CHAPTER II

THE PEOPLE AND THEIR CLASSIFICATION

The report on the Census of Travancore, taken on May 18,1875, supplies valuable details respecting the population of the State, and their social and religious condition. The enumeration itself caused considerable commotion amongst the people, especially the lower castes. For some months previously the rural population were in a state of complete ferment, dreading that advantage would be taken of the occasion to impose some new tax or to exercise some bitter oppression, as was often done on various occasions in the old times of cruelty and injustice.

This opportunity was seized by some Muhammadans and others, to despoil the poor slave-castes of their fowls and other domestic animals, by telling them that the Sirkar was about to seize everything of the kind, and to exact a similar amount annually, so that they had better sell them off at once at any price than lose them altogether. The Sudras also sought to frighten them by the report that the Christians were to be carried off in ships to foreign parts, in which the missionaries and their native helpers would assist. When numbers were stamped upon all the houses, people thought that soon they themselves would be branded and seized by the Sirkar. Absurd reports were raised.

Some said the Maharajah had promised to supply inhabitants for a country which had been desolated by famine. Others said that a certain number were to be shipped off on the 18th May. Till that date the people were whispering “Today or to-morrow we shall be caught.” For example, an old woman having shut up her grandson in her house for safety, went to call her son, weeping all the way and beating her breast. One who met her comforted her and went back with her to the house, where the child was found half-dead with fright.

Many of the people left their gardens uncultivated during the panic, ate up the seed corn, sold their cattle and sheep. One man had ten fowls, and, taking them to a river, he cut off their heads, and threw them away. So dreadful is the ignorance of the people through want of education. It was even reported that the missionaries had prepared a building on the sea-coast, where a great meeting was to be held, immediately after which the people would be caught and shipped off. Many of the uneducated Sudras also in distant localities were much afraid.

The Native Government did all that was possible at the moment by issuing reassuring proclamations to satisfy the minds of the people, but this was so far rendered nugatory by the wiles of the former slave-owners, who still hold most Government appointments, and by the amazing ignorance of the Pariahs and Pulayars, who can neither read proclamations themselves, nor ordinarily approach the places of public resort where Government notices are proclaimed.

Handbills were also prepared and published by the mission in Tamil and Malayalam; and the catechists went round with the enumerators to assist them. After the final day, the excitement speedily quieted down, and the people learned a lesson as to the folly of regarding false reports of sinister designs on the part of the Government or the Christian missionaries. The foolish alarm illustrates the evils arising from caste divisions, popular ignorance, and the absence of the simplest elements of education amongst the lowest classes.

The total population was then found to be 2,311,379; of whom 1,702,805 are Hindus, 139,905 Muhammadans, 261 Europeans, 1,383 Eurasians, 151 Jews, and 466,874 Native Christians of various denominations — more than a fifth of the entire population — constituting Travancore the most Christian country in India.

Another enumeration was made, to fit in with the general census of British India, on 17th February, 1881, according to which the population consisted of 1,197,134 males and 1,204,024 females — total 2,401,158; but as no special report of this Census has yet been published, the previous census of 1875 must be quoted in the ensuing chapters, for statistics of particular castes, education, and other matters.

The average density of population for the whole country (comprising 6,731 square miles) is 343 to a square mile; but the different districts vary in this respect, from 1,280 near the coast, to as low as 37 to the square mile in the interior. There are no women to every 100 men; amongst children 85 girls to 100 boys.

Of the entire population 5.74 per cent, can read and write, but the proportion greatly varies in different classes and districts. Amongst Muhammadans it is 4.72, Hindus 5.57, and Native Christians 6.56 per cent, respectively. In the capital — the centre of government, learning and civilisation — the percentage of educated persons is 15, while in the wild and neglected districts of Muvattupura, Todupura and Shencotta, and in Pattanapuram, Chenganur, and Sherttala, where large numbers of the low castes reside, the proportion of the entire population educated even slightly, is between three and four per cent; in Cunnattur, where the population numbers 60,000, it falls so low as 2.79 per cent, revealing a fearful state of backwardness in this respect.

Roman Catholic Christians were put down as 109,820, and Syrian Christians 295,770; but probably some Syro-Romanists were reckoned as Syrians because of their birth, when they should have been classed as Roman Catholics in religion.

Native Christian educated females were given as 1,593 in number. But the London Mission alone could at that time have supplied lists of the names of 1,559, and the Church Mission of 627 adult females able to read and write, not to speak of Roman Catholics and Syrian Christian women. The proportion of educated women (aged 15 and upwards) amongst the Protestant Christians was, therefore, 1,243 in every ten thousand, not 78 as in the Census Report !

