Administrative System of the Marathas c19.s3.t6.9

c19.s3.t6.9

There were so many forms of ordeal that it will not be possible to describe them all. We will here take notice of the more important ones only. One of the most common ordeals was to draw a piece of metal out of a pot full of boiling oil. This had to be performed in a temple of special sanctity and at an auspicious moment previously fixed by the government. The ordeal had to be witnessed by the co-villagers of the parties as well as by a government officer deputed for that purpose. An ordeal with a piece of metal in heated oil is thus described in the summary of a dispute regarding a Patilki watan between Devji and Shankarji Dangat: "You were then sent with Rajshri Apaji Hanmant Subhedhar and Balaji Dadaji and Baghoji Raut, officers from the Huzur and the District to Pali for the performance of an *Agnidivya*. The *got* of that place assembled in the temple and they lighted a fire and heated *ghi* and oil mixed in customary proportion. You bathed and after a declaration of your right, took two pieces of metal from the heated liquid in the presence of all. Then your hand was bandaged and sealed. The next day the aforesaid parties were brought to the Huzur by the Karkun of the District officer. On the third day, in the presence of the Majalasi the bandage was taken off and the seals broken. On your hand were found only the marks that formerly existed there. Nothing more, nothing less; you passed the ordeal successfully.” ¹⁵