Page:Gazetteer of the province of Oudh ... (IA cu31924073057345).pdf/272

 264 KHE anything in order to escape from the fetters, the stripes and dishonour to which they were subjected. If the estate of Bhúrwára had remained undivided up till annexation, it would have escaped the ruin which ensued in the brief period between Sleeman's visit and annexation; and there is no doubt that it was the dread of divisions and destruction in detail which caused the great Hindu families to adhere to primogeniture for many generations together during times of anarchy and confusion. When there was no law and order maintained by the state, the rája was the sole source of government and protection which existed; in the nature of things that power was indivisi- ble, and in his estates naturally the same unity was maintained ; for no native government was ever strong enough to support itself apart from the strength which belongs to the possession of land. But whenever the function of government was taken up by other hands, and the rája what- ever his title became a mere landed proprietor, then the indivisibility of the estate ceased with the loss of the kiögship with which it was united, The practice of the Ahbans, the oldest clan in Oudh, affords the strongest proof that primogeniture as a rule for the division of landed property was an exotic custom, forced upon the Hindus and Musalmans alike by the absence of an organized government. Sopi. Gopi. Descendants still live in Kuwau Dánda, zila 35 generations intervene. Sitapur. His descendants still in Gopamau, district Kunwar Sáli, Alan Sah Hardoi. Narsingh Deo. Jeuni Bbán, 42 generations intervene. 7 6 generations intervene. Rája Lone Singh, rebel taluqdar of Mitauli. Kirpál Sáh. Rája Mộl Sáh. 14 generations intervene. 19 generalions intervene, Hardeo Bakhsh of Bársi is now alive. Báz Khan. Rahma Khan. Fateh Khan. 7 generations intervene. Iláhi Bakhsh Khan, now living on Gola estale. Abdul Wahid, talaqdar of Kukra. Sangi Khan. Kishwar Khan, Tarbiat Khao. Baládur Khan, Roshan Khan. Madár Bakhsh Habib-ullah Khan, of Niámat-olla of Bhúrwåra, Kotwira. of Jalálpur, 19 villagea. 18 villages. Lál Khan of Ráepur talaqa, is villages. Salyar Khan, Ghursi estate, 6 villages. Rahim Khan, Amethi estate, 3 villages.
 * 18 generations intervene.