bar-amaral reo-o·bds.

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BAR-AMARAL REO-O·BDS.·
SECTION III.
INHABIT.A.NTS ..
.
- ~
MADRAS:
INTED BY THE 8UPE~I~T;ENDENT, GOVERNMENT PRESS ..
,
"1907 ..

THE
BARAMAHAL RECORDS.
SEOTION III.
INHABITANTS.
M. ADRAS:
'
PRINTE. D BY'THE SUPERINTENDENT GOVERNMENT PRESS.,
' J
. 1907.
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~ j
5944~
INTRODUGrION.
A COLLECTOR being vested with absolute power over the persons and property
of
of the people under him subject only to the control of'superiors, who in cases
appeal are under the necessity of employing him as the medium of information, a_
love of justice appears to be his fii-st qualification. But whateve:r share of that he
of
may possess, if ignorant the language, manners and concerns. of the inhabitants,
he may subvert their ~ights,impede industry and reduce the sources of revenue
by measures he may think the best calculated for promoting the general interests.
With these ideas the Superintendent has endeavoured all in his power by
personal enquiries and the aid of his mutsaddis to g.ain information of the number
and distinctions, tradition, religion,laws, customs, prejudices, occupations, and condi.
tion of the people entrusted to his charge. Every head he haa mentioned will
appear to be subjElct sufficient for a section or a volume, and the whole to compre
hend more than an individual could hope to. acquire in a number of years, aud that
would be the case in regard to a people whose affairs are become intricate by au
as
extensive commerce; but in a country so greatly under-stocked this, where there
is so little trade or science and society is not much removed ,from its original
state, aU things are more simple and a Collector whose jurisdiction is more extensive
than that of any magistrate in Eur<1pe, can command more iufo:rmation on thoSe'
matters in a few years than could be procured there in as many ages. But not
withstanding the advantages of his situation, he cannot hope to gain all the
information upon them that is necessary and must be satisfied with setting' us~ful
enquiries on foot. .
Such progress however will be made in it itS will serye in a considerable degree
the objects in view and though what has been collected is not yet sufficiently'
digested, they may be judged of by a short account of the different heads.
NUMBER. .
•
of
The.number the inhabitants by the village accounts last year (then number)
was 1S46,163, but the Superintendent is well assured they conceal their real,num bers
where they can from suspicions they have of what may be intended by such an
inquiry. As ~hey have experienced'no bad consequence from it, there is'a probabi
lity of their becoming more. indifferent, about it and of their number being better
ascertained this year; he thinks it may be safely estimated at 600,000, and that
number being divided among the districts in the proportions given by account
produces the following statement of them :-
,; Numbers. Rates per mile.
"" Distriots. ' •
'iiI
A.~ Hilla. Plaina. I. Total. Hilla •. 1p .~a·1 Tota.l.
\
.. .. .. ...
Salem •• .. .. .. .. 1,984 26,121 28,105 16 182 106
Chennagiri .. .. .. .. 96 12,788 12,884 3 142 99
JJ Bellu:r •• .. .. .. .. ..3 97 21,767 25,164 .. 4 96 71
Attur •• \ .. .. 17,343 17,343 ~93 82
JI Viraganur •• ."., .. .. 2,281 12,436 14,717 16 67 45
Shendam!I.Dgalam .. ..' :&.,. 99~ 25,657 2~,652 .2. 8 104 80
RRizpur •• •..• .. .. .. -, .. 19,28:.1 19,282 .. 238 220
Nllmkal •• .. .. .. .. 22,228 22,228 .. 86 -8-2
l PlU'IIluthi " 23,566 -2-3,56-6 ---17-1 171
. , ..
, Totals 7,753 ~~4,188 191,941 -67 1,179 956
iv INTRODUCTION.
---
~ .
