Judgement

Appeal from a judgment and decree of the High Court (August 1, 1913) reversing a decree of the first class Subordinate Judge of Belgaum (April 6, 1910).

The first appellant was the sole widow of Lingappa Jayappa Sar Desai of Navalgund. The deceased was the last of a series of Desais whose title came into existence in the time of the Bijapur monarchy in the 17th century. The Desai was the chief revenue officer of the district under both the Mahomedan rule and the Maratha rule which followed it. During the tenure of office of the family to which the deceased belonged many inam grants of villages had been made to the Desai for the time being. The services of the Desai as a revenue officer were not made use of during the British rule, and he was informed in 1848 by the Collector, under the provisions of s. 2 of Bombay Act. II. of 1843, that his services as a revenue official would not be required. At that time and for many years afterwards the officials of the British Government in the Southern Maratha country were occupied in investigating and coming to settlements regarding claims to inam lands held for service or as a reward for past services.

As a result of those investig