Pago 10 Besides the considerations that the aborigine must be protected against his own thriftlensness and against the methods and sharp practices of the mahajan, there is another consideration which gives him a strong claim to the protection of Government. In the vast majority of cases the land the aborigine still cultivates was mnde by his ancestors out of the virgin jungle. It is not as if the lands the aborigine hell were merely raiyatı lande, made and originally ploughed by persons of whom there is no 'trace now-a-days. Were it not for him or his ancestors, the Jungle Mahals of Bengal would still be a large uncultivated area, and, except for the gains from forest produce, a barren source of profit to the zımındar. 'The rights of absolute possession that accrue by " the first stroke of the plough" are, I believe, in most countries respected. That is the right of the aborigine, and on this ground ho is entitled to protection. But the Bengal Tonancy Act knows nothing of these rights : if the aborigine has been in possession for less than twelve years, he is still a non-occupanoy taiyat, unless there is a custom to the contrary. Page 4, 8-7, 9, 11. Sucli being the case, the aborigine cannot be regarded as an immigrant, whose rights have to give way to persons who were there before him. I havo already been at some pains to show that he is no more an immigrant than the Dikku. Though now in point of population the percentage of aborigines or semi-aborigines may only just exceed 20 per cent. in even the most densely populated aboriginal portion of the area under enquiry, yet in some chanas* the Sonthals and the Bhumijce lurgely outnumbor any other class taken individually. In the neighbourhood of Silda in Midnapore the Sonthols still account for about 35 per cent of the population, and thoy, undoubtedly opened up that portion of ihe country. Colonel Dalton given this place (alias Santbhui) as the latest home from which the Sonthals colonised; yet it is not bero, but in the Sonthal Parganas, that tho Sonthals have boto protected. The idea of preventing transfers of land is by no means now. In the Sonthal Parganus they are prohibited by the record-of-rights, and the sanction for such a prohibition is contained in section 27 of Regulation III of 1872 as amcn led by Regulation III of 1908. In Chota Nagpur, transfers of land under section 46 of the Chota Nagpur Tonancy Act are forbidden witlun certain limits , transfers of Mundari khuntkattı tepures, which, in that those are held by the first clearers (or their descendants of the soil, aro similar to the tenures held by aborigioco in Bongai, are forbidden by Chapter XVIII of the same Act In the Central Provinces, transfers by occupancy raiyata and ordinary tevents are forbidden by section 46 and 70, respectively, of the Central Provinces Tenancy Act, 1898, and a sanction for the prohibition is provided by sectious 47 and 71 of the same Act. In the Punjab, the alienation of land by menibers of Agricultural tribes has been forbidden by Act XIII of 1900. There is thus plenty of precedent for the prevention of ulienation of leni, Considering that the area inhabited by the aborigines and semi-aboriginen in Bengal bordors the Southal Parganas and Chota Nagpar, it naturally follows that legislation abould follow the lines adopted in those areas, subject to the different forms the administration and legislation already in force take and other peculiarities found to exist in this area. In drafting sections 3, 4 and 5 the provisions of the Chota Nagpur Tenancy Act have been followed with three modifications. The first modification is the introduction of the probibition to under Page 17, 19, 45 raiyats. This is most important in view of the facts that in a number of areas the headman is regarded as a raiyat and his raiyats as ander-ralysts; and in other areas like Bankura the mahajon-landlord deems himself a raiyat and the Sonthala under bid under-raiyate. The omission to protect underriyats would thus make the provisions of the law nagatory in such cases, and would leave an obvious method of evasion open to both the Sonthal and the mshagan. The second and third modifications are (1) that no provision is made for a mortgage for five years, acd 2) that provision bas not been idade for a lease for five years to any one irrespective of tribe or caste, but that provision has been made for a sub-lease to a member of an aboriginal or som-aboriginal tribe. I shall deal with these modifications in the two succeeding paragraphe. Thames Ralpur and Kuatia u Bankurn, and liin pur and Gopalballabhpur la Yideapon. N.

·74 LEGISLATION-Tomporay Transfor-Tranfors to other Aborigines- Consent of landlord, Sunotion for provention of transfort. 228. Temporary transfers-Leases-- Section 4: It is just as necessary to prevent the Sonthal executing a lease of his land to a mahajan as to prevent him giving an out and-out transfer of the same. If the latter methcd of transfer alono is closed, the law can be evaded by the execution of lenses. This section has accordingly been drafted Bo as to allow & raiyat to sublet his land only to another person of an aboriginal or semi-aboriginal tribo, just as he can under the Bengal Tenancy Aot. I do not quite see the force of allowing a lease for five years to any one, as in the Chota Nagpur Act, because it is necessary to restriot as much as possiblo the methods by which the aborigine can transfer land, and one method, namely, by a complete usufructuary mortgage for seven years, is provided. In the Central Provinces a sub-lease for one year is allowed in the case of occapancy-tenants. 229. Temporary transfors-Mortgagos-Section 5.-As already noted, one of the main arguments bronght against the prevention of alienation of land 18 that it ties up credit, but it has been observed that this is exactly what is required in the case of the aborigines, because they have, while they have land, too much credit. But it is necessary to relax this prohibition to some extent. Otlierwise in time of famine, even though the alienation of the crop is not forbidden, with barren lands and no credit the result might be disastrous. the Sonthal Parganas, where usufructuary mortgages are forbidden, this order was relaxed in the famide of 1897. The Punjab Act allows, under certain conditions, a usufructuary mortgage for twenty years. The Chota Nagpur Act allows a usufructuary mortgage for seven years to cover both the principal and interest of the loan. This provision of the Chota Nagpur Act seems to supply all that is required. It would be of co avail to allow & usufructuary mortgage which did not wipe off both the interust and the principal of the debt. But even then the danger exists of a renewal of the usufructuary nortgage. It does not seem practicable to say that it cannot be renewed , all that oan be done is to prevent an arrangement being made for its runewal during its pendency. Tbe proposed sections regarding asury should also tend to koep down such mortgages. The mortgage for five years contemplated by the Chota Nagpur Tenancy Act is unnecessary in view of the provison for a complete usufructuary mortgage for seven yours. I do not quite undorstand what this mortgage for five years contemplates. If this is a simple mortgage without possession, it is of no avail so far as land is concerned, as the land cannot be ultimately transferred, even by a Court... If it is a usufructuary mortgage for the interest only, then despite the prohibition to the contrary, there is every chance of a fresh mortgage being executed leter to wipe off the debt, and it must be uvoided at any oost. 230, Transfors to mouwbers of an aboriginal or semi-aborginal tribe. --There can be no objection to an aborigine subletting his lands to another aborigine for the bord fide purpose of cultivation, but there is an objection to allowing a free right of transfer to another aborigine, because educated aborigines can be as bad as the ordinary a mahajan in land mattors, Though in only a very few instances have I come acrues such cases in the area under enquiry, there are notable instances in the Munds country in Chota Nagpor. The Colleotor need not, unless he thinks fit, interfore in such cases when a sub 1080 transfer appears to have been a bona fide ORC. But I must admit that tbe objection against allowing a free right of transfer to another aborigine is not strong and would not prous tho above objection against it. 231. Consent of landlord Section 6.-This section has been introduced with a view to making it clear that though certain transfers are allowed, yet they are not binding on the landlord unless they are bioding as the law at present stands in Bengal. In Chota Nagpur under section 46 (2) of the Chota Nagpur Tenancy Act, such transfors are not binding uploss the consent of the landlord is obtained in writing. I am not aware, however, that there is any necessity for changing the provisions of the Bengal Tenancy Act in this respect. 232. Sanction for the prevention of alicnations-Section 7.-Experience in the Sonthal Parganas has shown that despite the provisions against transfers, the Sonthal still transfers his land sub rose to the puhajan. The present settlement has, I understand, revealed number of such cases. The same experience has shown the Sonthal Parganas authorities that the меке ·LEGLSLATION-Sanotion for Provention of Transforı. 75 prohibition is not sufficient, but that they mdst have power to enforce it. For this reason section 27 of Regulation III of 1872 was passed into law last year, allowing the Deputy Commissionor, when it is brought to his notice that å transfer in contravention of the record-of-rights bas taken place, 10 his disoretion, to eviot the transferee and either restore the transferred land to the raiyat'or any heir of the raiyat who bas transferred it or to resettle the land with another raiyat, according to the village custom for the disposal of an abandoned holding. The Chota Nagpor Tenancy Act 18 silont on such a provision, except, if I understand the Act properly, in the case of a temporary transfer. Tbo Panjab Alienation Act makes certain transfers pull and void, but it is not clear how and who is to be put into possession when an illegal transfor comes to light. But the Central Provinces Tenancy Act is clear on the point. The next of kin have the prior right and then the landlord to apply to be placed in Polossion of lavd illegally trunsferred. The person who made the transfer 18 debarred from applying under this section. This seems equitable, but as sales, if declared iuvalıd, will still be instigated by the makrjan, it seems unnecessary to role that the person who made the transfer should be always debarred from obtaining possession. He is not so debarred in the Sonthel Parganas, If no similar provision 18 provided in any legislation proposed for Bengal, the prohibition of transfers will have but the slightest restrictive influence. Also, if the Collector does not move on his own initiative, no one will report the transfor, no one will put forward a claio in the Courts the nborigine avoids the Court as much as possible and transfers will go on as before. Provision Ahould therefore be made for the Collector acting on his own initiative. In this connection I would invite attention to the emphatio words of Mr. D. J. Maopberson, when Commissioner of Bhagalpur.- “The more I contrast the surrounding districts with the Bonthal Parganas, the more Oonninoed do I become of the grant evils whlob bave been prevented in the latter throngh the exercise by the Exeoutive and Settlement Officers of the power to oviot outsiders who have acqwred the lands of sontbals and semi-aboriginal tribes in contravention of the provisions of the record-of-nghta forbidding the alienation of raiyatı holdings I should therefore welcome the adoption of effeotive means overywhere to preserve the peasantry on their lands But I am equally convinoad from experience of the working of the Sonthal Parganas Bystem, that it would be of little uno morely to enaot a law prohibiting alienation. Thore mivat also be created an epecw/ice machinery which will intercono suo motu whencoer it gets the oppor - tunity, and certainly periodically to see that the law 18 obryrd and to crict objectionable outside, 8 ucho hace got holl of the lands of the old cuticators Over and over again it has been shown that the Sontbal really requires protoot ion by the authorities against himself. It us but the natural OOCsequence of what our laws have done in limiting the rent payable for the lands. The tenant's right in his holding acquires a gradually norvasing value, and the greatest possible vigilador 18 roquired to prevent him from turning that value to account by mortgaging it to satisfy bis immediate wants to desires, and eventually by parting with at altogether by some form of duguis donale This odourin compudal (Pradhani) as well as khas zamindarı villages in the Bonthel Parganas Frequently the village headman humeelf falls into difficulties and has resort to the rangran, who gets a footing in the village, with his RARLBtanoe, and no one over thinks of saying as to what is going on until tbe Settlement Officer oomes rouod and enquires what bea become of the raiyat who was recorded as holding the land at last settlemont.” In drafting soction 7 the provisions of section 27 of the Sonthal Parganas Regalation III (1908) have accordingly, been followed, with modifications based on the Central Provinces Act. In this section of the Regulat.on provision las been made for resettling the land with another raiyat according to the village custom. The question of resettlement is discussed in a succeeding paragraph. 233. Sanction for the prohibition of the extension of a complete usufructuary mortgage--Section 8.-Such a sanction exists in scotion 46 (4) of the Chota It Nagpur Tenancy Act, but the raiyat must apply and within three years. has already been pointed out that little good will result, if it is left to the raiyat to apply, and the Collector must be given power to act on his initiative in the matter. A limitation of three years will go a long way to render the manction futile. The The mahajan will be williog, to take the chance of remaining e possession for three years aftor the period of his mortgage is up, and the • He lottor No. Ho Rot, dated the 6th Jan, 1907. L 2 ·76 LEGISLATION-Transfers by Village Handman. 16, 51 52 &c. chances are that the fact will remain undetected until it is either socidentally found out or else & record of-rights prepared. Certainly if e limitation of twelve years 18 provided in section 6, then the same or a longer period must be provided in section 7. Under a usufructuary mortgage, the mahajan can have no right whatsoever to remain in possession, and the limitation of twelve years provided for in section 6 does uot apply. I bave accordingly followed more closely the provisions of section 27 of Rogulution III (Sonthal Parganas), onutting the twelve years' limitation, and brought it otherwise into line with proposed soction 7. 234. Transfers, Tenures, and lillag, Headmen-Sections 9 to 12.--In the chapter doaling with the village headman it has been shown that the incidents of the tenure held by a village headman vary from place to place, and that the numbers of such headinen 18 rapidly decreasing, because the aborigine is pot protected against the landlord or mahajan. It has also been shown that the condition of affalis in an intact villoge 18 better than in a broken village, wbere each ruyat is at the wercy' of a grasping mahajan or landlord. The large 2." **20, 31 , 32, 37, oumber of villages in which a mahujan 16 tho tenure-holder or village headnian and the disastrous effects therefrom, point to the necessity of preventing the sales of such rights to mahajans with still greater force than in the case of raiyatı rights. But there are two othor grounds on which the village hendship should be rendered an inalienable nght. It has been remarked by officers experienced in the ways of the Sontbals that the village community is socially the unit amongst the Soptbals, not the individual. The tendency in all legislation 18 to have regard to the individual and not to the village community, and therefore, so far as the Sonthal is concernod, starts on a wrong basis. Amongst Page 19 the Suntlials, the village systom with the Manjbi, as the head of the vlilage community, as its representative with all outsiders and the medium through whom the village rents are paid to the landlord, and with the other village officials with theu different spiritual, moral and temporal duties, is an essential part of their national life. It has, it is true, bioken down to some extent owing to the force of circumstances, and the Manjbi as the purveyor of the rents in the arge majority of cases has coused to exist, but the Sunthala still retain theu Manjhi, Jogmanjhi, Naiki and Gorait, even though the different posts are often Pasca 22, 29. duplicated. The only area I came across in which the beadmanabıp was regarded with indifferenoe was in the south of Midnapore, where the Manjhis gave it up voluntarily or it had ceased to exist long ago. This must not be taken as indicativo of the general feoling regarding the manjhishıp-far from it. That it is so in this area 18 due to two facts first, that the Sonthals are under large and good landlords, and secondly, that the mahajans have never had en opportunity of acquiring the headman's right, which was absolutely untransferable It has been suggested that th18 18 albo due to the lack of profits from the sottlemont of vaste lande. But though the headman is supposed to make a profit, it is only in isolated areas that he does so. The Sonthuls there have therefore little practical cause to regret the luss of the manjhiship, but I am not suro that some feeling of regret does nut exist. Everywhere else the village bas come to be broken, the fact was remarked on with regret and raaigration, and the Dikku Manjhi regarded with aversion. The system under which the Sonthal pays bis rent through a Monghi to the landlord is thus an ancient, national and valued custom. Such a custom must be good law, and it is the province of law to see that such a law is not interfered with by laws' which have been framod to provide for quite a differont set of facts and customs. La other words, the law should provide for the protection of the village headship. The second ground is that in villages held by village bead men the waste land 18 sottled by the headmon with the Sonthal, and there is thus provision for increase of population. This, I understand, is one of the reasons why Sonthale are so koon to keep Dikkus out of intact villages, so that the pO06880ry amount of land may be provided for their children. It seems desirable that Government should maintain this method of providing for the increase of population. *Cl. Report of the Royal Comm19H10D u pon decentralization pangnph 399" Wo do pot think it possible, even if it were expedient, to restore the anciant village system, uador which the community Telponn ble for ovob of its members, and in turd claimed the mght to regulate to bustioni it, place they recommond panchgate. The CommWslon Powever appear to approro tho DODALA atoma Chaptor III ·Chapter III. Chapter III. Page 18. ag LEGISLATION-Village Headmen's hereditary right-Recognition of illegal 77 tranufars-Old trenafors-Abandoned land Though the village system amongst them is not so elaborate, the Bame remarks, so far as the village head man 18 concerned, apply equally to the Mundas, Bhumijes and other allied tribes. In dealing with the village headman, precedent is provided by the Central Provinces Land Revente Act, section 65A, and by the sections dealing with Mundari Khuntkuttidars in the Chota Nagpur Act. The first Act only protects headmen who have been in possession of the tenure for twenty years or more, then forbids all transfers, but allows ejeotmout for arrears of rent or because the tenoro has been mismanaged in certain ways. The Chota Nagpur Act forbids all transfers except a usufructuery mortgage, but allows attachment by the Deputy Commissioner for the realization of arrears of rent. There appears to be no valid reason why in Bengal protection should be restricted as to the Central Provinces Act, but protection should be given absolutely. It follows that the village headman's right must be unresumable lo drafting these sections I have accordingly followed the provisions of the Chota Nagpur Tenancy Act relatug to Mundari Khuntkuttidars, together with the permission w sublet provided for theroin to members of aboriginal and semi-aboriginal tribes. I have not allowed & complete usufructuary mortgage of a tenure or of a village headran's right of collecting rents to a nahagan, but only of the land in the possession of the tenure-holder or village headman, as prima facie the mortgage of the right to collect repts to a mabajan is undesirable from any point of view. 235. Section 13— Village Headman.--I his section has been introduced from section 65A of the Central Provinces Land Revenue Aot to mako it clear that, however temporary the arrangement as to rent may be, the right of the tenure: . holder or village headman 18 heritable and shall dovolve on his heirs according to custom. This is, as a matter of fact, the custom io Bengal. In some cases, as in Bapkura, the Mandalı right has become divisible, but one man is rulo responsible for the payment of the rent where the village is intact. On renewal of the settlement with the headman in the Central Provinces, the rent is fized by the Deputy Commissioner, if it is disputed. This particular provision does not seem feasible in Bengal proper 236. Registration and Recognitwn of illegal transfers-Section 14.-It naturally follows that if private transfers are forbidden, they should not be registered or recognised as valid by any Court-Civil, Criminal or Revenue. Precedent for this 18 provided by the Chota Nagpur Tenancy Act, sections 46 (3) and 240 (6), the Punjab Alienation Act, sections 17 (1) and 17 (2), the Sonthal Parganas Regulation III of 1908, section 27 (2), and the Central Pro. vinces Tenancy Act, sections 46 (5) and 70 (5). The Chota Nagpur Act and the Sonthal Parganas Regulation have accordingly been followed 237. Transfers effected previous to proposed legislation - Sectron 15.-It is clear that the proposed sections regarding transfer cannot be given retrospective effect, however desirable that may be. But provision bas to be made for stating from what date transfers should be invalid. This section supplies this. ºi bave left the actual date blank, but would suggest that if any legislation of the land is adopted, the date should be put back as far as possible. There can be little doubt that the mahayan will come to know that something of the kind is under contemplation, if any legislation is actually discussed, and will make arrangements to get the Sonthals' lands transferred to them as GOOD as possible. The proposed section follows section 46 (5) of the Chota Nagpar Tenanoy Act. 238. Abandoned land- Soction 16.-There is no particular precedent for this section, but it is a favourite habit of the Sonthal, when he has become so indebted to the mahajan as to make the sale of his lands immediately inevitable, to run away and leave them in the hands of the mahajan. I am also informed that surrender is the favourite mode of evading the provisions of the Chota Nagpur Tenanoy Act regarding alienation of land in Chota Nagpur. In order therefore to prevent this, and in order to prevent the mahajan compelling the Sonthal to abandon his land to him, this section has been drafted to give the Collector power to act when he has reason to believe that the land has been abandoned in this way and to restore either the original raiyat or to place another aborigins or semi-aborigine of the village in possession of the land ·78 LEGISLATION -- Settlement of illogally transferred land Civil Court Transfers. 239. Settloment 3y the Collector of illegally transferred holdinga or tenures, etc.—Soctions 7 and 12.-So far it has been plain sailing. I have, however, experienced some difficulty in evolving & plan for reseitling illegally, transferred land, lo the Central Provinces, the Deputy Commissioner, if he does not hand over the land to the next of kın of the transferor, places the landlord in possession Such a provision is not sufficient for the purposes of keeping the aborigine or semi-aborigine on the soil, and it is accordingly, Deceg- Bary to adopt some means for settling the land, if it is not settled with the Dext of kin or with the original transferur, with an aborigine or semi aborigine. On the other hand, in the Sonthal Paiganas the law is that the Deputy Commissioner shall resettle the land, if he does not hand it back to the transferor or bis heirs, with another raiyat according to the village custom for the disposal of an abandoned holding. These customs are recorded in the recordof rights and they are, gonerally speaking, as follows. In villages in which there is a village headman the rule is that the land shall be settled by the village headman with one or other of the following persons, giving preference in the order ramed.- (1 with a residont jamabandi raiyat of the same community as the transferoi (2) with himself, if resident, or with a resident jamabanai riyat of a different community; (3) with himself, if non-resident, or with a non-resident jamabando raiyat; (4) with a non-jamabandı raiyat. In a khas village, the landlord settles the land with one or other of the following, giving preference in the order mentioned :- (1) with a resident jamabandzraiyat of the same community as the transforor, (2) with a resident aimabandı raiyat of a difforent community, (3) with a non-resident jamabandi raiyat, with himself, or with a non-Jamabandı raiyat. In both cases, if a settlement is made with other than a resident jamabund? raiyat of the same community, the settlement has to be confirmed by a “hakim” or Government officer. Such a custom does not exist in Bengal, though in the Mollarpur estate, I am informed that Sonthals are given the first choice of vacant Sonthali lands. Also these provisions are rather more detailed than is necessary for legislation. On the whole, I am inclined to think that if the Collector 18 empowored, if he does not settle the land with the transferor or his next of kin, to settle it with an aborginal or semi-aboriginal raiyat, under-raiyat or resident of the same village, the right of settlement going thereafter to the landlord, that this should be sufficient. Rules similar to those in force in the Sonthal Parganas can be issued by executive autiority. 240. Transfer for a charitable, raligrous, etc., purpose-Section 17.-It is obviously necessary and desirable that room should be left for the transfer of land for an educational purpose, or for the purposes of manufacture, etc. The provisions of sections 49 and 241 of the Chota Nagpur Tenancy Act have accordingly been followed. 241. Civil Court Transfers-Section 18.-It is obvious that Civil Court transfers must be forbidden as well as private transfers Procedent for this is provided in the Punjab Alienation Act, section 16 (1), the Central Provinces Tenancy Act, section 26 (2), and section 70 (2), the Dekkhan Agriculturists? Relief Act, section 22, and the Chota Nagpur Tenanoy Act, sections 47 and 240. The necessity for this requires no further argument in the case of ordinary Civil Court sales, but it remains to be seen what should be done (1) in the case of mortgages and contracts for the possession of land, already in cxistence; and (2) in the case of rent sales, sales for a Government loan, or for a loan under the Co-operative Securities Act. 242. The case of mortgages and contracts for the posteskion of land already in existence is most important, because the statistics show that there." Page 26. Page 24, 28, 31.

·LEGISLATION - Civil Court Tranders. 79 Dat be, and I have found that there are, such a groat number of these in existence. If these should all go into the Civil Court and proceed to be turned into out-and-out transfers-& by no means remote contingency--the amount of dispossession of the aborigine will, I am sure, and I hope the superlative adverb will be excused in the circumstances, be onormously increasod. It would be futile to suggest that sales in such cases should be forbidden, but every effort should be made to limit them In the later proposals regarding usury, power will be giveu to the Munsif to go into the question of the amount of the debt ab initio, and to order & method of realization other than by the transfer of the land, if it can be no effected. But this is not sufficiently efficacious. It is not the Monaf's duty to regard himself as the protector of any partioular class. Such protection can bo best secured by transferring the execution of the decrue when it is for the transfer of immovable property to the Collector for execution. There is precedent for this in the Chota Nagpur Act, section 240, and in the Dekkhan Agriculturists' Relief Act, section 22. In the first case, when a decree or order has been made for the sale of a Mupdari Kbuntkatti tenancy, in satisfaction of a debt due under a mortgage which was registered before the commencement of the Act, the sale may be made with the previous sanction of the Deputy Commissioner, provided that if he refuses to sell the land, he bas to attach it and make such arrangements as he may consider fit for liquidating the debt. In the Dekkban In the Dekkban Aot the Court can empower the Collector to take possession of the property for a period of wovOD years, though sales sales are not forbidden in the case of specific mortgages. But section 68 of the new Code of Civil Procedure, providing for the transfer of certain classes of decrees to the Collector for execution, and the rules in the third Schedule of the Code provide all that is necessary. When the Collector receives a decree for exécution transferred under that section, hə can, under the third schedule- (1) proceed as the Civil Court would proceed when the sale of the immoveable property 18 postponed in order to enable the judgmentdobtor to raise the amount of the decreo; or (2) raise the amount of the decree by letting in perpetuity or for a teim. on payment of a premium or by mortgaging the whole or any part of the property ordered to be sold, (3) sell the property ordered to be sold or so much thereof as may be Decessary An order ander section 68 of the Civil Procedure Code is probably as far as it is practicable to go, in the case of mortgages aud contracts already in existence and the section has been drafted accordingly. But executivo orders might be issued to the effect that tho balo of the property should only be effected when the debt cannot be realized otherwise, and that when the property is let by the Collector in perpetuity or for a term of years or by mortgago, preference should be given to aboriginal or semi-aboriginal lesaces of the same village and thertafter to other aborigines or semi-aborignes. 243. Transfers by rent sales, sales for Government loans, etc.-In the Acts mentioned above, provision is generally made for excepting rent-saleand sales for Government loals from tho goneral prohibition against Civil Court transfers. When rent sales are not mentioned, eviction or ejestment for rent 18 allowed by otber Aota. But there is one exception in the caso of the Mondari khuntkattidars in Ranchi, Chota Nagpur Act). In this case sale is forbidden, but the Deputy Commissioner attach the land and make what arrangements be likes for the realization of the debt. In the Sonthal Parganas eviotion for arrears of rent actually takes place, but the Deputy Commissioner settles the holding with a suitable person, according to the record-of-righte, who pays up the arroars, and if none is fortbooming, settles it with the landlord. Thus the mahajan, not being a suitable person, is kept out of the village. I understand that the question wbether the settloment with the landlord is only a temporary settlement until the debt is realized, is likely to be a matter for discu88100 Though in Bucb circumstances the Bonthals in the Sonthal Parganas cannot be used as an argument, the fact that the landlords in the Munda countıy in Chota Nagpur cannot acquire the Or ·80 LEGISLATION–Trastors by Bant Sale-Reclamation. Chapter IV pago 27 28 ges 24, 28, 31 one 18, lands of their tenants, is a direct precedent. The provision in Chota Nagpur bus for a basie the fact that the Mundas cleared and made the land themselves. Amongst the Sonthals and other aborigines in Bengal such a basis also exists It remains to be seen whether there is any definite evidence for the necessity of such a provision in Bengal. The evidence in the case of holdings in that, except in a few ostater, whenover e Sonthal is a sold up for rent, he loses the land altogether, the landlord or mahajan buying it either cultivates it himself or gives it out to a Dikku who can afford a larger rent or to a Sonthal only on a high produce rack-rent. Also such a large number of tenores and village headshipe, particularly in the south of Bankura are in the hands of mahajan. landlords, who, if this method of obtainiog direct possession of the land is only left open, will resort to it more and more to obtain the land. In the case of rent sales of tenures or pillage headships the case 18 stronger, becauso the result of a tepure or village hoadship going into the hands of a mahagan is disastrous; all the best lands ultimately find their way into his hands and the Sonthals become his servants When auch village headships are regarded as raiyati holdings, a rent-salo means the dispossession of all the Sonthale of the village. Against this it may be argued that statistics ahow that rent rules at present are not very common This is 80. But if other sale, except runt sales are forbiddon, rent sales will remain as the only logal means by which a mabajan can obtain possession. As landlord, he will omit to collect bis rents properly, leave the Sonthals in arrears of rent, and sell him up, most probably ez-parte. As mahajan, he will not supply the Sonthal with the means to pay his rent, or will come to a collusive arrangement with the landlord, and then step in, in either case, as a purchaser at the sale In such a contingency rent-sales are bound, I tako it, to increase ; lands will still go into the hands of the Dikkus, and the prohibition of transfer will lose its effcct. Is this evidence sufficient for the prohibition of rent sales altogether? Taken by itself, there is a strong presumption in favour of absolute prohibition, but there are other considerations which must be taken into account. The main of course, that the landlord's rent 18 jeopardined, and possibly the landlord would argue, therefore the Government revenue. Another is that for many years the landlords in Bengal havo had the right of solling up their raiyata, There is, it must be admitted, considerable force in theso urguments, and the landlords would doubtless very strongly oppose an absolute prohibition. Therefore, and in ordor to carry the more important provisions regarding the prohibition of alienation, I should be inclined to suggest & compromise with the landlords 10 the shape of section 68 of the Civil Court Procedure and the third schedule thereto. A direst procedent is afforded by sectiou 84 of the Central Provinces 'Tenancy Act. Executive orders might then issue, as 10 the case of Civil Court sales, to the effect that when the property is mortgaged or let by the Collector, preference should be given to an aborigine or semiaborigine of the same village and thoreafter to other aborigines or soduiaborigines, and that tho salo of the property should only be effected as last resvurce, when the debt cannot be realized otherwise. The same provisions should apply to Government loans, etc. The section has been drafted accordingly, 244. Reclamali n-Sections 19-21.-It is a common thing for the zamindars to talk of the encroachment made by the Sonthals as if it were & criminal offenco. The Southals, on the other hand, always regarded the waste lands within the boundaries of their village as theirs to reclaim. In intact villages this 18 recognisod by the landlords, but, where villages have ceased to be intact, the conflict of opinion occurs. In such broken villages it must however be held that the conbont of the landlord is necessary to reclamation, though it is in numbers of villages allowed without such consent, subject to a rent being fixed later. But that 18 no reason why the landlord should be allowed to withhold lis consent for ever, or to tacitly allow cultivation on the understanding that he can charge what rent he likes, or in the alternative evict the trespasser. Though technically a trespasser, the Sonthal has probably done the landlord do harm whatever. The landlord receives an increase of rent at no expense of his own, while the Sonthal has done all the work. The Chota Nagpur Act zu dealing with " korkar". supplies the necessary provisions for safeguarding this result of the tenant's labour.