.; Numbers. Rates per mile,
0I: l Districts,
'&1
'J;: Bills,l' Plains, I Total. BillS,' PlaiDs,{ Total.
i$
.. .. .. .. ., ..
j TrichangUd .'. .. .. .. 21,245 21,245 .. 122 122
~ I Sankaridrug .. ., .' . .. .. 32,551 32,551 .. 125 123
Yerr::tUdi .. .. .., .. .. 22,884 22,884 .. 140 135
Vom ur ., . . .. 27,117 27,117 127 111
~< Nangapalli , .,.. , .. 17,920 17,920 ..., 124 94
~l Pennagra " ., .. ,. 15,946 15,946 107 100
L DI'aenragmripkoutrai .,.. ." . .. ,... 815162 3376,,58:2l30 -_33.68_,,664-i92- --35 -138-50 -15-12
Total ., 968 212,016 212,984 8 960 748
-
( Virab hadradrug. . ". . ,... ., 198 23,079 23,277 .. 4 103 85
el Krishnagiri . ..., 44 30,844 30,d88 119 93
~{ KKaumnntnaitntuelrl ur ,,.. ....,, ...., .... . .1 4 2278,,779054 2287,,771994 .' .7 114114 112112
Zl 'VJ'. r.. nipip)aamttubra di .,".. .... .,.. .... .1 71.,,.61 3051 I 2232,,233978 2349,,8~7992 ~ .,.8. 8 214400 113296
Kangundi .. .. .. .. .. I 12,907 12,907 .. 51 44
L Malpadi ,'. -- t 7,1-1-9- --7-,11-9 ---1-12- -9-9
..
, Total 18,992 -17-6,0-83 -1-95-,07-5 99 -1,02-0 -81-9
.. -
Grand Totals 27,713 572,287 600,000 174 3,159 2,523
~ \
The avt>rage density being 95 per square mile, it appears this country is con
siderably more populous than Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Poland, Prussia or any of
the more northern sta.tes of Europe but less so than great Britain, its density of
population being 105 per square mile.
,- -
DISTINCTIONS; ETC.
The 'Hindus of these districts are generally distinguished as in other part; of
India, and Brahma it is said originally classed them into five orders, viz.,-
Brahmins or Priests. Sftdras-Husbandmen.
Kshatriyas or Soldiers. Fariahs-outcastes.
Vaisyas or Merchants.
But they cannot agree about the51e distinctions, many of the' pariahs pretending
to be Sftdras, the Sftdras to be Vaisyas, the Vaisyas to be KRhatriyas, the Kshatriyas
to be, Brahmins and the Brahmins affirming that the Kshatriyas are become extinct.
These five orders are divid~d into particular castes according to their respective
countries,' language or occupations. Ow!ng to' one or other of these circumstances
there are 10' different castes of Brahmins, but they pretend they are all one and the
same, the distinctions ~mong tbembeing immaterial. From the pretensions of all
the inferior castes to the rank of the order above them, there can be no certainty as to
the number of particular castes in each of the five orders, but according to the-
superintendent's accounts they are as follows :- }.
Brahmins 1
Kshatriyas 0
Vaisyas 4
SMras 58
Pariah
Total 119
INTRODUCTION.
.
The Hindus are likewise generally distinguished into two religious sects; one
of them believing Vishnu to be the Supreme being are styled Vishnubhaldds and tbe
other beJieving Siva to be , ~im are called S;'IJabhalc' tds. The former ,i s' distinguisl.ted,
by perpendicular streaks and the latter by cross streaks of clay upon their fore
heads. As they frequently change their opinion in regard to the supremacy of.
these two deities or turn apostates to him who they think will be the most favourable
. to their views it is impossible to determine the number of particular castes compos
ing these two sectR, and as they never quarrel with one another ~,bout the tenets
of. their respective sectaries it is of no political consequence.
A third general distinction prevails among t~em which has divided the greater
part of them into two factions well known by the terms right and left hand. 'l'hat i~
Baid to have originated in a qoarrel that arose among the vaisga8 or merchan~s about
their rank in w~ich many of the other castes joined; the investigated' accounts say it
was confined to the Oarnatic Payenghat ,and these districts,but whfln it happened
cannot be learned and that the matter in dispute being referred to a raj!!. who
resided at Oonjiveram he distinguished them as Balagai or right hand and Yeda
ga~ or left hand, agreeable to the side on whicll they respectively stood ·of the deity
to whom perhaps some appeal was made on the ,occasion.
