Annals and antiquities of Rajasthan, or The central and western Rajput states of India . eminute dissection of the parts should be afforded. Before, how-ever, we exhibit the [494] general results of these arrangements,we shall revert to the condition of the more humble, but a mostimportant part of the community, the peasantry of Mewar ; andembody, in a few remarks, the fruits of observation or inquiry,as to their past and present state, their rights, the establishmentof them, their infringement, and restitution. On this subjectmuch has been necessarily introduced in the sketch of the feudalsys
Annals and antiquities of Rajasthan, or The central and western Rajput states of India . eminute dissection of the parts should be afforded. Before, how-ever, we exhibit the [494] general results of these arrangements,we shall revert to the condition of the more humble, but a mostimportant part of the community, the peasantry of Mewar ; andembody, in a few remarks, the fruits of observation or inquiry,as to their past and present state, their rights, the establishmentof them, their infringement, and restitution. On this subjectmuch has been necessarily introduced in the sketch of the feudalsystem, where landed tenures were discussed ; but it is one onwhich such a contrariety of opinion exists, that it may be desirableto show the exact state of landed tenures in a country, whereHindu manners should exist in greater purity than in any otherjjart of the vast continent of India. The Landed System.—^The ryot (cultivator) is the proprietor ofthe soil in Mewar. He compares his right therein to the akshay ^ Literally faith (dharma) to his lord {swami).^ Paper of FACSIMILE OF NATIVE DRAWING OF PARTAB SINGH AND RAEMALL. To Jaci page 572. THE LANDED SYSTEM 573 duha,^ which no vicissitudes can destroy. IJe calls the land hisbapota, the most emphatic, the most ancient, the most cherished,and the most significant phrase his language commands forpatrimonial^ inheritance. He has nature and Manu in supportof his claim, and can quote the text, alike compulsory on princeand peasant, cultivated land is the property of him who cutaway the wood, or who cleared and tilled it, * an ordinancebinding on the whole Hindu race, and which no internationalwars, or conquest, could overturn. In accordance with thisprinciple is the ancient adage, not of Mewar only but all Rajpu-tana, Bhog ra dhanni Raj ho : bhum ra dhanni ma cho : thegovernment is owner of the rent, but I am the master of theland. With the toleration and benevolence of the race theconqueror is conunanded to respec
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