A History of the Mahrattas v1.c7.165

v1.c7.165

The Patell superintends the cultivation, manages the police, and frequently provides for the amusement as well as the protection, of the village. When disputes arise which cannot be settled by the friendly interference of neighbours, the complaint is carried to the Patell, who advises, admonishes, and frequently induces the parties to compromise the matter; but if it seem necessary, the Patell assembles some of the inhabitants best acquainted with the circumstances, to whom the case is, in due form, submitted for arbitration: this is called a Punchayet,¹ which commonly consists of five members. Such is the simple outline of the civil government of a village. In criminal cases, though instances are found where a Patell has exercised great power under the Mahratta government, he is not, by the acknowledged custom of the country, vested with the authority of fine or imprisonment, or the power of inflicting corporal punishment; when crimes of such a nature occur, it is the duty of the Patell to report the case to his superior, or to apprehend and forward the culprit to higher authority.