Page:Gazetteer of the province of Oudh ... (IA cu31924073057352).pdf/132

 124 PAR this instance called dupatta) thrown over the head and shoulders, thence falling down to about the knees; under this again the kurti above described is usually worn. Mode of collection and of payment of the Government demand, &c.- The mode of collecting rents and of meeting the Government demand differs according to the tenure of the village. In the case of zamindari and imperfect pattidari villages, the whole proprietary body are respon- sible for the failure of one sharer; in pattidari estates again where the partition is perfect and complete, and extends to the waste and uncultu- rable lands, the defaulting pattidar is alone liable for his sins of omission. The arrangements for the cultivation are, as a rule, made by the lambar- dar or lambardars, or by these in conjunction with the other shareholders. Succession and transfer.—With regard to succession to landed pro- perty amongst the Hindus, on the death of a sharer, without male issue, his widow is allowed to succeed. She cannot, however, alienate the pro- perty without the consent of the community. In the case of inability to meet the Government demand, arising from bad seasons or other causes over which she has had, and could have had no control, mortgage or sale is permissible. On her death, the property goes to the nearest of kin in the male line according to the Shástras. Amongst the Muhammadans, on the death of a proprietor, the widow succeeds as in the above case. If there be more than one wife, each shares equally, and under the same restriction with regard to transfer as among the Hindus. Landed property is usually distributed among Hindus according to the principle of Jethánsi, which securos to the eldest son or heir a larger share than The measure of the Jethánsi varies very much accord- ing to the locality. For instance, in the taluqas of Patti Saifabad and Riepur Bichhaur, in the Patti tahsil, the share of the eldest son is 11-20th and that of the younger 9-20th, the calculation being based on the bigha which consists of 20 biswas. Again, in taluqa Dariápur in the same tahsil, the share of the oldest is twice that of each of the younger sons. In taluqa Dhangarh, in tahsil Bihár, the shares are 9-16th and 7-16th, based on the rupee. In smaller estates the division on these principles is very tedious. Groves: Custom as regards oumers of estates.- I propose first to notice the custom prevailing in this district with regard to the planting of groves, and to the liability of the owner or occupier to the payment of rent in the event of the trees being felled and the land cleared. The first class consists of those who have a full proprietary or under-proprietary right in the lands of the entire estate, and whose responsibilities have been once for all fixed in a lump sum, either with reference to the imperial demand, or to the due of the superior holder in the case of sub-settlements. The superior holder is bound by the tentative rules in force, which, with the object of encouraging the growth of plantations, exempt from assess- ment a wooded area not exceeding 10 per cent of the whole. Failing in this object, grove lands, if found to be wantonly cleared of trees, will be liable to future assessment. Similarly, and by implication, is the discre- goes to the others.