·Pago 28 Pupil 15 LEGISLATION -Under-raiyats-Usury Renta. 81 In cases of reclamation of lands occupancy rights should accrue at once as in Chota Nagpur; that should be one of the cultivator's nghts 88 the first clearer of the soil by his unwritten privileges. But in Jhargram the clearers of a village rocently reclaimed were recorded in the settlement as having only non-occupancy rights because they had been in possession for less than twelve years. À law which subjects the first clearer of the soul to all the pains and penalties of a non-occupancy right requires amendment. 245. L'nder-raiyats. --In Birbhum it has been noted that in some parts tho descendants of tho original clearers of the soil were dubbed undor-raiyata, and when their leader or headman was sold up for ront, they were all dispossessed. In Bunkura also there was a tendency amongst the proprietors to regard the Sonthule as under-ralyats and to give them no receipts 'To thom the fact that the Sonthal 18 an under-rażyat moans that ho has no right of occupancy. But it is porfectly patent that an undor-raiyat, if he is tho original cloarer of the sou or a descendant of such a person, should have a right of occupancy in the land and that he should have the same rights as a raiyat, provided he original right is still intact. Any Act that is framed should loavo no loopbolo for a mahajan or landlord to stop in on the ground that a Sonthal is an underraiyat, if tho latter is the clearer of the soil. Section 21 has accordingly buen framed to give an under-raiyat, if he is the clearor of the soil, occupancy rights. 276 Usury* -Sections 22-25 — The report, I venture to believe, shows thut drastic action is nocousaly 18 regards usury In these matters there is absolutely no freedom of contract, and tho Sonthal is entirely at the mercy of the malayın. For dealing with these qucations which go right to the very root of the dispossession and poverty of the Sonthal, thero in piccedent in tho Sonthal Parganas and in the Dokkhan Agriculturists' Roliof Act (XVII of 1878). In the Sonthal Parganas, compound interest 18 forbidden, the total amount of interest on the original loan canuot exceed the amount of that loan, and provision is made for the examination of the account between the rulyat and tho mahajan ab snitio, regardless of intervoning contracta. Tho sume provisions occur all the lokkhan Agriculturists' Relief Act, but are put more elaborately By that Act the Court has also the power to make anangements for the 1орау: : went of a dobt by periodical instulmonts, instead of ordoving the sale of mortgaged lands. Such provisions are peculiarly applicable to aborigines, and I have followod the provisions of the Sonthal Paginas Regulation and the Dekkhan Act alnost slaviehly. Ono modification ilosci ves attention. Provision has beon made for the repay mnent, ot a debt by mstalments of graui for the reason that this method of repayment 18 moio acceptable to the aborgino than any other, and because there is sono chance of his repaying the dubt in this way, whilst there is little if the debt 18 turned into money. Pro- 118101 las already been made for the transfers of decices for the sale of land mortgaged before the proposed Bill to the Collector. 247 Section 26.- This is takon direct from the Chota Nagpur Tonancy Act (section 258) and the Punjab Alienation Act (section 21), in order to protect the orders of the Collector from being upset 10 the Civil Courts. 248 Section 27.This section demand, no further remarks than that it is obviously desirable that a Settlement Officer should have the powers of Collector under the Act. 249. Sections 28-31.-These sections denl with appeal and revision 250, Rents Though a strong cone can be made out from at least Birbhum for a change in the law reg irding rente, it is possibly doubtful whether there is on the wholo sufficient evidence, or wlotlor any change would be expedient The suggestion is a practicahlo ono for universal application. This quuation has givon more trvublo than any other portion of the report. In place of such a chungo, 1 now recomwond the use of that hitherto unused section 112 of tho Bongnl Tenancy Act, which gives power to a Settlement Officor to settlo and reduce runts, where it is necessary in the jptoronts of public order and of the local wolfuru. This section is directly adnpted to the coudition of affairs in the Rampur Hit sublivision at prosent. Produco-ronta as in Bankurn can be donlt with under section 40 of the • Possibly tbo quortion of usury su one whul ought to be taken up more generally for the whole of the ngricoltural olunaos of Bengal I understand such proposal bas buon made at • roount conference relating to Wo openlr. Credit Societies This is Mar 30 ·LEGISLATION-Rents-Peripatetic Strif-Eigh Court Bengal 'Tenancy Act, though I must admit there is much more chance of a Sonthal paying & high produce-rent than en equivalent money-rent. But the Court can only fis 10 such cases a fair and equitable rent. It would probably be useless for the Sonthals to apply under section 40 at present until a recordof-rights has boen prepared, because in the majority of these cases the landlords maintain that the Sonthals have only non-occupancy rights in the land or are only under-raiyats without a right of occupancy. The Sonthal would find it difficult to prove his case in Court. 231. Peripatetic Staf.-It has been suggested that, in order to ensure that the provisions of the proposed Act should be carried into effect, a peripatetic staff should be appointed to enquiro into all cases of illegal transfers and to bring them to the notice of the Collector. It is undoubtedly a fact that without it a large, probably a very large number of sub rosa transfeis will be effoctod But it obviously must be composed of low-galaried officials, otherwise the cost of it will be very expensivo. Such a staff will have plenty of opportunities for making ulioit gains by concealing transfers for a consideration. It is doubtful whether it would get much supervision in the mide of the other multifarious duties of the Collector, unless he has the watter very much at heart. It would probably be a free lance. The staff would wory the mahajan in and out of head-quarters, and the mahajan would recompense himself somohow by taking it out of thio unfortunate Sonibal. It would be bound to be unpopular both with the mahajan and the Sontbal. I must confess that I do not like this proposal of letting loose a new set of officials, unless there 18 somo guarantee for then proper control, amongst tlie populace. Such a guarantee would, however, be found in a properly organized and contiolled system for the maintenance of land rocords. There also would be no objection to a Collector sending out from time to time a sympathetic Deputy Collector to enquire into illegal transfers. I therefore recommend that no peripatetic staff sliould bo appointed, but that, pending the ostablishment of a staff for the maintenanco of land records, to whom the Collector's powers under the proposod Act should be entrusted, action should be taken from time to time by the Collector by deputing an experionced and sympathetic Deputy Collector to enqune into illegal transfers. 232. The question of whether the Iligh Court should have any jurisdiction in any excopt cuminal cases demands consideration in connection with this Bill. Page 39 PROPOSED BILL. WHFKEAs it 18 expedient to amend the Law of Landlord and Tenant and the Law of Uouy amongst the aboriginal and semi-a boriginal tribes or castes within the territorio under the administration of the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal, it is hereby enucted as follows Preliminary- 1 (1) This Act may be called the Bengal Aboriginal Tribes Aot, 190 (8) It shall come into force on such date (horelyefter galled the commencement of this Aot) as the Local Government, with the previous sanotion of the Governor-General in Council, mav, by notification in the local offioial gazette, appoint in this behalf Punjab Aliopotion (5) The Local Government shall, by notifiontion in the looal official gazette published of Land Act, 4. 4 with the provious sanction of the Governor-General in Council, determine what bodies of persons in any local area, district or group of diatriote are to be deemed to be abunginal or semi-aboriginal tribes or castes for the purposes of this Act 2. In this Aot, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,- (2) A “complete usufructuary mortgage means a transfer of the interest of & tepant in his tenancy, for the purpose of securing the payment of money or groud advapoed or ('lota Nozpur Tea. to be advanoed by way of loan, accy Act, 10) upon the condition that the loan, with all interest thereon, shall be deemer to be extinguished by the profits arising from the tenancy during the period of the mortgage. (2) A "village headman” means & person who engages with his landlord for the payment of the rents payable by the raiyats in a village or portion thereof, whether he is remuverated 10 any one or more combined of the following ways ·LEGISLATIVE 83 It kind, or money, or by some profit on the collection of rent, or by being permitted to cultivate certain lands free of or on & Dominul rent, or to settle waste lande, and includes Mostagirs, Mandals, Pradhads and ijaradars. (3) A tenure-holder, or a villago headman, or a raiyat, or an under-raiyat, meADE & tenuro-bolder, or a village headman, or a raiyat, or ed under-raiyat, resprotively, of an aboriginal or semi-aboriginal tribe or caste, unless the contrary 18 specifically stated (4) All expressions which are defined by section 3 of the Bengal Tenancy Act, shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, have the meanings assigned to them in the said scotion Provincos Nonthal 111 ot Provinces QR 71 Sonthal III of 1872 de amanded in Raiyata and under-ratyals. 3. No transfer of a sziget or onder-raiyat of his right in his holding or any portion Central Pronron thoreof by mortgage, lease, sale, gift, or any contract or agreement shall be valid to any content Tomacy Act, 64013) extent, exopt as provided by sections 4 and 5 Tenancy Act, . 70(3), 4 Arayat may grant & lense of his right on his holding or any portion thereof Cbotu Nagpur Tonto another person of an aboriginal or semi-aboriginal tribe or caste to enable him to cultivate anay Act, 40(1). the land bond fide as an under-raiyat Porgane. Regulation 5 A raiyat or under-rajyat may onter into a complete usufructuary mortgage of his 1872 ns Amanded in right in his liolding or any portion thereof for any period not exceeding seven years, 1908,- 27(1) provided that the term of such mortgage does not and can not, in any possible event by any agreement, express or implieil, exceed the period herein laid down 6 No translor of a raiyat or under-raiyat, in his holding or any portion thereof, shall Chota Nagpur Ten. be binding on the lundlord except in so far as it would be binding under the Bengal ancy Act, 1862). Topancy Act 7. If a transfer 18 made by a rajyat or an under-raiyat in contravention of the Central provisions of station 3, the Collector may, on his own initiativa, or on the application of Tenancy Act, 2 17 any person who would bo entitled to inherit the right in the bolding of the rulyat or the Porgadra under-roiyat in the event of his death without nearer heirs, or ou the application of the Regulation lendlord, ejeot the transferee from anch holding or portion thereof, 1908, ., 27(3). and either restore it to the reiyat or the under-raiyat, or to any hours of this rouyat or the under-Taiyot who transferred big right in it, or provided the raiyat or under-raiyat, who transferred his rigbt in the land, had a right of occupancy in it, put it in the possession of any ocber person resident or oultivating in the same village belonging to an abonginal or sem aboriginal tribe or casto. Failing such persons the right of settlement shall acorue to the landlord, provided that he is not the original transferee de facto . Provided-- (a) that the transferee whom it 18 proposed to oject has not been in continuous poskession for twelve years; () thot ho is given an opportunity of showing adulge against the order of eviotion ; oud (c) that all proceedings of the Collector under this section shall be subject to revision by tho Commissioner A At any time after the expiration of the period for which & raiyat or an under (hota Naspar Tenraiyut has under section 5 transferred bus right 11 h18 holding or any portion thereof, tho envy duty 16(4). Collector my, jo bus discretion, either on his own initiativo, or the application of the reiyat or the under-ruiyat or bis heurs, or the landlord, put the raiyat or the under-rliyat or big hours, into POBBeksion of buoh holding or portion thereof in the prescribed manner Provided (a) that the transforen whom it is proposed to ejeot is given to opportunity of showing CAUHR against the order of evotion ; and (6) thet all proceedings of the Collector under this section shall be subject to rovision by the Commissiodor. 1 85A(4L Tenuro-holders and sillage headmen. 9. The transfer of a tenure-holder of his nght in his tenore or any portion thereof, Chota Nagpur Tooor of a village headman in his right, as such, or any portion thereof, by mortgage, lease, anuy Act, 2240 sale, gift or any contract or agreement, shall not be valid to any extent, except as provided Land Roven o Act, by sections 10 and 13. 10. A tenure-holder or village headman may grant a lease of one or other of the following kinds :- (1) permanent leases of woultivated lend to another person or persons of aboriginal or semi-aboriginal tribe or caste for the purpose of enabling the legsge or male members of their families to bring suitable portions of the laud under cultivation, or M 2 ·84 LEGISLATIVE (2) leases of upoultivated land to such a person to enable him to cultivate the Land 88 & rsiyat. Esplanation - The expression "unoultivated land" es used in this section, inoludes land, which, though formerly cultivated, 18 not, at the time the lease 18 granted, either updor oultivation or in the occupation of the lessee for the purposes of oultivation. 11 A tenure-holder or a village headman may grant a lease, or enter into complete usufructuary mortgage, of bug right in all or any of the lands in his own cultivation to exactly the same extent, subjeot to the same conditions, labilities and penalties as if it Chota Nagpur Ton wero the right of a raiyat 10 bus holding or portion thereof. otky Act, 242, 12 If a transfer is made by a tenure-holder or a village headman in contravention of tho provisions of section 9, the Collector may, on his own initiative, or on the application of any person who would be entitled to inherit the right in the tenure of the tenurebolder of the right in the village headship of the village headman in the event of his death without Dearer heirs, or on tho application of the landlord, ejeot the transforee from such tenure, village headship or portion thereof and other restore it to the tenuro-holder or the village headman or to any heirs of the tenure-holder or of the village headman who transferred his right in it, ou put it in the possession of any other person rosulent or cultivating in the same village belonging to an aboriginal or semi-aboriginal tribe or oaste Failing such persons, the right of settlement shall scorue to the landlord, provided that he is not the original transferce de facto Provided (1) that the transferee whom it 18 proposed to oject has not been in continuous possession for twelve years, (2) that he 18 given an opportunity of showing cause against the order of enotion and (3) that all proceedings of the Collector under this section shall be subject to revision by the Commissioner TeroLUS Act, 13 (1) A tenure and a viliage headman's nght, as such, if beld by a member of an " Alte aboriginal di semni-Aboriginal tnbe or caste shall be heritable, and the tenure-holder or the village buadman, whether holding under & written or verbal agreement, shall be entitled to a renewal of his loase on its expury, on his agreeing to pay a fou and equitable rent for the tonure orvillage headebip. (2) The right of an aboriginal or sec1-aboriginal village headman, as such, shall bo indivisible, savo In so far as any arrangements to the contrary are in foroe at the time of the commencemont of this Act, and shell dovolve on one member only of his family according to custom and usage. Intral 1.a 1 Provinces rontrul тогірсов Sontb 11 III of General prodisione regarding alienation 14 No transfer of a leaso in contravention of the proVIBIOns of sections 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, or IL ancy Act, 16(5) 11 sball be registered, or shall in any way be recognised os valid by any court, whether in denuncy Act, no 7045) the exerciso of civil, criminal or roveque jurisdiction. kota Nagpur Ten. ancy Art, 46(3) Punjah Alicnation of Lanit Act, 17 Pirgadas Henolation 1874, as animeodod in 1904,6 27(2) ( bola Nakpur Ten 15 Nothing in the foregoing sections shall affect the validity of any transfer (not ancy Act N 46(5) Ihne Ngjur fren- otherwiso valid) of a raigat or under-raiyat in his holding or any portion thoreof, or of a ancy Act, 240(6) tepure-holder in his tenure or eay portion thereof, or of a village headmed in hu nght 89 such, or in any portion thereof made bond Aldo before the 16 If a tepure-holdor, village headman, rajyat or under-raiyat surrenders or abandons nis tenure, village headships or holding under circumstauces that amount to a vutual transfer of the tenure or holding on Scoount of debts inourred by the tondre holder, village headman, rayat or under-raiyet, the provisions of sections 7 and 12 shall apply. (hots Nanpur Ten 17 (1) Notwithstanding anythiog contained in sections 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, and 11 any Chota Nagpur Ton- tenuro-holder, village headman or 000 DPRDOY-raiyat may, without the consent of the laci. A7V Act, 241 lord, transfer bus tenuro or holding or any part thoroof for any reasonable and sufficient purpose, having relation to the good of the tonure or holding, or of the tenure or estate in which it 18 comprised, such as thouse of the land for any chantable, religious or oducational purpose, or for the purpose of mining manufacture or imngation or as bulding ground for any such purpose, or for access to lend used or required for any such purposes (2) Every such transfor must be made by registered dead, and before the deed 18 registered and the land transfered the written consont of the Collector must be obtained to the terms of the deed and to the transfer. (3) Before consenting to such transfer, the Collector shall satisfy himsolf that the landlord 18 bulequately compensated for the transfer, and, when only part of a tenure or holding is transferred, may, if he think it, apportion botweon the transferee and the original tenant the rent payable for the bolding. ADI Act, . 49 ·LEGISLATIVE. 85 Court sakso. Province 18. No deoree or order shall be passed by any court for the sale of the right of the tenure Pornzah Alonation holder, village-hear'men, raigat or under-raiget in his tenure or holding, or any portion ºf Central of Provinou. thereof, por shall any such right be sold in execution of any decree or order : Tognacy Act, 10(2) add (3) Provided as follow- Central Province Tonanay Act, s. 70(2). (a) any such right or holding may be sold 19 Axecution of a deoree of a competent and sy Court, to recover an errear of rent which has soorued in respoot of tho right Contral Topnicy Act, 81 or holding, Chuti Nagpur Ton (6) any such right or holding or portion_thereof may be sold under the procedure aacy Act 17 provided by the Publio Demands Rocovery Act , 1895, for the recovrry of aucy Act, o 210, Ioan granted for the bonefit of the land under the Land Improvement Loans Act, 1883, or the Agrioulturists' Loans Act, 1884, or otherwise by the looal Government; (C) any such right or holding or portion thereof may be sold in execution of a decreo or ordor of a competent Court in satisfaction of a debt duo under a mortgage which was rogistered before the commoncement of this Act. (d) The oxecution of all such decrees or orders referred to in sub-sootions (a) (1) and (c) for the sale of such nghts or holdings or portions thereof shell bo transforred to the Collector under section 68 of the Civil Prooedure Code, 1908 Explanation - Proviso (c) does not render valid any document wbiob 18 other w188 illegal or invalid, or authorise a court to take judioul cognizance of any such document Reclamation of land 19 (1) The oral or writton consent of the landlord for the reclamation of land, which Chotr Nagpur) Ton was previonsly junglo, waste or uncultivated, for the purposes of cultivation, shall be ancy Act, w' 61-67 required in overy 0080 oxcept (@) where tho land was, before such reclamation, included in the tenancy of a cultivator, (0) when, by tho custom or usage of the village, tenure or estate, suob consont 18 Dot Ocoelaary, (c) whore the land forma part of tho lands of a tonure, held by a tenure-holder or of & villago or portion thereof under a village headman as dofined in this Act (2) Such congent shall be deemed to have boon given if, within two years from the date on which the cultivator commenced such reclamation, the landlord has not mado on application to the Collector for the ojectmont of the cultivator. (5) Nothing in the section authorizes any oultivator to reclaim any orchard or oultivated or homostead land in the diroot POBoo86100 of any other person 20 Whon any applioation reforred to in section 19, sub-section (2), 28 made, the Collector may, after making such onquiry as he thinks fit,- (a) order tho ojectment of the cultivator from the land so reclaimed, upon payment by the landlord of such reasonable compensatior (if any) 88 the Collootor may direot, or, () direct that tho cultivator may bo left in undisturbed possession of the land 21. Every raiyat or under ruiyet who cultivates or holds lands which he or any member of his family has reclaimed from jungle, waste or uncultipated land for the purposes of cultivation, shall have a nght of occupancy in auch laud, notwithstanding that he has not oultivated or held the land for a period of twolve years Ld Dokban or tribe Usury 22 (1) All courts shall obsorve the rules containod -in sub-section (2) in the following Senthal Parganas desoriptions of suits - Rakulation 111 (1974) (6) Buits for recovory of nonoy alleged to be due to the plaintiff when the defenda Agri or one of the defondants 18 & member of an abonginal or sexu-aboriginal caste callaruta, Rolief Act , 3, 12, 13, 15A, 15B, 160, 16v, 16, 17, On account of money lent, or advanced to, or paid for, the defondant, or 20 and 714. as the price of goods sold, or in an account stated between the plantiff and the defendant, or op a wntten or unwritten engagement for the payment of money not heroinbefore provided for, (0) suits for recovery of money dae on contracts other than the above and suits for moveable property or for the value of such property, or for deplages, when the defendant or one of the defendants 18 & member of an aboriginal or semja aborginal caste or tribe; and ·86 LEGISLATIVE. (6) suts for forealosure or for the poskession of mortgaged property, or for sale of c such property, or for foreolosure and sale, when the defendant or one of the defendants 18 a member of ao aboriginal or semi-abongival caste or tribe ; And (d) suuts for the redemption of mortgaged property when the plaintiff, or where there are several plaintiffs, any one of the plaintiffs, is a member of an aboriginal or semi-aborginal caste or tribe. (*) () The oourt, if the amount of the creditor's claim ia disputed, shall nzless, for to be recorded by it in writing, it deems it unnecessary to do BO, examine both the plaintiff and the defendant as witnesses, and shall enquire into the history and merits of the case from the commencement of the transaction between the parties and the persons (if any) through whom they claim, out of wbioh the suit has arisen, first with a view to ascertaining whether there is any defence on the ground of fraud, mistake, soodent, undue influence or otherwise, and, secondly, with & vew to taking an account between the parties in the manner provided below herein When the amount of the claim 18 admitted and the Court, for 1GABODs to be recorded by it in writing, believes that such admission 18 true and 18 made by the debtor with a full kaowledge of his legal rights as against the creditor, the Court shall not be bound so to enquire, but may do so if it thinks fit In other cage8 in which the amount of the olaim is admitted the Court shall bo bound to enquire as aforesaid. (6) Interest on any dobt or liability for a period exceoding one year shall not be decreed at a higher rate than two per oeut. per mensem, notwithstanding any Agreemont to the contrary, and no compound interest, or any compound interest arising from any intermediate adjustment of account, shall be decreal. (c) Tho total interest decreed on any loan or debt shall never exceed one-fourth of the principal sum, if the period be not more than one year, and shall not in any other case exoeed the principal of the original debt or loan, (d) All money paid by or on ascount of the debtor to the oreditor or on his acrount, and all profits, service or other advantages of every desorption received by the cred tor in the course of the tranbaotion (estimated if necessary, at such money-value as the Court on its discretion, or with the aid of arbitrators appointed by it, may detormine) shall bo creditablo first in the nocount of wtorest, and when any payment 18 more than sufhoient to discharge tho balance of interest due at the time it 18 made, the residue of such payment shall be creditod to the debtor in the account of principal Explanatron -The expression “intermediate adjustment of a coont" in Olause (6) of this sub-section means any adjustment of scoount which is not final and includes the renewal of an existing claim by bond, deoree or otherwise, when, without the passing of frosh consideration the ongidal claim is increased by such renewal Illustration - A bond is given for Rs 75, of which Rs 25 are interest. Unless the creditor can prove to the satisfaotion of the Court that he gave such consideration for the bond ag rendered the translation fair and equitable, of the Rs. 75, Rs 50 only will bear interest, and the limit of the olajm on the bond will be Rs. 100, provided that the total Rs 50 bas uot been inequitably arrived at 23. The Court may in its discretion in passing a decree under section 22, sub section (1), clause (n) or clauro (o), or for the redemption of mortgaged property undót the section, Bab-section (1), oleuse (d), or instead of passing any decreo for the foreclosur), POBBL EB10D sole, or for the foreclosure and sale under section 31, sub-section (1), olause (c), for any mortgaged property, may pags r dearee stating what amount 16 payable by the debtor, and may, if it thinks fit, dureot that the amount shall be repayable in instalments of ther money or grain on such dates, and without or with suo interest as it take fit, and wpen the mortgage i 10 PORsession, as to the appropriation of profits and accounting therefor, as it thanks fit Buob idatalments, of of money, may bo paid into Cuart. 24 Any person of an aboriginal or semi-aboriginal tribe may sue for an account of the amount of principal and interest renaining unpaid on a purtgago, or for Al account of money Lent or advanced to or paid for him by & oreditor, or due by him to the creditor As the prioos of goods sold, or on a written or unwritten engagement for the payment of money, and of money paid by him to the oreditor, and for a deores deolaring the amount, if any, still payable by bim to the creditor. The amount, if any, payable by the plaintiff shall be determined under the rules oontained in section 22. 25 A deorce passed under section 24 may, besides deolaring the amount due, dureot that such amount shall be paid by instalments of grain or money, with without interest; and when any such decree so directs, and the amount 18 ropayable in instalmente of money, the plaintiff may pay the amount of mob deoree, or the amount of each instalment paid by buoh decree, as it fallo due, into Court, in default whereof execution of the deoree may be enforoed by the defendant in the same manner as if he had obtained a deares in Bout to recover the dobt. OT Ог ·LEGISLATIVE. 87 General. 20. No suit shall be entortained in any Civil Court established under the Bengal, Chota Nagpur Too- Agra and Assam Civil Courts Aot, 1887, to vary, modify or set aside, either direotly or choy dot, a la indirectly, any order or decres of any Collector or Royenue Officer in any nut or proceeding Punjab Alimation under this Act, or shall have jurisdiction 10 any matter which & Collootor is ompowered of Land Aot, - 21 to disposo of by this Act 27 (2) 'i'be local Government may vest any Deputy Colleotor by game or office with the powers of a Collector under this Act. (*) In particular, during the conduot of any proceedings under Chapter X of the Boogal l'enancy Act, the Chief Revonue Officer in charge of such proceedings shell bave 12-officio the powers of a Collector under this Act 29. Appeals shall lio agajust the proceedings of any Deputy Collector ezerainng Chota Nagpur Ton the powers of a Collector under this Act to the Collector of the district, whose orders anoy Act, 215. thereou slınll only be subject to revision by the Commissioner of the Division Provided that (1) aprenls from the proceedings of the Chief Roponue Officer in charge of proceedings under Chapter X of the Bengal 'Tenancy A ot may lie to the Commi88ioner, if the Local Government.so direct, and that (2) appeals from officers subordinate to suoh Chief Revenue Officer, shall l16 to tho Chief Revenue Officer. 24 Appeals shall lie against the proceedings of the District Colleotor in exercise of his original jurisdiction to the Commissioner of the Division 30. 11) In the performance of their duties and the oxorcise of their powers under Chota NACHT Too , a . this Act Collectors whall be subjeot to the general direotion aud control of the Comm1881oner and the Board of Rosenuo, and Deputy Collectors exers Dg funolions of the Collector shall also be subject to the direction and control of the Collootor. (2) Similarly Chief Revenue Officers and Rovenue Officers shall be subjeot to the geceral direction and ountrol of the Collector, Commissioner and the Board of Revenue und the Chief Rovenue Officer, provided that if appeals lie from tho Chief Revenue Officer to the Commissioner, the Chief Revenue Oficor shall not bo subjuot to the general direction and control of the Collector. 31 All applications for appral or rovision must be presenteil within thirty days of the date of the order or decision CIIAPTER X V SETTLEMENT PROPOSALS, AND TRANSFER OF JURISDICTION. (Terms of the Reference No. XIV.) 253. General proposals — The last of the terms of tho reference on which I have to report 18 whether any settlement proceedings should be undertaken in any area under report, I shall first treat this matter generally. I have been at some pains to try and point out that the chief opprossor is the mahajan. To this purpose I have thrown some proposals into the form of a draft Bill But this Bill will not do much to provont the acquisition of lands by mahajan, if there are no racords showing what lands the Sonthals now huld. The mahajan will endeavour to take the land away from bin, and then state either that it was taken previous to the passing of this Act or that the Sontbal never had possession of it or had no rights in it, and that he obtained it from the landlord Also, if the Colleotor has in each case to go into a mass of evidence to discover of the Sonthal had occupancy rights or was in possession before or after the passing of the Act before he was disposonged, then thero is a possibility that he will not use his powers under the Act But if the Collector bas a record-of-nghts to work on, then he can without any difficulty pass orders on questions of dispossession. Without it nothing effective can be done. This, therefore, is the general argument that I advance in favour of an eurly settlement of the Sonthal aros, viz., that if the proposals regarding legislation became law, a settlement will greatly enhance their eftet, and for their proper working is a practical necessity On this ground I therefore strongly advocate & cbange for the general Page 20 (Room- Rendatlan No 7.) programme laid out for a settlement of the whole of Bengal, viz., that Birbhun, Bankura and Midnapore may be taken up as early As early as possible. The ·88 SETTLEMENTS-General Proposals–Particular Proposal. Page 91. (Record. mendakop No 6,) J'agos 1, 69 70 area l'n gas 41-41 Ingu 50 permanently-settled portion of Balasore could doubtless be taken up along with Midnapore. 254. Partuulor proposals.--There is however an area where a record-ofrights 16_2n my opinion immediately necessary, and that is in part of the Rampur Hât subdivision, There are four main reasons why a settlement should be offected in this The first is that the Sonthals have seen the results of a settlement in tho Sonthal Parganas, and they desire a sottlement in their own lande. The socond is that rents bave been sucreased arbitrarily, and the tenent pays on the whole considorably piore than he did in 1881, and it is necessary to put a check on these illegal enhancements. Other reasons-of the same class are in some villages the necessity for putting a stop to illegal ezactions; in others for C1, Dharmpur and determining the cxact status of the Sonthal, in a third group for determining Du och tlaupur, Apuen the actual rent, and in all cases for classifying and finding out low much land the Sonthal really has. The third roason 18 of a difforent class, and that (1, Malduha and 18 that Babu Bhuban Moban Rahe's compromise between landlords and tix 14), Nre IV and tenants had the cffect of preventing to some extent the breakage of the headman system, and a settlement may be expocted to do the same A fourth and cogent roason is the necessity for showing some tangiblo results of tho enquiries, and in a shape which 18 expected, viz., that of a settlement. In view of what has already been said in Chapter XIII, I consider that it would bo politic to have an amin on the ground as soon as possiblo, if only for the traverse survey. The total area proposed for settlenent 18 just over 100 squaro miles, and 18 made up as follows.- VIII die J.C), Nos and Pyes 16, 48 Pages W 70 I ude het po Thani Number of Malas Nunbor of Sontbal palabas, 35 Murarai Nolhat Rampur Maureswar 12 15 23 10 80 43 In 1950 Pure G4 PL 13-18 I w.es 41 42 Pazı 48 Ρημe 1 16 P'ALPH 43 44 like 48. Joc 39 Tho inap and list of villages has beon separately forwarded to the Director of Land Records I must admit that in the Rovd L. 0. Skretsrud's villagen there is not much necessity for a settlement, except as regards the gomustha cens, but this as the home of the trouble. I see therefore no advantage in leaving out these villages. In this connection Mr. Skrefsrud wrote a letter to Mr. Foster, Collector of Birbhuw, dated 28th January 1908, in which it appears that be 18 strongly opposed to a settlomeut. This can only refor to his own villages, which in Birbhuta are few in number So long as the enquiry was against mahajans, Mr. Skrofarud was sympathetic, but when he saw it was concernod with landlords also, le became unsympathetic Most of the Sonthal villages in the area proposed for settlement were measured by Babu Bhuban Mohan Raha in 1881-83, and in some 50 per cent. of those sente fixed. The measurements and rents are now out of date. I havo included in this proposal certain villages in the Mollarpur Pargana, belonging to the lohant of Mollarpur, and settled by Munshi Nundji in 1891-93. These include villages Jetia, Raipur and Polasbponi, where the Moliant has been churgung unduly high rates for increased cultivation, and the village of Rampur, whero the record-of-rights of 1891-92 bas been completely ignored. The area propused for settlement is practically the “disaffectud" arca, if I may use the word. 253 As regards (1), the scattered villages in Mabamad Bazar outpost, und (2) the block of villages in the Rajnagar outpost, I am not aware that, in VICW of an impending general settlement, the urgency for an immediate settlement 18 BO great. The date of their settlement is more a matter of administrative convenience. The Sonthals, however, in this area, OD seeing & scttlement in progress, may agitate for a settlement also; consequently it will not be advisable to postpono the settlement of this area too long. In the programme for Bengal, the general settlement of Burbhum is put down for the years 1913-14. I presune the special settlement proposed above could be ·SETTLEMENTS- fonaral Proponal-Partionlar Propoual. 89 completed in 1911, 80 that, if the traverse survey party could appear in the cold weather of 1911-12 in Rajnagar, this would be sufficient. Should, however, the Director of Land Records consider that, from the point of view of completeness and convenience of administration, the settlement of these remaining villages should be undertaken separately from that of the general settlement, it might be taken up immediately after that of the area 1 have proposed. The local officers can easily supply the list of such villages and magzast. The total area would be less than 100 square miles, probably about 70 There is no urgency as regards the villages in thana Bolpur, sto These proposals are being submitted through the Director of Land Records, who will, 1 hope, employ Maulvi Ekramuddin, my Kanungo, under an experienced Sonthal Settlement Officer like Mr. J. Robertson, Deputy Coilortor, in the special settlement, should it be sanctioned. 250 Section 112, Bengal Tenancy Act-In Chapter XIV a reference has been niade to the necessity of legislating on the subject of repts, I havo reluctantly given up certain proposals regarding those rents,_spd in thoir placo hare recommended a free use of section 112 of the Bongal Tenancy Act, which empowers a Settlement Officer, when necessary in the interests of public order or of the local welfare, to settle all ronts and to reduce them. Tho application of this section to a settlement of the Sonthal area in the Ranupur Hat subdivision is desirablo on three grounds :-(1) because the ronts of Sonthals have been illegally enhanced out of proportion to the excess area under cultivation, ) becausr rntes of rents were fixed in 1881 and 1892 28 bcing applicable to the Sonthals, but the rents are much higher in certain villages, and (3) because if a bottlement is undertaken, excess arca will be found under cultivation, rents will bave to be assessed for this area, and the present discontent will be augmented. I need say nothing morc as regards grounds Nos. (1) and (2), the evidence regarding them is to be found in Chapter VII. What I wish to emphasize 15 the third ground, wluch makes section 112 of tho Bengal Topancy Act peculiarly applicablo. In the Notes on Clauses in the Bill of 1906, it was said -"Experience bas shown, however, that certain landlords have beon ablo to forco illegal and oppressivo rents on the tenantry without creating any immodiate agrarian disturbance In such casch the Government proposes in future to take action to reduce the excessive rents before any actual disturbanco arikes." That 18 what has happened in Birbhum no immediate agrarian disturbance has been created, though rents have been illegally and excessively onbenced, but there is plenty of discontent. That gives a ground for action under section 112, Bengal Teneury Act. But the point 19 that after the settlement, theso ronts will have to be still further enbanccd on account of the excess aroa found undor cultivation, and the probabilities are that the discontent will bo further augmented Wbether there is danger of trouble or not, the position is so full of possibilıtıcs for trouble that I think it 18 nccessary in tbe interests of public order and of the local welfajo that nothing should be dono to further increase the prosent discontent, and to this end I recommend that the Settlement Officer in Rampur Hât should be given power's under section 112, Bengal Tenancy Act,-1) to settle the ronts of all Sonthals and other aboriginal or Bemi-uboriginal tribes, and (2) to reduce them, if in his opinion the maintenance of the existing rents would be uofair and inoquitable. Thore would be little difficulty in bottling the rents, because a table of rates has been twice prepareil in Rampur Hat subdivision, and these would form a basis, with the Decesaury modifications, for the future rents, for the futuro rents. Such a measure in Rampar Hat should liave a most salutary offect. It must be remembered that since 1872 the Sonthals in this area have beon agitating off and on, and that any action taken bas been in the neture of a compromisc. It 18 now time that full powers should be exercised for putting matters on a firm basis. la settling this area, e considerable amount of trouble will bave tu be taken to explain that the landa lost by the Southals cannot be given back to them, but I am hopeful that the Sonthals will be reasonable in this respect. 256, Alternative Proposal.—Transfer of junsdiction.--As the report was in the Press, it was suggested to me by the Director of Laud Records that • Vida Rampai's Tannoy Act, page 369 + A rough list has been sent to the Director of Land Records l'agus 6-nd Paga 1, . N ·90 BETTLEIENTS fonanl Proponlo Particular Proposal Papou 5,7 The area it would be advisable to draw the attention of Government to the case with which the Sonthal villages in Birbhum could be transferred to the Sonthal Parganas, and the whole Sonthal problem in Birbhum thus disposed of This question forms no part of the reference, but there can be no doubt that that would be the end of the trouble in Birbhum, which, as already remarked, has been going on since 1872. It is the real solution. The portions transferred would consist of a block in the north-west of Murarai thang, another block in the west of Nalhati thana, adjoining strip of Rampur Hat thana on the west, widening out at the south and extending down to 8 block in the west of Maureswar thana, a few villages on the border in Mohamad Bazar outpost, and finally a block in the north-west of Rajnagar outpost. This area does not exceed 170 square miles. The names of the villages that can be transferred from the subdivision of Rampur Hat are contained in the list of villages proposed from settloment on page 94. The names and positions of the other villages would have to the ascertained from the local officers. A rough liat has been sont to the Director of Land Records. The question of this transfer was once raired before in 1872, but it was pointed out* that the villages had not been transferred because (1) the Bengali element predominated in some of the parganas, end (2) Suri was a more convenient administrative centre. 7 Later the matter was rather summarily disposed of by saying that nothing could be done until 8 Census' WAS made showing wbat population predominated. In the present case, however, it is not proposed to transfer a pargana, but to transfer the Sonthal villages in the parganas adjoining the Sonthal Parganas. The question of Bengalı predominance 18 not therefore of so much account, altlıough there are a certain number of Bengalı villages in the area. indicated above a, to the best of my belief, that in which the Sonthalı element predominates, though doubtless towards the east the Bengali element prodominates. If neceshary, statistics of population could however be obtained from the village Census tablest by assuming that all Animists and Christians are Sonthals, and some of the Eastern villages eliminated. As regards the second difficulty, it must be admitted that Suri is a far more convenient centre of administration, though it 18 a curious position that on that account the Sontbals should have to submit to a different set of laws than their brothren in the Sonthal Parganas. It would seem that, in such a case, convenience of the centre of administration should give way entirely to the necessity of a different kind of admiristration, A third difficulty 28 that the landlords and mahajans will strenuously objoct to such a transfer. But, if the proposed settlement and the proposed Bill are carried into effect, the result should be very nearly the same, oxcept as regards rents, and even regarding them intorfornce 18 very very desirable. Mr. Maddox, in the letter originating this enquiry, S gave it as his opinion that it was aseless to consider the question then of a transfer without an unfair disregard of vested interests, although to a large extent these intereste had in past years undoubtedly been secured either by fraud or by force marenre, or in return for consideration, in the majority of casos totally inadequate. I do not suppose however that Government, if it transferred this area, would interfere with vested interests of the past, but would only introduce the Sonthel Parganas system with effeot from the date of the transfor. This meets this objection to some extent. Historically and physically the area belongs to the Sonthals, and therefore to the Bonthal Parganas. The Sonthals cleared it originally. To any one travelling through the country, the boundary between the districts appears to have been laid in an extremely empirical manner by drawing straight lines to join up the eastern or south-eastern ends of the Sonthal Parganas Hills as they approached the boundary. If a space had been left in the Sonthal • Goveromont letter No. 1089, dated the 14th February 1873. Govornment letter No 2372, dated the oth April 1877 1 Tables showing distribution by religions are available in the Burbha. Dietrict Office, but not earte or nationwlity $ Communioner of Burdwan's Jottar No 297T. G. dated 20th August 1908 Jages 41-44 81, 8v Page 2 Fagua 6,6 7, ·SETTLICANTS AND TRANSFER OF JURISDICTION. 91 Parganas of five or six miles between the ends of the hills and the plaine, there would have been none of this trouble. I am most strongly in favour of the proposed transfer, and I can only regret that, as the question was Dot included in the reference, that I have not full details of population and area to give Government. The above facts are howovor possibly sufficient to give Governmunt an idea as to whether the matter abould be seriously conndered. Meanwhile, the discussion on the question need not delay the proposed settlement, if it is decided that it should be undertaken. A transfor of jurisdiction in Bankura would mean the transfer of nearly two-thirds or three-quarters of tho Sadar subdivision to Chota Nagpar. in the Midnapore area, together with that of the Fatehabad pargaan in Balasore, could appropriately form a new district by itself, and transferred to Chota Nagpur. The latter proposal to divide Midnapore into two districts, which was originally brought forward on other grounds, has I understand, been already negatived. If howover it 18 ever revived, plenty of evidence for its necessity can be found in this report. 257. A final recommendation --It is obvious that, if possible, ono Sonthal knowing Deputy Collector should be posted to each of the districts of Birbhum, Benkura and Midnapore however necessary that Sonthal-knowing Munsifs should be appointed at Rampur Hat (Birbhum), Khatra (Bankura) and 1idnapore Sadar. It would be desirable to bave 8 Southal-knowing Munsif also in Suri Sadar (Birbhum), Bankura Sadar and Garbeta and Dapton (Midnapore), but this 18 probably an impossibility. Collectors and District Judges in these districts should therefore encourage the Deputy Collectors and Munsifs subordinate to them to pass the special language examination in Sonthali, and to obtain the prescribed reward of Rs. 1,000. For the Munaf at Khetra it should be, on account of the large Soothal population in Raipur, Sımlapal and Khatra, almost a sine qua non that he should pass the examination. It would not perhaps be decessary to lay down any strict rule on the subject, but merely to rule that this officer was expected to pass the examination under penalty of a transfer. I gather that it would be a penalty. l'age G2 (Rooommendation No 14 ) It JB more Pages 3,84 CHAPTER XVI. SUMMARY. 1 It remains to bring together the recommendations contained in the report These are not many and are definitoly stated in certain portions of the report. They aro- The introduction of an Aot to prevent the alienation of land and to amend the Law of Uhury amongst aborigines and semi-aborigines on the lines of the draft on pagch 82 to 87, and discussed in Chupter XIV. 2. The immediate extension of this Act to the tribes and areas given on page 72, also op pago 68. 3. The subsequent extension of this Act to other tribes and other areas on enquiry from the local officers, vrde page 72, aloo page 68 4 In the progress of any settlement operations an onquiry into the question whether there are other tribes to whom it should be extended. vid, page 72, also page 68. 5. That the attention of the Government of Eastern Bengal and Aslam may be drawn to the matter, with a view to protecting the sonthals in the Barind, vido page 72. 6.' The immediate settlement of an area of about 100 square miles of Sonthal villages in Rampun Hât subdivision, Birbhum, and tho application of section 112, Bengal Tenancy Act, to this area, and should the Director of Land Records think fit of the remaining villages in Mohamed Bazaar and Rajnaggar, nde pages 88 and 89. 7. With a view to making the proposed legislation effective, e_chango ' in the 24 years' settlement programme of Bengal so as to have Burbhum N2 ·92 SUDIARY OF RECODENDATIONS. Bankora, Midnapore and the remaining portion of Balasore settled as early as possible, vido page 88. 8. Suggestions regarding education, vido page 58. 9. Suggestions regarding Agricultural Banks, vide page 61. 10. Suggestion regarding dates of realisations of agricultural loans, vide page 61. 11. Suggestion that the attention of Sub-Registrars should be drawn to the necessity of explaining to aborigines thoroughly the documents the latter 12. Consideration of question whether appeals in cases against and brought by Sonthals, except in criminal cases, should go before the High Court, orde pages 39 and 82. 13. Recommendation of stoppage of barter for rico-bter in Birbhum, vide There are no other recommandetions regarding the liquor traffic for the reason given on page 60. 14. Certain recommendations as regards Muosiffs, etc , and their language, vide page 58. page 91. GLOSSABY A Abwab Illegal oeso. Adhi--Term applied to a produoe-rent acoording to wbrob the tenant pays the landlord half the orop Aimadar-A tenure (thana Garhbota), órde page 20. Amla A landlord's servant, whose daty it u to look after scooante, eto, of the property. B Band-A kind of tank Banya_Trader, Barsalı - A rate of interest, ado Benamı-Granted to a person other than the rent grantee. Beth began-Free labour given by a tonant to his landlord Bhagtı-Term applied to a produoe rent; the tenant divides the crop with the landlord in a fixed proportion. page 26. Chutha-A statement need in the report of rents and arrears Chotba-A rate of interest, ondo page 26. D Derbia- 50 per cent. interest. Desh-Manjhi-Perganait s asastant Dhan-Paddy. Dhangar-Usually need to mono aplands. Dhurta-A rate of interest, ande page 26, Dikka-A foreigner in from the Sonthal's point of view, 6.9., . Bengali Dubra—100 por cent. interest. G Ghet-Uned in the report to moun & jungle pans. Gbatwal Guardian of jungle pass, Gole- A gram store. Gomaahta-Landlord's rept collector. Gorait-Village mannen geç. Gur-A village sohool-masta. I Ijaradar-A farmer of renta; in Balbani • village hondman, ondo pago 21; also in Balasore, pido page 23. Ijara-The interest of an ijaradar. J Jamai or Jote- temanoy, ondo page 18-19. Jangalbur A tendre, odo pago 18. Jallar-Generally a Ashery ; deed by Mr. Skrefsrud to demote the right to a water. JamRent. Jemabandi--Landlord's list of rents. Jog-Manjhi-Sonthal village master of ooremonies and moral owner. Jog-Paraniak o Jog-Paremanik Jog-Manjhi's deputy.

