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position that there was to be only a fixed annual sum of Rs. 15,000 to be paid by the Jain community to the Palitana Durbar for 40 years; and thereafter such higher or lower figure as the Bri
tish Government might fix. It further recognised * and established the fact that in the event of any modification of this fixed annual sum becoming necessary, the British Government was to be the supreme deciding authority to whom the contending parties, namely, the Durbar and the Jain community of India, were entitled to approach direct in the matter.
The quantum and method of this Rakhopa payment have been invariably regulated by arguments between the parties with the ratification and sanction of the British Government or by direct orders of the British Government in that behalf.
In their own financial system the British Government in India have set their face sternly against any kind of a Poll Tax, being but too keenly aware of the havoc and horrors of such mischievous levy. They have realised by bitter experience, even in such cases as we are here discussing, that any recovery of the Rakhopa payment by means of a Poll Tax on every pilgrim was bound to lead to considerable annoyance and inconvenience to the pilgrims, and create innumerable occasions of frictions be.
