WILLIAM LOGAN, M.C.S. Vol4 PDF

BY
WILLIAM LOGAN, M.C.S.
Collector and Magistrate of the District, and Fellow of the University of Madras
In Four Volumes
VOLUME 4
This version is the government of India reprinted (1951) version. There might be
serious differences from the original version published around 1887. See below:
QUOTE: In the year 1948, in view of the importance of the book, the Government
ordered that it should be reprinted. The work of reprinting was however delayed, to
some extent, owing to the pressure of work in the Government Press. While reprinting
the spelling of the place names have, in some cases, been modernized.
Egmore, B. S. BALIGA,
17th September 1951 Curator, Madras Record Office
END OF QUOTE
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MALABAR
CONTENTS OF VOL. 4
XII.—Collection of Deeds 5
XIII.—Mr. Graeme’s Glossary Etymological Headings 129
XIV.List of Chiefs, Residents, Commissioners, Principal Collectors and Collectors 223
XV.—Land Revenue Assessment, Proclamation of 21st July I805 229
XVI.—Annual Average price of Paddy, 1860-80 233
XVII.— Monthly Average no. do. 234
XVIII.—Prices of Gingelly Seed, 1861-81 235
XIX.— Do, of Coconuts and Areca-nuts, 1862-81 236
XX —List of Malikhana Recipients in Malabar 239
XXI.—Short Descriptive Notes of Taluks, &c.
Chirakkal Taluk 243
Anjarakandi Amsam 255
Cannanore-Kirur Territory 259
Laccadive Islands 261
Agatti Island 277
Kavaratti Island 281
Androth do. 285
Kalpeni do. 291
Minicoy do. 297
Kottayam Taluk 305
Kurumbranad Taluk 317
Mahe and the Aldces 327
Wynad Taluk 331
Imports into Malabar from Mysore 345
Exports from Malabar to Mysore 346
Wynad Forests 347
Kanoth Forest 351
Calicut Taluk 353
Ernad do. 371
Nilambur Teak Plantations 389
Walluvanad Taluk 413
Palghat do. 423
do. Forests 433
Ponnani Taluk do. 435
Cochin do. 457
Tangasseri 463
Anjengo 465
Books by VED from VICTORIA INSTITUTIONS 469
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WILLIAM LOGAN
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APPENDIX XII
COLLECTION OF DEEDS
No. 1
a. Hail ! Sri—The King who has taken the supreme rule, King (Perumal) Sri
Bhaskara Ravi Varman, wielding the sceptre and ruling for many 100,000 years, in his
time, in the thirty-sixth year against1 the second cycle (literally, year), on the day when he
was pleased to sit in Muyirikodu, he was pleased to grant this favour.
[N.B. - The Jewish translation, particularly incorrect in the rendering of this sentence, deserves
perhaps, to be listened to in its translation of Muyirikodu “residing in Kranganur or
Kodungalur." Perhaps the Musiris of the ancients is to be sought so far south. The calculation of
the thirty-sixth year against the second cycle, which Mr. Whish has attempted, guided by the
authority of other documents of considerable age, I am not prepared to criticise, as I am doubtful
of the signification of "Etir” against (before ?).]
b. We have given to Joseph Rabban (the principality) Anjuvannam, along with the 72
Janmi2 rights, such as (going) with elephants and (other) conveyances, tribute from
subordinate landholders, and the possession (or revenue) of Anjuvannam, the light by
day, the spreading cloth, the litter, the umbrella, the Vaduca drum (Jews' transl: "drum
beaten with two sticks’’), the trumpet, the gateway with seats, ornamental arches, and
similar awnings and garlands (charawu, i.e,, T.காைவ) and the rest.
[N.B. - Here the name of Anjuvannam has been mistaken by the Jewish and other translators.
The Jews translate it “five colours,” and the revenue of Anjuvannam is converted by them into a
right to convert from the five castes. But the language of the document forbids to take “anju ”
for the numeral 5 : it would have been “aintu” as in the later document, Ila3. The present
translation of vidu peru, generally mistaken for a gift of houses, or even for a gift to 72 families is
fully secured by document II3 m several places ; vidu (cf. II, k3) is the verbal noun of vidu, “ to
leave,” signifies “remittance, freedom,” hence in ancient T. Synonymous with S. mocsha ; the
derived meaning is “freehold, Janmam,” hence the modem signification “gardens house.” Some
of the privileges are not quite determined ; pacudam (T.tribute) is, in the Jewish translation the
right of calling from the comers of the street that low castes may retire. After “umbrella” the
Jews have inserted a word of which they do not know the meaning.]
c. We have remitted to him the tribute to the Supreme Government (literally, the world-
bearing-hire of II4 l),
[NB.— The Jews translate literally, but ungrammatically, "and the revenue of the land and
balances their hires be remitted.”]
NOTEs: 1. Compare a similar use of the word “Etir” in Deed No. 4. “The date of this deed
cannot be later than the eighth century A.D.” Nor can the deed be “older than the beginning of
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William Logan
the eighth century.” Burnell in Ind, Ant, III, 334 : “Probably not later than the ninth century A.D.,
nor earlier than the seventh.” Caldwell, Grammar of Dravidian languages, Introdn., 89, Edn. 1875,
“About 750.” Burnell, South Indian Palaeography, 2nd Edn 140.
2. See the note which follows: the word used is Viduper.
3. No. 3 in this collection.
4. Deed No. 3, Clause (I). END OF NOTEs
And we have enacted with this copper-deed that when the other town
inhabitants pay taxes to the (Perumal's) palace, he shall not have to pay ; when they
receive, he shall also receive.
[N.B.- Nothing of the Jewish version can here be of any use ; they are quite misled by
the word Coyil, which they take for synagogues, and hence conclude the sense to be this : “and he
shall be chief to the rest of the cities in which there are synagogues and Jewish inhabitants,”
without any attention to the structure of the sentence. But the sentence is difficult on account of
the (antiquated) double aru, which I take for “time, term;” of Beschi’s அ வ tax paid at fixed
times;” and the derivative aru, used in. Malayalam and Canares for “when". From a comparison
of this and the first1 document, it appears that the residence of the Jewish and Christian
chieftains was not in the little principality given to them, but that they remained in the metropolis
as the seat of commerce. The Jewish translation may give confirmation to the tradition that there
were Jews and synagogues in many cities, and that naturally enough their naturalised Emir had
jurisdiction over the whole nation, which he represented in the system of Government then
established.]
d. (Given) to Joseph Rabban, the owner of Anjuvannam, and to his posterity,
sons and daughters, nephews and sons-in-law—a hereditary appendage for the time that
earth and moon exist—Anjuvannam, a hereditary appendage. Sri.
[NB. — Pracriti “what is natural, essential to.” I take it for synonymous with janmam,
which also first signifies “birth,” then in Malayalam “ hereditary property”. Different is the use of
pracriti in Ila2. The Jews translate it here with “standing.”]
e. Thus do I know Govardhana Marttandan, owner of Venadu (or Travancore).
Thus do I know Kotei Sri Candan, owner of the Venavali province (perhaps Bembali,
wherein now Cottayam. May it not be the older name of Odunadu, I1.)
[N.B.-These are the two southern vassals.]
f. Thus do I know, Mana Vepala Mana Viyan, owner of Erala province (the
name of the Tamutiri, changed by the Jewish version, according to the current tradition,
into Mana Vicrama, vulgo Mana Vikkiran), thus do I know Rayaran Chattan, owner of
Valluwa province.
[N.B.—Thus are the two northern vassals, as1.]
g. Thus do I know, Cotei Ravi, owner of Nedumpureiyur district (Jewish
version corrupted by the writers, but the tradition that this is the Palacadu Raja seems
correct. Nedumpureiyur is an old temple on the Palghatcheri road, from which Mr.
Whish obtained some inscriptions).
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Malabar
Thus do I know Murkhan Chattan, commanding the Eastern Army. The Jews
take Kilpadei for a proper name. It seems these two are the great eastern vassals on the
road which leads through the Coimbatoor gap to the old fields of battle between the
Pandi, Chola and Chera princes. I conclude from Document1 I, that in a later period the
Chera country, properly speaking, had been taken from the Cheramans).