These two parties being ll),ore st~ady in their attachment to the cause they
have each. espoused than to their religious opinion!'!, they can be distinguished with
more certainty, and great disturbances often arising among them on account of their
extreme jealousy of one ano~her that are commonly fomented by interested persons
about people in power which frequently. causes bloodshed, it is considered of import
ance to ascertain the numbers and situations of both parties, and on that account
p!'eferred the classing all the particular castes according to this general division: of
,them. '
.' fS
another matter of political importance it is thought likewise worth-while to
know which castes are cultivators, which follow other occupations, the proportions
which those two discriptions bear to one another, and the number of the whole
that are independant. These matters have not been ascertained yet. in more than
,three districts, but it may be done this year with tolerable 'exactness. The follow
ing is an estimate of the probable numbers desired, made out according to the
proportions found in the accounts of the above three' districts, from which may
be judged how many of the grand total 600,000 there may be ofeve:ry class in all
the districts :-
low. ... ". Tradesmen, Independ-
Castes. &0; ....t s. Total.
I
( Brahmins .... .... .. .... .... 3,485 7,045 .4., 570 13,940
I.;I J Patnulkars .. .. .. .. 550 2,200 2,200
AOrnansguumluamkk al .. .. .... ..'.. 295 814 .... 1090
Q"a < l• · JP_aenrigyOaamna t "Mu'd-a"li• • .." .. ....., .... .... .. 31508 1,013620 ...... 1,220700
Ounnikar .. .. .. .. . .. 135 135
.. ... .. .. 10 .. 10
.k"~ ~d IOT PKAouannryaddkkwya"rka vaVnarde vallelavllleaalrlla a.•r.l• a r . "... ... ........ ' ........ ,~~.....- .... .104 6,,,221. 00700500 131,,,208225225050 ...... i 1406,,,311200005000
]~Ala vellalar •. 6,600 1,935 ., 0,500
VI INTRODUCTION.
Tradesmen Independ-
Ca.stes. Cultivators. &0. ' ants. Tota.l.
.. .. .. ..
( Nudu"upushe Vellalar •.•. .. .. .. 6,01l0 1)800 .. 6,00('
Malaiyandi Vellalar .. .. .. . 9,900 2,975 .. 9,,900
Pachi Vellalar .. .. .. .. 6,200 1,860 .. 6,200
Congni Vellalar .. .. .. .. 7,900 2,370 .. 7,900
Morsy Vellalar " • .. .. .. 4,100 1,225 .. 4,100
I Pliram K.a.t tada .V. ellala.r. .. .. 3,120 930 .. 3,120
I Reddi .. .. .. 0..0 6,947 2,070 .. 6,947
Gaupmat reddi .. .. .. .. .. 120 42 120
Kammawar .. .. .. ... .1,038 300 ·.1. 1,030
I Totiyar .• .. .. .. .'.. .. :-163 82 .. 363
Agmirri .. .. .. .. .. .. 14,665 4,422 .. 14,665 '
I Yerra Golla .. .. .. .. .. 230 70 . .. 2aG
MCRaoacmhhr&iant.avtana.rd i ..... ·." .. ...... ...... ...... 12,831270506 -3,161530050 ...... 12,813720056
, PNa aktiin mltatik kal ...., .. .... .... ' .... 2,67059 79220 .... 2,67095
I Malliamor .. .. .. .. .. 1,582 480 .. 1,582
.... I TMuallalivd.a rm a..k kal .... .... ·... ...' ..,.. 1,161250 44900 .... 1,121605
-!.~, VSlehenalilbare m C.h.e tti' ..... .·.... ...... ...... ...... 2,42463100 .. 16146550 ·..... 2,42643100
Moosa makkal .. .. .. .. .. 12 .. 12
~ 8undramam .. .. .. .. .. .. 58 20 .. 58
G> Coeshwan, .. .. .. .. .. . 4,005 .. 4,005
~
Erdivar ... ·. .. .. .. 200 657 ·. 800
i~III l DPuotmtrbi aUr t•i. .... .... .... .... .. .... 715 2,35715 .... 2,87610
1- GMuazrawraadtii .. .·.. .... .... ..".. .. ' 51350 .. - 51350
Hajaput .. .. .. .. .. 92 119 184 370
~I ESarmtaenvi ar .... .... .... ·... .... .... 146505 , 519925 ' 392100 1,682400
'1. Dasari .. .. ·. .. .. 138 175 276 550
Korchivars .. . .. .. .. 112 274 424 850
VJaeltatgivaarsr .... ..'.., .... .... ..,. . 1,220322 1,236574 2,447004 7,841000
Cauvaitkar .. .. .. .. .. 22 30 44 90
IP andaram .. .. .. .. .. 237 308 474 590
Caveri .. .. .. .. .. 1,125 1,460 2,250 4,500
Upu1ir .. ·. .. ·. .. .. 200 260 400 800
Jaini .. .. .. .. .. !:I5 223 190 380
CUl"ovanti. . .. .. .. .. .. 62 81 124 250
Dasari .. .. .. .. 208 269 416 83a
Dangrikar .. .. .. .. .. 27 86 .. 34 110
Kurubar ·. . .'. .. .. .. 9,224 1,986 ·. 18,450
Andi Kurubar .. .. .. .. .. 462 601 · . 925
·1 Doddi Golla .. .. .. .. .. 8,110 10,540 .. 16,250
I BYaenrrdilyiavra r• . .... .... ·... ..,.. .... ..1.. , 6 55 2,118550 60 3,324150
Vupandi .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 211 7 30
l BMar .. , 976 834 1,810
31 9 40
---
..
