Causes that could not be satisfactorily settled simply by the authority they were referred to, were tried by Punchiet. A Punchiet assumes in the eye of Hindoo law a sacred character, from whence it is also termed Punch Permeswer, or the God of five persons. No oath is administered to the members of a Punchiet; but before proceeding to try a cause, they are reminded of the sacredness of the character they have to maintain, and the punishment that awaits them in the next world should they violate it by acting contrary to their consciences. If the person cast thinks the members have been influenced by bribes, &c. to give a decision against their consciences, he has a right to challenge them by some solemn rites; which if they object to, he is entitled to a new trial, and they are subject to the penalty of perjury. A Punchiet may consist of from two to twelve members, or more; but four is the usual number. It was optional with the disputants to nominate the numbers themselves, or to leave this to the Government; but even in this case they had the right of challenge. The same indulgence and apparent carelessness that characterizes the people in every thing, showed itself in summoning members for Punchiets. These public calls, however, seem seldom to have been considered a hardship: custom had rendered them familiar, and the selection was thought a mark of distinction. Besides, time under any circumstances was not considered of much value, and there was always a chance of profit from bribes or in some shape. The Government of course had a right to call on the numerous list of Deshmooks, Deshpandees, Koolkurns, Puttels, &c. as being its own servants. When it summoned any other of its subjects, any trifling excuse was admitted for their non-attendance; and even if they refused to attend without any reason, they were passed over as persons wrong-headed or without manners. When the plaintiff and defendant nominate the members, they generally arrange with them themselves for their attendance; and it was customary, if the members required it, to give them their dinners during the investigation.

The trial by Punchiet was pretty uniform, and went in a great measure on the principle of deciding on the case as represented by the parties themselves. The plaintiff on applying to an authority for justice was

called on to furnish, 1st, a full statement in writing of his case; 2d, a written engagement from a person of property and character, making himself responsible for the appearance of the plaintiff, and for submission to the award of the Punchiet; 3d, an engagement from the plaintiff himself to be satisfied with the decision of the Punchiet; 4th, all his written proofs; and 5th, a list of his witnesses, with a declaration that he had nothing further to adduce in support of his cause. The defendant was now summoned, and required also to tell his story in writing, and to enter into similar engagements with the plaintiff, and further to deposit a sum of money or give a security, which was forfeited if he did not appear to answer the suit entered into against him. When the members had assembled, the documents furnished by the plaintiff and defendant were handed to them, with instructions to decide the cause submitted to them according to justice. The court met without any appearance of form, and it was always open, unless when the question in dispute had been submitted entirely to the Government, and the members were of its appointment; when it was optional. The investigation began by reading the documents to the plaintiff and defendant, and requiring their acknowledgement of them; or to make any alterations they thought necessary. It then proceeded to a minute examination of each fact as stated by the parties, and their proofs that bore on it; and the members of the Punchiets respectively advocated the cause of their clients in the form of a noisy debate. When they could come to no decision an umpire was called in, or more members were summoned on both sides, and the difficult point was re-argued. An abstract of the proceedings was recorded for the information of the Government; and if the suit related to hereditary rights, boundary disputes, &c. a copy was deposited with the village or district register for future reference.

The village Punchiets were likely to be the most pure, and there were strong checks against any of their decisions being glaringly unjust. The members of the Punchiet were all well known amongst their neighbours, and had an interest and often an honourable anxiety to establish a fair character amongst them. The question in dispute was generally familiar

to the whole community, and was freely argued in the public building of the village. The elders and those whose intelligence was respected were referred to by the members of the Punchiet. Any person might suggest a question, or make any observation that occurred to him; and the whole presented a turbulent and by no means a reverential scene; but it was, perhaps, well calculated to get at truth and give satisfaction.

XIV.

SOME ACCOUNT OF MAHUMMUD MEHDI*, THE WALI

SIR,

OR SAINT OF THE MEHDIVIS.

TRANSLATED AND ABRIDGED FROM THE BOOKS OF HIS DISCIPLES
AND FOLLOWERS.

Read on the 30th March, 1819.

To the SECRETARY of the Literary Society at Bombay.

I Do myself the pleasure to forward some account of the Mehdivis and their tenets, translated and abridged from their books, for the Literary Society of Bombay, should they deem it worthy acceptance.

It is generally known that the Mussulmans expect the appearance of the Imam Mehdi on earth before the last judgement. The question whether he has or has not yet appeared, forms the great distinction between these and other Muhammadans.

The Mehdivis say he discharged his office at the end of the 8th century of the Hejree. The Sunnis, &c., say he is still to come.

I am very uncertain whether I have correctly translated many of their dogmas. In some there appear an obscurity and ambiguity which manifest a desire to interpret agreeably to circumstances.

Many of their opinions are common to other sects, and therefore might have been omitted, but I thought it best to take them as I found them; repetitions will be accounted for in the same manner.

I have left out a number of frivolous observances, as they are said to be virtually included in the 30 Articles.

Want of precision in the choice of words has caused some difficulties; * The word Mehdi signifies a guide, or leader.

and in some part the original is unintelligible (to me at least). Words included in a parenthesis are not in the original.

I have the honour to remain,

Sir,

Your most obedient and humble Servant,
(Signed) W. MILES.

Pahlumpore, Feb. 10th, 1819.

THE father and mother of Mahummud Mehdi were descended from Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet, and were inhabitants of Joonpore, a town near Benares. His father's name was Abdullah, and his mother's Amina*. He was born in 847 Hej.: many miraculous circumstances attended his birth; he is said to have spoken in his mother's womb, and when he was born it was observed he had no shadow.

At five years of age he was sent to school, and shortly after that period was able to confound all the doctors of Hind by the extent of his knowledge. He was therefore termed the Lion of the Learned. He never read himself, but heard books read by others.

In his youth it appears he followed the profession of arms, and in conjunction with a Puthan chief, Sultan Hussein Sirkhi, defeated and slew a Hindu prince named Dulput Rai Gour.

There is no further mention of him until he commenced the functions of his office of Wali at Joonpore in 887; he was then 40 years of age. He afterwards publicly declared himself the Mehdi, at the black stone at Mecca, in the musjid of Taj Khan Salar, at Ahmedabad in 903, and at Birli, near Puttun, in 905 Hej.

It is related that when he received the command from God to commence the duties of his mission, he humbly represented his unfitness for so weighty` and important an office, which had been filled aforetime by such great men as Abraham, Moses, &c., and begged it might be revoked. This he continued to do for many years.

* These are the names of the father and mother of the Prophet Mahummud.