[According to Ellis it was divided among the great vassals as early as A.D. 389,
and finally, though at what period is uncertain, was reduced to a province of the
Pandyan government. (Trans. Madras Lit. Society p. 19.).]
NOTEs: 1. No. 2 in this collection.
2. No. 3 in this collection. END OF NOTEs
h. Candan of Great Taleicheri Kil-way ("under-mouth, eastern commander or

viceroy, i.e, dhalawa, "army-mouth" or general), mountain-splitter. The writing of
Kelappa.
[N.B. - It is open to question whether these persons are two or three. The Jewish
version has only the first and the last, leaving out the middle altogether. If Kil-way be the name
of a place, we must render “the writing of Kil-way Kelappan, the mountain-splitter," and the
latter appellation may be taken for a title given to the writer because he deals in metals (compare
the grand-goldsmith of the I1 document). But as Buchanan says the Jews find in the names of the
subscribing Rajas the Colattiri and the Curumbenadu rulers, we may find it possible to recognise
m the Candan of Taleicheri a family member or vassal of Colattiri, who with this sea-town
recognised the rule of the Perumal, and in the mountain-splitter the chieftain of the Curumbar or
jungle-dwellers, so called either from his mines at Tamracheri or from a pass he opened through
the ghats. It does not seem that in the time of these three documents the northern Malabar or
Colatirri did belong to the Perumals, for if it did, its Rajas would certainly have obtained as high
and conspicuous a place in the line of witnesses as their relations of Venadu, to whom in old
times they appear certainly superior. They recognised2 perhaps a Tulu or Maisur dynasty as
supreme lords.]
NOTEs: 1. No. 2 in this collection.
2. It is suggested in the text that Keralam was at this time more or less under the Western
Chalukya kings and that the northern Kolattiri family had not at this time been founded. END OF
NOTEs
["Perimpadappu, who is now the Raja of Cochin, is here not mentioned,

because (the Perumal) made him his heir and successor.” There is certainly some truth in
this remark, from what is said1 I, about the name Vira Kerala, now the standing
appellation which the Perimpadappu assumes on his accession to the throne]
NOTEs: 1. No. 2 in this collection. END OF NOTEs
Note.—This translation of the Cochin Jews’ deed was published by Dr. Gundert in the Madras
Journal Lit. Sc., XIII Part I, p. 137. Other translations by Ellis and Burnell are to be found in
Madras J.L S. XIII. II, and Ind. Ant III, 34 ; also by K. Kelu Nayar in M.J., L.S., N S., V 42.
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William Logan
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No. 2
Hari Sri. Adoration to Ganapati.
The blessed rule having devolved from the earth-ruler Man-lord Chacravarti
Vira Kerala (the first of the line), through regular succession, upon Sri Vira Raghava
Chacravarti, now wielding the sceptre for many 100,000 years (in the year), Jupiter4 in
Capricornus, the 21st of the Mina month, Saturday, Rohani4 asterism, the following grant
was made in the royal palace (of the Perumal). We have given to Iravi Corttan of
Mahodeverpattnam [henceforth to be called Grand Merchant of the Cheraman world
(Kerala)], the lordship of Manigramam. We also have given to him (the right of) the
feast-cloth(?), house-pillars (or pictured rooms ?), all the, revenue, the curved5 sword (or
dagger), and in (or with) the sword the sovereign merchant-ship, the right of
proclamation, the privilege of having forerunners, the five musical instruments, the
conch, the light (or torch burning) by day, the spreading cloth, litter, royal umbrella,
Vaduca drum (drum of the Telugu’s or of Bhairava?), the gateway with seats and
ornamental arches, and the sovereign merchant-ship over the four classes6 (or streets),
also the oil-makers and the five kinds of artificers1 we have subjected to him (or given
as slaves to him).
NOTEs: 2. It is suggested in the text that Keralam was at this time more or less under the Western
Chalukya kings and that the northern Kolattiri family had not at this time been founded
3.This is, so far as known, the earliest instance of the use, within Malabar itself, of this dialectic (Canarese)
form of the ancient name, Chera, of the country.
4.“A.D. 774 is the only possible year.”—Dr. Burnell in Indian Antiqary I, p. 229.
5.The knife variously styled the war knife, Nayar knife, Mappilla knife, etc., is probably referred to. See
Kodungakatti in Glossary. The possession of this weapon is now illegal.
6. Cheri—probably foreign settlers— corporate bodies.
1. 1, Goldsmith ; 2, Carpenter ; 3, Founder ; 4, Irionsmith ; 5, Coppersmith. END OF NOTEs
We have given as eternal (literally, ‘‘water”2) possession to Iravi Corttan, the

lord of the town, the brokerage and due customs of all that may be measured3 by the
para, weighed3 by the balance, stretched3 by the line, of all that may be counted3 or
carried, contained within salt sugar, musk, and lamp-oil, or whatever it be, viz., within
the river-mouth of Codungalur and the tower, or between the four Talis (temples of the
deputy Brahmans) and the gramams belonging to them. We have given it by an
unreserved4 tenure to Iravi Corttan, Grand Merchant of the Cheraman world, and to his
sons and sons' sons in proper succession.
NOTEs: 1. 1, Goldsmith ; 2, Carpenter ; 3, Founder ; 4, Ironsmith ; 5, Coppersmith.
2. In the case of the Jews' grant there was no transfer by "water". Did this part of the ceremony
come into the country with the Vedic Brahmans? See Deed No. 38.
3. “Quoe pondere, numero, mensurave constant." Is there here a relic of the Roman trade with Muziris? i
e., the Codungallur of this grant ?
4. This grant is chiefly of privileges and dignities of soils, though made with "water". END OF
NOTEs
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William Logan
Witnesses are :—
With the knowledge of the two Brahman5 divisions of Panniyur and Chowaram
village have we given it ; with the knowledge of the Venadu and Odunadu (rulers) have
we given it ; with the knowledge of the Eranadu and Valluwanadu (rulers) have we given
it ; given for the time that sun and moon shall last ; with the knowledge of the above,
written by Nambi Chadayan, grand goldsmith of the Cheraman world.
Note.—The above is one of the deeds belonging to the Syrian Christians of the Cochin
and Travancore States. This translation, by Dr. Gundert, appeared in the Madras "Journal of
Literature, etc., Vol XIII, Part I p. 118.
NOTEs: 5. See pages 269—273 of the test.
10
Malabar
No. 3.
The following is the translation, as far as it can be made out, with short remarks in brackets.
a. Hail! In the time (literally, year) of Perumal (Cō, king, or Gō) Sthanu Ravi Gupta, who
now rules gloriously for many 100,000 years, treading under foot hostile heads, in his
fifth6 year, this year under the concurrence of His Excellency the Ayyan Adigal,
governing the Venadu (the Travancore king is still called Venad Adigal, "the adorable
feet of Venadu") of Anjuwannam (the Jewish principality of Deed No. 1) and of
Punnattala's Lord7 (the next neighbour, vide d), the following grant of a freehold8 has
been given by His Excellency the Ayyan Adigal to the Tarisa9 church (and community),
established (or built) by Isodata Virai of Curakkeni Collam. (The name Tarisa is perhaps
to be recognised in the Dariaygal of the Syrian tradition).
NOTEs: 6 Probably fifty years later than Deed No. 2. “Ninth Century** (Haug).— Burnell in
ind. Ant. Ill, 315.
7. பதி (pati).
8. ெப (peru).
