A History of the Mahrattas v1.c7.161

v1.c7.161

² This is an argument against those Mahratta Patells, who claim a Rajpoot descent; but it is by no means conclusive, as there are proofs of their having, in many instances, purchased the office from the tribe called Kassar [Kasār]. The Patellship, owing to the Hindoo law of inheritance, and the Patell’s right of selling a portion, or tuqseemu of his wutun, is frequently divided and subdivided into two, four, or more shares amongst different families; and all the members of one of these families, the head of which holds any such share, call themselves Patell. In the same way the members of a Koolkurnee’s family style themselves Koolkurnee, and so on of all other hereditary offices. The Patell, who holds the chief managing authority, is styled Muqudum.