The percentage of educated females over fifteen years of age in the London Mission is now 16.86, and in the Church Mission it is probably not much different. And this is but what might have been expected from the interest which missionaries have always taken in education.

The Native Christians (of all sects), it was said, “have 12.42 per cent, of their male population educated;“ but the true ratio of educated males in the two Protestant Missions was then about 29 or 30 per cent.; in the London Mission it is now 38 per cent., besides boys under fifteen.

Of the population of Travancore, 1,902,533 speak Malayalam, and 387,909 Tamil. The total number of Hindu castes is 420, many of which are peculiar to this Coast. The number of castes which comprise more than a thousand souls in each is 49, according to the following list; these, therefore, are numerically the principal castes. One more is added which is close upon this figure : —

In the spelling of these names of castes note that the ordinary masculine singular affix is a«— feminine, atti, ichi etc. The plural is generally marked by r for n, as Ilavan — Ilavar sometimes mar or kal. It seems impracticable to reduce all to uniformity in an English work, as an exact transliteration from the Indian tongues would disguise several terms already familiar with a certain established orthography, as Shanars, Pariahs, Sudras, and others. Writers in English commonly add our plural s to the Dravidian plural in r, as Ilavar but Ilavans is also used — especially for those that form the plural in mar.

Castes Numbers Educated Educated

Males Females

Malayala Brahman 10,762 10,188 241

Foreign Brahman 27,672

Kshetrya, Kshatriyan 2,453 645 116

Eliathoo, Ilayathu 3,455 634 16

Kongani, Concan Brahmans,

Sudras and others 14,260 1,178 4

Pushpaken 1,414 1,315 65

Varier 2,730

Coorookul, Guru 1,534

Maran 14,611 1,311 46

Malayala Soodra 440,932 46,373 2,656

Vellalen 24,125 4,294 30

Pandi Soodra 18,867 2,887 6

Chetti 16,948 1,744 17

Vadooken (northerner), Naidoo,

Naiken, etc. — Telugus 1,764 112 I

Patnoolkaren, Silk Weaver 1,636 215 0

Khrishnenvaga, in the south,

resembling Nanjinad Vellalars 8,298 772 6

Chalien, Weaver 6,691 305

Sunkum Pundrem 10,612 438 I

Panan, Tailor 2,225 119 0

Elavanien, Ilavaniyan, Greengrocer 2,665 114 0

Vanien, Oilmonger 24,516 1,153 6

Cummalen, Kammalan, Artisan 20,936 4,266 37

Thuttan, Tattan, Goldsmith 14,009

Cunnan, Kannan, Brassfounder 3,193

Cullen, Kallan Stoneworker 5,223

Collen, Kollen, Blacksmith 19,211

Thatchen, Tachen, Sawyer 3,800

Ausharee, Asari, Carpenter 29,385

Maraven, Tinnevelly Marava 4,988 137 0

Idayan, Tinnevelly Shepherd 6,319 275 1

Koshaven, Kusavan, Potter 7,364 96 0

Veluthaden, Washerman 13,190 275 1

Chemman or Chuckler, Shoemaker981 14 1

Kshowraken, Barber 14,521 417 7

Cunian, Kaniyan, Soothsayer 9,107 1,966 34

Munnan, Hill tribe 16,256 280 9

Puraven, Paravan, Lime-burner 8,598 27 0

Thundan, Tandan 17,852 65 0

Noolian, Coir-spinner 1,495 15 0

Elooven, Ilavan 383,017 5,928 93

Channan Shanan 97,730 1,924 8

Mookkooven, Mukkuvan and

Chavalakaran, Fisherman 12,725 92 2

Cackalen 1,047 13 8

Mala Arayen, Hill tribe 11,918 28 0

Vaden, Vedan 7,293 7 0

Pullen, Pallan 5,797 13 0

Oolladen, Ulladan, Hill tribe 2,829 6 0

Coraven, Kuravan or Kuruban 56,274 58 0

Purian, Parayan, Pariah 63,688 192 0

Poolian, Pulayan 188,916 183 0

Travancore thus contains a collection of living specimens of various types of humanity — a piecemeal and patchwork distribution of mankind of the most singularly complicated pattern — so that this small population of two millions and a half affords an inexhaustible field for ethnological research, and no complete account of even the whole of the principal castes is here possible. A few typical specimens only can be given in this volume, in which we seek especially to illustrate the condition of the lower castes, and of those that are peculiar to the Malayalam country.