9. Dr. Burnell thinks Tarisa is of Semitic origin, signifying study. In modem Persian Tarsa means
prayer. —Ind,. Ant. Ill, 310. Other scholars have found in this word the Biblical “Tarshish."— Madras
Journal of Literature and Science, XIII, Part I. END OF NOTEs
b. (This sentence is the most difficult of the whole, first, on account of the
many antiquated terms of country customs ; secondly, on account of the construction,
perar being the negative verb which gives no plausible translation. I prefer to read perar
and take it as the nominative for the genitive.) And I also (one of the above lords of
Maruwan Sapir Iso or the church, vide n), who formerly had the possession of the share
staff1 (வாரகெகா , feudal tenure ?) of the four families of Ilawar (Simhalese, also Tiyar,
Dwipar, Islanders,” now palm-tree cultivators), and of the eight families of Ilakeyar
(Sihala low castes or slaves ?) belonging to them, and one family of washermen coming
from the same stock as these—all these being entitled to the fetter-right2 (தைள the
foot-rope for mounting coconut trees ?) and ladder-right2 (for reaping pepper ?), to the
tax for the elephant feeder, and to the wash gold (‘‘eri, perhaps ari), which the Chandan
(‘'‘great person ? sun ? ) is wont to get (mattu, “hook in” T., “get by ruse"), as well as to
the harvest gold (“polipon,' gold of interest ? shining gold ?), to the nightly meal of rice
and to the pot measure— I, possessed of this sharestaff, and of the Cavvan (or cappam ?
“tribute”), and of those five Kandis (pieces of ground or shares ?), have given them by a
free and unrestricted transfer.
NOTEs: 1.The shares of produce, etc., due to the Ko (king) and to the pati (over lord) were styled varam
(see i). The possession of the varakkol probably gave the holder authority to collect those dues.
2. காண (kanam). END OF NOTEs
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William Logan
c. Maruwan Sapir Iso (Maruwan, the Syrian lord ?), who has received the water
(hereditary possession) of this town, having arranged that these four families of Ilawar
(with their servants and washerman), families of—3, one family of carpenters, and four
families of Vellalar (Tamil agriculturists)—the latter being Caralar (T. ploughmen, M.
temple-servants, used. Clause m, for trustees, hence Clause i, the noun Caranmei
“trusteeship”) of the Alave (or Aladeiya) land—that all these may do their duty4 to the
God, the planter by planting (rice, etc.), the setter by setting (trees, or by building,
offering ?), so that the required ceremonies, such as the oil for the church, suffer no
diminution, has enacted and given to the Tarisa church the land now to be described.
NOTEs: 3. Sic.
4. The various members of the community were evidently told off to perform various functions ;
those customary functions were hereditary : hence caste., See pages 108-112 of the text. The community was
evidently organised on the model of a well-ordered household. END OF NOTEs
d. Decreed with the sanction of the Palace-major (Koyilatikarikal) Vyaraka

Devar (probably Commissioner of the Perumal, since he is repeatedly mentioned before
the Travancore vassal), and power given with (the ceremony of) water5 drops for seizing
and possessing, under the concurrence of His Excellency the Ayyan Adigal, His
Excellency the second Raja Rama (brother of the former and next heir), his officers and
ministers, and of the 6006 (a local authority, vide f) ; also of the (neighbouring) lords of
Punnattala (“place of Calophyllum trees”) and Pulacudi (“dwelling of silk cotton trees"),
the land bounded so that the east border be Vayalcadu (open waste plain) and the
backwater included ; the south-east border be the wall near the little door-gate? (Chiru
watil cal matil) ; the west border the sea ; the north border the Torana garden ; the north-
east border the garden of the unapproachable (andilan) of Punnattala ; the land enclosed
within these four borders I have empowered to take, and by executing this copper-deed
have given, for the days that earth, moon and sun exist.
NOTEs: 5. See note to Deed No. 2. In this case the transfer was of land and other things ; the
things transferred by Deed No. 2, with "water,” were privileges of sorts.
6. 6. Compare the notice of the “Six hundred" in Deed No, 4. It is almost certain that the
Karanavar of all the Taras (Nayar villages) in the Nad constituted the "Six Hundred ;” but Dr. Gundert in
the translation of Deed No. 4 says, though with some doubt, "Bodyguard." See pages 87—90 and 132-34 of
the text and the word "Kuttam” in the Glossary, App, XIII. END OF NOTEs
e. And it has farther been settled with the concurrence of His Excellency the
Ayyan Adigal, His Excellency Rama, and the Palace-major, that the church people
(Palliyar, probably heads of the Tarisa citizens) alone have power to punish the
(Heathen) families of this land for any offence1 whatsoever, and receive the fines,
expenses, head-price and breast-price (probably the right of selling males and females
for serious caste offences) ;
NOTEs: 1. Among the privileges' recited, in a “Malabar Jenmum” deed granted by the Kolattiri
Raja to the Honourable Company’s linguist at Tellicherry in October 1758 are the following : “Penalties or
condemnations and customs, beginning with one principal and ending with all other things,” which was
explained to the Joint Commissioners (Diary 15th February 1793) as meaning “the power of administering
justice, both civil and criminal, even to the cutting off the hands of a thief.” END OF NOTEs
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Malabar
f. mine own relations, whoever they be, whatever the charges be, shall never
have the right there to speak as heads of the land dealing with subjects. Let the 6002 (see
d), the Anjuwannam2 and Manigramam2 (Jewish and Christian principalities) be the
protectors.
NOTEs: 2. The deed, it will be observed, makes no allusion here to the headman of the Jewish
and Christian communities, although it is known from Deeds Nos. 1 and 2 that such headmen had been
appointed. The conclusion is, therefore, that the power of protection here assumed resided not in the
headmen, but in the communities as corporate bodies. This strengthens the view in the note to para (d) that
the Six Hundred were really the Kuttom (see Appendix XIII) of the Karanavar of the Nad. END OF
NOTEs
g. Let them, even Anjuwannam and Manigramam act both with the church and
the land according to the manner detailed in this copper deed for the times that earth,
moon and sun exist.
h. Ordered with the sanction of the Palace-major Vyaraka Devar, and with the
sanction of His Excellency the Ayyan Adigal, and His Excellency Rama, and free3 tenure
granted to these (Palliyar) as follows : —
NOTEs 3. Viduper. END OF NOTEs
i. (Again a difficult sentence. I take Ulaku i.e,, loka for the official name of the
citizens, Christian freemen formed into a corporation4 and distinguished both from the
Palliyar, who are their headmen, and from the Cudi or Heathen families, who live on
their grounds as farmers or slaves.) There being 61 citizens, the number not to be
increased nor to be diminished ; no personal tax to be received for the slaves they buy
(or, the person tax to be received’’ if you read perar) ; for admitting any conveyances or
letting them out they are to receive 8 coins (Kachuwayinam is vahanam, understand horses,
waggons) ; in the case of (female) elephants and of boats, whether for letting in or letting
out, they are to receive 4 coins ; merchandise belonging to the citizens to be disposed of
(or removed) by them with the cognizance of the above (the Palliyar ? or the protecting
lords ? ) ; and that they (the Palliyar) do all the business (rights and duties) of a lord
(swami) on the place of packing the wares (or on spots where poles with leaves are set
up as signs of prohibition) and elsewhere, only after deliberation with the above
mentioned (Anjuwannam and Manigramam ?) ; that Anjuwannam and Manigramam
protect the citizens in every coming generation1; that in the space within the four gates
(or in the four public offices ?) and on the spot where land for sale (or “under
prohibition") is given in trust, the palace (or Supreme Government) having received the
king’s tithe2 (Ko-pata-waram), Anjuwannam and Manigramam receive the Lord’s tithe2
(Pati-ppata-waram).
NOTEs: 4. This and the succeeding para, (k) prove conclusively that Dr. Gundert’s position here
is correct. The Jews and Syrians were in guilds or corporations precisely similar to the Nayars, the Palliyar
corresponding to the Taravad (Tara-pad) Karanavar and Anjuwannam and Manigramam to the “600" of the
Nad.
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William Logan
1.
2. There is here the earliest intimation of what “Pattam” was originally. See the Glossary. The king
(Ko-pad) and the over-lord (Pati-pad) had each a share (varam) of the produce, not necessarily of the land
alone. Is it too far-fetched derive pattam from patta-varam ? END OF NOTES
k. with the sanction of the Palace-major Vyaraka Devar, who has given to these
(the Palliyar) the 72 janmi3 rights (viduperu), such as for marriages (or processions), the
elephant's back, the earth, the water, etc. (or “earth and water on the elephant,” at all
events, marks of nobility), and with the concurrence of His Excellency the Ayyan Adigal,
His Excellency Rama, the ministers and officers, the 600, and the Lords of Punnattala
and Pulacudi, let Anjuwannam and Manigramam carry out this unrestricted possession
right in the manner described by this copper-deed for the time that earth, moon and sun
exist.
