The morning call., 1894-11-15
EAST INDIAN TRAGEDY.
How Modern India Treads on the
Heels of an Ancient World.

A recent tragedy 10 Katniawar diyulges how
closely our modern India treads on the heels of
an ancient world. Among the time. h0noIed
customs OF the Hndus certain methods
constraining The uprighteous man 10 do right
under religious pressure. apart from either
physical compusion or the Intervention
of human tribunals. In the bad times
before British rule, when weakness had no
chance against strength and the law
was goad in the bands OF the
wrongdoers rather tran a defense for
The wroaged, such processes OF religious duress
were often the sole mode or obIaining justice.
The common form was Tor the in iuTed Uarty to
Sit fasting at Ihe door of Ihe tent or house of
his oppressor in order 10 compel payment OF a
debt or 20 enforce redress from high official
or prince. AS long as the sutton abSta ined from
food public opinion and religious usage COM
PEELED the Debtor or unjust prince also 10 fast
ana shut himself IN from his usual occupation
or amusements. II The Suitor died al his door
Tie sin Of his death rested upon The wrong
doer.
The process of Dharna ceased 10 be suitable
under the reign OF British law. aud as II could
be used rs i means of eXtOrrIon IL was made a
punishable otfense. But another aud even more
hOnored Inethod survived. Public treaties and
important private or family engagements were
formerly guaranteed Dy a caste OF heralds
(Cnarans) who became responsible with their
life for the futilment OF the agreement. Our
old treaties with The RaipuI princes were nego-
tiaIed in this way, ana Ine documents still bear
The impress OF the herad's daeger-the dagger
which the herald In The event or his being un-
able 10 conStraln either of the contracting par
ties TO perform his engagement. would plung.
into his own breast. The guilt and infamy OF
thus causing a herald's death were long re-
garded az The besE security against breaches of
public faith throughout Central and Western
India.
Notwithstanding The Bombay penal regula.
ton OF 1927, this system OF Traga has fingered
on in various modified forms, especially among
the feudstory States. II the herald feared his
own single drath would not Overawe tile wrong
doer. The proceedings began by the voluntary
sacrifice OF beloved or honoIed members OF the
family or caste. Last weeks mail brought the
decision OF The chief court OF kathiawar In a
case oil lhe kind. A banker had made loan 10
a landholder in native territory. aud took the
pTecautiOn or securing the impress OF the
herald's dagger as guarantee. ] he land.
holder evaded payment. and, on the heralu's
coming u demand II, laughed ar him and re-
fered the creditor 10 the civil courts. The
herald stood as public security for The repay
ment OF the loan. The nonor of his caste was
whatever cost 10 himself and his kindred.
He and his brother and his old mother, after
solemn religious ceremonies, set on once more
for the laudholdef's house.
"Wilt thou pay or nOt?'' lie demanded of the
debtor.
The debtor tried 10 temuorize. The Two
mother Dent low before them, with her neck
outstretcmed for the blow.
81 Will pay as soon the wheat crOD is gar
nered." cried the alarmed landholder.
wilt thou pay now or not?" the herald again
demanded.
The laDdh0lder, ferroT-stricken, began some
incoherent reply. With on sweep OF his arm
the herald struck of the mother's head, an
the brothers rushed with their swords on the
defaulting debtor.
Having wounded him. but not too seriously
they sprinkied their mothers blood and his own
on MS accursed doOrsteps. Further proceed
ings were stayed by he police. The land
holder, smtten by public iDfamy and the guilt
of the matricide, starved himself 10 death.
The brothers were not allowed 10 complete
their sacrifice. but the one who struck the
blow was sentenced 10 transportation for IlIe
His memory will be sung for many year as
Ihe hero OF the herald castle In Gujara.-Lon-
don Times.