·SETTLEMENTS AND TRANSFER OF JURISDICTION. 93 K Kabuliyat--Wntton arrangement to 200ept a lease. Kazi-Perganait's Assistant in Balasore. Khatian-Paper prepared showing rent, ares, rights, eto., of a tenent in his holding Khas -(PossesBLOD), personal possession without intervention of an intermediary. Khem-Term applied to rent-free land of Sonthal village officials. Kustabandı - An arrangement for repayment of a debt in instalments K18t-Time of repayment Korali- A rate of interest, rule page 26. Kotel Village messenger Krishadi- A system of cultivating labour; the labourer is given a certain amount of land to cultivate, and he is remunerated by a share of the crop, a common form is that in which the owner provides the peed and the labourer obtalDB & one-third sbare of the croy. Krishan-A labourer Kudam naikı-Naik's assistant. Kudum Laiya-Laiya's assistant. Kurfa ralyat-Under-ralyat, LajyA-Village priest M Mabajan-Monoy-londer Mandal--Village headman Mangan-Subscription froto raiyats to defray any exponbos of a landlord Man—Term applied to tho rent free lands of Sonthal village offioials Manjhi - Sonthal village headman, also general surname of a Sonthal Mokurran-Permanent lenge at a fixed rate Mokurndar—The holder of a mokurrar lease. Mostagır Yollege headmed, also farmer of rente. N Naikı-Sontbal village priest. Narmal-Term used meaning the lower plads of Bengal T Panobak-Nominal or quit-rent l'araniok or leramenck-Manjhi's assistant Parja-Rajyat Patai-A peouliar tonure, whose bolders are liaible to be a sold up 10 8 Mandor BmJer to holders of estates, PattaWritten lease Pathsala-Villago sohool Pergadait-Head of a group of Manjhs or Sonthal headman of different villages , urnally the leader of the Bonthals to a partioular looality. Pradhan-Vllage beadman. 8 Sajhal-Term applied to & produce-rent; the amount ofthe produce 18 fixed by weight or volume. Salami-A premium for å lenge Bel-A valuable jungle tree (Bhores robusta). Satasi-37% per oont interest. 81001–25 per cent. interest. T Tols-Separate group of bouses in a village , & hamlet. z Zamindar landlord holding under Government. M BASURE PO .RO 1 bis 1 Ari 20 arie. about 10 seon. 1 TP 1 mali .. ... 2 pre 8 bule 20 pie. 1 sear (kutabs) 1 Beer (pucea). 2 seers (kutoha) 1 are 1 kuri 1 maj 1. 16 kuris. 4 mans. 4 pale. 4 kodas. 8 Boots (approximately). 1 pa 1 ui ·94 LIST OF VILLAGES in Rempor Hat List of Pollagee proposed for settlement in Rampur Eat Subdivision. Area in Name of Thapa Name of Mause. Revenue survey No ... .. AC 11. .. I.. ... II ΜαΓ Γυι . 19 20 68 75 76 74 70 71 72 73 120 122 2 1 . .. .. BRE 2,968 730 1,620 290 616 295 1,020 700 304 1,540 1,970 430 655 1,004 810 714 671 677 956 591 1,129 901 8 9 13 16 14 84 ... 0. N lheti ... 10 1 3 ... Boraha Gopalpur Santosbpur Reloogram Mukundapur Chandrapera Nakorgram Birnagar Harindoba Cheddarpur Mathurapur Kamdebpams Jhikorbata Barur Sultanpur Puoliur Gobindapur Bhols Medua Heritoka Kadaeur Babutal Baclofa Madhabpar Bbabanondspar Lakshminarayanpur Haridaspur Kartakdanga Saptoahpar Bodhra Chbora Obataipar Belia trwajeypur Narayanpur Ek pers Kbedamara Bhatina Kalkapur Rudipur Prabladpur Kashtagarh Tabaldara Ranipur Jathla Hatıkadda Gbrgura or Masura Nikursla Bamnigeon Gone Sadabandhui Kbojapur Teraohua IIatgeobuia Manbolis Gbagba Jetia Raipurchak Birujpur Goala Pachami Chende Kalbipahari . .. .. .. : : 5 4 7 15 1 11 12 13 14 21 26 22 12 11 3 9 10 13 18 22 29 20 o Rampur Hát .. .. . 1,874 1,610 1,136 288 985 1,597 1,007 1,218 1,811 1,325 1,956 1,182 2,266 298 2,444 218 1,176 375 464 964 808 2,271 1,046 649 904 670 151 6,861 3,767 1,495 1,246 2,246 1,336 340 1,085 469 1,126 713 . .. DOO .. ... 16 28 38 .. ... ... RO Moureswar .. 14 22 21 13 10 23 41 17 100 Total 71,743 ·PART II. CONTENTS. Appendur Dombor Sorot Pago. I a) II BILJAN 1-13 Sonthal Villager SubdiviD Th.de. Eagaring Officer Vulago bumbers Rampur Hat 2 1- 2 III VI XII XV woode Badar Marrei I Nalhata IV Rampor Hat VII- Msoroswer XIII Sun (Mabopad Bazar XVI outpost) Sari (Bajongar oat Maulvi Sayid XVIIpost) Mohammad Nuxır. addio 10 11 IX 12-13 I(6) . BAYRORA BADAR SUBDIVISION. 1432 Sonthal Villages Thaa.. Enquiring Officer vallige number: 14–16 15-18 16 Banlun (Chhatda out-Maulnı Ekranuddin II post) Gangajalghatı outpost Ditto III- IV (Saltora outpost). Onda (Taldeoga oot. Maulvi Saiyid post) Muhammad Nuur. uddin Sımlapal (Indopondent Ditto VI VII outpost) Kbetre VIII- XI Do Maalvı Ekramuddin XII XVII Do (other tribos) Ditto XVIII XXII Raipur XXIII-XXVIII 16-17 17-22 22 - 26 26-27 27-32 1(c) MIDNAPOBR BADAE SUBDIVISION 32-60 Sonthal Pollagos Thing Estate Enquiring Officer. Village pombers Buapor Gilda Laiyaph 32-36 95-96 Ramgarh Litto (Bautis) Sılda (othor tribes) 36-37 97 SR-39 3942 Gerbbata I- 11 Maulvi Saiyid III- IV Mobanood Naziraddin Ditto Ditto VI Maalvı ekramuddin VIIх Moulvi Naiyid XI XV Muhamad Nasir . uddin Ditto XVI XTIL Mauln Ikramaddin XVIII x x XXI XXII XXIII . X XIV Baba 'Rampada XXV-XXXIV Chatarji XXXV-XXXVI Salbeni Jhargram Gopiballabhpur 43 49-44 44-46 10 . JAmbani Belyabera Nayabacan Ditto 49–48 20 . apd 40-50 Khelorgram Nayagram BALABORE Sonthal Villages I ... Jollasore Fatehabad Pargada Maulv Ekramaddin { 111= II Iv 50-51 51-33 • When is given, sagairta, wen made puully.

·Appendu Lumbor Distrot. BOBJECT Pago II (a) Burbhana Statemont of mortgages of routed by Sonthale sales P) ID long08 63 63 59 61 64 II (6) Bankara PI 11 PD II (c) Midoaporo PU ID leage & III(a) Dirbha 56 66 56 66 65 56 66 III(0) Ronkura p mortgages males losses ., mortgages BALOR soite instituted against Boothals disposed of Inatitutod End gops disposed of number of orecation anlos 10 048e8 of Sontbals and Sadgops Statoment of suta inalitated against Sootbals, and of sales in such cases, Statement of suita instituted against Dhamijes, and of sales in such 09802 Statement of suits jetztuted against Bauris, and of sales in such cases Stalement of suits Lastituted against Sonthals, Bhgmaijes and Kurniн Statement of suits disponed of against Sonthals, Bhumijes kod Kurma Statement of suits disposed of against Sontheln, Bhumijes and Kurus, and of sales in such cang. 66 67 57 III/c) Midnaporo 67 DE 58 68 ·I (2) APPENDIX I (a). (Pude Chapter IV.) BIRBHUM RAYTUR HIT SUBDIVISION. MURARAI THINA. 1.-Jutpur: Broken (18 Sonthal howsos).-This village was measured, and a settlement effected by Babu Bhuban Mohan Raha, Deputy Collector (1879-1882), between the zamındare, Kadir Hossain Khan and the Montagır or headman of the village, at Rs. 43-8-3 for 207 bighes, 8 ottahs, 44 dhuns. The major portion of the land oonkated of 4th class rioe-lend enessed at 4 annas a bigha Bubsequently the Mostagir sold his right on scoount of loan to one Dhona Ram Manjhi; the latter only took the rent, and not the Mostegir's land But when Dhona Ram Manjhi sold his right to another mahapan, Ramdhari Buogh, the latter endeavoared to get possession of that lead; and in the end, owing to an Honorary Magistrate dismissing & caso brought against bum by the Mostager of crop-outting on the ground that it was a avil dispate, got possession of that very land regarding which he had incidentally been previously punished by another Magistrate for cattle-trespass or cattle-rescue. As a matter of fact, the land was actually sold, according to the sale deed. Ramdhari Bingh now collects the renta in place of the Mostagir. For old land the rent is unobanged. For new land, however, the average ront he charges works out at anges 8 a bigba, whereas the old rates work out on the average at just under 4 annas a bigha. Beyond the loss of the mahagan's land, there have been fow transfers to Ditkus, except by usufructuery mortgage The villagers, however, complain that they have lost some of their landa, owing to a boundary dispute with the paghbouring village of Gopalpur The most noticeable feature of this village is the rent charged for the new land, as compared with the old rente NAME OF BATTAT. Original ladd. Ongiori rent Land lost. New (reclaimed) land Rent for re-uleimed Ind. REMARKS. B. c UILD .... notuer 10 bu DO PO N8 A G B. o. B C D Rs. A. Dadu Manjhi 63 8 21 12 2 3 AU Private sale for debts Ganga 40 1 5 8 14 14 9 7 5 4 12 0 Boundary dispate. Has mortgaged hie land for Rs. 200. 23 6 77 4 11 15 4 0 3 16 0 1 13 5 10 Uaufructuary Ratu mortgage, Years, Ře. 77. 4 10 Usufruotuary mortgage, 6 years, Ra 42 (1907). Bajun 21 13 15 4 3 5 4 0 2 4 6 1 2 0 Usufr notnary mortgage, 12 years, Rs. 55 (1907) Phagu 5 0 2 4 11 mortgage, 7 years, Re. 15 (1907) 6 16 Gopla 5 1 6 10 5 7 57 2 10 4 0 8 12 10 4 0 0 Usufructuary mortgage, 7 Chote Phaga yenre, Ra 40 Manjbe (1908) 1 0 Internal dispute i*19* 73 097 10 Bhognit Manjhi . All Probably boundary dispute. Poren + 0 0 8 0 All Dule + 0 4 0 2 0 0 All Bhagins 20 8 1411 3 15 15 All " latact •• Broken aigoufios a nego in which tho glinta are not paid througb . Suallal or alonginal boomen , horo tboy aro + Pruknelt ander-raiyal introdused by the Moutagur aftor the settlement, but Jespubled by the malayas mostarar subrequently. 1 20 U'su fractuary .. ...... 10.U 145 P.

·it I (8) Where the rniyats have not lost all their land, they still pay the original rent for the land still in their pesco-bion, together with the rent assessed on now land. All these figures have been ascertained from the original measurement papers of Babu Bhuban Blohan Rale, and the jamalandis of the Dikku montagır. There are some Kodns in the village who onltivate a little land. The land of two Sonthals has been unaccounted for. B. 0. 2nd class paddy land 1 13 2 3rd ditto 9 6 17 4th ditto 116 9 2nd olasa upland 78 17 12 Lloniostead loud 1 1 11 NO užs 1. .. Total 207 8 42 C D 1 6 $1 75 alit to ditto 1th 10 2111 litto) 9 11 Il-Jagarnathpur Intact (17 Sonthal_houses) —This village was measured and a settlement effected between the zamindor, Turea Chandra 2nii clare pidly Pande (dar-gatnidar) and the Mostagır, by Babu Bhuban Mohan Baba, at a rentalof Rs 76-4-9 for 278-11-94 bigbas * 150 113 ituosupland Though the settlement was only for seven years, and was 98 717) mode in 1879–82, this rent still holds good, and the llomostoud Sonthals still pay through the Manjhi, though fresh land Total 274 il 93 has admittedly been reclaimed No statomouts of debts or of mutations of land are given, as the villagers aro generally free from debts, and only one temporary mutation has been recorded. This village 18 an esanipile of tho good effect of a liberal sminder and a sottioment. 111 -Karmgilth alias Bahoragachlila Broken (12 Sonthad horises). -At tho time of Babu Iliubau Mulan Rulia's settlement, the rent was Rs 168-14-10, varying very little from what it might have beci according to his ratos It wag not settled but subsequently the Mostagır was sold up for rent by tho zamındar, and two mahajans gut possession Thoy have admittedly now got most of the land of the village in their PORSOALON by mahajant, but not without troublo Dlost of the Sonthals had ovecutod Jords of galo of their lands; but they did not givo possession, on the ground that they had boon told tho deels wero mortgages 1 lo mahajuy wou, or rather compromisod, a test case, and then got posaceBLOL of all tho other lande in disputo The Sonthuls aro now servants of the mahajuns, and some cultivato alhi. At first lloy claimod that they had been arbitrarily evicted NALHATI TIANA IV Rangamatı Brohen-The Kodes were the original pooplo in the village; the Sonthals cailo ufterwards and cleared a separute fola At the timo of Blubun Mohan Raba's settlement, the tonthal tola was measured, and the settlemont eflected with a Koda Manjhi at Rs 19-7-12 for 108 bighoa 1 cottah 121 dhurs Thu Sonthul tola bas recently been sold up for rent, the auction-purchaser being a mahu As he wants to increas the root, the Sonthals havo hoon payıug into the Civil Court tho original rent fixod by Bubu Lhuban Mohan Ralın, though they adiut to having reclaimel land. No transfer of any note hns tahen place in the village, only the land of one Sonthal, Rabon, he said to have boon setllod with another raiynt by the zaminlar uvd bomo land has been abandoned The village is interesting as showing how tho Sunthuls move about from place to place- Doman 1 Chiotu Karan Kalidas Kuar Chotn Karud : tho Nuik as well as Jog-Paronick. Kalidas bos gone to the Barind to reclaim land. Kuur has gone to Solapur Karu Raia. Joma. Anpur. Shukor (diod 1891closa) Karu (died 189uelo98) Degu Riule Ilarma Salku. Rara is the Jog-Manjhi, Rıula and Balku have gone to Choodipur, Dega bas gone to the Barınd This family tree brings out a custom the Sonthals have of naming a B01) after the latter's grandfather Rabon Ragda Bhume, Siram. Dandu Barlar (died Beuelesa) Nima. llar.

·I (a) lii Rabon is the roynt who lost his land. On his dooth, Bhime went and livel with his father-in-law in Murgudanga Biram has gone to lipo with lus father-in-law 111 kalipu, his father-in-law lad 110 son, and, according to custom, lic lias goue to live with his fatlur-in-law. When Dundu diod, lus male returned to Molulban with Lier children Nimi and Lari. Ragda is the kudam-dakı. Gulu. Kadu. Daso. Budrai. Radu aadio from Simuljarin ; Dago and Budrai are tloro still. The unchangol ront-roll of Babu Bhuban Mohan Rohn's timo is given below KAY AT Amount of land Rent REMARKS. lis 1 B. 19 Kadru Majhi 9 Ringohu Bon of Kadru. | 11 Laobu Burin 7 Domen Karen 16 Kadı 10 Matru Son of Rajaji Remu 1 Rabau () Gupi ,1 1. 2 12 0 17 2 91 2 17 6 81 13 21 13 0 13 2 14 9 1 2 1 2 2 2 0 0 0 A ů 12 10) 18 1. i 11 2 14 12 2 3 14 0 1 3 3 13 ... 97 > Lnet husland (201 cl 103 bih). Alomnilonod bis lani (2nd clans Barjo Junai 10 4 1 12 15 2 10 2 1 0 0 13 6 13 10 6 15 Allonci ('ullyitod by Doman's son Unknown it lic still cultivites Raju UNT The following list gives the dubte of the Sontlials due to with 100% beforo the cutting Chusu ulu ordinary debts, wbioh should ordinuly 10 clujiod off, or curly :) every year of the crop Name. I Ikhts lutu ut lucerul 1th Ragda Manjhi 7 4 20 Ringeliu 4 bis gruin 4 Kuur, Aodas 1 pr rupoo (sic) Ditto (clutleient maharang) litt Dorhia (30 per cout) 10 To (different wuhan) Sire 1 Verbin Do. Do (difforont mahajan) Do, Kuru 17 Rs 10 3 bis 4 (1907) Kadu + Mitri 4 • Uno La 20 aris 1 an - 10 seor (&pproximately) One of the Kodas 18 more indebtol than any of the Sonthols 9.-Jiu gadanga Intact (17 houses).- This village was mognurod by Babu Bhubao Mohan Rohn, und a settlement offeoted between tho Montagır and tho zumindar Kudrat-ullah Khun for 198 bigh as 1 cottah 18 dhurs at Rs 40-3-16 Au iron of 20 biglas 1 oottah has been reclaipiod and 288C6god at a rental of Rs 16 A further area of 10 bigbas I cottulis 114 dhurs has beon measured and assessed at Rs 5-6-1 Tho rent is still paid through the Mostagur Thus about 30 biglans have been assessed bihin at about Rs. 21, which from the details of the original land of the villago* (margin) shows that 3rd either the new rates are much higher than the old Uplonil 71 14 13 rates, or else & wrong olasaification of land has been Lumontuad 1 10 16 made Only one permanent transfer of 6 bighas Las Leen bado by & Sonthal, Bishun Manju, to a mahajan. This was in 1902 a 2 Por RA À c1255 rico loud B. C. 1. 0 10 17 at 121 412 Atb 4 0 0 ·ir I (a) The statement of debts is as follow- DEBTOR. Debt. Interest. Becurity. REMARK.. B. 120 (1906) ...... 6 bighas simple Amount to be paid by mortgage to yearly instalments Banku Das. of Po. 18. Two instalments repaid. Arjan Manjhi < ..... Banko Dae, mahajan, all repaid, except 7 aria 20 (1907) 6 andas per rupee. 7 (1908) 4 ADDAs per ropes. 3 bis 8 aris Derbus (1908). RB 30 (1908) 4 ARDAS por rupee. 40 (1902) Karan Banku Das, mahajan. - 3 bighas usufruo- For principal principal and toary mortgage interest, 16 years. to Banku Das Bishop 11 bis (1902) 17 aris (1908) Rs. 5 (1908) Derhis Do. 4 ADDAS per rupee. Banku Das mahajan. 8 and 2 ms Brain. 2 bighas usufruo- For prinopal and tuary mortgage interest, 20 years. to Banku Das. 4 Lalban 4 ADDAS per rupee. Banku Das. Derbia ... 1 bue (1907) 1 (1908) 5 (1908) (1907) .. Usufructuary mortgage till 3 bis is paid. Oultivated "adhi" by Bonthe. Naran Banku Das maha jan <1 (1907) ... Derhis 1 I, (1908) Rs 2-10 (1907) 4 BANAS per 3 (1908) ... rupee. 2 bio (1908) Derhia 2 Do. Rs. 11 Siooi 15 BILA Derbia Chans ID Rena Dibu ... 99 . Banka Das, maha- MA. Banka Das, mahagan, re-paid all. expect interest of 71 aris. Repaid interest. Mankar 1. מן due Chola Arjun Manjhu. 2 bus Do. Do. 27 (remain Do. 106 1908) Bs. 3 (1907). 6 en dag rupee. 2 (1908)... Bicci Banku' Das ... In this village Banku Das, mahagan, follows the Bontbal Parganas system of interest; if he gives money in Hagh, Phagun, Chaut and Hysakh, the rate 18 6 Andas e rupee for the first year, when he gives it in Asarh, Savan, Bhadro or Asin, the rate is the ordinary rate of 4 annas a rupee, in the other three months the Bonthals do not borrow. VI-Village Saldoha · Broken-This village was measured by Baba Bhuban Mohan Raha, but the settlement of the village with the Mostagit was not acrepled by the zamındar. The rental of the village at that time was Rs. 237-9, and the area 453 bighas 5 oottabs 6} dhurs, at the Deputy's rates it should have heen Rs. 111-9-2. A fresh settlement appears to have been made by the zamindar himself with each raiyat, just after a measurement in 1292B., Or 1885 But it is imposable to reconozle bus rents and areas with those of Babu Bhabad Mohan Rahs. Suffioe it that in 1892 the average rent per bigbe appears to have beon 10 annos por bigha for Sonthals, & rato which has been maintained till the prosent day more or less. Ist alen Hoe land 200 ditto 3rd doko ditto BC D. 8 16 2 8 18 47 17 6 90 ld 14 Id ale apland Zad ditto Homestand B. a. D. 9 DO 15 19 37 10 W ·As regards mutation of land, of 376 bighes which the Sonthals (mentioned below) posted in 1292, 21 have been sold for debts, 26 bave been sold up in execution of Oni Court deorees for debts, 42 have been sold up in execution of Ouvil Court deorees for rent, end 42 have been mortgaged. In this village the mortgages appear to be likely to be permanent, and it may be said that 10 about 25 years over one-third of the original cultivation has gone into the bands of Dikkus, The same Sontbals, according to their own account, have roolaimed some thirty odd bighas during the same period A statement showing changes in rent and area, and the amount of land lost, 18 given below It will be noticed that a fictitious bigb rent is first flzed and then another fiotations reduction 18 made The remainder je colleated. The resulte of the measurement last year have not been incorporated. RAIYAT Original land. Origa rent Prosent amount of land. Present ront Lend Jost BSXABEI. B C D в с g в C. (2292) 47 6 0 R. (1292) 31 40 Budidath Manjhi { 81 10 - 26 10}}61 36 0 Madkar 48 10 o{ 87 9 11 -63 11 117 -73 9 112 9 11 By Civil Court »sles for dobte, oultivat. ed by bumundar Osufruotuury mortgoga for 10terest only 64 10 -80 (tompor a ruy) 8 0 94 0 0 19 00 0 0 Sale for debto 80 18 o{ 73 0 5 1 66 11 6 Phudhan 17 6 0 All Sold up for rent by Zuminder. (1906) 32 16 of (1908) 74 10 10 -54 6 10 20 5 0 (1282) 1 11 (1292) 1 0 0 . Said to havo been sold up for rent Bbudo Maoybı (deceased) Durga Manjhi, 800 ut Budhan 13 6 o{ 12 8 16 2 -6 19 11 13 15 12 8 16 - 6 5 6 6 11 4 7 3 10 (1919) Barol Manjhı, son of Suna. 14 18 of 99 22 6 6 (1918) 6 -38 6 18 18 { oy on 11 0 0 Dando Madjts 6 17 of 20 16 10 1 12 0 4 8 Sarrendered zamindar. 6 0 0 Piru 36 1 0 79 9 10 -60 16 17 } 88 18{1-61 18 11 17}|16 0 PD Sold or mortgaged for Rs 10, origi. nal loan borrowed to pay rent, 28 1 29 9 0 (1936) (1297—1908) 9 Lakban o{1-14 20 1 -14 1 0 0 } All Sold op for rent , cultivated by Zamiodar 0 0 0 (1996) 17 10} (1996) 31 8 9 -19 9 9 Singrai 12 0 0 19 0 17 12 12 (tempur A Taly) Mortgaged temporarily to a maha. yan, cultivated bhagtı by Sonthals. 12 00 (1292) 08 19 1 0 0 16 of Sikbor 1 1 2011 28 11 6 36 (tompor T- 11y). Usufructuary porta gage 190s, for years for Lotorost 19 1 0 ·1 I (a) RAIYAT Original lend Original rcel Presept Amount of land Preront rent, Land lost. BUMABKB D. Re Q Bs.A o BC B C 41 18 Anu Dlonghi 0 ва 41 181 -16 OS LUM 10 C 26 15 17 70 8 - 49 12 9 Sold for dcoty 26 16 17 73 8 1 40 18 - Bathol 34 0 40 11 { - 20 7 12 23 II 12 (1294) Bura Anu 21 6 10 6 21 7 5 10 5 10 Son of Budinath Manjhi diepgaarsed for non-pay. mint of rent user Bed for reclaimed And thu culti- Tatos it HOA In-It 1 posibly sillorary und Parti's mortswea bato resolved themselves to out-and-out transfers by male or Gun (uurlilerin RAMPUR ITAT TIIANA. VII - I'll tell Digalpahati Broken --A parte exists, dated 1873, for Rs 76 for the village of 112 biglias Balvu Bhuban Molinu Ralın subsequently mansured tho yıllage, found its arrn 466 bighas 3 cottabs 121 dhurs, and a settlement was offected at Rs 131-1.3-10 bol vucu the zanular Khetra Naib Chuudhury and the Mostagar of the village The increaso in reut was, howoyer, too muoh for ttu Mostagır, who was subseguently boll up for rent On that the comiadar took hhay posso BIOD, and began to give pallu nt increased roots for seven years to settled raiyats. On their expiry, fresh prittas were grantou, the last being grontod in 1900 Thu fignoy ascertained for the rcocipts of the raigats oxominod show that they cultivated about 204 bighas on a rental of Rs 88, just after Babu Bhuban Moban Rala's Atitlement, and that tho 89mo reignts now cultivato 225 odd biglas on a rental of Rs 102-8 It thus appears that whereas the average rent for the riyat, in Babu Bhuban Mohan Rulia's luni was in annan a bigha, it is now 7+ annas per bigla Besides thico rallyats have left the villago, becouro they could not pry the incicised runt (there was no sale), Bhairo Manjhi's brother sold o bighas of Dis Innd five years ago to `n mahajan, Bhagru Manjhi sold 3 bighas two years ago, Malla Manjhi sold' 5 Liglas 6 cottals, and tho Mostngir uns lost his land 67 bighas 16 cottahs 151 dhurs One Raju Kamar also lost his jolt, bocanso ho could not pay tho ront domanded for it The statement for debts cloes not indicate that they owed more than the usual amount of lebts due to the maluns beforo the larvest VIII.- Viling Dudullupur . Bokti —This village was not settlod or measured by Babu Bbuban Mohan Rabn Up to 10 or 12 yoars ago, they paid rent through a Mostngır of tho village Tho yıllagers brought a caso against the zamiudars (Mulhati Villagorn' reisivu Babus, who ale, if not all, Aomo of them, also mahajans). There was an inquiry. Tho case was comprowired. The zamunder then told the Southals that, as they liad brouglit i oase, they would not stay in the villago all the Sonthols were then dispossessod, but now cultivate arthy Soveral peoplo died in this villago, and bocaun of a unudur'4 version superslition that there was a ghoul in the villago, other Sonthals sold all their lands Thi zamindars, who are maliaans, havo dispossessod the Sonthals on 2000unt of debts the Sonthels had incurred Tuis 1B tho main reason, kerl voraLOD though possibly the mahajans were speoially opprossive On account of the case I doubt tho ghoul theory, though not ирсоmmоn reason for flight Thus can only refer to a few. Thore are now 11 houses of Sootbals in this villagu, daily labourora, and althou oultivators The circumstadoos of the village run best he illustrated by a statement of the sale deeds 'taken from the sale deeda exeouted in favour of the mahajans) Land. Sale prico Land. Sale price Re B 0. D. Ro. 15 0 0 99 20 11 0 96 12 0 0 57 13 0 0 88 3 16 0 12 26 10 199 0 16 16 16 0 100 3 15 0 12 1Q 4 10 99 10 15 0 24 3 18 0 69 6 14 19 8 0 0 31 3 J() 0 4) 5 0 49 210 9 10 1,397 2+ 10 0 149 29 0 199 an D ·I (8) vit Bold up: The village was originally hold at a rental of Rs 40 by a Sonthal and a Dhangar, who executed a habulyat for at in 1875 Since then, about 1994, the Southal Mostngir also sold big right, and a Dhangar, possibly the representative of the original Dhangar Mostagır, has boon ix.-Village Arendra. Intact Details are givon below regarding d18POS8O88lon and the debts of all the villagers of this villago. Babu Bhuban Mohan Raba sottled the villago with a Mostogu at & rental of Rs 177-11 15 for 421_bighas 14 cottahs 6 dhurs, tho amount of the root now puid through the Mostogir 18 Re 209 for 345 bighas 10 cottube. Some of them pay rent direct to the zamindar - TEDTA No. NAMR, Amount of land shown in Inbu Bhnban Mohan Bale N settlemoot Paper A moont of land lont Present AC ount of lond REYALKG Ratn of interest LEMARKA Uduecured Somured BCV Por cient 10 (10 11 12 1 61) Lathan Mooji Chota khu Scoi 10 16 0 10 (1) Bars llarms 13 12 112 Different makril 118 Chola llermo 12 10 121 Jugun and Donna (his bro 37 01 0 0 Ps 900 Holdy na luni Sin plo mult we of 7 buvo ) Cur) 50 27 Bu 0 Chol Latban 17 A J6 7 DbaDu 91 18 8 17 00 23 > > Tika 23 25 30 18 7 9 Chatuu 91 1 0 Bu 00 25 191 A high or so reclaimed, it tohle (1004) 1 maid 12s 10 10 15 0 A few highias reclaimed, 11 18 aald 16 19 16: Nonut and to have been b14 ( 1eclanned 1 12 10 121 Dito dillo ( (1407) Land Wu orguully 11 0 1 niurt yra LITE (1918) 7.Linnalar 17 A 15 A faw patlas cuid to lar bug (1908) Ahool Terland 14 18 8 Unkuonn ling the land ils 9 ( W lost to remindur 3 biy Ky 1, (1907) 90 IR 7 Three has said to IMU (124) Tunnel 94 14 8 Nome buid to be reclama ) About 11 9 12 I'm now how thn Innd 0 was loul to / ilmar + LIM 8 110 A bundone all the village for?, throm &18 uud lost the 1 mginal and ily Ne 12 ) 13 17 0 Alno raclaun dabout a Ilu 16 uri (108) bigbon I his (11414) B: 171 20 10 9 Also reclaimed glout 32 lok 10 r18 (190R) lugha km Jo (1909) 11 Out Su 10 hava linn takm No dubin ILWAS becau901 bo would liol puy na 0 15 15, RR 10 2 ur 1 . 6) bir Bupai hano 19 $ 12} $1 19 ) GOD 93 10 31 23 00 TH Authondi 5 orar fou )Two ang duo paid ) 11 12 Dexo 19 17 02 0 80 26 IN 14 (1004) Piu'ple bond 18 Pirthi 26 10 11 50 11 Durga 13 6 111 200 12 Motlo 9 15 154 Is GO (1901) 25 Sunple inortgage 4 bibag ks 20 reira 00 Burada 15} Repaid I LIH 17 10 4 18+ 10 A 181 LIL (dcoposed), On mu-luw of the Αλιστι HAUD 14 20 0 0 20 10 0 Voolrictuery morning of Ibi_his for for at only culminato! | Thin Innst unutlier Suinple buril U Hrin ropald 100 مادر ۱ | Mohui Nara 4 81514190 Nilained Nomo 2 it bls (1007) Douglas Lul on rreonnt of dibin B 0 0 to Zain Ini unahdjan, Nrw 02 D II Sold in artei outrage to 1 big, 13 478 (1908) Rs 40 2.wudut mahujul 9 1 141 2 Lle (1008) 2 bis (1907) LUNUA (1907) He 1 Nof in Bluheit Blolan Re 1 (11%) Rahas pulled 4 Lughus ? situl mold Loh mahuun hud all sold 111 Jor rent 19 19 0 Sold up lur rt ut this (1904) R 60 ( 3 9 11 $ 195 60 80 Krain (1907) 21 Blahut Sakhu Bauri 24 15 )} 24 14 9 No debte 23 M heah Biluri 44 O KO zü Simple bond bus given х X-Dla mpu? Broken - This 18 8 typioul instance of what happens to . Sonthal humlot or village when it comos_witluo cosy reach of ouvilization, and there aro no fresh jungles ologe at hand to clear The villago belongs to the Mulhati Babus, uniongst whom only a settlemont can disoluse who aro zamındars and who are raiyats One of the manndars his son and others some of the land in tho village, the son, mulltar, toy pogos 89 & ruyat, and says the Southals have becomo he under-raiyats Apparently up to 1889 the Sonthals paid ibeir rent for thour khunthattı lands, through a Mostagır, Gopinath Maujhı, but in that year hug right, together with his land, passed by Civil Court decree on account of debts to the zamindar-mahman8 Gradually all the land of tho Sonthals hae passed into the hands of the zamındar-milujans on acount of their indeblodnosa, and the Sonthulo bave either takcu fresh lodges, renowed cvory cyın years, of the worst land, or ulou work 11. tho neighbourhood, or buvo left other villagors to work as daily lubourers Tibru, the present Manjhı, has lost all bis land to the zomındars on nocount of his debts Dale deods for 1 bigha 13 oottubs for Rs 5 in 1889, 3 bigban for Rs 15 in 189), and bigliae for Rs 139 in the same year, have boun produood At present he holds a louso for KOVOD years of 12 bighas 8 cottnhs of Lund, mostly upland, on a rontol of Rs 12, and u dloumoil inn under-raiyat Ile, as well as the other holiers of tomporary longes, hope boon cultivating for moro than seven years Le has no dobts His only upole bas gone to another villago Sagram, the l'araniok, hos similarly lost all his land, but bug 18001Vd three biglas ou a rontal of Rs. 3, for whiob he gets no ruoeipts ile only owes 15 ar 18 Kando Manjhi pajs Rs. 8 for 14 bighas 10 vottals of poor land on a tomporry AITangument Lo owos 9 bis Sagrum, the only other member of Kuudo und Bagmm's family, has souo lo Silalpur RJ4r Belpur.