NOTEs: 3. See note to Deed No. 1. END OF NOTEs
l. If any injustice be done to these (the Palliyar ? or Anjuwannam and

Manigramam ?), they may withhold the tribute (“world-bearing hire”) and remedy
themselves the injury done to them. Should they themselves commit a crime, they are
themselves4 to have the investigation of it.
NOTEs: 4. The Muhammadan community in Malabar does not seem to have possessed this
privilege - "Tahafut-ul-Mujahideen" by Rowlandson, pp. 72, 73. END OF NOTEs
m. And let whatever the two chieftains5 in Anjuwannam and Manigramam, who
have taken the water (possession) as trustees for this town (Caralar, see c.), may do in
unison be counted for one act.
NOTEs: 5. The allusion here to the headmen (see Deeds 1 and 2) shows that their respective
corporate bodies or guilds acted through them, though the real power (see Note to paragraph f) rested with
the community. So too must it have been in the Nayar organisation by Nads. END OF NOTEs
n. And let Maruwan Sapir Iso, who took the water for this town, since he
acquired (or transferred ? peruttu) the share-staff (Varakol of b), and those5 pieces (or
Anjacandi) which formerly were the property of the Palliyar, pay for it the full price to
the church. This also I have given over by unrestricted transfer.
o. I have ceded to the Tarisa church people, by full and unrestricted tenure,
every kind of revenue by this copper-deed for the time that earth, moon and sun do last.
p. Those Ilawar6 are permitted to follow out their occupations (?) in the bazar
and on the wall. The washer-man may come and do his work in the bazar7 and on the
wall.
NOTEs: 6. Presumably these were some of the families of the land conveyed along with it in
paragraph (c).
7. Presumably outside the limits of the land conveyed by paragraph (d). END OF NOTEs
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q. Nor have the Island1 ruler (or Tiyar headman) and the Wall office or whoever
it be, any power to stop them on any charges whatsoever. Though they should commit a
trespass, the Palliyar alone have to try them.
NOTEs: 1. See Glossary under Tiyan, &c. END OF NOTEs
r. I have given this in the manner detailed in the copper-deed, for the time that earth,
moon, and sun do last, by full, free and unrestricted tenure.
s. The person who made this full, free and unrestricted transfer to the Tarisapalli
through His Excellency the Ayyan Adigal, is Maruwan Sapir Iso.
t. To those who keep this and care to see it observed let God himself be gracious (what
is anugramam or anucramam ?). The writing of Ayyan ; and may this benefit (vel, or is it a
compound word ?) be equal to Cula Sundara's (Vishnu ?). Rule victoriously !
Note.—The above is one of the deeds belonging to the Syrian Christians of the Cochin and
Travancore States. This translation, by Dr Gundert, appeared in the "Madras Journal of
Literature, & c. Vol. XIII. Part I, p, 130.
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William Logan
16
Malabar
No. 4
Svasti Sri.—In the year that runs for the Kolavalan2 (or Keralavalan ?) Ramar
the fourth, opposed3 to the fourth year, in this year has the ruler of Rama-vala-nadu,
Kannankandan of Vali (or Valiyattu), and his officers and the 6004 (body-guard ?), in
concert with the house-gods (ancestors ? Brahmans?), performed the following act :—
Chellan, the father (or stay ? lord) of Kanayapalli, wanted to purchase
Tirumunnur, the Padarar’s domain, and, finding the gold required for it not
forthcoming, delayed the purchase. (Here the verb െചാഴിയുക seems plain but its
meaning is obscure. Can it be Tamil ചുഴിയുക, revolve in mind ?) The purchase of this
domain5 of the Padarar, with all6 that belongs to it, has then been made by the ruler of
Cheranadu (or Chara ? ) and his officers, and the image of the god of the Padarars, with
their sovereignty (prabhutvam), has been subjected7 to the 600, and is possession8
(Kanam or mortgage ?) held under8 the king (Iran). They may burn a lamp of joy
(nanda vilakku, an old privilege, see (Curian s Essay, 1872, p. 12). The Uralan is to be
the hand of the Padarar. The 600 ought to make the Padarar perform the service with
one Nali rice. Let them also look after Tirukkunam, the property of these (or this)
Padarar and protect9 (ilaxikka = raxikka) it for them, even the 600, and the agreeing
party furnish them for this purpose with good liquor (madhu), fire and water (or holy
ashes ?). When the agreeing party (mortgagor ?) maintains the temple offerings, then the
Potuval has to go and hand to them what they order. It is not the 600 that have thus to
serve (different meaning, if പീടി should have to be read). (Follows something, which I
cannot read, about the expense at the fane of Tirukkunam. The last line is readable,
except the end. ) The Uralan, if he be guilty of embezzlement( ?), shall be fined 25
Kalanju gold.
Note —This translation of an inscription on stone in old Vatteluttu characters is by Dr.
Gundert. The stone was found at Tiruvannur (the “Tirumunnur” of the inscription), one of the
residences of the Zamorin Maharaja Bahadur in Calicut town.
NOTEs: 3. Etir, the same word that occurs in the Jews’ Deed No. 1 .
4. See notes to Deed No. 3.
5. Padarar mel.
6. Eppereppattatum.
7. Arunurruvarkkum Kilpaitu.
8. Iranukku Kilittu kanom. This is the earliest instance excepting Clause (6) of No. 3, of the use of
this important word Kanam. The "600” were evidently appointed to be the Kanakkarar (overseers or
protectors) of the Padarar’s estate. Conf. p. 133 of the text.
9. See note to paragraph (f) of Deed No. 3. This sentence, taken in connection with the use of the
word Kanam above, shows that the duty [see note to paragraph (c) of Deed No. 3] of the Kanakkarar was to
supervise and protect. The collection of the pattam [see notes to paragraphs (b) and (i) of Deed No. 3] on
behalf of the Ko-pad would naturally be part of that duty. The share of the pattam due to the Patipad went
into their own exchequer as a corporate body, or into the exchequer of their headman, or perhaps partly
into the one and partly into the other. Compare notes to paragraphs (i) and (m) of Deed No. 3, and the
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William Logan
word Kanam in the Glossary as to the derivation of the word Kanam. Conf. also p. 138 of the text. END
OF NOTEs
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No. 5
Kumbha Vyalam, on the 5th of Karkitakam solar month (ഞായർ), in the
dignified presence (തിരുമു ്) of our Kalle Kulangare Emur Bhagavati, in the northern
entrance of the temple (വടെ നട), Sekhari Varma alias Tekkunathan,1 with the
knowledge (അറിയ) of the four immediate successors (നാലുകൂറുവാ ചയും) of the
two Tamburattis (ര ് ത ുരാ ിയും = two queens, ladies), of the two Anantiravars
in the female line (ര ു െപൺവഴി അന ിരവ ാരും) of the Kurur Namburipad2
(കൂറരന ൂരി പാടും), of the inhabitants (നഗര ാരും) of Rayirinallara and
Kumarapuram (രായിരിനലരകുമരപുരം), of townspeople (നഗര ാരും) of
Yogakkar(േയാഗകാരും) of Koppana Mannadi (െകാ ണമ ാടി), and of two
Kodakarttakkanmar3 (െകാടകർ ാ ാർ) our Emur Bhagavati Devasvam nilam,
called Kottapadi (െകാ പടി), and lands (ഉഭയം) sowing 242 kalams (കാലം =: a
Tamil measure of 12 marcals) of seed, (comprised) in the 14 Cherikkal4 under (the place
called) Kunnumpara കു ുംപാറ), with the parambas (പറ ു്) and tanks by their
(lands) banks (തൻകര), and lands (ഉഭയം) sowing 1,200 kalams (കലം = 12
marcals) of seed, including nanja and punja (ന പു ), (comprised) in the 42
Cherikkal (േചരി ൽ) (extending) from Chembana (െച ന) to Kachanada (ക നട)
at the ghat (മലയകം = literally, within the hill), and the Akamala5 (അകമല = valley),
Puramala (പുറമല), Chiramala (ചറമല), and Kilamala5 (കീഴമല) of the ghat
(മലയകം) ; these are given as Manyam6 (മാന ംവിടുക), to last till stones (കല്), and
Cavery (കാേവരി), and grass (പുല്) and the earth (ഭൂമി) exist, in order that with the
income (വരുമാനം) derivable from them the expenses of Puja (പൂജ), of feeding (ഊ
= generally feeding of Brahmans), and of songs (പാ ് = probably songs at temple),
and of the subjects ( പജകൾ) may be met without any distinction (?)െഏെറവരികയും
ഇലാമൽ). Besides this, with the pattam1 (പാടും) 411 kalams4 (കലം) sowing seeds
special ceremonies (വിേശഷ അടിയ രം) will go on (നട ും). Whoever does harm
(േദാഷം) to these, will merge േപാകു വർ) in those who murder Brahmans
(ബ ഹതി) on the banks of the Ganges (ഗംഗാകര). With the knowledge of the
witnesses Vadakkunathan2 (വട ുംനാഥൻ) and Vilvadrinathan (വില ാ ദിനാഥൻ).