Totals --16-0,1-15- --10-0,6-54- --17,5-51 --22-9,6-42-
.. .. .. .. .. ..
r Komati .. .. .. .. .. .. .1., 125 4,500 .. 4,500
-.=d, WMuatnoikaarr .. .... .... .... .... 1,475 5,16622 ·... 5,96020
,,.,.Q.b~dae < WWJC aaunlrlnriiaaadliktr adBra a lWjivaan.·.r.i a r . ..".., ·..... ...... ...... .... 54234 1,18257190 ..·... 2,11,950502
~ Murohair .. .. .. .. .. .. 21 .. .21
-'.!, SIeanygaumr U•r•a r .... ..... .... .... .... 717 '2,31ti5l .·.. 2,86110
os Naudar .. .. .. .. .. 167 216/' .. 335
~ l Y"ggetikar ' 260 1,305 1,045
INTBODUOTION •. vii
.
Tradesmen Indep8nd.
Castes. Cultivators. Total.
&0. auta.
-- ,
I
.. .. .. .. ..
( Telugu Baljivar .. .. .. 22,060 6,570 .. 22,061
Kannadiar .•.• .. .. .. .. 635 190 . .. 635
JVaannanpaanv a.r. .... .... .... .... ..... ..6.., 976 72,,166700 '.". 57,,917660. '
Ambtan .. .. .. .. .. .. 6,905 6,905
Pariah .. .. .. .. .. .. 32,474 36,478 .5., 423 65,075·
'i CBVuuatrl&liidnvidarir .... ...... ...... , ...... ...... ...... .. 1854 1867006 ...... 83611000-
f Wllddevar .. .. .. .. 2,421 7,983 .. 9,644 .
O.e.d. lUlupnpcuh Kivoarrc hivar.• .• .... .... .... .... ~4332 .. 716430 .... 913700-
t.cll Pechekotti .. .. .. .. .. .. 10 .. 10'
Shaniar •. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,475 1,475-
..
Dewingam .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,075 .. 2,075-
Saliwar •..• .. .. .. .. .. .. 7,500 .. 7,500
i JRiudnagrr ez .... .. .... .... ' .... .... 32,,958964 .... 32,,968964.
-
l BMeadrir iSvaalrn r .... ..".., .... .... .... .. 1,202320 .. 1,022320:
Bilcamulair .. .. .. .. 53 64 106 210
Tellingar .. .. .. .. .. 2,400 3,120 .4., 800 9,600-
I BGeasnt&dhvaa rp udikar.. .. .... .... .... .... .... 27 I 2,150160 834 8,.1:4100-
F.rigur •• .. .. .. .. 563 187 750
TCohraimwdailvira r .... .... .... .... ..". " 125265 5740: 3~0050 '
l Shinar - 103 10,042 8,895 13,54.0
...