·I(a) Bhoto Manjhi has similarly lost all his land, and now only onltivates a little reclaimed land, for wbicb no rent 10 paid except goats at the Kal Fuga. Ble ores Rs. 20. 11 father kod unole are 10 Bitalpur, in Bolpur, working as labourers krishani Raghu Manjh came into the village as & SOD-1D-law. He cultivates 22 bighas of poor land on the keptennial arrangement reforred to above for Rs 7. He owes about 2 bis Buda Manjhı, tho Jog-Paraziok, lost all his land because he abandoned the village on Booonnt of illness, and now cultivates Dothing He works krishani H18 two brotberg are in other villages working as labourez B. Hi three frst 00061us are working as servants in other places. Bishun has lost all his lands on account of debts. He works krishan Dasrat, the Jog-Manjbı, lost all bus lands, because he abandoned the village on cooount of allDeBB He works krishani. One of his brothers is now & carpenter at Bolpur, and two others are working krishani in another village Out of the representatives of the remaining three other houses, who did not appear, two bave lost all their lands There 18 some trouble between the parohasers of the village lands , some of whom are zaminders, bad some bro Bot The Bontbals of this pallage wero partioularly bullen, and tried to make out that matters were very muoh worse than they were, though the faots are quite bad enough, and it would seem almost impossible that they could be worse XI. Village Telulband. Broken former propru tor, Madhu Sudan Chaudhi s. The vulage was measured by Babu Bhuban Mohan Rabe, and found to contain 289 bighas 16 cotahs 14dhura. The total of the rents paid by the relyats was Rs 81) At the Depaty Colleotor's rates, the rental should have been ke 71-9-17 But from a settlement paper of the time it appears that five rets of the village wore oultivated (1881) by Bovon Sonthala at Rs 5-4 & rek, the remainder was cultivated by Dhangars and a Bengali. The rent paid by the Bontbals was therefore about Rs 21 for pobably about 90 bighar The settlement was not accepted by the propriotoi, who or whose representative in interest later raised the rents to Ro 1 a bighu Present rent receipts show thut only three Buntbals now cultivate altogether 66 bighas 14 oottahs and 15 dhurs (ongmally 2 reks) on a total rent of Rs. 55-5 As might be expected all the other Sonthals have been sold up for rent, and oultivate no land now. There are, besides the three oultivators, twelve ot ber Bontbal houses in the village, whose members work kt whant or as labourers Approximately 50 per cent. of the oultivation held in 1880 has thus gone into the hands of Dikkus XII - Pillage Bajpara Broken --Thus 18 a small village, whioh was measured in 1879-82 by Babu Bhuban Mohan Raba, and a settlement effeoted at a rental of Rs 18-0-2 for 84 bighas 8 oottahs 17 dhurs Rent receipts show that this rent was paid up to about 1897. Bubsequently the village Was sold op_for errears of rent, and a mukhtaar or tout Roport by Moulv Saiyod Muhammed bought it bought it He proceeded to raise the rents, and the Sonthals Dow pay about Rs 93 The Mostagır, wbo bad about a quarter of the acreage of the village, has lost this owing to the rent sale, and ono Champa, who could not pay the inoreased rent, has abandoned bus land, This land, except Champa's 9 bighas, has been given out again to the Sonthals Below are the areas and rents of Babu Bhuban Moban Raha's time, and those of the present timo Nasiruddin ALBAB AND ABNT BITTI RD BY JABO BBUBAN MOHAN Rad.. PREBENT DAY Rent Rs A, Arg2 B с D. 9 13 11 24 10 16 7 18 18 9 19 0 9 0 7 4 1 10 15 14 5 16 14 Rent Rs 2 6 12 4 8 6 1 11 15 1 15 3 2 7 9 I 7 0 2 4 12 1 3 16 Aron B C. D. 6 0 0 14 18 0 6 16 5 13 13 10 14 14 3 4 11 9 2 17 5 4 14 12 19 16 11 2 0 1 7 0 0 14 14 8 6 15 0 13 11 6 15 O 0 4 13 5 3 0 4 12 0 19 15 0 2 0 84 18 17 18 0 12 91 9 167 92 11 7 MAUBRAWAR THANA XIII-Jetra Broken - This village 18 peouliar, not because of any particular apparent transfer of Sonthal's land, but brosuse of the light it throws on the subject of high rents for locrease of cultivation The village belongs to the Mobant of Mollarpur la 1879 a patta for Rs 410 for 2,078 bigbas 14 cottahs was given by him or bus predecessor to the Montagır. Subsequsutly the village was resumed, and it came under the settlement of Munshi Nundji in 1894 l'he settlement papers show that there were at that time 26 Bopthal relyats in the village cultivating an area of 645 bighas, at a total rental of Rs 493, and there were 28 Dikkus in the village, both Muhammadans and Hindus. The present jamabandı shows that there are now 32 Sonthal razyets oultivating an area of 640 bighas at a total rental of Rs. 524.

·I () a There has been a certain amount of transfer, oming to rent sales wbroh finde an equivalent, not in the loss of the lands from the Sonthals as a whole, but in their increased andebtedness. The following are instances Gobind Manjbi, who hold 87 bighas, 4 oottahs 5 dhurs on a rental of Rs 70, was sold for arrears of rent, but his son, together with one Lakhan Manjhi, took a fresh settlement of the majority of the land at Rs. 33-0-5 enoh for 42 bighas 9 oottabs 17$ dhars each up The remaining portion of the best land 18 cultivated by e Ditku Thore 18 & histbands on this land of Rs 700. payable an annual lostalmonts, said to be due on Booount of rent due bv Gobind, when Montagır of the village, but more probably on account of tho fresh bangobust taken by his son. Gobind's other debts are 7 bis of grain and Rs. 20 taken at 6 ADDES the rupee interest towards the payment of the rent. Khela complains that he roolaimed bome land, but could not finish the reclamation entirely, so the zamındar gave it to some one else Ho owes 5 bis of grain and Rg. 20 which he took in 1906, and wbiob at 6 Andas interest has now become Rs. 30-13 after deducting & payment of Rs. 7. Of the 5 bis of grain, ho had the ill-luck to lose 2 bis by fire, but a compassionate mahajan then reduoed the rato of interest from 50 per cent. to 25 per cent. Shygtu Manjmanı has mortgagod 6 bigbes out of her 28 bigbas (rontal Rs. 11-2) to & muahajan Chunu complains that he reclaimed somo land, which the camındars settled with socio one else. He owes about 6 bus to ove mahajan, and to another he вув he owes about 2 bis, the mahojan however says it is 10 or 12 bis, and if ho does not pay, he will turn the grein into a money debt and bring a case Besides this, Chunu owes about Rs 23 on debt of Rs. 20, and of wbioh he has paid Rs 8, the buffalo given as security for the debt died He has also got a kistbands for arrears of ront, details unknown Khudu Manjbi onco possessed 42 baghas 17 cuttahs 10 dhurs at a rontal of Rs. 39-10-10 but three years ago he was sold up for UITBRTS of rent, because the muhajan did not leavo bir enough money whorewith to pay the ront This loud is now cultivated by Lakhan Maojbi of Ginjole Io now works krishanı, and has only a debt of 2 bis Sugda has 46 bighas 7 cottahs on a rental of Rs 28-12 His dobts are about 6 bis and Rs 25 odd Parhu mortgaged some 12 bighas of his land to a malajan, which he subsequently transferred to that mahajan, and has now 30 baglias left. Surjya, who took a bandobast of some of the lands sold up and wbn now cultivates 11 bigbos 10 cottobs on a rontal of Rs. 9, oxucuted a kistbandı of Ra. 4 a year for rent due by the provious tonant Thus within fifteen years at least one-fifth of the land held by the Sonthals has been Bold up for rent. Kisbanded for urrears of rout aro common, and it is believed that the above docs not exhaust the list Recently reolaimed lands oultivatod in the villages wero measured 10 131), and now rents for thrco BUCCOBBI ve years are being colleoted The result is that of 59 bighas 10 ooltabs of preparalrice land, 25 biglas 1 cottak upland and 18 biglas 18 cottabs parts have been routed at Rs 96-, This is based ou the following rates Rs Rion lands 1 4 Upland 0 6 Petit good 1 4 | for "ppropard prospective Fair 1 0 1 Now tho ratos settled 10 Munshi Nundji's settlomeut word as follows - paddy lund Rs A 3 1-4 a 1st class land (rice) 1 2nd 0 12 3rd 0 4th 0 6 Uplands 4 Homestead Rent-froo I saw the land of one of the excess moasurements whiclı was n86096ed at Is bighi, at the utmost it was only Pad class land, and probably a portion of it 3rd class land, and should have been assessed only at 9 annas or 12 QDDIA i bozba The result is that the raiyats are at Onos being compelled to pay for thiroo years ranis at an addual rental comparatively muoh higher than thoir present ronts It is true that for Eome reason the ronts recorded jo the settlemont papers aproar to be at biglier rates then the rents settled for the pargade, yot this makes no difforence to the fact that the present classification of the new lands is too lugh It should be noted that an attempt is being made to ovado the low by colleuting three years' ronts at once The ralysts are, of course, upset, The landlord would call them trespassers, but in & country wlion the process of reclamation is allowed and recognised, the use of the words “trespassors or encroachment" 16 en absurdity XIV.-Hamirpur Broken —This village oame undor tho settlomeut of Munshi Nuodjı 12 1894 It is held by one Ram Kisto Ghosh, under the Mohant of Mollarpur, on a rental of Rs 75. At thut time there were 13 Sonthal ralyats holding, 259 bigbus 18 oottahs sod '4 chittaks on a total rental of Re 97-12, and one Dikku holding 23 lgbas 7 cottalis 8 ohuttaks on a rental of Rs 2. Now there are 11 Bontbal raiyats Lolding 173 baghas 5 .

·I (2) 19 oottahs 12 chittaks on a total rental of Rs. 74-8-10, and 6 Dikkas holding 59 bigba 5 oottabs on a total rentul of Rs. 47-9, the rest having gone to the proprietor. Thu one-third of the cultivation has gono out of the hands of the bonthals in fifteen yean. Lakhan only had homestead land, which 18 Dow parti Artum Manjhi's land is now khai , he left when his father died. Muobai Manjbi's land was abandoned, said to be upoultivated now. Nabio Manjhi died childless , land said to be parti Tara and Ada gave up their onltivaton, because the rent was too bigh for the class of soul Chaitan was cold DP for arrears of rent. The above are the landlorils' reasons for the loss of land, tho tenants were not examined XV.- Rampur Broken This villago belongs to the Mahant of Mollorpor, but is hold by an intermediate tendre-holder It was settled by Report hy Maulvi Syal Malammed Munshi Nundji in 1892. During these settlement opere- Nyirudilia tions, there was a large tract of Dhangar lands appertaining to this villago, bold by the Sonthals, and in this they used to grow marua, kodo, etc The Sonthals got that troot of Dhangar landsmonaured and included within their holdings They have been dispossesserl of those Dhangar lands by the present Dirku intermediate tenure-holdora The latter have a leo indireotly admittod this drepotsession, although they contest and dispute the inclusion of those lands within tho Southal holdugs during tlic survoy aurl Bettlement operations (vhich they regard as binding oply upon the Mohaut and the thon intermediate tendre-holder'). The presont intermediate tenure-holders havo not followed the settloment record-of-rights at all. Paddy lands have been moasured by them subsequent to the settlement operations, and they grant rent receipts according to this measurement The major portion of these aplands are lying parti, and are treated as Whaa lands of the intermediate tenure-boller, wbo has settlod some portion of them with Dikkus The following l140 shows how much land the Sonthals have lost, and how rents are r1810g. It compares the landlord'a present gamnbandı with the record-of-rights of 1892 Aru no beld and Nhuvo Ara huld lo 1802 SAVE OF RATTAT AS BROW IN SETILKYBKT PAPERS OF MP of niyal DOW shown in tenure holder's puero Bank in 1ED2 Να in iba Preumat rat RZLABIS 1 te bure Holdira гараг I B C D в ср R... @ BB. G 0 Naphi 18 17 0 Dark 1 Durga Man bi 60 9 0 0 10 00 - - Admitted by the tegor&-holder that th Bonthal DUL tially in purnasion of his This Bunthal left thn villua 0 7 yean Mo, abandoning his land. Lot lo menos 8hro Cherung Mon! 6b khug 14 cultah, load for doble Marn 16 14 0 9 20 0 Murnir 7 @ 0 Choi. Lakhan Manjh 97 1 19 14 16 17 8 0 4 Chata Lakhed (no Held brother) by Hold all their radds Janda and have low only Auta ban lands, whub bere been gemenikukan AWBy Erum the Ronths ls by the tumor holder 0 0 Beluk 10 O 12 8 Ralu Manjhı (Dow helal 8 10 8 o 10 by nio RON-ID-Ls hendermi ) Chota urban Menjbl 53 15 4 14 0 0 7. 10 0 Chata Qurban Bhajan 0 0 Ahodovod Restu Manjht 39 13 0 20 15 8 7 Besla 20 30 10 121 Sladbu 6 Bolds l bur paddy liandr, and loot bhito han landı, o bu baon the with oto Booths to lho Dilui Tenuroholder for urrun of rent Bold up in anclbon fur areas of meat and purchased by the un holda Louhi oplando lo tepun. holdar Tu Land Le port- (now 32 19 0 D Ainda bie pop Lapa) Son 98 4 18 18 0 31 10 1 Boga Manjhe (now held by bio on Sun) 39 18 11 Shop Burler 1900 10 8 12 10 0 0 1% Dagur 1 10 0 0 PD Dagur Menjhı (now held by hie so0 Dbana) 13 1. Thakurdag Rani Panouk 3 15 37 Thalardas Maajhi IRharnt y Parinjek (nos 102 19 12 hold by buson Harna) 8 29 01 Lori Lo money lander for dobtu, No wrotractiary morto Djapo named ol si hands by the tanar-holder, thoakb 10 bixbus lourds are shown ID 1 bu name of "ho Sople in ibe vlago popor Holds all bk paddy Lapad and land only darto bar. othor Ronald Hold only 10 by leade Hann lout 18 Lisa ooltaha 10 dhun bod, to DOROSloode, bog dog bete dopos od of tbols Astaor and by the tanureboldar. Hoke Jl by peddy landy, and beb oals te lendo fat Ho the other fathlu 15 Tbakar Das and othen Thakar De und oben 89 190 10 8 114 Ban Qurban Barn Bburbes Yeayhi 3 10 0 M 10 17 18 0 3 16 0 0 PO ANI Nanghi Gedo Runn Hori) ) Dimen km 000000 No Gottlot. 5 B 0 0 Total 18 0 17 1 6 31 2oI nad 12 beta no land, thoosb laod to abo. Le the senataadl ·1(e) SADDER SUBDIVISION. SURI THAYA. MAHANED BAZAR OUTPORT XVI.-Kueam-Kandar Quart-ratact --This village has not come under any settlement Originally there was a Mostage of the nllage, who was alone responsable for the rente The original ront of the village was Rs. 32, then it became Rs. 45, and finally in 1896, according to the patta which was given then, it was raised to Rs. 85, which it now 18. But tho Mostagır in 1907 sold half of his right to a mahajan, Pertab Mandal. The nahajan has not yet had time to raise the rents The table shows the approximate appruximate amount lost by the Sonthals, and how. The actual amount of land held was not escortainable, but in each case the best land has been taken by the muhajan. According lo the Bontbals, tbe mahajans Row cultivate 12 Addes of the rice land of the village. Man land for each official 18 still said to oxist in the village TSעות No Name Pont Amount of land RENERS BUY ARIS Berurod Uoscored 1 Peru, son of Hugu Hall abure of ville se Belnden 1'107 for ku C05 to Portal Mundi. 3 bu (2007) To Pertab Mandal with a 60 per cont 3 To Udu Boon BR"13 (1801) to udz sunri dec. or 25 per Cont interont June (1908) To Udo Budri. () 1 0 About 3 9 Lod. ) 0 02 Aboot i 0 0 Vatructuary Diortica for principal and lateret for years from 1904 to Hon. Sul Bale-dys for Ks 12 to 4 bu (1808) Ildai Sunn (1906) Ungfructuary mortpage for ten year from LR to KORT Manjhi ho lent km 10 of borrutud muney to hands Be. (198) Turned into monry dla rato ol 1 rupanserie, bucDp ky for bich ample mortgage or 6 bigha wa Precutat lavour of Jogo Sapri, vellips pre at the Limo u 3 uris >> 1 raped If raped D GB11 Bo par rent. vould be charged. if in money 20 par clot Ialorent chota muahitya Pred it at the time of loan til nte el which rain omlo reped in thi, code wl to the rupee To diferent thagana bistaken alto que her the but of cha 7 bis du 3 bis kalbom rengid (11 rie UBE 9 abib Skelbo Sudam 0 0 ) About 19 0 BS 6 (1907) To Idei San Bold for 2 12 to Burm Sunrı (also I nururin vry mortgago about to expire). C 10 Euthe (180S) 7 1 Telu Gonda BE10 7 bus (2009) Principi 10 kpillid not the ular wih, A rowth Smiple moring UNAYO Bane Tenului will du on mu omul rminder aud 10 kr. l'ds Supri Simple dem i blyha aah RON to ba tanterre Shum BA. 55 3 0 9 0 : bis (1908) 0 R. 40 Secured by a simple deed Nold to Rhent Noor lo 1401 for Ry 178 Bold to bant Bunn ID 1900 for BA 10:5 Uwlrucny mortanco IU 1804 lor 7 san, for priu cipal and interest flola Uspiractuar fort un tas Jadu Masjbi for 1100 yes All dobla repard tbt year 10 11 Anu No 1 Aau T 10 9 0 19 13 Jolha Jadu All debts roped thu su Aleo pay He I for some recimod bad Hold to Moba Garso for 34 bus (16), 14 Hilnm 1 1 18 0 Paltan Bu 1 (190) (108) Guru (1907). 0 & 11 16 Medaingb Dabts anknor, A wontructoary morte to Bheni Babu hug JUAL Hipernd Usufructory mortge for pent und pruicipal Another has jual aipired. Sold to Bhant Sugru lu 1903 for R 17 A Luo py! Be 1 lor de obimod LOL Bold to Hhart Bug in Bol for Pe 249 Rold in Bhent Buhu LO I was for HPL Bold lo Bops Bil in IDOS for Run. Gold (1909) Ta tatbo duo on an old lose 17 Bays he has no dabtu. Mc Hari 1 11 0 19 Jan. I 138 18 O Othara 20 Pharo - 1 Tbene en lo dando prodoced Leto by nahajana, whosle modtanta haro Del beu Huotiled Ith Na. 1-10 0 0 Para Doa Bhg. barn 1 1 0 Gold to Joo Mobts for 19 (1807) Bold to Moban Conto for L 18 (Lood) Sold in Bhan Bunt for 01 (1000) Sold to Bbert Burar for B, BB (1901) Bald to Bhebat Burl Hoe La 18-19 (LOS) dok to Bbanat Baon fo R 1444 (1803) bolu to Beni Seart tor H (1997) - li Bbgam 0 113 62 ·VIL I (8) RAJNAGAR OUT POST XVII.-Mailarpur : Broken (18 house of Sonthals and 6 houses of Domea).--The Sonthal Mostagiri ceased to exist 10 or 12 years ago. The Maulvi Salyod Muhamm4d Nagrud lin * reports Mostagır is said to have been arbitrarıly dispossessed for arrears of reut. Sixteen Sonthals hold lands, and four Southals have entirely lost their lands to nahajuns by private sale in satisfaction of their lobts The old village jama, as paid by the Sonthale through the Sonthal Mostagır, was Rs 102 , now the ront realized from the 16 Sonthol houses oomes to Rs 127-7. From the account book of the former Sonthal Mostagır, it appears that the rate of rent formerly for rek or 7 bigbab was Rs. 3-8. But now the rent has been onbanood to Rs. 0-4 for 7 bigbas.- DEBTS, No Area of lands now held Land lost Old rent Present rent. SECURITY Bocured Ungeoured B. в с Rs A Rs A. Rs, A 1 2 3 18 0 18 14 0 *. 7 9 7 8 0 5 13 0 0 13 19 10 00 00 00 :, 51 mepe. Rs 15+ 3 mape 6 bulis 3 sulis 1 0 10 13 8 8 4 5 6 7 14 0 21 0 5o 3 7 9 3 3 0 2 8 8 0 6 0 0 rek . 4 1 8 34 maps 7 Bulis, 8 1 10 3 8 0 5 0 9 3 2 B 10 ( O. $rek and 110 9 rek less 5 10 5 16 3 8 0 5 0 10 rek & rek 6 maps 6 salis 4 maps 6 bulis. 3 8 0 9 8 .. 1 0. 11 12 2 3 3 0 rek 8 594 . 13 10 23 maps 5 enlis. 2 maps 2 Bulis. 3 8 0 5 0 I. 3 ...1.. 14 15 3 9 8 0 0 0 13 13 4 :: 131 maps I rek or 17 10 (R receipt.) rek or 4 10 15 15 16 2 5 3 3 8 27 17 5 0 3 8 0 11 9 UDO Rs 6284 2 maps 2 bulis. Rs 1-12 + 18 4 10 14 1 8 0 2 10 3 maps 2 3 3 8 19 20 2 7 7 0 1 12 3 8 0 0 114 sulis. 8 Sulla e 1 Mep. 20 Pio 1 Şuli 9 r'le = I Hoor (kutobo) 1 Boor (ppucca)=2 noon (kytclu) XV111.-Ruralmatra. Broken.-The Sonthal headman system ceased in the village about 9 or 10 years ago. The zamindar took away the Mostagırı right from the Sonthal headmad, as he was in arrears of rent. The latter was disposonged of his par lands, but along with the other Sonthal ralyats remained in possession of his raiyatı lands. Caloulating a rek of land as equal to 16 bigbas, the Bonthals have lost two-thirds of the cultivation of the village. XIX.-Korrakund. Intact (30 houres of Sonthals).-Only 15 houses hold lands The village is intact Ganesh Manjh is the Mostagir The old villago gama was Rs 23 The present jama is Rs 35 for 154 bighas 12 cottahs 12 dhurs. Thero aro 10 DOU-resident cultivating Dukkhun holding lands in the village They are all holding Sonthalı lande, which have gone to them by pavate sale io satisfaction of debts Nine Sonthals, who hold 81 bighas 3 oottahs 12 dhurs, have lost permanently by private salo 25 baghas 5 cottabe 4 dhure, end by usufruotuary mortgage about 16 bigabs to mahajans.