Note.—Translated from a copy received from Nellisseri Siva Ramayyan of

Palghat town. The document is in places barely intelligible.
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William Logan
NOTE: 1. Tekku-nathan (literally, southern lord), that is, the Southern Nayakkan of Palghat, the
ruler of Temmalapuram.
2. Kurvalcha, from kuru (= part, share) and Dravidian-valcha ( living prosperously, reigning,
governing). The immediate successors of a Raja had share in the administration.
3. Probably intended for Kotta-Karttakkanmar = literally, fort lords. Perhaps the same as the Cotual
(Kottavals) of the Portuguese.
4. Lands set apart for the support of Rajas.
5. These four words probably denote “the valleys and mountain spurs."
6. Manyam (Sanskrit) - deserving of honour or regard, and lands nearly or altogether exempt from
tax. Note that this is the case of a Raja parting with a portion of the lands set apart for his own use
(Cherikkal).
1. See note to paragraph (i) of Deed No. 3. It is to be inferred that this pattam was derived from
other land than that conveyed as Manyam. Probably it was from land of which the temple had. already
obtained the "water right" and the Pati-patta-varam or pattam of which was now also given up.
2. See above. This was the head (Northern Nayakkan) of the other branch of the Palghat Raja's
family. END OF NOTEs
20
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No. 6
Letter (തി ്)from Kandan Damodaran. To be read over by Mangat Menon
(േമനവൻ = accountant) and communicated (തിരുമന ഉണർ ി ൂ == awaken
the blessed mind) to Trissivaperur (Trichur) Natuvile Matattil Kakkote Tirumanassu
(തിരുമന = blessed mind, a term applied to Nambutiris, etc.), who looks after the
affairs of Tiruvalattur Bhagavati, our household goddess (പരേദവത) ; the object
((കാർ ം), than, is that, with a view that prosperity may come to us (നമു ് േ ശയ ്
വേര തി ു്) by removing the displeasure (തിരുെവളേ ട contracted from

തിരുഉ േ ട,
a particular term for the displeasure of Nambutiris, Rajas, etc.), of the
Bhagavati, incurred by our having done something ( ചിലൈക ാർ ംെച തു== did
some deeds by the hand) to Chuvath Nambi from Sanketam (സേ തം = an asylum
or holy refuge exempt from war and profanation), we have made a gift (ദ ു് െച തു)
by way of atonement ( പായ ി മായി), of our property (സ ) Meletattakku,

bounded on the east by Elayachchapara, Ariyampaka and Parakkatavu, on the south by
river (പുഴ) on the west by Pantillottumakku, and on the north by Pantittodu (േതാ =
canal), lands for 12 (പ ിരു) kalams (കലം, a Tamil measure = 12 marcals) of seed,
and parambas situated within these boundaries, Etavantikavil Ayyan (അ ൻ or
അ ൻ == deity of hunting), the Ayyappan Variyam (വാരിയം = Variyar's
house), Kambu kulam (കുളം = tank), Kula nilam (നിലം == land), and 20 paras of
paddy as Melvaram (േമൽവാരം), out of the Micharam due to us on account of Oravan
Kandam, 60 paras lands demised (ചാർ ിയ) to Kottavali (Nambutiri). Thus
Kartikanyayar (കാർ ിക ായ ിൽ == in the solar month of Kartika) of
Bahudhaniya3 Varsham (ബഹുധാന വർഷം). May Kartiyayini (കാർ ായിനി =
female deity) be pleased and become protectress. With the knowledge of Tiruvalattur
Potuval Chutanarayanan Vadamuli Kumaran Kandan, the witness to this.
Note.—Translated from a copy received from Nellisseri Siva Ramayyan of Palghat
town. The language of this deed is ordinary modern Malayalam. It is placed here in the list
because its date is, like the dates of those that precede it, not referable to the Kollam or
Putuveppu era, but it is an ordinary modern deed.
NOTEs: 3. The twelfth year in the Brihaspati (60 years) Cycle. END OF NOTEs
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22
Malabar
No. 7
In the month of Makaram of the year 4664, Vayalmanakkal Shangara
Narayanan, the proprietor5 (ഉടയ) of Parayat Desam, has conveyed [എഴുതിെകാടു ു
= literally, wrote (and) gave] for 48,101 old fanams1 to Ayikkare, Ittikota, and
Itichakki, by a copper-plate (െചേ ടു്) executed by Shangara Narayanan in the blessed
(തിരു) presence of Villiyar Vatta Svarupam2, his lands (ഉൽപ ികൾ) and parambas
(പറ ുകൾ) in the Parayat Desam (which are) bounded on the east by Aynarikkal
channel (േതാടു്), on the south by Kotatha ferry, on the west by Kuttiruthi channel
(േതാടു്), and on the north by Kayanutti channel (േതാടു്) as well as the Sthanamanangal
ാനമാന ൾ = literally, rank and honors ; but per Gundert ‘"rank and emoluments
of office”), Yekku3 (െയ ു sic ? ), Chollu (െചാല = command), Kuttu (കു ു =
probably authority over transactions, such as signing deeds), Vilakku4 (വിള ു =
lamp), right of digging and splitting (െവ കയും പിള ുകയും), cow having five
nipples to the udder (അ ു മുല), Chelli a sort of grass in the fields, = to stray as cattle.
Gundert, Chelli (െചലി =? stray cattle), fighting bull (െചെ ാ ു്
==: literally, red
horn), dramatic ornaments or religious festival (െവലയാ സാധനം), enjoyment of
crops (വിളെപാക ൾ)5, the fish known as Cannan6 in the tank (കുള ിൽ ക ൻ),
the hog that has fallen into a well (കിണ ിൽ പ ി), and civet cat (െപരു = probably
െമരു) and tigress (പുലി), abnormal jackfruit (െകാ ച )7 and "bunch of plantains
with tree (കുലവാഴ), and all similar rank and honours ( ാനമാന ൾ). Thus
Ayikkare, Ittikota, and Itichakki have taken by writing (എഴുതി െകാ ാൻ) from
Shangara Narayanan, in the blessed presence of Villiyar Vatta Svarupam, his lands
(ഉൽപ ികൾ) and parambas (പറ ുകൾ) specified in Parayat Desam, as well as the
rank and honours ( ാനമാന ൾ)8 Yekku (െയ ു sic), Chollu (െചാല =
command), Kuttu (കു ു, see notes above), Vilakku (lamp), the right of digging and
splitting (െവ കയും പിള ുകയും), cows having five nipples to the udder (അ ു
മുല), Chelli (െചലി, see above), the fighting bull (െചെ ാ ു്), dramatic ornaments
(േവലയാ സാധനം), see above), the fish known as Cannan in the tank (കുള ിൽ
ക ൻ), the hog that has fallen into a well (കിണ ിൽ പ ി), civet Cat (െപരു =
probably െമരു), tigress (പുലി), abnormal jack (െകാ ച ) and bunch of plantains
with tree (കുലവാഴ), and all similar ranks. Thus Ittikota and Itichakki got by writing the
Desam (േദശം അട ി എഴുതി െകാ ാൻ), by paying 48,101 old fanams ; the
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William Logan
witnesses who know this being Tiriwalu Patteri, Talappu of Palutinepalli, Vaykot Elamal
and Katammat Menon.