Totals -,.70-,9.2-8 --12-1,2-05- ---1-4,5-51- --183,763
]~ r KKN uaargmiammrtaaanr c ••h etti ........ ........ ..- ........ ......... ...... 1,773S56O00 371,,,004512000 ........ 731,,,040512(00)''
-·~ll < TPTKaeaulctllth'ial c'neh cahn..c ..h an ........ ........ ........ ........ ....".... 154,82119930050 . • 431~,,05106550000 ........ 15314,,,15156530000- '
O~.ed. l AVCKhliarkaiaJlcmerhowluliava rah" rt .i ...... .." .. ...... ..".. . ...... ..3.., 78357 ·84,, 152492 ()000l ---.... -3q--. ---78,,5412479()050O·
..
Totals 161,957 75,191- -----35- -'.-18-6,5-95-
..
Grand Totals 393,000 297,100 32,137 600,000
BRAHMINS.
TRIBE THE FIRST.
BRAHMINS OR PRIESTS, WHO WERE CALLED INTO EXISTE~CE TO DIRECT
MAN IN THE WAYS OF GOD.
Seoliom.-Traditions-Deities-Temples-Mode of worship-Religious festivals-Gurus 01' patriarchs
Pay of the gurus or patriarchs-Duty of the gurus or patriarchs-Cpremonies observed at the birth,
naming, boring the ears, and shaving the head of children, and expenslls-Yagnopavitam" or'
illV8iltiture of the sacerdotal string and expense--Ceremonies observed at betrothing, celebration of
marriage an.d consummation, and exppnses-Ceremonies of pumsavanam and simantam-Funeral
rites and expenses-Taxes and usages.
BRAHMINS.
THE TRIBE OF BRAHMINS OR. PRIESTS.
T1·adiUon.-When the Supreme Being the God Pam Bramha formed in his mind
the design of creating ·the universe, a being issued from his navel having four
heads and four arms whom he named Bramha, and at the same time he r~lled into
existence the Satyalolea or world of truth for his abode, and endowed him with per
fect wisdom. Para 13ramha likewise created the Swargalo1ca or world of Gods, the
Ma.rlyalOka or world of mankind, and the Pdtdlaloka, or nether world of snakes,
and appointed Braltma to rule over them, and commanded him to create the animate
and inanimate creation. Para Bramha then caused four beings to proceed from
qe
different parts of his body, to whom assigned diff~ient employment. . The first
came forth from his face and was named Brahmin or Priest, whose office was to
direct man in the ways of God. The second sprung from his shoulders and was
called Kshatriya or Protector, who was to rule and possess the ·earth. The third
proceeded from his thighs, whom. he named Vaisya o]f trader and assigned him the
offices of traffic, cult.ivation and keeping of cattle. The fourth came from his feet
and was denominated St1dra or servant, whose duty Wl1,S to ser~e the other three.
He next directed Bramhato create all animals and vegetables who forthwith created
beasts, fish, fowls, insects, reptiles, trees and grass, and divided. the. Martyalolea 01'
world of mankind into seven dvtpams or peninsulas and seven samudrams or se.as ;
the former seven. 'were named' JamlJU., Plalcsha, Kusa, Krallncha, Sdlca, Sdlrnali
and Push1cara, and the latter La.vn,na, l1cshu, Sura, ~'a17'i, lJadhi, Kshtra, and Jala ..
and in order to instruct the Brahmins in the duties of their office, he created the
Sal'tarisaulu or seven sages whose names were Kasyapa or the Omnicicius, Atri
or the salvatoI', Bha,raavaja or Perf.:>rmer of yagas or sacrifices. of fire, Vis
vamilra or friend of mlmkind, Gauta,ma or the scientific, Jamadagni or IJighter of
the Homam or sacred fire, and Vasistct or the Precel'tor. One of these sages went
to each of the seven dvipams and taug'ht the Brahmins theirdnty and the latter
took surname8 from thei!;' respective preceptors, and became seven distinct sects
·under the following denominations, viz. :-
Kasyapa Gotram. . Gautama Gotrarn.
Atri Gotram. Jamadagn-i Gotram.
Bhdradvdja Got·ram. Vadiskta Gotram.
VUlvdmitra Gotmm.
In proce~s of time, the Brahmins multiplied in such a manner that the sages
found it necessary to depute some of their most enlightened disciples to instruct
their numerous pupils who gave a surname to each set of their respective scholars,
80 that the Bra~mins became divide~ in_to ~ multiplicity of sects, two of which reside
• Correctly Upana.ya.nam.