Burton, Richard Francis: Goa, and the blue mountains: or, six months of sick leave (London, 1851)

196 GOA AND THE BLUE MOUNTAINS.

The weapons used were sword and dagger : a small
shield and a thick turban being the only articles
of defensive armour. This system of duelling was
a source of considerable revenue to the Rajah,
as he was umpire of the battle, and levied the
tax in virtue of his office. The amount of the
fee varied according to the means of the parties.
Sometimes it was as high as one thousand
fanams.""

2. Poorooshandrum—a word literally meaning
the " death of the man"—a relief or sum of money
claimed by the ruler from Nadwallees,f Deshwallees,
heads of guilds, holders of land in free gift or under
conditional tenure, and generally from all persons
enjoying Sthanum or official position in the state,
whenever an heir succeeded to a death vacancy.
The chiefs of provinces and districts, like the
private proprietors, were exclusively entitled to
receive Poorooshandrum from their own tenantry,
as a price of entry paid upon the decease of either
party, lessor or lessee. Sometimes the chiefs
claimed the privilege of levying this tax from
the Rajah's subjects living under their protection.
It is supposed that the Hindoo rulers were entitled,

* Equal to Cos. Rs. 250, about 25/.
f See Chapter XII.