Note.—It is not known whether the boundaries specified are the boundaries of the
Desam, or only of a portion of it. The copy from which this translation was made was obtained
from the Dewan of Cochin State.
NOTEs: 1. It will be seen in subsequent deeds that the price paid is never stated.
2.The "Beliartes" of the Portuguese, the Kodungallur (Cranganore) dynasty.
3.. എ ം (Ekkam) means turning for fight. — Gundert.
4.കു ുവിള ു, if taken together, means “lamp with a long handle” used as insignia.
5. First-fruits would probably better express the meaning.
6. Varal—piral (North Malabar)—pral == Maral.
7. Jackfruit with a horn, abnormal growth.
8. Some of these “ranks" (Sthanam,) and "honours" (Manam) are (see Glossary under "Revenue”)
privileges supposed to appertain exclusively to ruling Rajas. END OF NOTEs
24
Malabar
No. 8
In the year 6401, Vrisohika Vyalam, solar month (ഞായർ) Kanni, under the
orders of Ittikombi and Anantiravars (അന ിരവൻ), and of Kalpatti Mukhalvattams
(മു ാൽവ ൾ == the oracles of Velichapadu), the land bounded on the east by
the paramba north of the Chira (ചിറ) = tank or embankment) and Tekka Telava, on
the south by Maravalli Todu (േതാ = stream), on the west by patti Kadavu കട =
ferry), and on the north by the Kalpatti Kadavu (കട = ferry), is made a gift of with
water2 (ധാരാദ ) to the temple (േകാവിൽ), with the very superior ( െമ െമ =
superior and superior) use of protection3 (േ മമു ഉപേയാഗം), to the Brahmans
living therein, and with the upper and lower produce (േമൽഫലവും കീ ഫലവും)
retainers and slaver, (ആളടിയാർ), cattle (ഏര) and iron (ഇരി ് = ploughshare),
seed and valli (വി ും വലിയും), oil-mill (ച ു), and Mukkalvattam (മു ാൽ വ ം
= also applied to the temples of Bhagavati, where the oracles were consulted), 130
Brahman houses existing therein, 132 fanams given to Tiranda Mana with interest of 132
fanams, the gold, silver, and copper vessels belonging to the temple, and every such
thing. Nephew4 (മരുമകൻ) Ittikombi and Anantiravars and these Mukkalvattam
(മു ാൽവ ം), are witnesses5 (to this) (സാ ി കടവർ) ; the support to this (ഇതി ു
ആധാരമാകു തു്) is Chokkanathan (Siva), Emur Bhagavati and Melkaranavan (chief

administrator). Written to this effect by Rayiramkandatt Pangi.
Note.—The copy from which, this translation was made was obtained from Nellisseri
Siva Ramayyan of Palghat town.
NOTEs: 1. A.D. 1464.
2. Transfers of the “water right” required formerly the sanction of the Perumal as well as of the
local chief, and his heir, and the “six hundred,” and neighbouring lords (Deed 3). Here the transfer is made
by the local chief with the concurrence, however, of the people, whose mouth-piece was the Velichapad or
oracle. The Perumal or Kon-of Keralam was now extinct. Each ruling chief of a nad had probably set himself
up as Kon.
3. This deed adheres to the old line of providing for the "protection" of the inhabitants. Compare
Deed 3.
4. "Nephew,” that is of the Palghat Raja. He was probably at the time the ruling chief, for the
head of the house did not always possess executive functions.
5.The copy is to this effect, but sakshi (witness) has probably been mistaken for sukshi, which gives
the more intelligible meaning, that these individuals would “take care” the deed of gift was carried out.
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26
Malabar
No. 9
Attipettolakarunam (അ ിെപെ ാലകരണം), executed in Medam Nyayar (solar
month), Makara Vyalam, of the year 6996,
Pulavali Nakan Naranan7 has given, with
water, the Attipper of his Chennapuram Desam (േദശം), and Desadhipatyam
(േദശാധിപത ം), and Chennapuratt8 Ambalam (അ ലം = temple), and Ambalapadi
Urayma (അ ലപടി ഊരരാ മ), and the Devasvam lands (ഉഭയ ൾ), and parambas,
and Cherumars (വലിചാ ാർ), amd Kolapuratt Taravad9, and the lands and
parambas, and Cherumars (വലിചാ ാർ), and Kudiyiruppus (കടിയരു ്)
belonging to the said Taravad, to Valayur1 Kuriyetat Viyatan Manichan, after receiving
from his hands (ക ാൽ) and the current market value thereof (അ ുെപരും
അർ ം)2 = literally, the then breeding money, i.e,, the then market value.
NOTEs: 6. A.D. 1523,
7. Both parties to this deed are Samandar, the caste of the Zamorin Rajas.
8. Also called Keitodik:, temple, situated in the Cheruppullasseri Amsam of Walluvanad Taluk.
9. See Glossary and Note to Deed No. 22.
1. Also called Vinakunnatt.
2. "The price it will then fetch ; so much as it is worth." — Gundert, Compare the second note to
Deed No. 7. This phrase occurs frequently in subsequent deeds. END OF NOTEs
Thus Valayur Kuriyetat Viyatan Manchan has received, with water, the Attipper
of the above-said Chennapuram Desam (േദശം), and Desadhipatyam (േദശാധിപത ം),
and Chennapuratt Ambalam (അ ലം = temple), and Ambalapadi Urayma
(അ ല ടി ഊരാ മ), and the Devasvam lands (ഉഭയ ൾ), and parambas, and
Cherumars (വലിആളർ), and Kolapuratt Taravad, and the lands (ഉ പ ി), and
parambas, and Cherumars (വലിആളർ), and Kudiyiruppus (കുടിയിരു ്) belonging to
the said Taravad, after paying the current market value thereof അ ുെപറും അർ ം).
Thus Pulavali Nakan Naranan has given, with water, the Attipper of the four boundaries
(നലതിർ), and parambas, and nilams, and produce (ഫലം = fruit), and all of these, etc,,
comprised in the said Desam (േദശം), lands (ഉൽപ ി), parambas and Kudiyiruppus
(കുടിയിരു ്), as also everything, of whatever3 description (എെ ർെ തു്) included
in them, after receiving the current market value (അ ുെപറും അർ ം). Thus
Viyatan Manichan has received, with water, the Attipper of the four boundaries, and
parambas, and nilams, and phalams, and all of these and everything else included in the
said Desam, and in the lands and parambas, and Kudiyiruppu after paying the market
value (െപരും അർ ം). That the Attipper is given with water and that the Attipper is
received with water, is witnessed by Elandikundatt Nambutiri and Patinhare Kur.4
Written by Chattu.
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William Logan
Note.—The copy from which this translation was made was obtained from Kilepatt
Teyyan Menon of Walluvanad Taluk, Malabar.
NOTEs: 3. The same phrase occurs in Deed No. 4.
4. The branch of the reigning family, probably Zamorin of Calicut. END OF NOTEs
28
Malabar
No. 10
Veppolakarunam (െവേ ാലകരുണം) executed in the solar month (ഞായർ)
of Chingam, 7255, towards the end of Karkadaka Vyalam (കർ ടകവ ാഴം േപാകു ).