To attempt to arrange the castes in the order of social precedence and respectability would, in the face of caste quarrels and jealousies, be as difficult as to draw up an exact lineal natural classification of all the species of plants; and its accuracy would be disputed by all but those at the head of the list.

Mr. G. Kerala Varmman Tirumulpad, however, in his vernacular work on ‘Malabar Laws of Inheritance,’ gives a curious and interesting classification of the castes, which furnishes us with such a list, showing the comparative estimate in which the respective castes are held by learned natives of high caste and of the old school. His arrangement is highly conventional, embodying some absurd prejudices and traditions, and making the number of castes to accord with theory rather than historical facts and existing circumstances.

This author discusses 72 castes, which he arranges as follows. Brahmanical castes, 8; Defective castes, 2; Intermediate castes, 12; Sudra castes, 18; Artisan castes, 6; Degraded (pathitha) castes, 10; Mean (nicha) castes, 8; in all, 64; besides other Ancient castes in Malabar, 8; total, 72.

The names of the eight Brahman castes, he says, are these —

1. Tamburan, Brahman rulers and high priests, as the Alvancheri high priest.

2. A’dhyans of the Eight Houses, leaders of the aristocracy of Malabar. These are called Namburipads or head Namburis, and are sacrificers and expounders of the Vedas.

3. Visishta, “distinguished,” noted for rank, learning, or sanctity. These have other titles according to function and dignity, as Adutiri, Chomatiri, Akkitira, and Bhattatiri — offerers of burnt sacrifice, ascetics, and so forth.

4. Samanya, “ordinary “ Brahmans, who conduct ceremonies, serve in temples, profess magical arts, exorcism, &c.

5. Jathi Matran, “barely in the caste,” also called Namburi, Mussu, Nambi, &c. A lower division comprising physicians, warriors, government servants, theatrical performers. Though considered inferior to the rest of the community, they are still admitted to bathe at the same place and to meals in company with others.

6. Sangethigan or Embran, traditionally said to have left Malabar for a while, and returned retaining some foreign usages. This division includes the Tiruvalla Desis, the Canarese and Tulu Brahmans. They are Santhis, or officiating priests in temples, repeat the Vedas, &c.

7. Sapagrastan, “accursed,” because they doubted Parasu Rama. Commonly called Namburis, but not allowed to study the Vedas, officiate as temple priests, nor associate with other Brahmans in meals or ceremonial observances.

8. Papishtan, “delighters in sin,” various faults being traditionally alleged against them, as insulting idols, murder, and performing sacred rites for Sudras (which seems to be thought as bad as murder) ! They are in low estimation as to Brahmanhood; and not allowed to perform divine service.

The first to the third of these divisions are usually spoken of under the general name of Namburis. Some of the fourth and fifth are called Pottis: some of the last, and the fifth classes, Pandarattillam. All these eight kinds are not found in Travancore. Pattars are foreign Brahmans, generally from Coimbatore.

Kshatriyas of the Lunar race alone exist in this age. There are three royal families — Tiruppappur, Travancore; Perumpadappu, Cochin; and Kola, Colattiri. Kshatriyas are Rajahs, Koil Pandarams and Tirumulpads, not high enough to associate with the Brahmans, nor so low as to be put on a level with Sudras.

The two Defective Castes are Ilayathu, “junior,” or Nambiyatiri, chiefly priests to Sudras; and Mutthathu, “senior,”or Agriman, who carry idols in procession, clean the courts of temples, &c. Among these property descends from father to son. The Ilayathus are said to have once been Namburis and degraded in caste for the crime of having informed a Sudra what rites should be performed in favour of his deceased ancestors.

The twelve Antarala, “intermediate” castes between Brahmans and Sudras, generally called Ambalavasi, “temple dwellers,” officiate as Levites or temple servants. They mostly follow the nepotistic law.

They are —

1. Adi, “slaves,”appointed to offer Siva worship in the groves of Bhadrakali, and exorcise devils, who have therefore lost Brahmanhood and become Ambalavasis. Very few in number.

2. Pushpagan “florist,”or Unni, brings flowers and garlands for temple worship. The next two classes are sometimes included with these, viz.:

3. Nambisan, teachers, &c.

4. Pupalli.

5. Pisharodi, tie garlands in temples of Vishnu. They do not wear the sacred thread or the kudumi, and their bodies are, after death, buried with salt.