·I (8) 3111 XX-Niguri: Brokee-There are 21 or 22 houses of Sonthals in this village, but only eight or nine houses of Sonthals now hold lande Originally the Sonthal headmed system existed in the village. Beven or eight years ago the village was privately measured by the patoidar. It was then that the Bonthal Mostagın ceased The old village jama (68 alleged by the Sonthals) was Rs. 12, and it was enhanood to Rs 50 by the purohaser, Indru Narain Mandal The present village jama is Rs. 100 Seven Sonthals, who now hold 80 bighas of land, have lost in all about 71 bigaha 10 vottahs to mahajans for debts; the loss of about 35 bighas bas been OOONA100ed by 8w-parle decrees, and the rest about 41 big has 10 oottahs have been lost by prvate sale for debts The patrıdar has only to pay Rs. 16-8 to the zeminder as the village jama. Four Boothals have debts amounting to 224 mapa paddy, and R. 343-9 (Rs 178-14 being Government agriooltural loans which 18 secured by the mortgage of 16 bigbas) No XVIII-(Above) DERTE No. Area Dow held. Land lost. SECURITY. Becured Unsecured. B D B. Rs. A. 1 2 3 D. Man lands # 10 0 0 3 0 0 3 13 0 7 13 0 8 0 0 13 0 0 21 0 0 4 10 0 4 10 0 4 10 0 4 10 0 4 10 0 27 Maps 12 maps 7 gulis Rs 6-4 +6 maps 9 maps. BB 7-8. . 100 0 Simplo mortgage 4 bigbag hod head of cattle 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 .. Rs. 26-9 + 141 maps 7 3 0 *rek 1 0 lesa Ditto 10 11 12 1 0 0 1 rek 11 1 .. Total 45 10 0 + rok 54 6 0 +34 reks. No XIX-(Above) 1 8 0 0 8 0 0 8 baghes Government agricultural loso 3 0 0 2 3 17 0 0 26 13 15 31 14 Re 1 38 4 15 maps paddy R. 15 + 11 maps 2 sulis paddy. VO.. 62 2 2 bigbas. ..UU 5 6 7 8 9 2 1 2. 0 1 9 8 0 6 0 10 0 . 3 0 8 0 0 0 0 10 7 15 1 0 2 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 . 1 map 4 sulis. Totel 81 3 12 25 0 4 II. No. XX-(Above). 1 8 or 900 about 26 labout 0 0 168 12 11 maps 5 Bolis 2 3 9 9 0 0 oo 12 10 0 21 0 0 134 11 10 2 12 bighas Covornment agnoultural loan, Simple mortgago Five bigbos Gov. ernment Agricul. tural loan. UR.. IOUS 0 0 5 6 7 9 14 12 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 4 4 0 0 0 4 mape 4 sulia. 6 6 Total... 80 0 0 71 16 0 ·ILY I (b) APPENDIX I (0). BANRURA DISTRICT. BANKURA THANA CHHAINA OUTPORT I–Village Sangadgora Brohen- Rs. Re Previous ront 61 Present rent 85 Total area reduced. An old village now broken The bonthals have been living in this village for four generations At first they loat Bome lands for debts, Reports by Maulvi Ebrunude at last some of them transferred the whole village to Dikku lyquidation of debts incurred in civil suit with the tenuroholders But, as the tianntorors had do right to transfer othors' lands, the transferee got habuliyats from the repung ralyats, and became the immediate landlord. He has retained t ho best lands, and reser Ind the rest with the original owners Though the whole village bas been sold up, only oultivated lands lost or held are shown in the statement The lands of thoso Boothals who did not join in the joint deed of sale, but simply nocepted the transferee is tho landlord by exccuting kabuliyuts and have been allowed to retain all their lands, have been supposed 28 not trausforreal IL DJBTA Arriul NO Amonnt of lant now buld A 10uul or lond kit RPVAREN NBYLBER Unbocured Scured Bocurity Bigbes Bighag 12 { Sold lor dels hill rebin, the transferee Nithin 1 highas shown i (olumn 11 π τιle) of Ils 14 Rent for all i lio lapu i R, 12 64 mapa of All lande ID paddy porse BIOD Simple wortpago Inter est 25 por evnt A deuren ulnud oblanad by money-lender for R600 including tolerunt 1 1 20 { 10 ol B Iotorost 57'5 per cent G .- Solu un nuction ( r dette Sold 101 dubin litt resuttled by the tred ITO Sold fit deben Guld lor de lots hut rekatted hy the tranfire at runt of Reo kpl foi ull the land VAR AE + Slul lor delits mops paddy N Bs 180 All lands in pouseIOR Bimple portonge Ton Amount camel ID IL civil mult intitulod 19 na ol Joterent 578 per cent 6 mops paddy Sold lus oleh l'usclimsed Biction and hy monilinder for all in this Teltlid + hlas Nlinwn in Culiuon Jalurini ol (0 and 2) nu lindy os tinut the rut was by for all the land Da Interest 25 per rodi Dirlo ditto 10 R, 120 1011 inape of paddy 16 мври 01 pade's 11 13 Ditto ditto 12 19 1 14 13 16 12 Ru GA шара paddy Dillo till ditto dillo ol 17 Kg 400 30 10 10 20 91 All ladds to implo mortgage. pobation Re 1 786 including intereal claimed in the vil uit ostituted. : bigbag Caufractoary mortgage 29 NHO bighor opder upotructualy mortgage 24 .. I Katharia Brohen Ro Ro Previous rent 120 Presont rent 150 Total area roduoed and 50 maps of paddy. An old and largo village, but broken The present headman 18 the fifth in desoont from the ongual clearer of tho soil Tho villagers at Arst sold some of their lands to different persons for debts, but at last the majority of them tradaferred the wbole villago to a Diktu in liquidatiou of debts 100UITOd 10 a civil suit with the tenure holders But as the majority bad do right to transfer others' lands, thol transferee got kabultyata from the remaining raiyats and became the immediate landlord. He has resettled all the lands with the original owners at high rates of sajha (produce-ront) and money. 20 seers = 1 suli. 2 sulis = 1 man 8 Bulie = 1 map ·IO) XY DEBTS Amount of Lad no bela. Amount of lead laut No REMARES BENASIB Uouecured Secured Becurity 3 bighs updar usuli uctuars mort | bigbe Usufructuary inort 12 maunde of pudily Bo 13 B 0 פסאות of 15 8 inddy 1 big bus . Gold 10 auction for debts 1 Bimpla mortgago Interest 26 POT CODE All inlorest perd Siniple bort lu 11 rol 16 per CLRT All interese paid i byghe loterest 2 per cent 8 bgbas . to money lender for debte 41 nnpa of Jely מון 5 - 1 for det, hul re faitled by the trangler et ai i reni of BH fi ani i insund, of paildy values als I VOUS rent for whuch a way kg 12 Rs 90 0 -! big bas Ivufructuary Fage Ahort 24 Daghos U odos usufruerunty mortgage Arbitrary eriction by the present lund lord for orriary of rent 9 10 10 bigha, bigben 4 birhad 12 big has 7 Sold to money lender for debiy 10 ctiul lui duble } I ישתונן os Intercul 26 por cent 5 Paddy 13 Bolu lir det lul renelind hy the trhuelere at a rentalni ke Indi) inaund of pilla! Pie VIUus roul foi whol. 40 w Rs 6 2 Aurreudur o joto for uiroirs or rent alter Belticwear Бbish. 8 Rold (or debts, but re vettlod by die transleret 9 Solil to present landlord for uirear4 ot runt illt I 1-Slllleine'rit 104 . Solil for lobte nutre solled by Ille transir Arhitetty +Tic 10 ly the preunt lomjord for Arts of Illi, ullur 1. SLLLLL Dilul E bughal KN 60 Pilla {ii dillo dinto Rs 40 DiLL JA } Ils 60 MOTL 1 bighss Louiructuary RARO 6 bighas 15 134 cotuhoul en uinney lander for delita in cotths 13 highes Fold foi det Dot Puhl Uld by the (utta hsttraunft roe Ry 20 L aud 51 waunds of paddy 11 11 has 11 Bigbag Soket for drhte but rattlecl ly the เull rent ut ka 8 9 0 Anul 1 m und of poulds. Origin 1 ml was R4 INO 11 luguay uuda usufruicinny LCD Il c Sold for doble but 1-NL Ikechy The transfer it A re uit of K. 12 + 3t inmulds of paddy Olgica' nini wus H, 3-9 lor wuole UTUL R: 80 re Buid tuli jun cor dcbiy 2) bigher Simplo mortgagn 10 1oristu mnapi ol pod dy TIT cent All interest paid 22 16 bigbes 0 Hold to nones leader for de in 11 7 Cottabo Oral tren les dubts money linder for 9 big hos הקטנת Interest 25 per cent 15 Sold tor de bts 19 of paduy Sold for debts but re-ott'ed by the maps of pad. transforce At A Ti ot ol RS 1+ dy muunds of powdd y Umgwal rent for whole aren B 34 Intorokt 37 5 per cont R. 21 23 1 Sold for de bts Gold to money lendar for daba Ditlo ditto 90 buchos 1 buhe 10 A ******** 1 bịch: 1 buchas Bold to money leader for dobts biche i bighae GANGAJALGHATI THANA. BALTORA OUTPOST. 111.-Morseradik Biokon — The present headman is the grandeon of the original olearer of the Buil The landlords had the lands of the Sonthals Reporta by Maali Ekranuddin measured by thour own Amins, and increased the rent ·XY I (0) ID -Lorua paharı Broken.—The present headman is the son of the original olearer of tho soil. Ooo bigho in this area 18 equal to 3,240 square feet; one cottah being equivalent to Blx oubits or nine feet. The area shewn in the statement has been converted into standard bighas of 14,400 square feet- No. III-(Above). Beris) NO Amount of luod DO beld Amount of land lool REMALLE Bighae 3 Bigbas. 8 1 2 Sold to mouey-lender for debts. U.. 8 8 Sold to money-lender for debts. Ditto ditto. 3 14 14 Sold to money-lender for debts ... I. .. ..... ..... 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 5 10 5 10 14 Sold to money-lender for debts ... 6 14 14 Sold to money-londer for debts Ditto ditto Ditto ditto No. IP-(Above). 32 1 2 3 2 8 Sold to money-londer for debts. Sold 10 euotion for debts. 5 13 5 6 30 The land held is under usufrauotuary mortgage Sold to money-lender for dobts Alleged to be a benanu transaction in the name of the tenurtholder, in order to defraud the money-lender of his duet, the former misappropriating the land ON 7 I..... r8 ...... 9 . 24 2 Sold for debts. < 10 | 11 ( 12 :: . Nazirudd u THAYA ONDA, TALDANGRA OUTPOST. l'eport by Paul Sarykl Mahammed Metralia . Broken (60 houses of Sonthals) -Age of the village may be traced baok to three generations 2 The Sonthal headman sold his nght years ago, and all the Sonthal niyats under him wore dispossessed Now only five or six bonthal houses have got lands, and the others work as labourers, ? They are regarded as kurfa parjas, oz vader-ralysts, and have held thou lands since . re-settlement about a quarter of a century ago- Sorial No, Land now beld Lagd lost Debte (unsocorod) B. c D. LE . ..... .... 1 2 3 4 ...... LUIT 72 2 10 13 14 0 16 2 0 9 14 5 4 5 0 9 14 0 5 0 0 I.1.0. ... 6 7 8 1 map 13 sulis 2 mapa 6 Balis Ditto 1 Ara 2 karie 1 Map 7 salia 27 pies Total 180 11 15 18 toru = lan & I - i tort NB.-Tbo Bootball bold lands after taking fresh settloment ·I(b) IVIL 13 SIMLAPAL THAXA VI -Jamrdih Intact - T:18 purely A Sonthal Roporta by Maulsı Saiyid Xobendad Nasaruddiu Fillago, having a population of 50 houses of Sonthals. 2 The villngo LA hold under & mukurarı Mondal lease by certain Bontball Baraham bontbal 18 the Maodal The Mandalı right 18 divisible. Tae four heirs of the old Sopthal Mandal have separate raiyats under them, making collection of rents from their own miyats. They all oollectively make payment to the zamindar through the headman 3 The oldest village jama was Re 10 But when the footbals had cleared the village, the game was onhanced to RA 40 The village jama of Rs 71 18 now 10 scoordance with a compromise effected in 1884 10 a suit for enhuurement of rent 4. Printed rent receipts are not given by the propiseter (Raja of Siplapal)-- D-BTE Serial No Land now beld. Lands lost SECURITY Unsecured Secured ...... RA 18.12 aud 3 arna 3 26 eras 1 25 bighae (rale deod 2 executed respeoting 3 15 bighas, end again Bottlomout tabeu et Re 21 ront from the purchaser-mahazw) 4 12 bighas 10 cottahs 12 bigbos 10 oottabs 5 so'd for debts. ... 000 25 big has 8 10 20 12 5 bighas sold to 51 maps 7 kuris 4 mahjon for debt pien Alleged arbitrary Rs 10 eviotion 2 biglas by the mahupun 16 bigbas 13 14 16 Lighns (arbitrary eviction by minhajan who Bettled the lands with other Sontbals. 10 or 12 bigbas 9 bigbas. 15 16 17 18 6 bigbes ...OU. ... 18 maps tuhen originally (Not known whep) 21 bigbas 19 20 21 5 biphas sold to mnahajan for deht 4 bighas 22 4 bighas 10 oottahs Total 133 48-10 PII -Dubrajpur Broken. 1. Tho Soothals oleared the village Now 20 houses of Sonthals have got lands, the others work as labourers or oultivato lands bhagtı 2. The Sonthals had originally a mukurars lense of tho vullnge Ganga Manjhi Mandal sold this right to a muhajan in Aatisfaction of debts 3. The old village yama was Rs 319 The purobaser-mahajan fell into irreara, and the mukur ai i interest was bought by tho zami dar himself at a runt sale in 1307 Sigue then the Sonthals have been paying ront separately to the zamindar The rent bas been enhanced from ke 3-12 t, 12-4-6 + 1 ar kuri paddy + pio ghes per rek by the zamındar, 5., to about double at a qurmal rate of paddy Le 2 per mound. cl ·VUL I (b) KHATRA THANA. VII. Goberila Drukon (16 housa). Originally the Bootbals of this village paid their reats through a Manjhi, but some Poddars very many genrs ago managed to gats settlement of the village from the Raja of Khatra These Poddars are mahajans, and they have got & large portion of the cultivation of the village in their own band now. They produord a cortalo nuruber of deeds excouted by the Sonthals in their favour, but there are probably others. The follow-ng are the details of the doods RUYAT Land sold Pnoe Mabajans. Date. Remarks. Rs, A. Domen ū bighas 32 0 Banu Poddar 1892 OC sale for debts. ... Sarma 2 10 0 Ditto 18937 Kepa 99 0 Jiban Poddar 1893 1 Private sale. Jherka 3 180 0 Doman Poddar 1897 .. 2 99 0 Banu Paildar 1907) and 10 cottahe (honestead) Re-battled on a rental of 8 maunds rated et Rs. 16 and annag 12 Muts 1} bighas 35 4 Ditto 18997 (=32 mauuds) Private sale, Doman (chlota) 4 55 5 Nandu Poddar 1899 + Tusu 49 0 Ditto 1900 Toro 25 100 0 Jiban Poddar 1900 Since 1892, 53 bighay have gone into the hands of these partoular sahajan-samındars on noooupt of the dubts of ll Sonthals The total amount of oultivation 18 5 reks, whioh in this village is about 100 bigbos or no, so that, within the last twenty-seven yoors about half of the cultivation of tho villago hns gone into the hands of the tamiridar-wanja ne ; some of this bos brun giron back on high produce ronto Tho best lund has gone. Tbe L'uridars kucreased the ronts many years ago The following list of ronts payable to Jiban l'oduar shows that cees 19 paid at an extraordinary high rate Cess. RA As, . 6 3 6 6 .. Chand Rai Manjhu Phola Amar MOBADE ІІоров Chola Karo Homestead land c. 2 8 3 0 3 0 2 4 2 8 3 8 0 6 . .. DOO 39 6 0 12 PO 10 The excuse given for charging such bigh nates us that they have to realize it to pay their own code Bethbegarne day's plongbung has to be given to both the mahajanpropnelors and to the Khatra kaj. The following u & statement showing the present amount of land and the indebtednors of of the Sontbal the village Ascertained from the fontbale ·I) The statement abows that they are in a fair way to loang their lands to the nahajar. proprietors DEBTA. RaYAT. Present amount of lead REMARK:. Unsecurod Arcured. Security Doman Rs. 21 (1907), Bond ... 2 pur is of bad land remain- ID8 .. .... I. II. 10 maands (1906). Borrowed in a CASO 27 per cont (Bayu Poddar) 50 per cont. inter est repaid (Jiban l'odilar). Ditto (Raghu Mizlili). No debte A BUW 3 maunds (1907). Maseng 10 OO .... + rek (none lost) and somo sapka All lost Suraa I.NO DO... Bhagra Upkovo 8 mounds... . ... Bs. 80 (1907) 0... Rialband llopna Uokuowa 50 naunda Only cultivates adhi. Hlas po delts 50 per cont. (Salish Poddar). Rs 10 Ayrar for years, interest paid (Jiban Poldar) Acoount just mada up (Jiban Podilar). 25 per cut (Jibon Poddar) lutorent paid origt. nally 25 per ceut. I ho dobts Ditto Rs 40 (1908) .. Re. 10 Bond Luda Moral ... All lost. All lost, oxccpt honcstoud lnud Chips Bond .. .. į ruk Ra 20-A (1907). Rs. 20 (1908) Do 11 mau nds JOO I. .... 9 ..... OOI.... Bond .. 10 mounds (1906). 20) mounds Rs 10 (1908) Interest re-part Keswar Pollir) 27 per cent (kesuar l'odilir Accounts just mado up (Banu l'oddar). 50 per ceht (Nandu Pildar) Interest ro-paul. Sono re-paid. l'or la Now Aervant of wakamw-proprietor 11 18 do debts. Ilas no debts Talu Poddar. 25 per cent. Interest of 1907 only re-puid (Danu Poddar). 10 mounds re-pa... - • All lust ... Tura ...... Do . • Donon Kula Ruge Bond rek R: 30 Rs 16 (1906) DODO. Bond LUJO 13 maudds (1907) 5 maunde (1907) Do Interest re-paid. 000 Jerbia 4 puras left, also Rs. 20 some bigkas. 4 mannds (1907) 10 VOL. 23 per cent. (Bani l'odilar) Acrount medo op in 1907 , 50 per cent (Banu Poddar 25 por cent. (Pibbu Poddar). No deble now BIDOS Balo of land. Unknown Matla 3 putas Rs 6 . Uukdown ... Goya DU Dolu ·I(b) 8 IX-Barangurni Brohen --This village was sold up for debts incurred by the Medhi to some mahajang just after the great famine of 1865-66 The latter subsequently obtained dar-muhulart of the village. The rate of rent was then Rs 3 & rek , the mahajan proceeded to raise this to Rs 7 They lend monoy to the reiyats and then sell np their lands, giving them back again on the original rent plus & xaghn rent T'he rosult 18 that about half the cultivation of the village has been sold to the mahajans, but one-third les been given back on large produce renta Two statements aro given below, showing approximately tho state of dispossession and of indebtedness of the rulyats A perusol of the details will show that Bhudol is about to lose his locd on account of a mortgago, nnd that most of the others are in & fuir way to do so oventually They have to give bethbegan. both to the wahuan-proprietors and to the overlord, a zamindar of Khatra The Khatra Raj also colloctinen on the occasion of any festival, As 12, Rp ), or Rs 2 a village But the Sonthnly do not object to this They pity and like the Khatra Raja, becnuso he has lost his lauds The nahajanı got vegetables free. Rocoipts are put 48 a rulo granted IN DEBTEDNESS No' Unsecured Sccured Socurity Amonnt re-paid Interest REMARKS DO 1 2 6 maunds (1907) 10 10 Joers Bond Do Interost Ditto 50 рег cent 50 For three years . (1907) Ditto I Rs. 5 (1906) I seer of rlie 25 100 3 23 mortgage . Simplo (caso going on) Rs. 50 (about 1809) 'All his land nud due Rs 400 25 mounds (about 2 reks 1998) 20 paunds (1908) Bond 50 ROU I. 91 50 25 Rs. 3 (1907) 4 35 All bis land ..DINO 5 Purns of grain (about 1900) Simple mortgage, salası intorost Rs. 7 25 . O. 5 R.. Ro 12.8 nieunds (1908) apd 8 Boud Stein 25 35 6 1 bandi jo ... 30 maunds (1907) Ristbandt 7 20 maunde ..... 10 maunde a year, 3 JURIB kuats гераid. . Bond 12 (1906) Rs. 25 (1907) " ) I. . Rs, 6 2, To be repaid in Byrak for lac 8 2 maunds (1907) Bond 1 maudd Rs 8" (1907) 25 VOU Bond 14 maunds (1907) 33 9 .. .. 8 maunds (1908) Rs 9 (1907) 25 Bond 10 maunde (1908) 9 maunds 10 ID Rp 9 (1907) 35 25 25 6 For lac, 11 Some 35 Simple mortgago. 4 maunds (about All land 1900) 4 mounds (about Bond 1901) Do. 50 12 Rs 5 1 12 mauude (1906) Ditto Do Interest Simplo mortgage. Bond 50 50 25 On 100 ... .. ...O ·I(b) .טא Original land Lund lost. Land Givea Ougual rent. back. Present rent REMARKS. Rs a Rs. A 1 2 reks All 1 tek 7 0 Js 7; 1 rok rek 3 8 7 O and 2 puran Lonel lost with whole Train (0) villago, settlement of mauude) are made ut this agun Bold to nahajar-proprietors who gave a din settlement ut iucrensi l vent į 1 12 (no receipt) Civil ( ourt rule for cbfs firo y ai ogo to Kartık Nahiz o ditto Usufructuary mortgage to kutak Maltı, pending paymunt of prinapul amount, Rs 150 dicto Unknoun bow Kartık Malti olt und the loud - 3 3 reks 11 roks JU 70 (uo receipt) 1 21 1 rol (po receipt 5 11,9 1!rchs Il res 5 5 4 1 anilo, bandis Sold for debts three yenta fraid ago to Raghu Muhtı, the 81 Theo 9 paid to Ragu Mahtı, and the money iunt to Kortik Malli G 1}, 1) rok 5 4 5 4 and 4 bandia Sole for dobta on account of inmune 1896, fresh httlement made Najha reutai by Gayu Suuri at 7 1 Tek 1 teh 1 rok Once cold up for artrars if raut, but re-settled at luglice rental This portion village belongs to Khatra Raj 8 9 { 2 bapdia 1 12 11 12 The land lost 18 cultivated bhagli Sold for debts 12 years ago to Baikanto Suhu 10 2 1 12 1 12 Suld for debts six years y, cultivated bhagli by Sonthal to Baikunto kahu. i 11 re 7 0 3 A Sold for debts to Kartık Dahtı 12 yeurs ago. 12 1 3 There is a dispute regarding this in the Court. Total 1 15 reks 71 +4 bundis J reks ... One band equals 1 pura, or equals 10 paundo X-Tumbad Intact - The Southals came from Santbhun, ja Chhatna, about 100 years ago They all pay rent through the Moojbi who gets & Joint receipt in the name of three perrons, the desoendants of the original two persons with whom thu lavd was settled The rout of the village 19 Ra 24-11-1, one-fourth of which 18 jungle No ber bhegarı 18 given About'one-halt of the village 18 cultivated by malinjans The following statement shows the rate of mutation and the present s'ato of io loptedness in the village. It 18 noticeable that the mahajans, when they bave acqured the luni, 10-11 portions of it on larga mpiha ·I(b) or produce rents, the rate is 8 maunds a bigha for good rioe land, There is no Joy-Paranıck in this village or 10 Ady village in his neighbourhood. There is no Kudam-Naiki. DROTI, NIS. Land Lead loul Bemur. LUABLI. Locured Ground Gerarity 5 per Phalari Maphi, und bis Гор Yorol HT bigms Saumi laterat 20 per cent. (1907) Ipon ID pavad:) : apple mortky 10 year. Bond ILOO lotott 3 rupe R 7. Boob 1 rek nld in three innvertirg. from 12 (about So So yen ao Home of ibu land bugha) to cullinated by the haja As theniulvo, sono legd Riven 16 mennd, bart ar ghe collocat al du (W) allad 1. rok Bold to wiado in s na naber ol Bo 10 B or V trandurlions Etending down to 3 (1908) bibas) ar ago 2 bigh Fiven by Ihapit sad iba rast EIVPD back ar milyha malul al 41 anundr, 1978 metada merrs at the race mounts per tughe Al cultivaten toine other land saghu v . rental ut a Teund Yew dice 3 POT goat interest (ihero Art 10 per cent tor tho cultivi, fion of Inc) Auflandi for B. bu yuar for 20 YPATS 7 youn ego, Joly 1 kutaro-pard. R.. 100 Iuda I ret Irak . Bold to Mhajan in diteront Lukulong 12 to 20 ei 40 Dhodo 1 rok 3 bugbu Bold la zahajaw for Btn 20 yan WO 18 cottubs civen bak on rotal of 4 Ingundy trak, And to mahajan for 10 to 20 vatn 490 , Ann given herk og har rnlel of BU ads. po29 All bb singla mortcake 10 year R, I bod. Ayo JoirTuL5 per cent. Endre: ularly $ pun impla Noud il-paid 5 per cent BOL hunni 15 thaonds Sup te Tonero pak se per cop (1908) boud B pun One 50 per cani interest (1007) teld. 20 manadı Bond kis 25 per mnt (1807) R., bond.. 4. year for 10 Jan 6 Veno Klota pot jaid regolarly mounds! Kitband, unde a year 1 year BUD Ple so Nong ro-pald, boud Nanka. 1 ret Lula I not UDROW Bok Barduhi Moshi Pando 1 rek I rek Laat maay yan 450 Loll the Illage Sold to #wahaja. 20 yan go left tho vilingu, ou I ret 1 rok moro XI - Ituanora. Broken —This village was cleared by Sontbals who came from the large parent village of Banglban, enst of Kbatra They havo never to their recolleotion paid rent through a Manjbi to the different owners, the majority of whom are mahujans. No receipts are given, except in one instance, on the ground that the rigate bave got no roper settlement, but only a mukjabanı or verbal settloment. According to the villagers the rato of rout 18 lo. l a rek, from the vorhıl statement of ono of the owners, it would appear that he contonded tho rent was thun this, but ho could produce no list of tenants A very rough statenuont of the 11 houses in the village who cultivato is given below. A number of tho villugers are very much involved, and those who have not paid up the interest duo on their mortgagos or tho hists of tho kostbands are bound to lose their lands. The ralyats have to give bethbeurs, one day's ploughing, one day's digging, ole day's cutting, and one day's threshing to tlo proprietors. They havo to give ono pound (20 gundas) of ganha from each householil, and to subscribe for (mangan) for the funeral expenses of the proprietors DSDTI NAYE Amount of land nu bold Land lost BEMARKE ILEAREA. LaNocurod Sprurcd Hocurly Jobles 2 rets . Tipu Singha 1 2) . Lepo Manjhi 1 ret 2 rot Unknown Now Salos lo suhajun Rs 110 (1906) 40 nds 60 bishu Bimpla mori gogo 100A (ular. only culi vile ul dort, a bu por cent dugat and lauyte Luld 110 do i hudh Kistband for 1906-1313 10 nieunna yeur, Not repud regularly No detto Aitban. of Marados Ginda (197) yrar from about IPLO 140 Land Kral. paid regularly Siudu (LUOS) 18 mands of toll dobte Toped this year bimple maryenge Interaat Bm 40 rod so bugbo Jald regularly 1000 60 por URL raido(1907) 3 highas for fle. mgundo Tepald doring + Rs110 (HINA) IL 2 reks Bold to u HRJAN 13 (1007) R. 12 repaid, but not notor who INN RIICI Imi k i tıp (TI Ronal tnl ? Plus Antun - WULMN sughu Votporu 2 reki Aimpla RON an about inn, Tuti rast not paid to par ent drade (1905) Derhre, I menad still dag No prebent 120 noda Land Kiatbusdı for lu mond your trong 1915 to 18 Beru 4 bigbus 17 Lalhas 9rb Kolu Dota 1 Panda Rum 4 bichu grek 1 ruks II XII.-Sagedth Broken.- A small and brokon village The prosent headman y the son of the origioal clearer of the soil. The money-lenders Raporta by Muuln Eramuddao. have got the lands of five of them, and temporarily re-settled ·I (6) sui DOD them with the onginal owners, who have turned under-raigats under the former. The total rents of these Sonthals have tbus been increased from Bs. 14 to Bs. 18 plus 26 maurds of paddy, equivalent to about R. 70 altogether .- Broken.-dome of the descendants of the orginal olearer of the soil are still standals of the village for one-third phare, their co-Bharers having sold their shares to the moner-leader, The present bondag 18 the grandson of the original glearer of the so:1 XIV -Khandarani Brohen.--The prosent headman is the grandson of the original olearer of the soil. IV.-Nokutmonepur Intact Rs Rent 9 10 IR 1883 for the whole village. Present 36 0 for the same area The original olearer of the soil 16 still living There are altogether six Sonthal raiyats in the village, inoluding the hendmen, each paying an equal aware of rent The tepure-holders are also the money-leaders of the village, to wbom the raiyatı lands liare boen fold in repaymont of dobts XVI.- Chiliagarh Broker - The present head man 28 the grandson of the original olearer of the soil. About half of the lands of this village has becn sold in ropayment of debts to the tenure-holder, who is also the money-londer. He has retained the best lands and re-settled the worst lends with the original owners at rates of ront, the total routs haping been increased for Rs 37 to what is equivalent to Rs. 250 XVII-Jhha pandeh Broken The Past rent 29 4 Present 29 and 48 maunds of paddy (ragha) for the same area. The present bondman 18 the original cloarer of the soil. The Sonthals transferred all their lands to a money-leader in repayment of debts inourred in civil suits The latter has allowed them to hold the lauda under him as under-raiyata ou enhanced rect No XII (abor). A. DEPTO וווווווווה* Earla!! Ainoont il lunil now NO hold 1 und lont HLMALES BRYAK LDDArUrdd Srcurid Security bugh 7 Buchas 1 7 7 B 0 Hold to money-tender for det whi Leniporarily reunulad Lue lind Dilen dleto Dito diuto Bilto dille. Butto ditto Purlinwert lo AU, Ling bg money lender or for dehis temporarily rotllod Lyhend 7 RS 168 and 11 muundu af paddy Interest 25 per i ADL Do 50 dillo No. XIII (aboce) 16 R ALL BLY Al lado o po Oslim Bold to Fonny london for dobie, 000 of huo rengilled A busha Sold to noney Leader for detta Internal 95 per cent Bunu mortsako dlount of Ironmaken. verN o None repe 14lerent 26 per cent 18 20 15 te 7 N 25 Lutereat 25 por cada Ruld to monry lendt for drats Nuld to mon) hviler lor della malade ol MMILII d i ha lavid e A renL puddy, of 1 gunds (Valued at K 33 ) 15 1 11 30 90 Bol u ndotjon for debts GO Teunda All lenda in Interrat 25 per cont push-ION burple corleysu Inter et 25 por cout Repard 40 10 ludo ulull day meunde to 19 23 19 CE R Plumle le for consideration ewly row oud Hold To mor y lunder for deli who toonporarily remobiled 16 No. XIV (abore). 3 10 19 Bold in sustug for o ODL TOUT Is 75 All land in Bimplo morts lo poundation IN 73 pour conta Auount of lund duo DILLO Ditto Lalta. B. 176 Bola to monoy londen for debla 1-'. li , 09 Bold in action for and ·IXIY I (b) DEDTA Aronunt of und Try Liu lu Amonnt of land Jout BURXA PELABEL Lacunod Gerured Becurity Bighal Bigla 0 ! 10 11. Sold 10 kotlop ter urests of rept 2 40 und 90 QALDUN of paddy RB and 20 Dinundu of paudy זין All land, In Bimple лкеtge In porolon furent B cont Amunt of loan taken year ago notre paid Sunple ID b) Per cnnt Amount of long taten 4) not re paid Ditto Interige dorhia or 5U por LOM אגוזטות 11 12 23 20 MR11 nd, of practity Bold to modry leader for de bt. 27 Innode of paddy 10 3 40 manndA 'All Inrid. in ul peddy Ppion Wanple martone Interpet M INT Amount of linn taki n iwo years Repaid 10 Dinlad. Interest 25 per lot Inlar as per trol Iulire 50 per Oro 12 R. 196 ind 11) Maudy of Pred) 10 2 16 IG 17 1g C 0 Surrender porr for arrear ul rent, but I burhan ve still Bole w muboy lendo for dolce 1) 31 Intereat b0 per cent 4 maund. of paddy No XV (above) h 110 Headının interest 1 7 Dillo 65 mnuindi of puddy 5 Ry 180 Sold to money lendur for dable 24 minuody of Puley Simple mortgage laterent 125 Nr CPOL Amount of Loan token hne years NRI) Rp paid titerial for the lot yeNr Simple ITICALLY I to owl 21 inl Am ount of je in due Bunp A mon text IN:5 r Con Amount of lonninken iwo Van Ho R iaid vuly K. 115 1111 due Hot AN Inlays Pat 25 per cent Dilto All land, In poumon Ditto Inico 24 10 NINUof pu) 10 6 Muto Ro Hanif SI MBUDd. of pauldy All land. in Simple morta In PONCESION the 1* 7r rent Suc the money anil 25 рег (wit for the riddr luan IDIA 6 73 maund, ob uddy Nono re jad I No XVI (above) 8 Inney Junior lor delom 11 1 we lub und unusuilu гу шегі: Buld to money li ador lor d. HLA who rene illud laud 301 muun All lands in or jud y JIDSHEMICAL 10 TRIndo 9 bigby ul pacidy Sunpla moc Juli rl 25 par man Auvuot of JUA) dur Usufructuary luontrage je luu of La LORI $ Arnado no Purrhard auction by Inoni y lender for de bols R 300 15 bigbo Usulructoary mortgago Purba sur LIOD delil uy Hour leur wło je bil lead the land that hun ն ը ն kiven usu fructuary worlguge תואר 80 18 60 mduds of pddy alarest 50 per caut. (10) 20 E 60 runda of pudy 3 bugun Uyufructuer mortgage in lieu of loterent Pun hand Lactlon hy ny-leuder for det. why reelled © Նյմian 1 lire big has uudur utructuury murlege -- G 113 E 10 16 B 200 Nold for deth to moni li nder for chebu who retiled 10 bikia Nulu lu) nopi y-li nder for duty 18 of GI) merinde pudy. Bmp Table by AQ instal purt of Rs 20 per year Rrepuble by en instal. Inent of 10 Aubda per your Unutrurtury mortgage in lieu of fularest 10 17 5 140 ndnundo of leduy buxbas 18 16 20 M MAUnd. ol paddy But payable by Instal Virnt of 6 Lundu pet your 1D 10 10 Bold ITIOn1 lender Ios di bin Two Light under usufruclu un y NLP Sud Tuul KUL In welllad 15 หglเพร hulu bul ri i illud Newly ellip by tenun holder Ito ditlo Ito dallo Bekal but rettled Newly Hello by lopun holdet . 21 10 + 6 by tengre Niwly settled holder Ditto Ditto Alto dllto dillo dleto vo ·I(6) No. XV11.-(Above) Gerial No. Amount of land beld Amount of land lost, but resettled Originni rent Present rent Bighau. Bighes Rs a lis A 1 2 3 4 4 -సెలవిసయిన 12 8 12 9 9 12 16 12 8 12 9 9 12 16 NONVOCI 1 1+) oulis 7 foes 4+3 11 + 2 mounds 16 4 + 3 32 4+2 4 + 26 1+1) 4 ( 19 NICONI 11 2 9 9 ? 2 3 sec13 . 4 2 443 ? 10 10 10 10 17 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 2 10 1) 2 4 + 2 2 12 10 12 10 2 2 4+2 27 1+4 ( balıs=1 maund) KHAIRI TIL INI Olher Trucs Bit VIJIS I VIII -Ranıband Brchen - The Blumijes have beon living in this village for three Leport lay Maulvi Encuddio generations The descendants of tie original clearers of the soul aro till Mindals of this village foz i onnus shore, ther co-sharors having sold off their shures to others DININ A nioupl of In d now hukul Annount of la lost BEMAILKS NO KEYARLE L DA Utd Secuied Sturly Dakhe 1G Bikha.. 10 1 bola tu money lender Lur debte R 120 An All Inmuls lu Simple more A1nt mind put UV na innluk T 1 r ARO of pould Ivice rest J: Der for Ons and BMT fur puild y hona Now due BLX 18. Rod 0 mand X 700 Ona RTIDA Sinnleiuorting Amount Monin) of loan du Tulet 1 2 a lil the per (tut illage loterit per cent 3 3 P. 88 Sold to monry leader for dubta Ylig talt li murarily Shycha, at tha Orikinul ront 2 3 13 of the wholu IL dsוונורחן B. And all lends in Simple more Amount 209 NUARL3100 091) d11 Jnterre of paddy 12.mrcput fer money ugd per cent for puddy loun 10 18 Bold to doney londer for debts. who Supururily ruhettled 10 buches at • renl of 1 18 und 10 wsunds of the paddy (valund Bt the ornal reol of the hole bold to moner Inpdor for dent.. ho lPlUpon arily Phellled 3 brgtas at t'ın original rout ol the wbule Sold to monry lender for det Rold tur debiN Guld to muary lender for dobta. 10 he ·TXTİ 1 (b BAUNYANS XIX-Rayasol Broken -The Bhuiyane were originally Mandals of this village have sold this intorest to others They have been living here for three gonerations They DEBTS Serial No Ampount of Land held A nonnt of laud lost BEHARU P3MARKO Innecured Bucard Bacurity Diſhes Bigbus, 1 15 Bold to money Irader for dabiy who Il tutted 15 bighor Fuld lor dclls 60 mkund. All lando in Almplm zortgage Amount of paddy Pašilaion loan doo lotarul ab per oent bhu por 10 10 Gold lo debts mom lender lor 1 lurehaned in auction hs the teli uje trolder for arrears of םיז 7 6 Arbitrary eviction by tepuro bolder 8 Ditto 124 33 hindi 100 indu of paddy simple mortgage Amount of loan taken Ibleront of 25 per cont for money 60 per cupt for logo Kopad Ry 421 Buli đc . E nud 26 muuuds of paddy. Teddy Nou nettled BV1.] IX-Bahan2 Boken - The Rauris have been living in thus village for fivo generations DJI 4 A 1110nt of LO DUW เปป un 11 lund lobi KCHAIL ILDMARKS l nutid I thou cured SecuIF 1.IR Birlies mot lemur albis 1 Tulle slitta) 10 10 vone li uder fui dont 2 mhuinds All Innd. Turbimple mi riure Anoont 01 puld) pogon of lonlu dun lotrrent GO Xrirrt 111 ms of Ditto Ditto dillo rudels ro ed 81 min 1),tlo Interest 2 par aunt mutands of olmuy Birnple innri AA Amount of lonna Meroyable ustment minunda por year 50 maund Ditto Siwple more Amount of pwdy of loun due Interont DO pel cont ولا دا utitין ditto 10 KODAS XXI-Kumarbahal Broken. DEBTA Serial No Amoual of hand now hild Amount of lund lont SEMATIKA BEKABK. L'impe ured Lacurod Security Buhay LIRLAR 20 maande of Puddy Interest 60 por cont واال Gold to niones Tondere for ono of wha ГО rettkdo biglas #1 u rentni of 20 Ingurdu (VAJUA AL R. 40) the original rent or which lund Ling RA 6 6 10 Bold to DoDey londer for debto Jotorout Bo par coat 10 00 Mauzda ol paddy 30 monund, o paddy Interest $0 por cuat. 12 12 Bold to mondy londer for dobla Dit to dillo RO G 1 ·I (b) TIV D&BIWALI OR IIINDUIBED SONTHALS. XXII - Akkhula for four genorations Broken -A large village The Deshwalis have been living here DxDTS, &ariel No Amount of Lumow ueld Annount of land lost PEYARLS LEYAREN Lyrirull secured fecurity Righus 33.gid= Is 20 1 bight Simple morlar Amount al loun teken 1niorry per cagt Turli Toprid Now due Ra Lourest 20 per cent 1 Jun ol pull Ialoroat 89 per rent . 1 3 Solil 1. junin nilirur dubin hatan J11) Dil lind who limpusiji เปเll Iน2 l; 10 1 11 12 18 15 17 Mandy or racldly Solil 100 Muslinor lur debtk Solil jills with his curlin TITOUC lendas latormt 25 per CODL 10 CIC 1 mukururi 49 A mub L 30 Ditto IF IN 13 12 Drilo 19 mondy of punly 11 19 19 Soll to mo landar cly on ut umut la pod Illy so geltref 12 luguan 1 תגים\ 12) ܙ ir R9 All kunde in Bimple mortgage PONOHSGIOTI of loan token Ibrny year AKUB Intarou COUL AIL atares mat minunily 41 719110cn Ditto Siinpli VHT Sold in non lader for debt ມາງດ ງາ cul padus ol padily of loan laten u youth Intoriul peid 1tato nr (UILL Inline rrit 1111?ij mundo luglies huinplo mortgage Αηιιι of pilis LOAT due 5 per i cut (1) miin! 1 Sunplo mons 4701 Build In non laudis fur (PUTNI II Lunde ul pudels luu Iulily clyi 2i cent r17 IK Jo 12 - Inc riset 27 mrceni 5 بالا LLH is 11 7 Sold LO MI lender for de 18 NANNIA ul Adly $ blghas Bimple mortage Ainnir or LOND uc Invert 25 por runt lalorent 25 par cont 24 +117Arinde ol Dili Hold to monry linjer for debty In linnud, os rondi Bold to mene y lender fur dull 1Ditto Dillo 6 #minds paddy 5 but24 25 6 Simplo mortgage A mon ! or logn lan Intrnet 2.0 (и NL KG 20 mgundy Slll dut 1 L L&umus in 111lo ditto Parchuud Ilon bi Tenure holden lur arrears of rent KAIPUR THANA XXIII -Mausn Rajahalu Brokon (120 hours of Sonthals and Bhumies) -Tha village was originally cleared by thu Sonthals, who, 10 the ordinary course, first camo and surroyed the land and then searched for its owner This turnod out to be the Raja of Shyamsun lapur, who gave thom a patta There wore tbon 1 wo Manjbus, Chend Rai and Kuar, through whom tho rent was paid The Raja subsequeatly made over the village to Gopal Goeun as brahmottar, but the latter made over a mukurart of most of it to 1 Supr named Tara Chand Chaudhun for a consideration of Rs 1,000, wluch was confirmed by the Raja at a rontul of KA 101-8 This happened 10 1880 It did not dispose of tho Manjhi's right, for it was not till 1890 that the representatives of Kuar Manjhi, one of the ongioal Mangle, sold wliat purportod to be their kall of the villago to the Sunri apparently for debts valuod at Rs. 1,499 The repres-platives of the other original Manjhi, Chand lai, have managed to koep their lands out of thus partiouler money-londer's hands, 250 bigban on a rental of Rs 5 which he has coveted, oven up to tlo lligh Court to increaso tho ront, but without success But this las not provonted the land going into the hands of , other sahajana. Rooeipts are not granted 02 ·ISVU I (b) Thore are four tolas, throe of wbich are puroly Sontbal, on, Kariarsye Bangotu and Chiklayotu, so far as inlevitants are concerned; the fourth, Jasudih, 18 ball, and the fifth, kajapat purely Dikku The mahujan samdurs are Kum Sadai and Kudja Obaudhur. (0) TOL KARTARSYE. 18 tho Dolni Vanthe -Bolai is the sou of Panru, ODA of the executants of the sale of half thr villag# Subsoqılaut to thu selo (1890) l'anru and Chude Ram, other orerutipts, took fresh line of about 30 bighan for Rs. 18 The third executant Hajde appears to havo suricaderol bis allore, und to bave loft the village Ponru's dogcenduts und Chun Rom vow cultivate 25 bigous on & rontal of Rs 16 The gbare of tho'r ront lid before 1810 heeu Rs 6 Boluz pnya 3 maunds a year on kuat bandı to the mula-proprietor, evcuted 8 years ago for a period of ten years. Che Run Manga -1 1118 erecutag! rotorred to above I 1908 he olil Ino sullo in the land he received back to one of the mahajan-zamındars for debts Tulikuil at bin 500, but has received o fresh leagu of tho same for 5 araa, e., about 20 Dillunda of gruid pei annuum llo Owen & LIUN QT cù per oopt Inga Janji.-Alter tho mahan-zamandar got poss088107 of the village, be fought to ruire the rent There was a cuyo which Javan M. La ignght, but finally compromised, 80 that the root was lood from Rs 7 to Rs 2.7 But he had to sell his ladds to # Taoti to defray tlie espenses of tho (usu lo took a freah wukurars lense of bomo 12 bighos from the Tauti for ks but a your, but subsequently sold this again and got back a whararı of sorge land for Rs 5 Originally be appears to bavo bad 77 bigbas, And now hus about 3 bigbas, initially lost, because tho zoundur stroke to raise his rent He Buys be Lus no cite Barol Vanjhe -IIc has n fourth share of the 100 highas for which Rs 5 18 paid But lie hos recently had cases with the nuharun-mindar nod in one Court won the case, and niinally sold the latter up, but there was an apponk in which the JCCINOD was given against the Sunithal To defruy tho orpe uses of this case, Bordol Modjbı sold his shuro 70 bighos 10 Chittulie to ono Sliyama Cbarun Bud, who gavo back a muhurarı leke of the lond for 7 nauuds of grain a year, that is to pay it a mauod be tokon to be valued at Rs 4, Berdol's 10 nt was inorezeech from Ru l-to Rs 144 1 year Ho owos 21 aras at 27 per cent, aud exeoutol a histband of Ra i tor 10) yours tho year before last Raghu, Bojan, Kadu, Loma and Mutia Monchi-These are tho owners of the other threrfourth pluro of the 250 biglın, for which As I rent is proud Eight enuns of the whole land was led to one Saujal laldar, who gave back a mhurarı of tbe land ou a rental of Rs 21 Subscquently Rnghu Muujhi's eligro of this muhuran was again sold to Sunjul IIalılar tu pornvout a Civil Court sule, but he recouvull a fresh muh w art louso of his abure for 20 mauuda ot grine year They have only small dobts, oxcopt u hestband of 6 mauuda U year for 12 jours and bond for about 12 aras. TOLA JALDINI, In or Rupia Nauhi --H18 rent has recently been increased from Rs 4-12 to Rs 5 about 1004 he Aold his land to tho mnhaman-zamındar who guvo Lim & fresh leuse of it up a rental of 8 maunda sajha. Ories 8 nigunda at JI) per cent Jngan Nanghi has lost zo land, and pass Rs 4 rent Kala Manylı 18 unable to give details regarding his land Ha font la lla 3-8 Jolha, Kina, Rayan and Sham Manjhi have got 30 bighas of land, for which they pay rout of Rs 10 Jolha's fourth share was sold for his debts three years ago ) Ragda soli hulf his lauds for debts font or 81x years ALO, but got it back on & sapha rent of 4 maunde Sham Mangbı bos disposed of about half of his share by private pale to the mahajan for his dubts Over 20 years ago some of bus laud was transf rred to tbe zamiodar by way of usufruotuary mortgage Buhal Manghi Las 13 bighes of land at a rentni of Rs. 0-12 One bandb of lond was given to the mahajan for his brother's debts amounting to Rs 80 Rahım Manjhi was diapossessed of his goala man land by tbe zamindar tbree yeata ago, the zamindar, apparently resumed it as service leod Rahım bad no other land, and DOW cultivates some other land enha and adhi TOLA BARIGOTU Ganga Charan Manghe has lost no land, and his rent 18 unchanged-R. 19 Taa, Pudu, Moral Tarma, Jata, and Saiuda Janjhis originally bad some 80 big bas of land, at & rental of Ra 6-3 According to the Malik's gamalandi thu 18 DOW 124_bighas Tara and Moral are still in possession of their shioros, 28 bigong at Re 1-2-4 rent. Tara bas executed a kislbardi for 90 mauude, at 10 maunds for 1 years, 7 years ago, Amounts have buen regularly repaid Pi du har old bis sbare, about 14 bighas, to the zamındar-mahajan. Harma's land has been sold up in the Civil Court debts to the zam indar-mahojan, but he has rooived a fresh bandobusl ut the same land, 12 bigbas, at Rs. 16 a year. Boruda'o share har alto veou cold up in the Civil Court tor debts also to the Zamındar Rew bando nuest ·I (b) 4 was taken for 42 bighas at Rs 16 a year, but a fourth of this was also again sold to the zamındar-mahajan, and the rent has beon deoreaged to Rs 12 Baroda bes Blog given & usufructuary mortgage of 8 bighus to one Dino Moodal for five years for the interest on Rs 66 He gave last year a simple bond for Rs. 12, and 6$ aras of grain of whLab Rs 7 u Laid to be due Manjhi and Rala Manght oultivate 14 bigbaa on a rental of Rs 8 Manjhi has lost one bigbe to the zamındar-mahajan for Rs 10 debts The rent was 12 yoars ago Rs. 7 He bas given a kıstbands of 51x maunds a year to the mahajan-proprietor Taru, Salku, Iluhri and Kasail Langhe origionlly held 25 bigbas on a rental of Rs 15. Haru and Kasail Manjhi lost thoir land" by a Ciril Court Bolo for dobts to the malajan-zamındar 9 or 10 yenrs ago, and bave recouvol a banilobust of 17 bigbes, painopally Dhangar land, at Rs 6. Salku and Huktı hold what 18 still called 25 bighas in the Malik's januband, on a centol of Rly 12 lle Puyo 4 anoes for homestead land Salku gavo kiseban li to the nahajan-proprietor for 1 Ara a year Inst year Kila Turka's land was sold up in the Civil Court about 30 years ago. Ile now possessos about a bigha of homestead land, for which 4 annas is paid Subarn has lost all his lund , sold up for debts by tho mahajan-zamudur, but has recoivod a fresh bandohust at Re 0 Chuna has lost his land , sold it two yoors nge for debts to the muhajan-zamındar 1118 rent was originally Re 1-8, but he bns got a fresh bandobust for lid 3 and 10 maunde sajha ile bay given a usutruotuary mortgage of some land for a small debt to two Sonthals Jalla Jonghi lost all his land; selling it for dobta mony yeurs ago, and cultivatos DO laod now H18 rent was Rs 5. In addition to the abuve, it appears from tho zuminder's statoment that, Fioco 1995, Jaclı, Bura Darma Maujbı and Chot. Darmo Manjlı left the village, and surrendered their lind oni ucount of tlle debts duo to the malayan-zamından Muchram Manjhi and Ram Ru Mnazhi liuve algo furronderol tbour lul, the former because tho lnud Wila too bad to buur the amount of rout Wossud by tho mahajau-7 mind ır, a fact admiiled by the lattor, but not in so many worla Tho reut was Ro 1-4 for 1) biglas of Dhugur lund The original ront of the Southals in this village was Rs i01-8-0), now, uccording to tho wabandı of one mahnjun zamindar they pay Rs 186-7-9, and, besides ront, they have to pay at a niniGum computation 1.3t mounds 8rha Coloulating 134 inaunds of sha ats boung equal to Rs 208, the runi his boon increased it u minuuum conipulation to Ry 159, though this does not all go lu the mahn) ti-cumiudar, and much laud bus boen lost by thic Sonthals Tho zamindar admits by h19 jamnbindi to having scourod 80 biglang in his own khas cultivation luring the last 12 years , 333 bighas voro in 1118 Wher possussion in 1895, the total uultivutiou 10 his villaga 18 now 1,173 bighog But his previons litm rbund, coupled with his own state non's, show that 128 bighas of tho Sunthal,' land have bern acquir" by lu on oount of dubts due to bim (with a few minor exceptions ulruniy mentioned) sinco 1813 The Sonthals have to give beth-begani, half-a-day's ploughing-ench porson The whole village lies to give Rs. 3 at a festival Fowly aud vegetablos have also to be given Ireo of charge. XXIV-Pandagadra guras-Intart-This village in giver as an example of a qunsi-intnet village, with an up-to-date Manjhi iu it, who has avoned as yet the translor of bis right oud wlio grants pattas and requipts The rent of the village is Rs 67- (road cese, ks 1-10) There aro three sharers who hold it on a mukur ari louse Tho routs of the purjas are (1) Umacharun Gun for Dasmat Manybi (2) Kam Narayan Chhatr for Deb Maujuu (3) Bosra Manjhi itſ Dabie Manjhi (5) Basu Manjhi (from another village) Rs. A 0 1 8 9 0 1 4 3 0 Dillu Panjat D. (6) Lupa Matho (7) Ram Kurmi () Sita Temboli (9) Lodio Kankar 20 0 6 0 6 9 0 Total 02 12 The Manzbi l'hagu says the sharers pay (10) Jitu (11) Gun 0 .. 2 ... This totals up to Rs 68-12 , so be makog & profit of Re 1-4 plus hus own cultivatione In U18 rout rcoeipts ho charges and in the ruroe Road Cess and ulso $ anna in the rupo, ·I (b) was at OD Pablo Works Cess, the existenoe of which could not be verified, though it may arist. There once a dispute between the Manjhi and his landlord in the Civil Court relating to this village. In the end the case was compromisod, but the village had to be mortgaged for Rs 2,464-13 to a mahajan in order to pay what was egreed upon The arrangement is that 50 aras a year shall be paid for nine years to wipe off tho debt Phagu, Jitu and Gur are all conoorded the mortgago Last year they would not pay the instalmont due; other Instalmonta 82200 1905 bave been repaid The other Dikku parjas, excupt the Kankar, have been in the village ainoo 5 or 6 years after the groat femine of 1865-66 On ous nocasion the Manjhi actually measure the village and brought a case lo inorease the rent, but he failed Ile states he has kheon or Manjłu ront-free land , but when his own land is to all intents and purposes ront-free, thus us of not much acount No one ose has khem land The following is an aobount of the other Sonthols in the village Dramat Manjhi's land wont after a mortgage to one Umacharun Gwo for hus debts. His rent was Rs 4, hu got 45} bighas back in 1903 on # Jamajanay patta at & rent of Ra 6 and 41 TLs toin lo took a loan of 3 bras in 1907 scoured by a simple bond, of which 1. arus la still due at 50 per cent Debu Manghi's land went to Ram Narayan Chattri, who gave him a fresh settlement of & rental of Re D 1899 on a ramai settlement It was not disolused how this hapported Ram Naruyan only makes a profit of annas 8 a yoar out of the transuotion Ilas Basra bos a quarte) with the Manjhi, who has taken three bighas of his lood joto his Own possession He owes & Sonthal un another village Rs 60 at 25 per cent interost, takon in 1907, out of which nothing has been ropaid. Dolne Manghe only oultivaten Charge or homestead land at a rental of Re. 1-4. He has no debte Chanda Manjhi sold his land for his debts 9 years ago, and loft the village. The Kankar oultivates it Garbhu Mangkı sold his land many years ago, and lost the village Lupa Mehto cultivatos it XXV - Ladhapakur Broken -The proprietor of this villago 18 Ram Sadar Cbou. dhuri, the same mahajan who owos Rajabatu The Manjhi's father ecouted a cale of the villago to him, but the others did not agree to one sale Subrequently the mahajan one night ploughed and sowod the land bither end thither. Next day he brought a case against the Sonthals for having ploughod and down his land, and produced the seed in Court as proof theroof He won the caso This is the Sonthal's reason -wluch was not believed by the Court. Consequontly ho got POBBORRIOD of the land of all the ought houses in the village, and made a fresh settlemont with all the raiyats i 1898 by giving thom paling Bearing in mind thnt the Sonthale have all lost their land, the following statement shows only the incrOASEB in renta in consequence. Tho faot of the scaroity last year 18 again illustrated by the fact that the kostbandus wore not paid then no dobts DETTE. NAND Rent prior to 1R9S Prenost ront BBUAHCA Uprocured Bacum Bounty Ro Qope Nejhi 4 10 16 big . foor) 1.000 (100s) to BA Chandbary Datu 81), 60 en (110) to Bogd R8 Chradbury Clon 8,11 , Do w 13 (1904) lo R 8 Oheodhury 16 maandı (1905) Molon DO Mortens-Kishande of 10 maund. Bad RA per year for 10 year Ropaid, aroopt lost your , i per Kuthawdi 6 NUOCA of nun your for 10 ycun Boped roglarly Kutband. Imi pour la 13 yarı. Repud Myolarly Do por cent gmunds now duo 60 por could Aintborda Ruanda . your for 18 Jon , 16 por ondt 1 m. year regularly repaid RA 5 . yar for 6 year Repud regularly azcep last year por ount, beant . Now naupda R 4 AA 6 du BAD.O 8 dnu (2003) to Do X & Oluendbury B (1996) tp bhaint Lunds BS so n900) lo Buod Poza Muni orals Tuta 10 (rpal of yu) 91 end RO 19-50 Dunda • Ho sold huo wnd again to the mahajan and reared some of it back de produse pent of k muandı. XXVI --Ragnal Broken -The village is broken It consists of 24 houses, 16 of which cultivate Of 11 persons who appeared, one had lost the main portion of bus land on an ount of debts, and two had been sold up for arro ars of rent Three others had Jont a bighe a piece on looount of debts, and one of them now only oultivates bhegtie This land has gone into the hands of the rent-recenters, who are poor specimens of mahalin ·I(b) who would not admit that the Sonthals bad made tho village, who refused to produce their old jamabandı and documents, who at first tried to make out node of the Bontbals cultivated sa pha, then admitted they did OOCasionally, and one of whom refused to admit that ho was & mehe jan, subsequently deolaring that he had been once, but all his ducuments had been burat The most interesting part of this village 18 the high rate of road cos the Bontbals beve to pay, 8.9 NAME Rent. Cess Rs A Rs. G 0 0 Baram Manjbi Basu Nunc Malih, Chuna 4 0 2 0 8 12 1 11 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 3 2 0 3 0 Thege figures are taken from the jamabande of one of the proprietore , the othrr Dikkus ta Dlobi, four Tantis, and one Tafdor) live in the same lola, uleo bave to pay road cene at the samo rutus Theyo malojang suttle their land at lie 1 bigla Besides bigh rold ceas, the Southals have to givo bothbegant and provide vegetables free of charge The mahugans admit to havng raised the rate of interest on sooount of the souraty a year or two ago, in one can the interest was as much as (21 per cent for gralu XXVII- Jainagar Brohen --The wahanan roceived a Mandili Rettlement of his village in 1893 for the zamindar In years gone by the Southals ubod to pay their ront llnough a Man hı Tho village only shows a moderate amount of dispOHBOBSTOJI lle proprietor 6 jawwilawaik syreially prepared for perusu) tlow rung at hull-2003 in the nupce, but the villngers may they havo to pay 10 pico in the rupec This is quite possible, 118 ollurs melons havo produced lists of ronts showing the (fss at a roto of about two unnas 10 tlu rupicu oi more liccup's are not granted According to this proprietor (12 annak share), ho renlig tronny rent Rs 70-8-3-10 (3 gundas 10 kngn) Grau rout aras 9 kums 1$pice, valued at about Ke 08, and grain debts aro duo to him ol (7 RIL", valued ut about Rs 320 The Sonthols Juvu to give bilhhegarı during the year, ulso manyan, when the mahnjan wants to buy a house, or thero 16 death me family, and vegetable free of charge DEHTA NAYE Lend lout REXA XKO Preocat land ISHARES Uue cured Becured Security Bonako Munji 63 bigbus 2 pire i mon IL interest (ako Ou argount OL famiuo Lulet Shaq 1 6 bigha 2 bigbas 19 biguins (ivil Court Bla 6 bigbo BA 2 and for rent 1902 the real N arber Putnubuo (1907) Kundy nalo lui deb 6 higher rold toi B0 Pitumbhar Bundn money not for debts O ODL of K 70 vopad wii yon у по 6 buche R$ 3 Buonally 9 Luchas kubog pice per nonth Lakhal Be 70 Lond THK 11 to pay Pipenses ul Lise in hicb malpdar tril Lo 101 r. treul 25 jier chat Sundar Nanyan 7 Monal Manjhi 10 1 bixho 8 ootteha . 14 ARI kurie 11 uran kuris mld to Pitombbar Kundu Ji yorum Phyu Medan 40 bighaus 90 or 10 year go 10 6 an LEN (1907) 40 Yo dubte. pilo Interiet rundt tukti tur Toto o' Lullaloes No dubly tatbe Chama 10 13 16 au 11 kurus Jairam ) No dubta 30 byba 7 birbas M heb Hold 20 TOAT to Piunbhar Knade. Sold dobi ind 1. bughe yn ro. 38 I. Alegt Braju XXVIII.-Hasugoria Intact. The Manylu 18 said to havo a darnukui ass lease of the nullage but it was not produoed.

