15. If any one have a good horse, by fair means or foul he contrives to get it. 16. _When Deogarh was established, at the same time were our allotments: as is his patrimony, so is our patrimony._[3.a.14] Thousands have been expended in establishing and improving them, yet our rank, privileges, and rights he equally disregards. 17. From these villages, founded by our forefathers, he, at will, takes four or five skins of land and bestows them on foreigners; and thus the ancient proprietors are reduced to poverty and ruin. 18. From of old, all his Rajput kin had daily rations, or portions of grain: for four years these rights have been abolished. 19. From ancient times the pattayats formed his council; now he consults only foreigners. What has been the consequence? the whole annual revenue derived from the mountains is lost. 20. From the ancient Bhum[3.a.15] of the Frerage[3.a.16] the mountaineers carry off the cattle, and instead of redeeming them, this faujdar sets the plunderers up to the trick of demanding rakhwali.[3.a.17] 21. Money is justice, and there is none other: whoever has money may be heard. The bankers and merchants have gone abroad for protection, but he asks not where they are. 22. When cattle are driven off to the hills, and we do ourselves justice and recover them, we are fined, and told that the mountaineers have his pledge. Thus our dignity is lessened. Or if we seize one of these marauders, a party is sent to liberate him, for which the faujdar [200] receives a bribe. Then a feud ensues at the instigation of the liberated Mer, and the unsupported Rajput is obliged to abandon his patrimony.[3.a.18] There is neither protection nor support. The chief is supine, and so regardless of honour, that he tells us to take money to the hills and redeem our property. Since this faujdar had power, ‘poison has been our fate.’ Foreigners are all in all, and the home-bred are set aside. Deccanis and plunderers enjoy the lands of his brethren. Without fault, the chiefs are deprived of their lands, to bring which into order time and money have been lavished. Justice there is none. Our rights and privileges in his family are the same as his in the family of the Presence.[3.a.19] Since you[3.a.20] entered Mewar, lands long lost have been recovered. What crimes have we committed that at this day we should lose ours? We are in great trouble.[3.a.21] No. III Maharaja Sri Gokuldas to the four ranks (_char misl_) of Pattayats of Deogarh, commanding. Peruse. Without crime no vassal shall have his estate or charsas disseized. Should any individual commit an offence, it shall be judged by the _four ranks_ (char misl), my brethren, and then punished. Without consulting them on all occasions I shall never inflict punishment.[3.a.22] To this I swear by Sri Nathji. No departure from this agreement shall ever occur. S. 1874; the 6th Pus. [Illustration: REPRODUCTION OF SANSKRIT GRANT. _To face page 232._ ]