Hindu Law and Custom (Recht und Sitte) c8.20

c8.20

Moreover, the law of the right of acquisition or possession (*āgama*) was gradually developed. If the possessor can prove that the disputed property was earned through purchase, present or in any other legitimate way, then he must be left in the safe enjoyment of the same (Vi. 5, 185); on the other hand, one who cannot prove himself to be the legitimate owner by means of documentary evidence or otherwise, would be regarded as a thief and punished accordingly, however long he might have had the property in his possession (Nār. 1, 85—87). Yet however according to the later authors there is a kind of legitimate usucaption without any title of ownership.