·I (b)-I (c) The following list shows the position of affairs in this village, areas are practically guess work, but the ronts are acourate NAME Present агер Rent Land lost or mortgaged Bighas Rs A Dharma Monjhi Sbam 40 8 - ง Chuda Kaikar Ram Durga Ubunu Taru Tips Juma Haram 10 2 12 14 12 0 0 9 0 Biglas 2-10 sold for debts to Gopal Suroat, whojan and proprietor (about 1901). 3 13 0 Bighus 5 sold to Gopal Sircar 1 11 6 Kent paid by mahajan 2 biglas sold to letter (1907) 0 0 Reut paid by mahajan li bighas sold to him (1907). 2 9 0 Ront pand by mahnjin 16 bigbas sold to bim (1907) 3 3 6 6 All mortgagou. 5 7 9 Ditto 1 0 0 9 4 8 0 Nil, but about to lose all, as the mahajan has got a decree for his debts, and the lands are to be cold 2 0 14 0 3 3 6 2 0 3 9 3 8 02) baghas usufractuory mortgage for principal und interest 10 years ago for 12 years Tant Laram OLhota Sam Baxi Ram Jingl Lupa Durga Manjhi (of another villago). 5 28 5 6 0 0 0 0 5 Total 79 12 0 OD Tho total rent of the village plus oens 19 ks 79-1, so the Manjhi makes no profit The rert was origioolly Rs 50, then Rs 60, and finally it was raised to Rs 75, and a darmukurarı giveu. There were originally khiin laords in the villago, but when tho rent wag volsed, tbove lands woro assessod to ront lu some cases lands lost, have been given back on a anjha bamiobust APPENDIX I(C) BINPUR THANA PARGANA BILDA MIDNAPORT 1-Kumurband. Intact -Onginally 10 124813, ovor sixty yoars ago, the original olearer of this village recived a Mındalı_putla of the villago at a rental of Rs 16, bhutto ko 1, eltogother Is 17 , yalame Re 1, and parnusani Ro 1 A generation ego the root was incronsod to Rs 172-3, with coes R. 12 or ka 13 after a measurement, which is still paid by the Mandal The Mindal's Jamabanilo jamabanlı showa rental of 1.8. 331-12-9$ and cons Rs 12-8-15, including the rent of his own and his 00-Bharers' lands Tho 0888 18 paid by the raiyats, and not by the Mandal's family at all The villago 18 substantial This jaw.aurend shows of 472 bigbos, against an aree of 405 bighas in tho rocopte granted to him by the Midnapore Zamindarı Company. The Mandul assesses to ront exoeye oultivation, but objoots to the Zamindarı Company doing the same Tuut Curupany have assessed to rent escoso oultivajou of 17 big bas odd at a rental of Rs 7, according to the nayabards found this year, The amlu would not directly admit to it, but apparently it 18 18 oontemplation to increlse reuts for old land by 2 ADDIS in lbo rupee, anit that thore 18 more rayabad 10 the village which will bo assossod at rates which have not yet been fixed I give the Mandal's jamaails below Area. B си 0 Kandan Manjbi... 11 0 0 6 4 Nayaladı 3 11 12 2 13 71 ODO en OTOB Hont Ra A . 9 0 1 9 7. 0 Oors EXCLR Area measured this your by tho 14 10 12 Mandal this unyahudi 18 being assessed at 10 QUDO. n bigha by the bonthal (9 biglas sold about 1320 to Ram Narayap Mazumdar) ·I (0) Tili B. O. CA. 8 8 12 Caus 26 16 0 Karum Manjhi (10 baghus formerly sold to Ram Narayan Masumdar) Dupa Nath Berk (AD original parja). Tintu Mohan Dasi (bought from Taru Meojbi in 1300) Baro Lakhan Manjhi 5 10 1 7 0 Bont R.. A. &. 6 4 10 0 6 5 16 12 0 1 1 0 3 7 0 0 4 0 0 18 10 0 1 10 1 5 15 0 1 5 7 15 10 08 0 7 0 0 7 10 3 7 0 0 3 10 12 Owonovoro como .. Durga Manjhi 2 3 8 Gurbetta Dasi (sold by Tenta Manjhi 12 12 0 for debts about 1286) Turu Manjhi 11 14 0 (5 bigbas 10 oottahs formerly lost) Binole Dası (land formerly belonged to 6 4 0 Narsingh's father, unknown how the present taiyat got it). Rasarei Manji 3 4 8 . 11 11 I10 Pitu 1 4 0 Badyanath 2 16 12 78 .. ... 2 2 10 0 2 0 0 12 0 0 1 0 1 12 0 2 0 4 11 10 0 4 15 7 15 5 0 8 0 2 Nathi 7 11 ... 12 12 8 to Sadhai Manjhi (8 bighas 10 cottahs formerly Bold Jegeswar Buon about 1297) Mandal Manjhi ... 5 0 . Bbado 3 2 0 0 3 0 5 10 0 0 5 10 Nayabadt .. 7 18 1 2 0 0 Hadu Manjhi 9 0 0 1 12 0 2 4 10 Nayabadı: ON 6 77 2 10 . 3 16 10 7 4 0 Charan Manjhi m. . 3 0 0 Bhegral 0 8 10 Jogeswar Bunri 4 8 0 0 4 10 1 14 0 0 2 0 5 5 O 0 5 10 6 1 12 0 6 0 8 12 161 0 9 0 Taman De దందాం.... Gora Menybi 13 13 14 97 Budai Dutta (bought mayabado from Badran Manjbı many years ago in 1295) 90 0 5 11 11 U. .. 17 7 171 1 1 le DOROD 14 1 11 Ram Kuer Lobar- (bought 7 bigbas from Beha Manjhi in 27 L2 49 1303) 9 bighas from Tents Manjbı in 1285), 10 bigbas from Lakban Manjbi in 1286)- OD 4000unt of loans Bam Lall Bhau (bought from Kalu Manjhi in 1287) 15 2 0 Nuragh Manjhi 2 0 0 Nayabads 1 3 0 9 70 0 9 10 1 16 114 3 0 M ... 0 2 0 el ·I (c) Am. Rant. B. c. OH. Rs. A. O. Gauge Nerayap Gorto (original raiyat- Ram Lall Lobor's possession Dow) Sunil Madzhi 9 14 6 12 10 I 37 .. Cogg 6 7 12 0 0 8 0 3 6 8 3 10 Jharu Nayabado" 4 1 0 0 8 13 . 5 8 13 0 6 0 Chote Mithu Debi 0 0 8 0 0 10 Binda Moini Dasi (Rajaram and Dhunu have given thoir land to oultivate) 4 6 0 2 11 0 3 0 0 Girish Chundra Mazumdar (father of the village-mahnjan Ram Narayan Mazum. dar It 18 said tbot be was given land to clear) 36 14 . 20 1 7 15 4 10 Ram Narayan Mazumder- Lobtained 9 bighas sold by Kandan Man. jbi in 1300, 6) by Karu Manjhi 10 1300 , 7 Tanu Manjbi in 1300, 21 abandoned by Bishnu Manjhi in 1:300 10 big hos pold hy Karmu Manjhi in 1306 and 1308 sales for dobts] 35 11 12 > . a Mnohy Manju Turku laj ISADI Dhuro Bhugu (rulu 18 22 3 173 1 6 5 40 0 17 0 0 0 29 N 0 21 8 0 3 8 15 40 0 17 0 18 0 29 12 21 11 3 1 18 DecoDo 0 0 0 0 0 0 . 6 3 8 0 3 5 471 12 2 331 12 93 12 8 15 Totalling up, it will be found that 115 bighas 1 oottah 4 ohuttaks have gone into the hands of Dihkua on 2000uut of debts indurred by tho Sonthals, that is to say that during the last 30 years ovo-fourth of the cultivation of the village has gone into the hands of Dikkus That more has not gono, appears to be due to the fact that the bonthal Mandalı famıly 18 unusually intelligent. Thoy are, howevor, not at all free from the mahajans. About ten years ago tboy had to borrow some money to pay off the rent due on the village A morte gage of 90 bigbae of rent land was executed in favour of Ram Narayan Mazumdar They 8180 bad to give an ijara of the rents for 11 years Ram Narayan Mazumdar brought a case to get bold of the laud, but they have just mortgaged the whole village right and 90 bighas of land for Rs. 1,300 to lam Lall Lobar, and paid off the first mahajan In order to help in ropaying the new mahujan, tho Mandal tamuy have raised their own rents to a rate of Rs. 1 a bughe The Mandalı family is also threatened with a case regarding a mortgage of 32 bighas valued at Rs 1,100 It is very doubtful that thoy can now burvive. Rajaram has just been through the Civil Court. He had mortgaged 10 bighas of his land in this village, and a fourth share of this village; the makiyan got a deoree, but the Soothal made a husitbandı to pay Rs 132 a year for three years. Karmu Manjbi is at the time of writing in the Civil Court. Ho is being sued by Bam Narayan Mazur dar on & mortgage of all his land (8 big bas 8 cottahs 18 ohittaks), but the mortgage 18 donied by the Sontha). Interest was usually 4 kuris in the area, but has lately been raised to 8 kurie. The tahsildar of the company gets 2 pice in the rupee of rent, Rs. 6 tahriri, Beth begarı 18 not now given Su persons in this village can read and wrte.