Elaya Nambi Vittil Chattan Raman and heirs (ത ിമാർ) received 111½ new fanams
from (the hands of) Muttanambiar Vittil Kelan Kandan and heirs (ത ിമാർ) in this
manner. Now the object of receiving the above 111½ fanams is that Elaya Nambi Vittil
Chattan Raman and heirs (ത ിമാർ) grant (literally, write and give) Nambukkotil
Kandam 2 plots, Pantarattil Kandam 1 plot, Kundu Kandam 1 plot, and Pulikkunnat
compound (വള ്). Muttanambiar Vittil Kelan Kandan and Ananthavars accordingly
obtain Veppu6 (െവ ്) right on payment of the said sum. Thus written by the grantee,
with the knowledge of Ayikltara Kandan Chattan, witness for the parties granting and
obtaining Veppu (െവ ്) right for the said amount.
Note.—Translated from a copy received from Kilepatt Teyyan Menon of Walluvanad
Taluk.
NOTEs: 5. A.D. 1550
6. Veppu signifies a deposit, hence a pledge for the sum advanced. It is equivalent to Otti, See
Glossary. END OF NOTEs
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30
Malabar
No. 11
Attippettolakaranam (അ ിെ േ ാലകരണം), executed in Kumbham Nyayar
(ഞായർ = solar month) of the year (which has) advanced (െച ) to 7621, Kilakke
Kuttattil2 Chandu of Kannanuriyatt Ur (ഊ = village) granted Attipper and water
(അ ിെ രുംനീരുെകാടു ാൻ) of his Nirattu house3, granted Attipper and water of
Kannanuriyatt Kisaliyakat Nirattu house3, Kannanuriyatt Kisaliyakat Kuttattil4 Chandu
granted Attipper and water of his Nirattu3 house by settling the price (വിലമുറി ).
Kisaliyatt Chandu granted Attipper and water by settling the price (വിലമുറി ) and
receiving the full value in gold (െപാ റ). In this way (ഇ ാർ െമ) the Uralan, in
the blessed name (തിരുനാമം) of Nallatat Perillatta5, fixed the price (വിലമുറി ) and
obtained Attipper and water (അ ിെ റും നീരുംെകാ ാം) of the said Nirattu house.
In this way the witness6 (സാ ി), knowing (this transaction) on behalf of the party who
fixed the price and granted Attipper and water of the said house, and of the party who
obtained (the same), is Talavattatt7 Kilakke Vittil Nambadi Kanakkampalli Kannan.
Written in the hand of Kanakkam Valli.
Note.—Translated from a copy received from the Huzur Sheristadar, Malabar
Collector’s Office.
NOTEs: 1. A.D. 1587.
2. Literally, Chandu of the Eastern Kuttam (see Appendix XIII), belonging to the village of
Kannanuriyatt.
3. See note to Deed No. 20.
4. Literally Chandu of the Eastern Kuttam (see p. 132 of the text), belonging to the village of
Kannanuriyatt.
5. Literally, nameless.
6. Neither Ko nor pati was present at the execution of this deed apparently. The circle of the
Taras did, however, probably witness its execution. See following note.
7. Probably intended for Tara vattatt. See notes to Deeds Nos. 13, 14, and 20. END OF NOTEs
31
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32
Malabar
No. 12
Attippettolakaranam (അ ിെ േ ാലകരണം), executed in Tula Nyayar (ഞായർ
= solar month) of the year (which has) advanced to (െച ) 7938. Kunimal Micheri
Kunhamu of Putuppattanatt Ur (ഊ = village) received the current market value
(അ ുെപറുവില അർ വും വാ ി) of the Ottakandam land (ഒ ം) at the
north-western extremity (മൂല) of Valayala land in a way extinguishing the water (right)
(നീരറ) and extinguishing the price (വലിയറ). The Uralars of Nallatat Nerillat Tiru
namam [തിരുനാമംവയരാ (?) = blessed name] joining the nearest Anantiravars for the
time being, and with the knowledge of the neighbours and of the over-lord (പതി =
lord, or master), and in the presence of the Kovil (േകാവിൽ = literally, palace,
hence king) of that Nad9, paid the full value in gold (െപാെ റെകാടു ), settled the
price (വിലമുറ ്) and obtained Attipper with water for full value
(അ ിെ രുനീരുംെകാ ാൻ). In the blessed name (തിരുനാമംവായ) of Urulleri
Nallatat Perillatta paid the current market value (അ ുെപരുവില
അർ വുംെകാടു ു്) with the knowledge of the neighbours (അയാലു്) of the over-
lord (പതി), and of the Kovil ((േകാവിൽ = palace, hence king) of that Nad, settled the
price (വിലമുറി ്) and obtained Attipper with water (അ ിെ റുംനീരുംെകാ ാൻ)
of the Ottakandam1 land (ഒ ക ം) for 602 Idangalis of paddy at the north-western

extremity of Valayala Kandam (ക ം == piece of land), belonging to the
Putuppattanatt Kunimal Muvailacheri Kunhamu.
In this way written in the hand of Nallatat Perillat Taye Kanakkam3 Valli,
witness knowing (this transaction) on behalf of parties who granted and who obtained
Attipper with water of what is contained within these boundaries of the said piece of
land— ൈദവ ി െറ ക ം (God’s land) on the east, Amat Kotta (േകാ =
fortress) on the south, അടിേയാടി െറ ക ം (Adiyodi s land) on the west, and
Akkamvittil Nayar’s Korappalli on the north.
NOTEs: 8. A.D. 1617,
9. In Deeds Nos. 1, 2 and 3 the Ko was the Perumal or Emperor (Chakravarti) of Malabar. Here
the Ko is merely king of a nad. In fact the Naduvali has by this time become the Ko.
1. It should be noticed that though the usual modern meaning of Kandam is rice-field, its original
meaning is a piece or fragment or share of anything. When the Nayar “60” were breaking up their
communal rights in land, this word probably meant share.
2. This means the seed required to sow the land was 60 Idangalis.
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William Logan
3. Probably Kanakkapilla — writer, accountant of the temple. END OF NOTEs
34
Malabar
No. 13
Attippettolakaranam (അ ിെ െ ാലകരണം), executed in Chinga Nyayar
(ഞായർ) == solar month) of the year (which has) advanced to (െച ) 7954.
Putiyavittil Kunnummal Kandumalacheri Taye Chandu Kurup, Kora Kurup and Taye
Kunhan Nurup of Puttuppattanatt5 Ur (ഊർ = village), received the current market
value (അ ുെപറുംവില അർ വും വാ ി) of their Kunnummal house6, and
having received the full value in gold (െപെ റ) in a way extinguishing the water (right)
and extinguishing the price, granted the Attipper and water (അ ിെ റു നീരും) after
settling the price (വിലമു ), by joining the nearest Anantiravars for the time being
(അ ടു ും അന ിരവെരയുംകൂടി), and with the knowledge of the neighbours
(അയല) and of the over-lord7 (പതി = lord or master). In this way (ഇവാർ െമ),
in the blessed name (തിരുനാമം വയരാൽ) (?) of Nallatat Perillatta8 Taye, Kurulleri
Uralars, sitting inside (കരെ രി ഊരാളര ഉ രിെ ), paid the current market value
of the Kunnummal house belonging to (ത ള െട), the said Kandumalacheri Taye
Chandu Kurup Kora Kurup, and Kunhan Kurup, settled the price (വില മുറി ) and
obtained the Attipper and water (അ ിെ റും നീരും കാ ാൻ). In this way
(ഇ ാർ െമ) the good and bad stones (കല ം കരടു), stump of nux vomica
(കാ ിരകു ി) the front side and back side (മു ുംപി ും) ? thorns (മു ), cobras
(മൂർ ൻപാ ു്), hidden treasure and the vessel in which it is secured (െവ ം െച ),
and water included in the four boundaries of the said house (വീടു്) are granted as
Attipper and water by settling the price. In behalf of the grantor, and in behalf of the
purchaser of Attipper with water, the witnesses (താ ി) knowing (this) are Taravattam1
Tekkmn Talasseri (തറെവ ം െത ും തലേ രി), Kelu Kurup and Kileriye Karunakara
Kurup. Written by the god’s accountant (ൈദവ ി െറ കണ ി ) with due
publicity (േക േകൾ ി = literally, heard and caused to be heard ) in the blessed
name (തിരുനാമം വയരാം) (?) of Nallatat Perillatta (nameless) god, with the Uralars
sitting inside (ഊരാള ിരു ു ).
