The Travancore State Manual Volume 2

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1906 edition. Excerpt: ...woman is transferred to a separate shed, called Anchampura, in the compound itself but apart from the main building; and all the persons implicated in the crime are placed under an interdict. A preliminary enquiry called Dasivicharam is held by the woman's male relations together with the Brahmins of the neighbourhood who interrogate the Dasi or maid-servant attached to the suspected woman. This concluded, the matter is laid before the King whose sanction has to be obtained before beginning a Smarta Vicharam. A fee of sixty-four fanams or Rs. 9 has to be sent in along with the application for sanction, which fee is credited to the treasury of Sri Padmanabhaswamy, as whose deputy or vassal, the Travancore Maharajah is supposed to rule. A committee of enquiry or Panchayat is then appointed consisting of a Smarta or judge, two Mimamsakars (persons versed in law), one Akakkoyimma (regulator of order at the trial) and one Purakkoyimma (who is the representative of the sovereign). In all parts of Malabar except Travancore, one of the recognised six Vaidikans lias to accompany the Smarta to the place of enquiry which is generally the neighbouring village temple, and the Smarta merely conducts the enquiry as the deputy of the Vaidikan, but in Travancore where there is no Vaidikan, the Smarta's authority is supreme. The Mimamsakars are Nambudiris well versed in the law and are selected by the Smarta himself to help him in the enquiries. The Akakkoyimma or village chieftain holds his appointment by heredity, while the Purakkoyimma was formerly the Maharajah himself, but now his deputy, generally a Taluq or village officer. On the day appointed the Smarta begins the formal investigation. The procedure is thus. The Smarta presumes nothing against the...