DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.34367#0401
A.D. 1795.]
REGULATION XXI.
343
See ActXXIX.
1837.
some charitable donation, frequently proceed, either with some offensive
weapon or with poison, to the door of another inhabitant of the same town
or village, and take post there in the manner called dhurna; and it is
understood, according to the received opinions on this subject, that they
are to remain fasting in that place until their object be obtained, and that
it is equally incumbent on the party who is the occasion of such Brahmin's
thus sitting, to abstain from nourishment until the latter be satisfied.
Until this is effected, ingress and egress to and from his house are also
more or less prevented, as, according to the received opinions, neither the
one nor the other can be attempted, but at the risk of the Brahmin's
wounding himself with the weapon, or swallowing the powder or poison
with which he may have come provided. These Brahmins, however, are
frequently obliged to desist, and are removed from sitting dhurna by the
officers of the courts of justice, without any ill consequence resulting, it
having been found by experience, that they seldom or ever attempt to
commit suicide, or to wound themselves or others, after they are taken
into the custody of Government. The rules and measures adopted for
putting a stop to these abuses, and for preventing the revival of the still
more savage custom, which until within these few years had been gene-
rally prevalent amongst the tribe of Raujekoomars inhabiting the borders
of the province near Juanpoor, of destroying their infant female children
by suffering them to perish for want of sustenance, are hereby enacted
with modifications into a Regulation.
II. Upon information, in writing, being preferred to the magistrate of
the City or Zillah Court, against any Brahmin or Brahmins, for establishing
a koorh, or for being prepared to maim, wound, or slaughter his women or
children, or any or either of them, in the manner described in the pre-
amble to this Regulation, or in any manner substantially similar thereto, on
account of any subject of discontent or any other account whatsoever; in
such case, upon being made to the truth of the information, the magis-
trate is immediately to address to the said Brahmin or Brahmins a written
notice, in the Persian language and character, and in the Hindostanee
language and Nageree character, and under his official seal, which notice is
to be served on him or them by such of the relations, friends, or con-
nections of the said Brahmin or Brahmins as the magistrate may think fit
and have an opportunity of employing for the purpose ; and in default
of such relations, friends, or connections of the said Brahmin or Brahmins,
the magistrate is to cause the notice to be served by a single peon of the
same religion; and the notice shall require the said Brahmin or Brahmins
to remove the koorh, and the women and people that may be placed in it,
or to desist from any preparation toward wounding or slaughtering the
women or children, according as either or both of these facts shall be
charged in the information. The notice shall also contain a positive and
encouraging assurance to the Brahmin or Brahmins in question, that on his
or their complying with the principal exigence thereof, by removing the
koorh and the person or persons therein, or by desisting from any prepa-
ration to wound or slaughter the women and children, and thereon
repairing (as such Brahmin or Brahmins may think ht), in person or by
vakeel, to the City or Zillah Court, proper inquiry shall be made concern-
ing the dispute that may have given occasion to the act or acts thus pro-
children, how to be.
dealt with. To be com-
mitted to prison, &c.
REGULATION XXI.
343
See ActXXIX.
1837.
some charitable donation, frequently proceed, either with some offensive
weapon or with poison, to the door of another inhabitant of the same town
or village, and take post there in the manner called dhurna; and it is
understood, according to the received opinions on this subject, that they
are to remain fasting in that place until their object be obtained, and that
it is equally incumbent on the party who is the occasion of such Brahmin's
thus sitting, to abstain from nourishment until the latter be satisfied.
Until this is effected, ingress and egress to and from his house are also
more or less prevented, as, according to the received opinions, neither the
one nor the other can be attempted, but at the risk of the Brahmin's
wounding himself with the weapon, or swallowing the powder or poison
with which he may have come provided. These Brahmins, however, are
frequently obliged to desist, and are removed from sitting dhurna by the
officers of the courts of justice, without any ill consequence resulting, it
having been found by experience, that they seldom or ever attempt to
commit suicide, or to wound themselves or others, after they are taken
into the custody of Government. The rules and measures adopted for
putting a stop to these abuses, and for preventing the revival of the still
more savage custom, which until within these few years had been gene-
rally prevalent amongst the tribe of Raujekoomars inhabiting the borders
of the province near Juanpoor, of destroying their infant female children
by suffering them to perish for want of sustenance, are hereby enacted
with modifications into a Regulation.
II. Upon information, in writing, being preferred to the magistrate of
the City or Zillah Court, against any Brahmin or Brahmins, for establishing
a koorh, or for being prepared to maim, wound, or slaughter his women or
children, or any or either of them, in the manner described in the pre-
amble to this Regulation, or in any manner substantially similar thereto, on
account of any subject of discontent or any other account whatsoever; in
such case, upon being made to the truth of the information, the magis-
trate is immediately to address to the said Brahmin or Brahmins a written
notice, in the Persian language and character, and in the Hindostanee
language and Nageree character, and under his official seal, which notice is
to be served on him or them by such of the relations, friends, or con-
nections of the said Brahmin or Brahmins as the magistrate may think fit
and have an opportunity of employing for the purpose ; and in default
of such relations, friends, or connections of the said Brahmin or Brahmins,
the magistrate is to cause the notice to be served by a single peon of the
same religion; and the notice shall require the said Brahmin or Brahmins
to remove the koorh, and the women and people that may be placed in it,
or to desist from any preparation toward wounding or slaughtering the
women or children, according as either or both of these facts shall be
charged in the information. The notice shall also contain a positive and
encouraging assurance to the Brahmin or Brahmins in question, that on his
or their complying with the principal exigence thereof, by removing the
koorh and the person or persons therein, or by desisting from any prepa-
ration to wound or slaughter the women and children, and thereon
repairing (as such Brahmin or Brahmins may think ht), in person or by
vakeel, to the City or Zillah Court, proper inquiry shall be made concern-
ing the dispute that may have given occasion to the act or acts thus pro-
children, how to be.
dealt with. To be com-
mitted to prison, &c.