Page:Adam's reports on vernacular education in Bengal and Behar, submitted to Government in 1835, 1836 and 1838.djvu/128

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Dewottur lands are lands given by wealthy Hindoos to Brahmans for the maintenance of religion, in honor of the gods, and for the acquisitions of religious merit. The nature and extent of the obligation imposed by the endowment can be correctly understood only by a reference in each case to the terms in which it is expressed; but, in general, grantees are not much restricted in the application of the property, and they sometimes employ part of it in charity and in promoting learning.

Nazr lands are such as are devoted by wealthy Musalmans to the use of those who give themselves up to the service of God; sometimes the land is retained in the hands of the owner, and the revenue derived from it is distributed with his own hands to the devout and needy.

Chiraghi lands are those the produce of which is devoted by Musalmans to defray the expenses attending the performance of certain religious services in honor of a pirr or deceased spiritual guide to whom the religious merit is transferred.

Pirottur are those which are applied to the same purposes with this difference that the merit is transferred to any deceased saint whom it may be desired to honor.

Population.—In 1801 the number of inhabitants was estimated in round numbers at 1,500,000 in the proportion of two