The Hill Tracts of Arakan Rarebooksclub.com, May 14, 2012 - 26 pages This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1881 Excerpt: ...dispute about a debt or other matter, and neither can produce evidence, they are obliged to go through the ordeal of ducking the head in water; the decision is given in favour of him who keeps under longest. II. Execution.--If a debt be not paid, and the debtor should not be apprehended, the creditor's party, if strong enough, may attack the debtor's village, and carry off as many captives as they can. III. Interest.--The rate of interest on a debt is double the principal if one year be allowed to expire from the date of contraction of the debt. IV. Sons liable for father.--The debts of the father must be paid by the sons; a daughter never inherits, and cannot therefore be held responsible.. Note.--All the above fines are to be accompanied by the price of the animal (pig) slain to make the agreement binding. When murder is committed in a raid, any raiders caught redhanded are at once beheaded and the heads stuck up in the village. A woman may not receive a fine, but a male relative or husband may receive it for hor. V. No male issue.--If a man die without male issue, his estate is claimed by his nearest male relative; he, therefore, is responsible for the debts of deceased, whether there be property or not. VI. Minority.--Should a man die, leaving a son who is a minor, the nearest male relative acts as guardian until marriage, when minority ceases, and the guardian is bound to give an account of his stewardship. VII. Women.--A woman cannot inherit, and is therefore irresponsible for debt. VIII. Divison of inheritance.--If a man die, leaving two or more sons, the property is divided as follows: two divide equally; if there be more than two, the eldest and youngest take two shares each and the others one share each. IX. Customs to be observed.--On the death o... |
