my best thanks to the present professor of law in the Government Sanscrit College, the most learned Pandit Bharat-chander Shiromani, whose opinion too I have obtained on difficult and doubtful points, and whose valuable assistance I have received on these and many other occasions. I also gratefully acknowledge the obliging assistance occasionally rendered me by Mr. W. Montriou, Barrister, while we both were at the Sudder Court. Though I have spared no time that it was possible for me to bestow in collecting and digesting all that is most useful for the administration of the Hindu law, as current in Bengal, in the most valuable law tracts and books of decided cases and precedents, and have omitted nothing which diligence, in the midst of official avocations, could effect to render the work complete in its kind and fitted to supply the desideratum felt, yet it is not for me to say how far my efforts may be crowned with success. The judgment as to whether the work is adapted to accomplish the objects I have had in view must, in this as in all similar cases, emanate from that most impartial of all tribunals, PUBLIC O PINION. PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. The first impression of this work consisting of 1000 copies has been sold. The author feels very deeply indebted to the public for this unequivocal mark of its approbation and has strenuously laboured to render the work less undeserving a continuance of the favor with which it has been honored. In the prosecution of this object he has subjected every part of it to a careful revision, has endeavoured to eradicate the errors that had escaped his notice, to improve those parts that were incomplete and to supply such matter as had been omitted. He has enlarged the work much by the addition of numerous decisions of the Privy Council, the Sudder, Supreme and High Courts, as well as by the insertion of several useful texts, remarks and notes. And he has carefully noted those cases by which doubtful points have been set at rest and disputed questions of law settled. The Index has been thoroughly revised, and made much more copious than before, especially in those parts which relate to adoption and the succession of widows. The author has thought it advisable to separate the English from the Vernacular and to consolidate the two Volumes into one. English students do not require the vernacular and the retention of it in the present edition would have not only swelled the work and made it unwieldy, but also doubled the price. As at present offered the work is of 8vo. size consisting only of this volume with an Index attached. It is thus convenient for carriage, handling and reference. The author would draw attention to the fact that though the English in this edition is separated from the vernacular, great care has been taken not to disturb the internal arrangements. The Vyavasthás or principles in English bear the same numbers as those in the Vernacular, and they as well as the other passages are placed in the same consecutive order. Thus it is quite easy to trace out the corresponding passages in the two books. The author regrets that his official duties which are many and great should have precluded him from giving to this Edition so much time and attention as the subject demands. Nevertheless no ordinary amount of labour has been expended upon it, and no pains have been spared to make it more useful and complete than the former. It is hoped that the effort has been successful. SUMMARY OF CONTENTS. 1 leaves no son, son's son, or greatgrandson- Order of succession according to the Dáya-bhága Order of succession according to the Dáya-tattwa Succession of the paternal great grandfather Of the paternal great grandmother Of the descendants of the maternal grandfather Succession of the maternal great great grandfather, and Succession of the Sakulyas or distant kinsmen. Succession of the Samánodakas or distant kindred SECTION II. On the obsequies of the late owner SECTION III.-On initiation of the late owner's son and daughter. 365 The paternal grandmother is entitled to a share Effects, acquisitions &c. liable to partition Effects, acquisitions &c. not liable to partition. Participation of a son begotten after partition Partition of the property of re-united parceners . SECTION I. Of the disposition of divided or sole property SECTION II. The extent of a co-parcener's power in undivided What is required for the validity of a gift SECTION I.-On unfit gifts, that is, gifts and other transfers of |