Judgment

GROVER, J.:- This is an appeal by certificate from the judgement of the Assam and Nagaland High Court arising out of a suit which was filed as far back as May 1948.

2. The main controversy arises out of a grant on a Copper plate made by Ahom King Maharaj Sibasingha of some landed property in the year 1663 Saka Era corresponding to 1741 A.D. The suit was instituted by the plaintiffs in a representative capacity as Bhaktas. According to the allegations in the plaint this grant was made by the King in the name of one Gadapani Bhattachariya for the establishment of Satra (Vaishnavic institution). It was made for the propagation of Nama Dharma and for continuance of Saraban Kirtan Dharma. Defendants 1 to 20 were alleged to be the heirs of Gadapani Bhattachariya. The Plaintiffs claimed that they were the descendants of the 10 Bhakats who were mentioned in the Copper plate creating the endowment, the name of the Satra being Sat Sangee Satra. The original grant was in respect of 79 puras of land which would be equivalent to 316 bighas. It was rent-free. In the copper plate the grant was termed as Brahmottar. After the British rule commenced there was an enquiry in which the grandson