1778-04-08 (static/transcriptions/1778/04/013.jpg)

1778. Sittings. [Wednesday] April 8th.

wrote the answer.
The Mowlawvy, (as Sir Robert Chambers pronounces the word) inform’d us, that when a Mahommedan died without Children, and without heirs, and leaving two Wives, which was the Case before us: If no Writing is made at the Marriage, each Wife is to have three Rupees only: but if a Writing is made at the Marriage promissing the Wife some thing after the Death of the Husband in recompense of her fortune or Nuptial Presents which the Husband received with her; then the Wife if there is only One, is to have One Quarter of the Husband’s effects, and the Rest is to go to the Bite ul Maul. If there is more than One Wife, the Wives are to have One Quarter divided among them; that is, in the Case of two, each is to have an eighth part of the Goods of the deceased husband.
Mr. William Chambers informs me Bite ul Maul, as my Interpreter Ramlochun Gose pronounces it, or Beit ul Maul as Mr. Chambers writes it, literally signifies the House-Hold Treasury but was in Fact a Kind of Charity Fund under the [last?] Mussulman Government, and was made up of Fines and forfeited Property of all Kinds. Mininski, Translates it, [ararium?] & [Tir[ILL]?]