6. Variyan, perform the same service as Pushpagan.

7. Chaikkiyar recite poems and dramas before gods and Brahmans, sometimes also representing the personages themselves.

8. Nambiyar, play the drum and assist the preceding.

9. Tiyattunni, “fire-dancer; “degraded from Brahmans because they jump through fire in honour of Bhadrakali.

10. Pidaran or Mussen, resembling Adis above mentioned, make offerings of flesh, spirits, &c., to Bhadrakdli.

11. Kuru or Guru, provide milk and ghee for temples, and sweep and cleanse them. Most numerous in the South.

12. Nattu Pattan or Unni, tie garlands and sweep temples. All Ambalavasis abstain from animal food of every kind.

The eighteen Sudra castes are—

1. Kiriyattil Nayar, called also Kuruppu, Keimmal, and Menon — the offspring of temple women by Brahmans. Though now generally poor they are said to be descendants of statesmen, accountants, generals, &c. They occupy the foremost place and need not serve the Brahmans.

2. Illakar, servants in Brahman houses; and,

3. Swarupakar, in Kshatriya houses; and,

4. Padamangalam, in temples.

5. Tamil Padakar.

6. Idacheri Nayar, shepherds and dairymen.

7. Maran, drummers and musicians in temples, attendants at ceremonies of Brahmans and Kshatriyas. They abstain from flesh-meat, and are, therefore, considered superior to other Sudras, yet are not allowed to eat with the higher classes of Sudras.

8. Chembukotti, copper utensil makers; and,

9. Odatta Nayar, tile makers for temples.

10. Madavan or Puliyatta Nayar, servants of Brahmans and others down to Ambalavasi.

11. Kalamkotti, potters, and

12. Chakkala, oil-mongers for temples.

13. Pallichan, palankeen bearers for Rajahs and Brahmans.

14. Asthikurichi, subordinate to Maran, perform funeral rites for Sudras.

The next four, our author says, are Sudras, but inferior to the preceding, and cause pollution to those Sudras who approach them, viz. : —

15. Chetti, merchants, selling curry stuffs and other goods.

16. Chaliyan, weaver.

17. Veluttedan, washerman; happily the cloths washed and handled by them are not prohibited as unclean, and may be received into pagodas and worn by all !

18. Kshourakar, barbers for all down to Sudras.

Outside the sixty-four regular castes are the following “extra” castes:—

1. Ammoman, villagers of Payanur.

2. Nambadi or Nambidi wearing the thread; and

3. Nambidi, without the sacred cord, a little below Ambalavasis and above Sudras — assist in sacrifices. These are not found in Travancore.

4. Pothuval, storekeepers in temples. Sometimes numbered with the Mutthathus.

5. Pilapalli, reduced from Brahmanhood by their ancestors accidentally receiving a fish as a present ! Only a few families residing at Ambalapula and without the privileges of the Ambalavasis.

6. Samantran, as the Zamorin and other rulers; those without rule are called Unittiri, Unyatiri, Eradi, Vellodi, Nedungadi, &c. Sometimes numbered with the Ambalavasis.

7. Karuvelam Nayar, resembling Illakar — treasury and palace guards. Said to have been brought from Kolatnad.

8. Naujinad Vellalan, agricultural settlers in Travancore.

The Kammalar, or “artisan”castes are —

1. Asari, carpenter,

2. Kallan or Kallasari, stonecutter.

3. Kannan or Musari, brazier.

4. Tattan, goldsmith and jeweller.

5. Kollan, blacksmith.

6. Tachan, sawyer.

Of these, only goldsmiths and braziers can approach the Sudras without polluting them.

The Pathita or “degraded”castes, fabled to have arisen from the unlawful intercourse of persons of differing and higher castes are ten, viz. —

1. Kaniyan, astrologer. 2. Vil Kuruppu, bowmaker and painter. 3. Velan or Mannan, sorcerer, removes rubbish from Brahman houses.

4. Kuruppu.

5. Tol Kuruppu, make shields and other articles of leather.

6. Panan, tailor.

7. Paravan, limeburner.

8. Ilavan, cocoa-nut tree cultivator and distiller; and

9. Shannan, the same for the palmyra tree.

10. Valan, boatmen; some are called Arayan and Kanakkan.

The Nicha, or “polluted” castes are —

Of the plains, four :

1. Parayan, or Pariah, labourers and basket-makers.

2. Pulayan, slave labourers.

3. Nayadi, beggars.

4. Ulladan, woodcutters.

And of the hills four:

1. Vedan.

2. Kaniyan, hunters.

3. Kuruban, or Kuravan or Kurumban.

4. Mala Arayan, hill cultivators.

The Kurubans sometimes work for the Arayans. What a marvellous schedule this Hindu writer furnishes of gradations of hierarchy, nobility, gentry, artisans, cultivators, labourers, slaves, and outcasts!