·I (0) II -Gundapal, Old, but broksna-The present headman 18 the great grandson of the original olearer of the soil. The money-lenders who are purobasing the lands of the Bontbals are temporarily re-settling them with Sonthals other tban the original owners at exorbitent rates of aanha (paddy rent). Senal No Amount of land now held. Amount of lend cost. REMARKS 12 5 Sold to money-lenders for debte 1 2 3 4 19 10 6 9 2} 6 7 2 2 16 2 8 135 12 11 11 24 1 8 9 10 11 12 13 JIUOTI IV... Purchased by landlord by rent deoree. Sold to money-leaders for debts. Ditto ditto Arbitary eviction by landlord Sold for dobte. Sold to money-lenders for debts. Ditto ditto Ditto ditto Purchased by landlord by rent deoree. Sold to money-lender for debts Ditto ditto Ditto ditto Arbitrary eviction by landlord Appropriated by a loggos to whom the land had been sub-legged Also holds 12 bighas core, temporanly settled by a money-londer who purobased other landa, at a rent of 6 Ares (valuod at about Rs 37-8) Also holde 12 bighas more, temporarily settled by a money-lender who purohased other lauds Temporarily Bottled by a money-lendor who purchased other's lands, At a rental of 2 aras Temporar ly Bottled by a money-londer who purchased other's lands, at i rontal of 1 ora 14 kuris Temporarily settled by a money-lender who purchased other's lands, at a rental of 21 Aras. Temporarily Bottled by a money-londer who purchase? other's lands , at & zontal of 1] alas 11 20 15 1 ... 16 4 17 31 18 41 19 3 ... 43 20 21 22 23 24 20 29 16 . 20 59 Bimple mortgage Amount of loen taken 4 year ago Repaid Rs 120 Still due Rs. 800 Interest 37 5 A civil suit has already beeu instituted fur the roalization of the amount. per cent .... 26 27 28 13 6 Sold to money-londor foi debts Ditto ditto, MAHAL LALGARB 111.-Bhangadalı -- Intact Reports by, Maulvı Satgrd Muhamad 1 A purely Sontalı village, having & population of 11 Nasiruddin Sonthal houses undor tho Raja of Lalgarh 2 There 18 a Sonthal Mandal who holds a bighas Whem laud and J1 bighas 200e In the names of his wife and con, making nominal payments of rents for these lands He makes e profit out of the rents realised fropi the raigets themselves Village jama paid by the Sontol Mandal Rent realized from the raigots. to the reaindar Rs. 115-6-6 (including cesses) plus 5 Aras Rs 103-4-3 plin 4 oras 3 kurs 6 pies paddy paddy The zamiodar realizog—(1) cesses for sajha paddy; and (2) & 008 oalled progar monafar upor ghaarja cess on the excess collection of the Mandal amounting to Rs. 4-7, besides the Boad and Publio Works oe8808. The Sonthals have not lost their lande.

·OV I (0) larla No Land Land dow lormarly beld. bald A DORAT of Jand logt Old root Prenant rent Uneous Samurod Bloourity BCA в сон, 1 R. 08+71 00 Morta k 47 13-10 Beld by Sonthal Morol in Dhama HIDUI ool, lo hio villere Dombun Duro. 09 17 0 09 17 0 94-0 + 12 lurk 14 eu 18 C biglas Reno res proylon med mortgaged, prouent, 18 & 10 12 10 6 17 0 5 17 BK 18+ 8 kor. Ray A8+ 20 for high kuria 9 ple for - 10 pranont a 11-5+ Best 123+0 & ar kuria Loris Iuris 4 pia. Ro 136 +0 148+ kuris & ples A 10+ RS 18-1-3+B B. +B arty kurio for kurio & pios (MLCL) 1,316. buh. 0 81 10 0 M 10 0 19 0 0 19 18 18 8 17 17 10 17 17 10 16 30 Rs 10-3+$| RS 11 3+5 BT. 1,816 karin kuris 6 p16 (darhra) B 68+6 torta R. 11 18 +5 ora 14 kuru for 16-2 karls 3 plan. 1,816 bighes 81 7 18 10 Id 17 0 81 13 10 11-8+ 6 une for 10-17 blcha 140+ Lori 4 piele 11 ar 6 karto + Ra 6 (ICI) 1,8 16 21 1 1 10 0 DO A14+A ples R 101 kuri for 1 bigbo R 1 14+1R 449+9 kurt turi for 2 piel ples 13 1 19 0 13 7 % 10 7 9 10 B + $ları B 6+ furie 14 0 0 0 0 N&+tons Pne And K. :+3 korla 17 - Dillage Dhansola.-Broken. Village pupulation Sonthal Houses. 48 44 ? Fourteen houses of Sonthals hold lands in this village, and 6 houses of Bonthale bold their lands in another village. 2. The Southal Mandal sold his interest in satisfaction of debts which worked out According to the mahajan to Rs. 600. 3 The Santbal raiyats remained in possession of their lands. The Bontbele bave pot lost their landa. Some of them have mortgaged their lands for debts. Rents have been en banded on account of increased area andes cultivation A comparison of the rents and areas of certain tonants recorded shows that whereas the area bas 100reased from 150 to 190 bighas, the rent has increased from Rs 100 and 2 aras of grain (valued at Rs 12-8) to Rs 112 and 2 aras odd A simple proportion eum shows that the rate of waaroase ID rent 18 slightly higher than the rate of inor ease of area, whioh should not bo the case as the pow oultivation 18 less valuable tbau the old MAHAL BAYGARH 1.- Bonachapra Intest Village population Sonthal Honges 12 il and Ou (Kamar). There 18 Sonthal Mandal under the Raja of Ramgarh. There are 2 00-sharer, ouch having 6 big bas of khem lando. For the other lands they pay rent. 2. The Sonthats have lost 30 bighas, having sold their landa to odhajan in satisfaction of their debta. About 28 bighas 8 cottahs of lands are mortgaged to mahajans for debtitle Eleven Sootbal bonuses now hold 146 bigbas 7 oottahs 1 abitta.

·I(C) 3. In this village, like other villages in this area, both the Mandal and bus raiyats pay both sorts of rents combined, vz, 10 cash and 10 kird The present village jama 18 Rs. 27 pius Rs 6 CEBBes, besides 21 aras 10 kori8 7 pies paddy The village has been prvately measured by the Rajs from time to time, and the goma_always ebanoed There has been enhancement from Rs 8 to R. 12, from R.. 12 to R. 14, trom Rs. 14 to Rs 20 and from Rs. 20 to Rs. 27. DEDT. Amount of bortal land pov Amount of land Ny lost, bold DIY IJ Bmars UDBO urod Berared Seounty B C CE. Bc ch. 6 0 0 13 10 0 6 bixha, 10 cotta he old to mahasan for debts by arbitrary eviction for dolls 13 10 0 B, 38 l ADN por Joterat TUPO Ditto ditto 19 0 O Gold for dobt lo 0 10 0 10 0 7 0 18 0 2 lo 0 29 0 0 14 11 0 1 10 10 or 19 bibu 0 10 eres 10 21 1 kurie per un 140 7 80 MAHAL RAMGARI Other 1 ribes BAURIS VI-Indadonga Broken --This 18 & purely Bearı village, having a population of pino houser of Bauris Roport hy Maulys Baiyid Muhammad Nedruddin 2. The Mandali right 18 Dow held by a Tali 3 The old village jam WBA Rs 10 It has been enhanced to nearly double of what was paid by the Bauri rayals to the Baun Mandal – Serial Amount of Amount of No land now land lost held. Old rent Present rent KYMARKS, Rs. A 1 'Allegod arbitrary eviotion. 2 3 B CH B. C. CH Ro A 100 0 0 Rentfree 15 17 15 2 5 5 0 31 1 12 28 17 13 0 3 0 6 0 2 0 0 1 3 10 0 0 10 5 0 0 1 8 0 0 1 8 10 0 0 3 0 12 0 0 3 0 Same area held all along. 9 0 13 8 8 13 2 8 18 3 O 2 B 6 7 8 9 10 Same arge bold all along Total 105 2 7 106 ·I(0) DESHWALI BONTHALS PARGANA BILDA. VII.-Adargoray: Broken.—The Deshwalis have been living in this village for four genorationa The tonure-boldera as money-londors have soquired Hapurta by Maula Enbuddin most of the lands of the village. Da, Amount a bnd 100 bald Anant of land Να BEMARKS Decand Becurity Byghe Righ 11 10 loteret 57 & per orat DO 7 pudás. 3 1 19 Sold to modry-leouens for debte 8 pm Elton 10 tarnuln CH ava 0 12 8 for Abandoned Sold lo money landet dubts Arbitrary micilou by lenor boldor 6 Interent se por ceal 1 pedy BHUMIJES. VIII—Bhım Argun Broker - Tho Bhumijes have been living in this village for four gonentions. DOT Amount of Bonal hanc now No bala Amount of Land loal RJUADIO BEMABLE Uporared. Borured, Bucurity Bebas o Lerpal ou per rent paddy. 30 Approprutod by unufructuary mortLGA Bold to mog y lender for debts. Appropruut by usufructuary nortgago Bold in ruction for debto 16 paddy 8} Iotarot 60 per cent 10 7 H 6 Sold to money loudor for dobu of Intorcat 30 por cont paddy 12 B Intlo Ditto Ditto 9 10 11 7 sold Lo boney-leader for dobu 9 of loterest 60 per coat 100 11 12 13 0 14 of old to money lænder for debba Appropriated by usufrurluery mort Bold to noney-lander for debto. Ditto Dillo Tinu peddy Iotoreal 50 por coal 6 15 16 17 JR 19 10 7 16 Bold o magby-lunder for debts. BHUIYANS. IX-Chahnapal generations. Broken —The Bhuiyans have been living in this villego for three DETO Amount of Juod now bold, Atonut ol Land tout BESAREB BENARIS No Uocurod Socurod Serurily Bighag Bigla 0 Gold 10 money-lender for debtu Dillo Pitto 20 lutervot be por cent Paddy dillo ditto. 14 21 a Plus Dit- Ditto Ditto Sold to money-leader for debt who ma-multled 4 bighes shop in cnumi B Sold to nuoney leader for debt. Sold in suction for dobu Intorent 60 per cent 15 erug pedds. T 10 Bold to mopey-leader for dobta. 10 4 100, $ byghes 20 laterest 50 per cent Bimple mortipco Amount of loco talo 4 youn 40. Repaid k. 100 Boull due R. 100 latest 24 per cant Bippla norique ADOODL of loa IAKOD. year 30 None repard Iparut S7 6 por oest 104 0 of peddy 11 100 10 1 19 } 10 . 16 16 19 How far debte * .

·I (0) i HONDAS. X-Pachapan Brokon - The Mandas bave been living in this village for three generations. The tonitre-holders, as money-landers have acqured most of the lands transferred for debta. Serial No. Amount Amount of land of land now Dow held lost. HAMARKA. Bigbas. Bighas. 1 2 3 4 13 13 17 45 12 12 8 8 7 16 Arbitrary evotion by tonureholders Bold to monoy-lender for debta. Sold for oonsideration. . Bold for debts. 7 Sold to money-lender for debta. 10 DO. 10 Bold to money-lender for debta 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 8 18 7 6 8 11 24 Bold for debts. Arbitrary oviotion by toure-holders. Gold for dobta. Arbitrary eviation by tepure-holders Bold for debts. cape Mauln Ekranuddin interrogated the tenure-holder about each eviation, but the latter could not give any satisfactory explanation. of arbitrary GARH BETA THANA. XI-Bulanpur Broken Honges. ... Sonthals Kurm 16 Hindus—Bengalu 28 9 20 uc Roports by Mauly, Saiyid Mohan med Naruddin The Sontbal Mandel sold his right Rs. A. P. .. .. 2 The Sonthals lost the major portion of their lands by sale in favour of mahayan, In lieu of their debts- Bigbas. Area now held 74 Amount of land lost 508 A. P. Qld village jame in 1269 42 13 i For mot-mALE. Jama in 1276 190 0 0 0 For 659 bighas 18 oottahs 15 shuttaks (5 andas ? pres per bigba for altivable lande, 4 annas per bighs and 2 andre 6 pies per bagba other lands. Present rata ot rent 1 10 O per bugha III.-Doomoria Broko. Lounas. Sontbal population 25 Village ..

·I(0) Bengalis have got the Mandal interest in this village ; and they are called a madars in this area 2 Only three houses of Bontbals now bold 28 bighes, and 404 bighas have been lost to the present Dikku nimadams (who were formerly the Bontbals' mahajans) in Batisfaction of debts 3 The other Boothals now living in the village work as labourers or cultivate lande bhagtı. Somo of the Boothala bold gora Lands directly undor the patndar, peying rent individually at the rate of 6 antes per bigha, XIII -Rangter Broken — House, 27 Village population Bontbel (Sonthals and Hindu-Beugalis ) 20 .. L 1 feventeen houses of Sonthals are labourers, 2 Budinath Manjbi incurred debts in litigation in fighting & But for enhancement of rent bronght by the patoular, and sold 8 abdes of the Mandalı right The purchasers subsequently obtained the whole 16 ADDAN Budinath took a settlement of 10u bighas from the purchaser at 9 ennas per bigba, But thore lauds wero sold 10 nuotion for arrears of rent. His hoir now holds 10 bighas at Rs. 11-4 rent Three other Sonthals bold lands paying enbanood rent at about Re 1 pur bighs XIP.-Benachapora Bruhen - Forty houses of Sonthols only. The Sunthal Mandal was toeponsible for the colleotive payment of the village yama to the Dihku ainadar ; he hold 12 biglas khem lauds The sontbal Mandal surrendered the Mandalı night, and sloo then the Boothals have boun paylag rent separately. 2 Eight Ronthals bold 81 bighas 18 cottahs 5 ohittaks Thirteen Sonthals have lost 97-bighas to muhinny by private bale in batisfaction of their dubts Most of the Sonthals are labourers An olil palle of 1250) shows the rate of rent as i anans, 6 nnuis, 8 andas and 12 annas per bigha In o'z-09 of rettlement of lands aftor the salo of the rriyati muterest, the rate hins been much onbancor p9, Badul Sonthal holds 4 bighas at Rs 9, and Lakhiram Sonthal liolds 3 bigas at Rs 1-1 No II DITS Serial No Amount of land now held Amount of lan lot REMARKS Unsecured Seoured Seourity B с CE B C Rs RE ] 70 0 0 230 293 0 including jungle and banu lands 21 0 70 mortgaged. 2 4 0 0 4 Aras & kur, ... Flolds land ralysts 3 O 10 0 5. 8 0 90 aras 1 ... RO. 17 kun .. Holds 8 bigbas kursi tenancy, and 4 bigbas under sajha Foldg 2.bigbaa kurfa tenedoy. 1, втво . DC 5 6 7 8 9 14 10 0 18 14 0 9 0 I. . 74 0 0 . 508 Sale deeds eroosted in Ratisfaction of debts.

·I (0) No. XII. Serial No, Amount of land dov held. Amount of land lost. REMARKS. B. C. CH B. c 0 O 19 0 Sold in satisfaction of debts. 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Lost after a soit. In possedBIon of the Dhukku ammavars. 12 80 70 20 30 40 30 15 48 40 6 7 8 9 10 11 Lost after the death of the tepants. In Possession of Banomal Ghosh, aimadar. 16 0 28 0 404 0 No. XIII Berial Amount of land now held Amount of land lost Debte Unsecured REMARKS. No. 1 1 B. B 90 1 CH 0 10 In 7 BIS kurje. 1 are karie. 10 Sold up egotica for arrears of rent 10 2 9 0 0 0 3 4 11 9 0 0 1 ara 3 kuris o'o 6 Bold ut auotion for debt. (Regular Cinl Court decree ) Sale-doed exeonted, RS 100 000nderstion money. 22 25 ::.*: 0 8 14 0 39 0 156 0 7 10 aras karia No. XIV. 1 2 20 0 8 18 0 6 1 3 0 0 2 aras 33 aras 14 This tenant tool setkaris 9 pies. tlement of three bigbas after sale. 3 0 12 0 0 8 OVO* 6 7 8 14 4 16 0 0 0 0 e 0 0 7 8 9 10 11 0 6 12 13 0 12 ereg kurs. 8 Took gettlement of four bigbes lands after sale. 12 13 20 11 0 O 81 18 97 0 ·I (c) KURMIS XV, -Kond-kanal Broken ... Kumus Bontbals Domnes I Bengalis . Houses. 30 20 10 1 .. This is a Kurmi village, in whioh the alien raiyats are Sonthols and Domes. 2. There 18 a Manto Mandal who has still a 4-anna share in the village. Eight andas Was sold up in the Civil Court for his debts, and 4 8DD8B Was sold by : 00-Bharor, a dar-moharars being taken in exchange. 3 This is a typioal Kurmi village, in which the old thica jama of the village (R. 19-3-14)* for about 2,500 bighas lands (including junglo apd 800 baghas oultivablo lands) stul exists The patnidor (Midnapore Zamındari Company, Limited 18 trying to have the game enhanced, and the old village thua gama canoellod The bute bave gone up to the High Court 4. The raiyats also pay the old rato of rents S'annas por bagha There has been no enhancement in their jding recently 5 The Mandals have got 92 bigbes khom lands, and bosides this make a large amount of profit out of the rents, (about Rs. 400) realized from the raiyats Serial No. Amount of lecd now held. Amount of land lost Old rent l'resent rent. REMARKS. B. Ccu. B Rs A. RE A 1 92 0 ... DO ID 2 3 46 46 0 0 0 0 LU 5 0 0 0 24 17 21 7 10 10 9 8 అరం.. NO : 7 8 I 10 OOOOOO 0 0 12 0 .. 3 ara: ... 20 14 0 0 0 0 11 12 13 14 92 big bas were held as Mandalı hhem for 8 andas share sold ap euotion at the Civil Court (regular) for a dobt of Rs 11,800 Mandalı khem 4 annas share. Not known lle now holds there lands uoder dar-moharars settlement. 12 12 0 13 13 0 14 6 14 6 Mortgaged to No. 3 4 5 4 6 6 0 9 0 He holds these lands undor sagha Bettlement, and pays paddy to the poi chasor, Gour Mehtor 8 0 8 0 5 0 5 0 6 Sold to No 3 5 He holds theso 14 bighas under aagha settlement, and pays 3 aras paddy to purchase of raiyatı interest. 60 Holds these lende updor sogha settlement 8 0 8 0 Sold to No 3 5 0 5 0 7 Sold to No. 3. 7 8 8 7 0 7 7 0 9 0 Abandoned, 2 8 2 8 1 1 2 8 2 8 1 0 1 0 14 9 4 0 15 80 24 0 6 0 0 7 0 I. 15 0 19 0 0 0 36 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 : งง: 12 0 9 0 7 12 11 6 10 2 10 0 0 0 Total 298 11 10 168 0 .. Gendes ·I (0) ulus TEA SALBANI. XVI.Nadang : Brokon. Village population Bonthal Houses. 60 40 mad Nasiruddin 1. It is alleged that the tabsildar of the pata,dar got the Mandalı nght (called yara) transferred to himself by not granting the Sonthal yaradar Raporta by Maulnı Salyid Muban rent-receipts for the rents paid by him, and thus falsely putting him into Artenrg for rent. 2. The Sonthal yaradar's family holds 50 bighas londs at Rs. 18-12 rent But the rate of rent paid by the other raiyats 18 Rs. 1-4 per biglia for all olasses of lande. 3 Thore 18 & Mission patshala in the village itself, and the Pandit Banaram Hebrom is also a Sonthal Eighteen Bontbal houses from tbis village attend this patshala Now 27 Sontbal houses bold lands Twenty houses, as per statement annexed, bold 217 bighas 14 cottahe 121 ohuttaks, and have lost 24 bighas 11 cottahs 17} whittaks lands. Kartal No Tool of bend DO hold Annount of Land lout BOVABXO. Dobt UDKOODT d. PONATIS C CE ва са 30 O MC 8 . 0 Sold to nahajax far doble loterant a lart per an Ditto. 5 13 1 0 11 arv 4 kudu plek 7 ru Sold for B. ch. 7 10 10 » 14 ore pe R 10 or more. 7 en R1 6 muundo reddy per rapes Ditto & maunds peddy por raped 1 por rupay larant. Ditto (4 kar=1 maruda ) B 13 6 9 & ist 14 ans Inri. plus Blue & 10 14 17 217 1 . 15 16 kurv 12 13 6 131 13 D 0 14 7 0 0 16 $ 16 10 16 120 5 ou 10 turis 7 av 10 lod, pluku. 14 17 6 11 171 Arbien y victloo 10 60 O Ditto 19 8 13 Ditto Total 117 14 124 21 11 17 XV11--Rupaipur Broken - This is purely & Sonthalı Yıllage It has a population of 23 Sonthal houses. Sixteen Sonthal houses bold lands 2. The Bonthals pay rent to & Don-Conthal yaradar, sad the bonthals have not lost their leads 3. A comparison of rent receipts shows that about seven years ago rent was enhanced by about 2 andas in the ropee 4, The Sontuals have to give bethbegarı service to the yaradar, and have also to Bapply one fowl per house gratis ; a payment of eana per rupee tahrir 18 made to tbe gomashta for rent receipts. 5. Twenty or 22 Sonthali ohildren attend the village sohool here 6 These Sonthels are comparatively better off than others. They have also got landı in other villages. JHARGRAN THANA MAHAL JAMBUNI. XVIII - Ranipal Brokon.-The original clearers of the soil are still living. TLO tonare-holder has arbitrarily Dreased the rent of the Repurta by Moolu Ekranuddin. village after a measurement. XIX.-Dhuniapal : Broken -The onginal olearers of the soul are still living. The tenure-holder increased the rent of the raiyata by hanng their lands measured. 2 ·I(c XX.-Bhadua Brokon. The present headman is the fifth in descent from the onginal aloarer of the soul Be is still Mandal of the village for 4 IDAs shere. He and his 00-sharors increased the rest of the ralyats on an increase in his own rent being made by the landlords. No. XVIII (above). D No & most of Hand DOW bold Amount of hand boat UBBurud Secured Bucurity Bighuu. Baghas 11 for Nold money Londer dobta Uitto ditto. of aton 6 paddy so per cat PO OD 1 bh of 10 mg paddy. 1 bulun of paddy 7 IL No. XIX (above). 1 10 are of 10 btghe paddy Simplo mor Repaid Danu, Bull do. 1 Interest 375 per cent Bioplo mortis. No-pu Om Bliu dua 1 be Lovarda 17 Par cat 30 en of 10 va . 881 id Boli to monas-dor for debte Drito ditto - : 'Hi, DO 10 19 Bold to money lender for detta No. XX (above). 40 Sold to Dodoy lendor tor dobt who re-solthed 14 bugbu. 8 10 swad a biglas peddy. Alle De Barlo Amoont of loon on Iptere 37 per quat. Now do I be 18 anos Bold to the poney-leader for dobta 13 14 18 10 7 any of paddy srichs unda uentruotuary parts. lataust 8 pat sunt Unatructnars morto in le of laboral 17 10 19 LO sold to money Londor for døbta 18 ar ol 16 blab paddy In 379 per ont Qopla mortugu. A pont of loan lo ITI pes ont, Kepal mag-lander for Gold dubta BO GOPIBATLABBPOE TRANA. DKLYABERA MAHAL XXI.- Dahamar Broken.-Fourteen Bontbal house. The village was made than by the proprietor of the pargana K. C. Prohoray in 1304A. There are only . Goraut and Manjhi in this village, who distribute the other duties of Nabi_and Jog-Manjhi Amongol thom. There is no Paraniak, Jog-Paradick or Kadam Naiki. There is stall Nuki khom nu the village; other then lando dover eruted.

·I(C) Rents appear to have been increased in 1304, bat original papers are not fort hooming The statement shows mainly indebtedness on account of the forent scaraty, and only transfer of 20 bighas on account of debts dunog the last 12 yean. 10 PAEST TUL DOL BEIT PUIK. ABES Are Xoga Bejba Money Sajhe Up Booned B с A B. cc Bighes 50 18 12T Low 10 0 15 11 12X 017 0 13 7 Idag No dubte. . 18 0 1. 0 't per mat Tyo piree boot Once seonlod mort uick bar 6 13 21 OB 16 19 AM 0 12 08 13 0 6 IST 0 57% pesat, One almplo S. (100) 7 0 6 10 Ids 12 16 JOH 7 A kubograr. Leus 1 10T 0 10X 1 • 10 10 . và thu La eleculad , hoor JD Hyal and repaid IL in Bhador 2 0 212 10 174 . 7 15T S 0 morge Bimpla (1000) Lous Unknown 13 0 12 0 13 13 13 SX 6 6 120 6 1229 0 De 0 31 5 017 ons ZN bu land originally I nged to. Nonth ho need on Locoant ot dehin nghas ol of har bara given to Dikin, No Job 17 15 1 11 13 11M 0 5 123 1 8 8 ON 1 1 0 OLS 12 1 DILLO 17T 18 Louso 10 Almont 91 7 3 164 0 6 15 0 19 10 3 7 0 6 10 11 0 N 9 Kubaws was far 4 yuan (DOR, Los inuent ro-pwd to propriclor 71 14 5 0 3 10T 6 015. No deblo S 16 3 10 10 THM ---- T=Total aren M=Arus on money rout B- Ara do naged ront IXII-Gohar mara Broken (Bu Sonthal and eight Blunuy house) - There was formerly a Bhomiy Manlal, but the village was resumed by the proprietor K, C Promoraj 10 13044, after & mcisure ment and ABSEEB Ment of rento 10 the partene Repte lave not boan raised since 1301 The Bhumijes came from Patkum, whore their burial-ground (scemdır.) 18 still 1 kun-8 Boom 16 kurisel ara, BHUMIJ BS. Dulan Singh sold all bus land, about 6 bighas, to Ledbu Raju. Nodo Singh has given a usufruotuary mortgage of 2.bigbas of his lapd to another Bbumij Tengu Singh has taken tho above 2 bighoe in mortgage (asufruotuery) from Nodo. Ile has got 14 bıçbas of land. He owes 5 aras 8 kuna and a small debt of Ro 1-8, taken three years ago at interest 2 pice per rupee a month. Arjun Singh has lost so land He last year executed a bond for Rs. 20 and 9} atas of gralo, mortgaging 7 bigbas of land. 'Thu interest on the grain 18 5 kuris in the are (16 kuris) Gour Singh has lost no land. He mortgaged 3 bigbag last year He has a debt of Rs 10, interest being 2 pice in the rupee per month. Sukra Singh executed a bond in favour of a Mabto for 5 arns this year; he has repaid Rupees 7 18 due to oue Kuar Ben at 2 pico in the rupos interest for money takon to BONTEALE. Luba Merindi. He 18 a labourer, multivatos no land and has do debta Lopro Muna qultivates 3 bigbas; bas lost po land, and has do debts. Kandu Murmu cultivates 15 bighas, has never lost any land, and has no debts Kela Tlemrum cultivates 21 bigbas. He mortgaged (m 2nd September 1908) 5 baghas 16 ooltahs to the proprietor for . debt of 6 aras with interest at 5 kuru in the anon nocount of the recent poercity. In his running nooonat he has made in 4 Aras pay rent.

·ula I (0) arrangement to pay 3 eras a year for 4 years at the same rate of interest, mortgaging 12 26th August 1908 10 bighas 18 cotta hs. The proprietor's account book shows, inoluding the kutbard of 12 asas, about 19 aras due (excluding seed grain for which he owes 2 aras), of which he has repaid about 8 aras this year. He has also takon a loan of Rs 5 at interest 2 pice in the month to pay big rent Phagu Marandi owes 2 ares, at rate of interest 8 kuris in the are He mortgaged last year 5 bigbas at the same rate of interest for 3 eras of g1810, and has repaid the principal Kankar Marandı oultivatos 51 bigbas, and has lost zo land The distinctive feature of this village is the large number of mortgages executed last year on account of the scarcity in the distriot in favour of the proprietors and others GOPIBALLADHPUR THANA. MAHAL NAYABABAN. XXIII Hatmara Brohen-This village consts of Sonthals, Bhumijes kod Pans (Tamaria Tantıs). The Bhumijes are Deshwali_Bhumijes who do not know the Sonthel language. such Bhumijes are rare in this area Formerly there was a Bhumi Mandel who Tocol ved remuneration at the rate of Rs. 12-8 per cent. The Bhumijes call their priest a Dher. DEBTE. BalMIJER. REMARKS. Unsegured Secured | Boounty Karam Singh Rs. 275 ... 6 bigbag .. Usufructuary mortgage 12 years ago for principal and interest Simple mortgage 2 year ago. Rate of interest 87 per cent No debts. 7 aras 7 .. Ram Lall Gauge 8 kurie Rs 11... . ... ... Kohta 12... 11 Taken for payment of rent at 50 per cent interst last year. Taken for payment of rent last year, Done repaid except interest at the rate of 50 per cont Simple mortgage a year before last None repaid, as crops failed Chaton 10 aras 21 brghes XXIV.- Saiguria Brohen.—This villago consists of about 40 houses of Sonthals, 7 houses of Bhumijes (Patkumis), an Uriya and a Manzbiman. There was once a Bontbal Prodbad but he was removed. The Manjbi is the Naikı, there 18 Do Kudam-Naiki or Jog-Paradiok. There u Do khoin land. DEBTI. REMARKS Unsecured. Bequred. Seourity BONTHALB Kandu Raro Buhu Rs. 2 (1907) ; : No debts Do. A labourer took the money for clothes, at 1 ADDE & month interest IE Budra Sagor 2 aras Ra 8 (1908) :: ... . Teken for purebase of . buffalo; interest 2 pioe per month in the rupee. Taken for seeds 100 per cent. interest; interest 2 proe . month, pripapel only repaid. Sulku .. 10 I. 8 kuris Rs. 8 (1907) BEUVIJES, Gura Singh 10 sras 6 ans 2 bighes Rs. 24. Lara 4 kuris 6 aras 8 kurie 3 bighas.... Sibu Rabal 3 are.. Ustruotuary mortgage for 60 per cent, interest only. Seoured by . bond. Mortgaged last your OD 2000unt of boaroity, ropard 4 aras & kuris. No debt ODO Khetra Man- ·I (0) alvu XXV.-Nayagan 8,- Sonatan Patra.- The holding of this man dates from 1310 Formerly Chaiton Manjhi, Monoo Manjhi and Sukra Singh Roporta by Babu Rampada Cbatazji had three jotes of two big hos 7 cottabs 8 chattaks, 10 Deputy Collector, oottshs 2 obsttaks, and 1 bigba 19 oottas, respectively But they went away from the village, leaving their lands to take care of themselves Sonatan Patrs took settlement of these leads from the estate with 10 bighas 17 cottabs out of waste land in 1910. But ferning that the heirs of the former tenants might claim the lands afterwards, be got hold of the old raiyats at their new homes in Mourbbany and got & kabala executed by Chaiton Manjhi and Madoo Manybu, on paying them some money: Sukra Singh was dead without any heir by that time and consequently no kabala was ezeouted by him or hus heirs, there is no other son-aboriginal tenant in this village XXVI --Ranboni.-Sudarson Ghose and others ---This holding formerly belonged to Sambhu Bingb (Bhumi) Under a kabala , Sudarson Gboke and others purchased at in 1900 The vendor has left the village and now lives in Majhal Bhag in Mourbban), whore he has got fresh land There is no other nodº aboriginal tenant in the village Jangal Sing 18 & tenant in the village. Eu mahajans aro Dhoninjoy Bera and Kapa Para of Sangre. From them be used to take occasional loans of paddy. No documents are exeouted for buoh loans The mihajans have got & khala (book) of their owI, 10 which they make the entry of the quantity of the paddy taken, and in theso boobs the period taking luan has to append his signature or mark The condition of the loan 19 that, at tho tirst harvest, the debtor will bave to pay 50 per oent over and above the quantity taken If any quantity 18 left oopad, oompound interest at the rate of 50 per cent 18 taken per year T'he 2000unt remains ozolusively in the hands of the mahajans, and they can manipulate it as they liko My expenedoe 18 that, if a man once falls in the grip of the mahajan, he seldom gots out of it unscathed without losing the whole or at least a part of the holding. In the above partioular instance, the aforesaid mahajans have convertod the paddy duos into cash, and have got two mortgage deeds excouled for 3 biglas of the tenant's lands eaoh for Rs 76 and Rs 68, respectively. At present it 18 a simple mortgage. The lends aro in pobaession of the mortgagor The mahajans are sitting tigbt over the document, and, I am afraid, a fow years hence Jangal Blog will have to part with his entire area in liqudation of debts thus contracted, and will have to cast his lot in the wilds of Mourblian). XXVII Asanbani Kanoo Sao 28 e mohajan, and has got extensivo paddy-londing and money-lending bunners He purchased the lands of Dahiloo Singh, son of khada Bingh, about 6 or 7 years ago, under e rogistered habala Tho orcumstances which lod to the purchese are the same as described abovo in connection with tho mortguge of Jongal Singh. After sale, the vendor went away to Mourbhady to reclaim new lands out of the jungle lle did not come back Ilo 18 Dow dead Pechoo Ghose - This holding formerly belonged to Jati Singh, whoso mahajan ho, was Th18 man had to sell most of the area of his bolding to his mahajan l'achoo Ghose The Oiroumstances which led to the salo are the same as aboro After the Bule, only a mall area romained in bus poB KOBRION whiob he used to cultivato, and also used to find his livolibood by working as a day-labourer. Afterwards the remainder was mortgage with JORBEASION to ouo Dando Gui in the game of his alster-ID-law Jalı Singh 18 now duod HIB SoDB, Biru, Noka, Lodha and Godı Singh, are now ordinary day-labourers XXVIII.-Jharlanak-Kanu Sao.The same poreon as In the abovo village. Ho purohased the area from the same Dabuloo Singh as above, un dor the same olroumstances, Jati Siogh has mortgaged the area in this village also to the aforesaid Lumoo Girl, and nas got no land now. H18 BOD8 are now day-labourers XXIX -Dhobadahı,- Krpasındbu Bera, Kuor Dehuri, Goda Naik, Gubi Khamri, Aol Ohaiton Khamrı took settlement out of khas pat. Jhampal Sedapati was mahajan of Lakhan Manjhi, wbo took some loads of paddy from him; but being unable to pay it off with interest, ho partitioned off oue bigha of his land in favour of Jhampal Senapatı. He is dead 118 son has pon 4 biglas li cottahs of land This area, together with the aforesaid one bigba, was recently reclaimed land This B inslange showing that khagnar upjukla land (ie, land for which rent had not yet been assossed) was bold The son of Lathan Man bi cultivates his own lands Fakır Deburi, Bumbadhur Kar, Bharta Naik and Hruda Kbemn took settlement out of khas patit There are no other non-aboriginal ralyats in the village XYX.Jagannathpur-Kartick Sedapatı (khatian 2), Darje dao, Narayan Buy Setyanath Senapatı.-Almost tho entire area belonging to those men formerly belonged to Bibu Manjhi, who was prodhan of the village One Naren Gin nonaged to get'e bogus amulnamah for the lands in possession of Bisu Mnnjhı, and wantod to toke possessjon of it A olvil but ensued For the cost, Bisu took some loads from Satyanath Seonpati and Shibu Karan But partly for this debt, partly for Civil Court costs and partly Tor, arrears of rent, he had to sell the entire holding. The aforesaid persons have partitione hu yote amongst themselves. Buu has loft ihe village, and now lives in Kukajuil, LLL Mourbhedy Bhiba Karan purchased the land of B19u's brother, Jegte Menuhi He was also a mahagan. Jagta bas left the village and now lives in Mourbhan) Hari De is not a mahajan He is in PO BOBRIon of the holding which formely belonged to Baya Manjhi The latter lost the village for fear of evil spirits, whose influence brought illness and death in his family He now lives in Pathandhs in this pargane, where to bus got a holding of 3 baghas 9 cottabs 8 obittaka on ·Elviii I (0) By-the-bye, it is not out of place to note here that the Sonthals are mortally afraid of ani spints. If any llness or death oooun in his house, he is sure to leave it and to remove with bag and bagsugos to . now site in the same village. If the same calamity vianta bır there also, he moved on to another place. If the evil spirit baudte bim still, be at length leaves the nllage, relinquishing his house, lands and everything. If at that time he gets some money, even a nominal amount for his role, so much so good, if not, he does not care dor it When oultivation and not spread so muoh, and there were more jangles, the enl spints need to muster strong in particular localities; groups of nllagers need to leave their house and homes and lands and move to frosh sites in other villages. Such an instance I found in vıliage Dakhinasol (No. 98). XXXI ---Mundakati.-One Nita Singh (Bhumij) had a large area in the village. Од his death his son, Panda Singh, finding that there was a large arrear of rent due from him, and also that there was a big debt to mahajans, went away from the village, relinquishing bus lands, as at that time there was not much demand for land, and consequeutly no practice of malo The holding was partitioned into small paroels and settled with Alanta Nanda, Kali Behars, Narud Behare, Bamdeb Bers and Bharat Bank, besides with Tipoo Singh (Bhumi)), Gura Sugl (Bhumij), Gadi Suogh (Bhumij) and Mangol Singh (Bhumij). Panda Bingh now lives in Monrbhanj. Kau Bebera gut only 12 oottahs from his predecessor-ID-interest, Jhampal Behare, in whose name there stood 12 oottahs in 1291, to this a large area from Nita Singh was added, giving rise to his present holding. Naran Nunda u in possession of lands whiob stood in the name of Bandı Nasayan Patpalk in the gamabands of 1291. There are no other non-aboriginal tenants in the village XXXII - Duldals-Knobna Digar end others. The Bres formerly belonged to Chandru Manjhi, who sold the area to Jokta Bebara by a prvate kabala The latter was not his mahajan. This is a bond-file sale. Krishna Dagar is the nephew of Jukta, and DOW 10 postoasion of the area. Chandra's son, Kalaoband Manjhi, has got hug OWR holding in the village Gengadbor Sao and Damıdar Sao This holding formerly was part of a parent holding belonging to Bisu Manjhi, wbo mortgaged thus area to the aforesaid persons for Rs. 24. Being unable to pay the amount, be gave up the area in favour of the mahajan:8, who got dakhil Khary in the landlords' shorida. No kabala was executed. Bisu's son has got other lands, which he ouluvates. Gangadbor Sao purchased lands of Duklus Maojbu by private sale The latter has left tho village, as his two sons died in it. Gangadhor Sao was not bus mahajan TUIN 18 A bond-ride sale. Dukhia Manjbi now lives in Mourbhanj Saukur Bij took settlement of his lands out of patut Gopinath Singh was the mahayan of Fagoo Maozhi The latter could not pay up his debt, and had to sell the entire area to his mahajan. At present Fagoo Manjbi lives in Kukrajun in Mourbhan), where he has reolained a large area and cultivates it. There are no other non-abonginal tenants in the village. XXXIII - Patalan–Sabadeb RansThe jungle was out away by Dhonai Manjbi; but he could not bring the area under ouldvation, as & khal had to be bunded Не let up the area to lapse again into jungle After a few years Sehadeb RADA took Beltloment of it from the estate. Dhanai Manjhi was afterwards killed by a bear H18 Bons now live in Mourbhanj. XXXIV - Nohamala- Kaanath Mahakur and others - This holding formerly belonged to one Baijoon Manjhi Sbub Narain Panda je bus mahajan Baijoon Menju fell into AITUO of rent The estate brought a rent out against him aud got a decree, 10 exeontion whereof his holding was sold ap and purchased in public anotion by Kaanath Mebakur in 1309-10 After this sale, Bajoon Manjhi rernored to Ohbalinasol, where his son, Ramdas Manjhi, 18 e day.Labourer now. Krisbna Kundu.- This holding formerly belonged to Mancing Manzhi. It was sold in pablio auction in execution of a dearse for arrears of rent, and purchased by one Baustob Gin of Alampur, wbo sold it to Krishna Kundu under a private deed of sale After this sale Manang Manjbi took possession of the lands of one Fulrai Madha, who had left the yıllage, relinquishing has lands. But sobuoquently be sold the area to Kbetu bose of Gubia Dangar under a private dood of sale. This is a bona fide sale. Mansing Manjhi has now left the Vilago, and has gone to Jhawn to realaim Dow lands out of the jungle Kapdra Madjbi -Bhagabap Chund was Kandra's mahegar. He brought a money suit against Randra Manjhi and got a deorde To pay the decretal amount, Kandra sold about 12 lughae of his best ladds to Krishna Patial under private deed of sale Hu bas now got only 11 bigah of land of the worst sort He is now a day-labourer. Lhenu Mohapatra.-Thus holding was taken out of paint. Tara Chand Patra –This holding formerly belonged to Buraz Manjhi, who has left the village and gone to Mourbhanj. The sale was verbal. The purchaser was burni's mahayan. Nat. Guri and others This holding consists of -(1) 2 big has 17 oottahe 10 ohittats, which belonged to Nata Guri before 1291; (2) 9 oottahe 10 obitaks purobased from Tipoo Manjbi, and (3) 2 bighas 11 oottahs 14 ohittak, taken from patut. Tipoo Manjhi 18 dond. Ulu sons have got a big holding in the village. Rama Chandn Reut and others-Thus boldıog formerly belonged to Arjoon Medjbı, wbo used to take loads of paddy from Ram Chapdn Rant and others in liquidation of which ·1 (c) Ili Arjoon Manjhi had to sell 7 bighas out of his goto. This was a verbal sale. No document was exeouted. Arjoon's son las still got a big pote in tho village. Shib Prosed Mobakur and others - These were nahajans of Ananda Manybı. Ho had to sell his entire holding in liquidation of his debts Auenda Manjhi 18 now dead without beira, There are no other non-abongmal boldings in the village GOPIBALLADA PUR THANA. MAHALS KHELABURAM AND NAYAGRAM Qo land XXIV.-Panchgau hin Broken - This is the village in which the Parganat of one of the collection aroles of the Nawab of Murshidabad, the proprietor of tho Nayagram pargana, dwells The Parganait 18 both the Medbi and the Nok of the village The Paraziok ani! Jog-Manjhi are the same as the Gurait There is no Jog-Paradick or Kudam-Naiki Jagarnath Hermon sold his lands, 3 bigbas, to a gwala (a cultivator), and not a maha pin and went to another village Lobo Mandi lost his lapide Ai\ or seven years ago when a minor, becauso there were агеаrѕ оf гоnt It was presumably sold up for rent Burhan Turu agreod to a transfer of his land to another Sonthal, because he could not pay the rent. He is the Parganait and has do land now. Bhungu has got 11 bigbas 7 cottabs on a rental of Bs 16-4-10 He bas Do deb at present Dails cultivates 22 bighas odd on a rental of Rs 8-5. Ho has no debts, and has lost Likhi cultivates about 6 bighas on a rental of Rs. 2 4-5 Lo has no debts. Gengu cultivates uo land in this village Go has no dobts Lukup bas zo land His father fled, because he could not pay the rent, and the land went to a Puran (Bhuniya). Gunda never had any land Naraa ncvor had any land Kandu never had any land Gopi bus land 19 another village, 7 big has 17 oottahs on & rental of Rs 3-11-5 He mortgaged 19 cottabs, to a Bahora, without oxecuting any document, on account of nouey takeu tor arrears of rent H. has & debt of two ares, To also owes the Nawab 12 kuri of grain, at a rate of 25 per ceut. Pitho never had any land Ite 18 a Labourer IXXVI -Saningni Broken --Tho Dlanjbi adů Narkı oro one and tho same. Tho Jor- Manjbi and the Parauick are also tho same There is no 1 udan-Naiki or Jog-l'arnica The village wes brokon at the time all the villages were made khas in the porgaua by the Noweb of Mursbudsbad. Originally there were Furade in the Hlage , they left it on the Sonthals oame in Thero are now 20 houses of Sontbals 1. Shamu originally had 29 biglias Sit biglia, wont many years ago Ten bighet were transferred by way of a usufruatuory mortgage to a mihajar, wbo sold the lapıl to some One else There is now a dupute as to possession of the land H18 debts are four ares of grain due to two Kurn Mahtos , ttey beld bis 1 cocipta as seourity for repayment 2 Konda's roul-reocipts shows the following Re. AO hal (rico land) il biglas 8 cottahs- Rent 5 15 15 Wood 0 6 Cess O 3 10 0. . Dahi (uplands) 1 bigba 11 cottahs- Ront Pbalkor Cess 1 11 0 0 3 15 0 0 15 :: U. has lost no land. No has mortgaged (usufructuary) 3 bughes of his land for r. period of six years 3. Surau Suren -Oue of his rent-receipts contains an entry of 2 annos for wood (banhar) on whuola 009918 chorgod 5 grudas Lo cultivates 6 biglas 13 oottahs of debu ledd at Rs 3-12, las no delits, except a usufruotuary Diortgage of 2 bighas 4. Karin sold, 4 biglas tor Rs 98 to two different mahajaus IIo gave a nmple mortgage of 7 biglas of wahi land last year to mchayan for Rs. 56 at andas 8 in the rupee intorest, llo owes i ara 4 kuris to one Bula Mobto. He also owes 3 aras to another mahajan Other recent debts woro repaid with his crop this year. Cultivates altogether 12 bigbas 14 cottalis of gal land, and 7 bigbas 10 cottabs of dahi land 5 Bundu cultivates 14 biglas 18 cottabs of jal lood at Rs 7-15-5, and 3 cottabs of dah Land at As 1-15. He gave a usutruotuery mortgage for the interest alodo of Rs. 100 'two years ago, ou acount of the Boarity He intends to repay the principal by selling to another wahnjun half of the land mortgaged. He owes also 4 aras at 50 per cent inturest ·I (0)-I (a) 6 Mohan has got 6 bighas odd at a rental of Ra 8-16-10. He has no debts. 7. Diblu has 11 bighas 4 cottahs at a rental of Rs 5-3-6. He owe 17 kario to two different mahajans, et 50 par cent. interest. Hu rent-receipts show the following:- Area Ragt. 11 bigbas 4 cottabs l'halkar (wahua) Wood Cere Rs. A. P. 5 3 0 7 10 O 6 0 C 3 JOA DI Total 6 4 0 Rond cess is cborger in phalkar, in this case on mahua troos He is just about to executo a usufructuary mortgage for 3 bighes, 10 order to pay off 3 aras due to other puhajans d. Mongal bas got 1 bigha 13 cottahs He owes 1 ara at 50 per cent interest ; also la 7 takcu 10 1907 for a marriage at 50 per cent, of which Rs 2 has been repaid. 9. Durga never had any land He has no debts He oultivates shigli and labours 16 Lalu has no laod Lis father sold all his land to 8 mahajan, and they fed from the village He returnod Now he works for ono Dasrath Mahto in the village as a servant. 11 Dubraj never had any laud Ile Also labours for Dasrath Mahto The other villagers had all godo off to labour in the jungles for many days baid that they had no land, and never had any It was APPENDIX 1, DISTRICT BALA SORE JELL 48ONE THANA 1-Rulolgend, Intact -Kamla Murmu .s the yaradır of this villago It 18 a temporary right. The rant 18 Rs 11-8 anil 0088 8 anuas. The ijai udar bes get man land consistiug of 6 bigbag and one that. (20 bigbas) of uplunds Heute were fxed about 20 yosrs ago The rest of the village is divided as follows.- Rs. A 5 Baraa Manjhi Dus Potar Madheb Nepdı Barju sobu . 2 1 0 8 Total 12 8 Taking the renta as an indioation of the amount of dispOBRORSION, Arons not being available, five eighths of tbe value of the oultivation of the village has gone out of the bands of the Sonthal 10to those of small rrahajans Dunn NAME OF SONTKAL Beat Land lont RIURGO REMCE Uomrurad Securd Noort Bu Koplo | 11 In paati. 4 Vakaowa Land lost. Lootal R. 14 Tau tertyd o Baiju Bahu, boczne Rt coald not he pold 5 g Vodiructurers mortfor hotarons Slove, waltiratid by Boathal bhagts Vastuto mort gege for lalorant oal 1 repo Lootb Barn 60 10 byghaCivil Conit dem efter mortpige to Madhab Naadi lor dobi. No load, asoopt homestead, bot real od 10 pet det Aatu KROQ Led. Patha boat chant Lbouring Luro no bad und Devar bud any All Harul dlad) Bold Dor Patron Moroant a debe for money for the price of bullocks Gron Buros (ded). Bold to Xadbab Nandi labojan Tous not ·I (d) II.- Maturgora Intad - Bars Homrom 18 the varaday of the villago He has & patta of at, period seven years His profit oonsists of 4 bighas of man lands. The Nakı has also got man land He collecte rent from two Dikkus, as well as the oven other Sonthal booses in the village Land is poor; about 100 bigbas are all. The total rent fized by the ijaradar 19 Rs. 46, and oess Rs. 2-14, DDT3 NARE O GOSTHAL Leat Lead lost RRIARES BELRE. Lasecured | Berreu Berunty R. 10 & blah Gale lor 6 Tomis BN Horror Binhrl Chota Pbatu 1 Vakpowo h 10 JAD 1a per rent Ini 1 pot fized 12 pin a moptb (tor marruge e pepek) 411 his Origoel dehy I sufrue land tue morton all his land for the inte ist alope 374 per cent pire in the month 1 loobin. Alnut Do 1 Bru .. Labstai Chota Dako Dann R: 2 Desmut KARI Ohota RAL Baciu & Euriu 37 per cent huhu Abandoned, because it ww poor ledd 13 Total reni Disku's rept Reat Rs 4 Bod ceu Ke, 9-) Il-Karragoria Intact.-The present headman 18 the great-grondson of the original clearer of the soil. Roports by Mauln Ekramuddin Berial No NAYI OF BOSTJAL mouot ol land now beld Amount of Land Lost Amonnt of lulod given IN Quuſrus fuary uruge LENARL> RIYAPAF Bluri | Suunts bin urel Busbase Bighau Brhus Bighal 20 . 5 Dom. Hbu (lui Ιπιιι Chharu Mansing Dirch ID bbaju ILL uchi Birnu halu Jluss baru Ram) Hhonda Y.DRID Sold 1o Jander Jooney - 10 12 is Dito 10 17 2 Gold for debts 8 inutis ol paddy f 3 nrn pudik Urinctuary portghe In Heu ol Internal Bimple portar 4 nrn -paid Eur due InterpL S7 & por un 18 Kenm Lom 8 Arbitrarily settled sit another by B wloor bed DLD & gomashta Bola in Luction for dabta Hola 10 noneylander for debu Nadta 7 13 } Ohbolo Man 21 ca 3 putla of padus e) R 82 3 R01 Jayron مه } Appropriated by a lored to bong land bed buca tutelare ha Umfructuer molto in hou of interest Gieplo mortgage ADOODL of 1 loan Leten 6 BE psid SIG Ra 3 atall due Tuleret 37 b per cent. Unatructuary mortgago lo lleu of intorant Stru paddy Pallu Nong 7 of 1 Kulo 1 paddy. Unutructuary mortgavo in lica ut inlarigt ·lii I (d) IV.-Kondkhunta . Old, but brokom. The present headman 18 the great-grandson of the original clearer of the soul. The zamındars increased the rent of the ralysts 12 1305 B.B, by having the lando measured by the own amuins. LEBT. Present NAME OF BortuAL Amount of land onnolly bold Origim HD Aniount of land Los hold Amount of land Amount of land given usufrnotuary mortgage BERARE BALABES lout Surial Yo Barured Unsergrad Becurity в осо в сов ECCO DC. CU ..O CI Bighan. 1 Thakun 18 OO 13 00 6 16 3 R, 13 0 100 5 paris of paddy Userusuy mortgage in Iron of internat Uaulructuary amplo mort. Sate for the made land for which wufructuary mortga has been ziren. Ampount of loan Men > TART , 2000 M-pud. Jatereot 60 per cont Bımpla mortrup amount of loan laten 6 year LRTO None ro-pald Interont 25 per cont Thirteen and hall peutka u due Simplu Korigue lutui ost 50 per cent 2 Bido 4 17 9 9 0 3 4 17 9 & peatin of pwildy putla of Paddy 2 3 Kharo Luo 5 Bitant No 1 6 Menn No 8 41 79 600 47 73 9 9 0 3 14 7 Dukhi 6 100 SOD 0 10 8 I} Intenent %5 par (11 200 Bold in Nuh lor 5 Tas, B dobte Forcibly kuris of disponeel byl padily Noib Bold to DODAY lender for dobu. Buna No 1 1) Bitaron No : 10 Knew 7 0 0 I 12 0 ch Sold for conte dersloa 9 0 0 21 Pondo 0 11 IM Originally paid no rept for the land njoyed mnt, or hervice land of An office-bearer Buran No ? 0 15 12 0 6 73 3 6 3 0 11 11 8 8 10 0 R 40 O. 13 Pucia No 1 10 Donn 15 Paulin No 9 18 Bajo 17 kekhel JO Bhim 19 Thot, Koagrey 20 Andi w 11 13 > Umfructuary mortal liou of lawrash. 80oVot known . 5 0 0 Bold to land ludyr brother for delta Dubul Lalbu Bars 1 0 0 200 Bold for deblo Dltro 0 0 93 Demo ... 3 17 8 083 20 9 100 Bold to DODAS londor fur debts Bold lor CODA) doration 1 pantl, 13 19 paglis of turn of paddy. paddy. Labho 10 1 19 11 1 19 Bold for dobta D Verbal usufrud DAPY mont- Guia in lieu of interent Interest 23 per cent 1 Ditto lluna 1 0 0 * Mujho 97 Doma ist PO DO M Toon - 21. pautis B pantu of of paddy paddy 1 M Simple mortar Bu pau us re-psid Hall of the principal still due Interont 80 pot coat Joterput Jo per rent Intor ut 25 per cent Verbal naufruntuary mort are in lica of interest Vatractiery mortgago in Jon of interest 29 Mon 13 14 의 13 14 3 6 0 0 125 2 10 58 8 30 Koal 6 13 13 9 13 13 Bolt lo monet londor for debts 4 Ans of anal of paddy padly 9 sah Bi 40+ 7 kuni ol pautus of paddy paddy 1 peotto al paddy. Simple mortgage Pive pati, & tors re-paid Uno puoti atau due lolørept 60 por men Saterest ' por i sat 81 Ihnda Dbama 0 0 3 10 9 14 3 0 11 4 104 3 13 14 Bold for debta 121 aru of RM paddy Porcibly dlapas llar, 11 ) 10 nu of Tated by land. turiof paddy Indyh cool Paddy 13 ru of paddy Usufructuary morto in log of lolarost. (otorout O por at Nuotractasry mortgago in lled of lolote. totalt BD per dont 20 9 O 100 33 Amts 1 La 18 1 0 - 13 1 1 3. JB No 1 Hala 36 P1 Kailu 38 Dlba pantis of Ipferat 0 por outt. 10 1 3 M BO 18. 1D 108 . 1 1 w 40 Kugha 35 Banyo, 889 8 128 COM O DODP) - Leader dobtt.

·I (d)—II (a) lu Two sorts of measures prevail in the locality. Whore the majority of the money-lendors live- 10 C. . 4 STB 2 måns 10 kuris or gaunis 20 ditto In other villages 3 BTB 1 máns 16 kuris or gadnjo ditto 1 man. 1 kun or gaudi .=1 are. =l pauti. ..=l man =1 kun or geUD .=are. =l pauti .. . 14 The amount of land shown 10 colamns 3, 5, 7, 8 and 12 18 only oultivated land, and the amount of rent shown in columns 5 and 6 is for these oultivated lands only The figures have been taken from the zamındar'. papers. The Naib took possession of 2 bighas of land, on tho raiyata failure to pay a fino of Rs. 20 imposed upon his mother for making the Naib's wife ull by witoboraft I interrogated the Naib He could not deny the foot Maulvi Ekramuddin interrogated the Manager. IIo said that tbe dispossessiou took place without his kauwledge. He told the Southal that the land would be returned to him. APPENDIX II(a). Stalements showing the deeds ezecuted by the Sonthals of the Burbhum District during the ycars 1906 and 1907 MORTGAGES in YEAK Total pumber of mort- Number in which Numbor in which the Number rate of interest was wbiob the rnto guges registered dur the rate of interest was Rs, 24 per varying from of interest was Ing the yoar. cent per annum Rs. 21 to Rs 37-8 over Rs 37-8 over 1906... {\Untractuary, 9 . 18 45 7 Simplo, 70 Usufructuary, dimple, 61 Usufruotusry, 7 1907... 11 37 SALES. 11 Y XAR. Total number of sales registered during the year Number in which Number in which the Number the rato of price rate of price was rangwhich tlo ruto was up to Rs. 10 ing fron Rs 10 to was above per bigba. Rs 20 per bigha bugha Po 20 per 1906 1907 14 75 64 21 19 40 28 IV. LEASES (Kabuliyats). 11 YEAR. Total number of leases registered during the year. Number in which Nut ber in whioh the the rate of ruat rate of rent was from WAS Rs. 2 per ko, 2 to Rs 3 per bagba. bigba Number whiob the rate of ront WE over Rs 3 per bigha .la 1906 1907 35 30 18 19 16 11 10 5 4 ·lo 1(0)-II (c) APPENDIX II (6). Statements showing the deeds ezecuted by the Sontha's of the Bankura Dialnet during the years 1906 and 1907 MORTGAGF8. 10 YEAR. Total number of mort Numbor in which Number in whiob the Number gages registered by the rate of interest rate of interest wag wboob the rate Sontbals during the was 24 per cent. above Rs 24, but not of interest was year. per annu exceeding Rs. 37-8 over Rs. 37-8 1906 18 Simplo, 147 Usufructuary, 27 Simplo, 186 Usufructuary, 15 51 2 55 12 78 25 107 1907.. 24 3 SALRS. Year. Total number of sales of land by sonthels during the year. Number in which the price was abuve Ro 10 or below por bighe. Number in which the price was above ka, 10, and not exceeding Rs. 20 Number ID whiob the proe WR9 Over Rs 20 1906 137 63 25 49 1907 154 53 37 62 LEASEB (Kaonayata) Year Total number of Bucb kabuliyats registered by Sonthala during the year. Number in wbiob the rate of ront was Rs 2 per bigha or less. Number in whuoh the rate of rent was over Rs 2, but not eso cording Re. 3, per bigha. Number in which the rate of ront We over Re 3. 1906 190 102 27 61 1907 287 196 21 70 APPENDIX II (c). Statoment showing the deeds secuted by the Sonthals of District Midnapore during the years 1906 and 1907 MORTGAGES Year. Total number of mortgages registered by the Bontbals dundg the year. Number in which the rate of interest W88 24 per cent per . Number in biob the rate of interest W88 above Rs. but not expeeding Rs. 37-8. Number is wbuah the fate of intorest was above Ba. 87-8. .מטםםם .. Sumple Usufruotuary.. 226 17 11 137 95 1906 1907 61 Simple Usufruotuary 191 24 23 181 ·II (c)-III (.) ly SALES Total number of sale of land by Sonthals during the yeur. Number in whiob the price was Rs. 10, or below per Ligha Number in which the price was above Rs 10 but not exceed. Nomber in which the price was over R. 20. Year. 10g Rs 20 1906 1907 332 200 132 64 68 63 132 73 2015 LEASE! (Kabulivala) كوه 731 532 YEAR Total numbor of such Numbor in which kabuliyats registered tbe rate of rent by the Sonthols was Rs 2 per durng the year bigha or loss Number 10 which the rate of ront was over Rs 2, but not exceeding ks 3 per bigba, Number 10 which the rate of rent was over Rs 3 كيه 1906 329 1 16 33 148 1907 260 103 23 128 276 APPENDIX III(a)* Statements showing the number of 8100mastiluted against the Sonthals auil disposer of during the seara 1906 and 1907 w Dubhumi, INSTITUTED Clayy of Suite 1906 1807 Buita for money under Small Causo Court procedure 35 Do, under ordinary prooeduie 5 Do for ejestment under Rent Law 1 Otber suits ditto 55 39 Suits for possesBIOR 4 Other title buite 28 Total 144 92 DIəPOSRD OF DIM mo Di- Yer CLAIR OT BOIT Trans ferred to other courts invaed lor deluule With drnwA with levo Decrced on con lourou Decreed on COD proniko, migerd Decreed On Ati uporte factboo Dorteed aller dos lost TOTAL attor con luet 1 WOO 7 35 1 8 Nor money quiu Woe undor ordinary produre Heat sajto other than for erootment Huito for pommaksion Oller Litla auta 9 1 3 1 so UL S 10 Total 17 5 11 11 - 1:39 1007 $ 2 ION 95 2 30 6 money suit de under ordinary procrdar Bantu olbar than for sjoclment Rults for powerson Other titlo sulu Quulos for wjectocat undar Baut Lan S COM Da 0 1 Toul 7 O 9 1906. Sta tomonts showing the number of Suits mutuuted against the Sadgops, and disposed of luring the years 2006 and 1907 in Rampur Bd Subdtoulon (Birbhum) InBTITUTED. Clau of Suite. 1907. Buts for money under Small Cause Court's procedure 89 23 Do uador urdinary procedure 42 45 Do. for ejestment under Rent Law Other suits ditto 164 219 Suits for posted on 28 35 Other titla suite 62 89 ... 1. DR. Total 880 411 .. The Agar la thu appeadus must be rovined with one tIOR ·lo III -III (6) DIAPOSBD OP. ith DocToad YPAL (LAM OP TITL Trans ferred to other courke Dis mised for default Dortoed Dared op CD on 00421 fomalo premi with lavo m04 Darred og athuporta fection Dia Bised Atrar contest TOTAL content 100g 1 61 11 9 NO 2 10 10 Roe monev puits Soe under ordinary procedure Sasts other than for ojectment Baits for conſagdon Other titlo faits D 16 8 105 19 180 1 10 18 10 00 Total SO 1907 6 28 Tu bor money 2014 under ordinary proredure Bert uulte, other than for ejecimepi Buito for POMPANION Other Litle quite 9 6 8 39 11 16 21 NA > 13 19 5 1 7 Total 10 10 19 DOO C05 Statenscnt showing the numbers of Erccution Sales in carns against Sonthals and Sadgopro Cases against Sontbals (Birbhum) Cases against Badgops (Rampurb&t Subdivision.) YEAR Class or Surts. Number, Numbers ending in sale of right, title and interest of the Sonthal. Number, Numbers onding in salo of nght, title and interest of the Sadgope. 1906 Money buts Rent suits 'Title and other buits 66 51 32 8 19 6 132 164 81 S 12 7 > Total 139 33 377 27 1907 Money suite Rent suite Title and other buto 40 40 15 como 3 17 3 68 219 118 7 22 1 12 Total 95 23 406 41 24 ... Ayorage Dumber of Belee per 100 cases. APPENDIX III(6). Statement alimuting Suit , instituted against Sonthals, and number of Sales in the Dietrict of Bankura for the years 1906 and 1907. YFAR, (a) Total number of suits (0) In how many of these for possession or eject. Buits or execution sales ments and suits, oivil the night, title and or rent, brought against interest of Bonthals the Sonthels during or their holdings have been sold (e) Total pumber of suits that were doorsod ep. parte the year .. 1906 1907 177 173 Average number of sales per 100 cases. 22 25 13 57 50 ...

·ID (0) ITI (0) lyi Statement showing the number of Swede instituted, odc., against the Bhumipes during the year: 1966 and 1907 the Court of the Munad of Khatra. YEAR Total number of mits for Total number possession or of a vil OT ejeotments in riat suits. stituted. Total Brits. In how many of tbebe suita or ex- The total oud cution Baler the ber of suits night, tatlo and 10- deoroed te torest of the Bhumijes or their holdparte. ings have been sold 1906 1 19 2 IN Civil Rent Civil Rent 6 12 7 18 1907 25 6 Average nonber of miles per 100 cases Statement showing the number of Suite instituted, dc., agamat the Baurus during the years 2906 and 1907 in the Court of the Munaft of Khatra. Total number of suits for possession or Total number ejestments in of avil and stituted. ont Boute. YRAR Total suits. In how many of these suite or CIGoution sales the nght, title and 10- terest of the Bouns or their zoldings have been sold. The total dimber of suits decreed parte. 1906 1 44 8 23 Cinl... Civil... 20 Rent... 23 35 Rent 27 1907 1 73 6 21 . 11 0 1. VO. Average bumber of ales per 100 JAS. APPENDIX III(C). Siatonoonts showing the namber of Su's instiluted against different Castry or Trrure, and disposed of, ok, during the year. 1906 and 1907 wi the portion of the District of Midnapore called the Jungle Mahal. IMPTITUTED Sonthals Bhumides kurmis CLAAS OP GUITS 190G 1907. 1908 1907 1906 1907 21 4 Barts for money 19 2 7 12 3 .. .. Bats under Rent Law Undez B. C. C power Under ordinary procedure. Suits for rent Buits for ejectment Saits for ejectiont or Possession Other suits 91 2001 39 1 99 390 . . 11 22 2 3 15 Title and other suite 21 12 3 13 32 Total 151 267 ಸತಿ 139 (439 11 ·lyui III(0) DISPOSED OT Doarted OD CON AGAITIT. IHAL turned to other courir, Du. mused for dolgolt With dnun with Juave Decrand OTL conta slona Dumined ор tiateo tlon Docted Degrond otter perta contest DL minded On sono Total proni 81 Booths 1908 1001 15 16 83 3 10 1 987 Total 29 2 10. 148 DO 416 3 225 Bhpolju 1 DOO 1801 11 45 alka M Total 1 jo 6 19 49 98 184 Iormi { 1970 1907 10 87 ic 17 7 a GI Total 7 33 10 DO LIT 1 Statement showing numbora of Esecution Sales, Year. Number of suits egenst Bontbals. Number 10 which right, title and interest of Sontbal bag been Bold Number of suite Against Bhumijes. Number in whiob might, title and interest of Bhumjes bas been sold. Number of suits agaiost Kurmis. Number in which nght, title and interest of Kurmis has been Bold. I.. 1906 1907 . 151 207 14 17 53 45 132 439 6 6 3 418 98 por 3 571 31 7 12 2 ... .. Total Averege number of BAleg (? per 100 cages, 2. S. Prur20 0.1909 AAJ 100J.LM

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