NOTEs: 4. A.D. 1620.
5. Puttuppattanam (new town) was at one time the seat of the Southern Regent of Kolattunad.
7. The Ko (king) is not here mentioned, but see Deed No. 14.
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William Logan
1. Taravattam means “circle of Taras". The witnesses were evidently Karanavar of the Taras of the
nad. See pp. 88 and 132 of the text. The Pati also knew of the transaction. See above. Who was this Pati ?
Paragraph (i) to Deed No 3 seems to make it clear that at that time the Pati was the “600’’ of the nad, the
body that corresponded in the Jews’ and Christians’ organisations to Anjuvannam and Manigramam in their
corporate capacities. Whether the “600” had by this time divided the common property (the Pati-patta-varam)
among all the Taravads represented in the “600” it is difficult to say. On the whole, it is probably correct
that the Pati-pattam was divided among all the Taravad families (see the items included under Taravad in Deed
No. 9) and that the individual known as the Pati was either the hereditary military commandant of the Desam
or the Naduvali or perhaps some temporarily influential man in the nad. END OF NOTEs
36
Malabar
No. 14
Attippettalakaranam (അ ിെ െ ാലകരണം), executed in Chinga Nyayar
(ഞായർ = solar month) of the year (which has) advanced (െച ) to7952
Kuruvayilatt Tayatt Puttalatt Nambiar of Putupattanatt Ur (ഊ = village) received
the current market value (അ ുെപറും വിലഅർ ം), and with the knowledge of the
neighbours (അയൽ), and of the over-lord (പതി = lord3 or master), and in the
presence (മ ാെക) of the king4 (േകാവിൽ = palace, put for king) ruling (വാഴും)
that Nadu (അ ാടു്), received full value in gold (െപാൻനിറിവാ ി), and granted
Attipper (അ ിെ ർ) and water (നീർ) by settling the price (വിലമുറി ) in a way
extinguishing the price (വിലയറ മുറി ) of his share5 (ഒകതി) (corruption of
ഓഹരി = share) of his Mittalapavuttil, house6, Pallikkara Vittil Uralan, in the blessed
name (തിരുനാമം) of Perillatta7 Taya (god) of Nallatatt Ur (ഊ =village), purchased
Vayara and Nir (വയരും നീരും = perhaps, including grass and water (?) by settling
the price (വിലമറി ). In this way the boundaries of this house are, east Mekkombatt
house south, as far as Mekkalam, west as far as Tayatt Puttillam and north as far as
Tirinnatt Kandi ; the Kanynyra kuyi paramba and field (വയൽ), Chembu (െച ു) =
inferior yellowish soil ?, and water (നീർ) included in the above four boundaries ; of
these the Attipper and water are granted after settling the price (വിലമുറി ). In
behalf of him who granted the Attipper and water (അ ിെ രും നീരും
വിലമുറി െകാടു െമയ ും), and in behalf of him who purchased the Attipper and
water (അ ിെ രുംനീരും വിലവുറി െകാ െമയ ും), the witness (താ ി)
corruption of (സാ ി) who knows this is Talavattutt1 Putiya Pattanatt Nanikkott

Nambiar. Written by Mekkanattokam Palli.
Note. — Translated from a copy received fiom the Huzur Sheristadar, Malabar
NOTEs: 4. A.D. 1620.
5. Puttuppattanam (new town) was at one time the seat of the Southern Regent
of Kolattunad.
7. The Ko (king) is not here mentioned, but see Deed no. 14.
1. Taravattatt (?). See note to No. 13. END OF NOTEs
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William Logan
38
Malabar
No. 15
Attippettola Karyam (അ ിെ െ ാലകാർ ം) executed in the month (മാസം)
of Kanni, 281, Putuvaypa2 (പുതുവാ പ). The Cochin Rajas (െപരു ുട )
Gangadhara (ഗംഗാധര)3, Vira (വീര), Kerala (േകരള), Trikkovil (തൃേ ാവിൽ),
Adhikarikal (അധികാരികൾ) = Sarvadhikaryakar), granted on receipt of the market

Attipper value (െപറും വില അ ിേ രാർ ം), found then by four people
(അ ുനാല ക ), a Nirmutaludakamare3 Attipper (നീർമതലുദകമെറ അ ിെ ർ) of
their Desam (േദശം) to the north of the bar4 (അഴി), and Paliyat Raman Iravi and heirs
(ന ിമാർ) accordingly obtained on payment of the market Attipper value (േപറും
വില അ ിേ രർ ം), found then by four people (അ ുനാലർക ), a
Nirmutaludakamare Attipper of the Desam to the north of the bar. The boundaries5 of
the Desam included in the Attipper are Kalukutta6 (കഴുക = probably the depth of
a pole) in the river (കായൽ) on the east, Kalukutta in the sea (കടൽ) on the west, the
bar on the south, and the Captain’s Cross (ക ി ാൻ കരിശികെല) todu (channel) on
the north. Everything7 contained within the said four boundaries (എ ീനാല
തൃ ക കെ എേ ർ തും), such as stones (കല്), charcoal (കരി ), stumps of
Strychnos nux vomica (കാ ിര ു ി), thorn-clump (മു മുരിട), cobras (മൂർ പാ ്),
holes (അള), mounds8 (തറ), treasure (നിധി), wells (കിണർ), skies (ആകാശം),
underground (പാതാളം), watercourses (നീരുവീതി), boundaries (അതി ), field ridges
(വര ്), canals (േതാടു്) washing places (തുറ), roads used by persons
(ആൾേപാകുംവഴി), streams (നീരുേപാകു ചാൽ), forests having deer (മാൻെപടും
കാടു്), shady places having honey (േതൻെപടും േചാല), Desam9 (േദശം),
Desadhipatyam9 (േദശാധിപത ം) Amsam10 (അംശം), Sthanam ( ാനം), battle wager
(അ ം), customs duty (ചു ം), and everything else (മ എേ ർെ തും) sold and
purchased respectively. Written in the hand of Itti.
Note —Translated from a copy received from the Dewan of Cochin.
NOTEs: 2. Putuvaypu or Putuveppu (literally, new deposit) is an island formed between the mouths
of the Crangannore and Cochin rivers. The deposit was formed in A.D. 1341. The date of the deed is
therefore A.D. 1622.
3. From Nir (Drav.)—water ; mutal (Drav.)—property ; udakam (Sansk.) water ; vare (Drav.)—as
far as, up to.
4. Cochin bar.
5. The Desam must have formed the southern extremity of what is now called the Island of
Vypeen, part of which is now British territory inherited from the Dutch.
39
William Logan
6. Meaning the boundary extends so far into the river as can be sounded by a bambo pole used in
propelling boats.
7. Compare Deed No. 21 and the note thereto.
8. Tara is probably correctly translated here as “mounds", its original meaning.
9. This deed is very interesting as it shows that Rajas were in the habit of occasionally selling the
over-lordships (Pati) of territory. See note to Deed No. 13.
10. Amsam (Sansk).—share, part ; probably synonymous here with varam, i.e., the Ko's or Pati's
share of produce. END OF NOTEs
40
Malabar
No. 16
Attipettolakaranam (അ ിെ െ ാലകരണം), executed in Karkadaka Nyayar
(ഞായർ = solar mon) of the year which has) advanced to (െച ) 8001. The blessed
name of Nallatat Uralan of Kuruvalleri Ur (ഊ = village). The Uralan of the god
paid the current market value (അ ുെപറും വില അർ ും െകാടു ു്), joined the
nearest Anantiravars for the time being (അ ടു ും അന ിരവാെരയുംകൂടി), paid the
full value in gold (െപാെ രെകാടു ു്), settled the price (വിലറമുറി ്), obtained
Attipper and water (അ ിെ റും നീരുംെകാ ാൻ) of the Karumani house2 belonging
to (ത ുെട) Perunkinillat Pilarat Chattu Nambiyar. In this way the boundaries are
south as far as the fields (വയൽ), west as far as Katakandam, north as far as Aviyaram
Kandi (eastern boundary not given) ; thorns (മു ്), good and bad stones (കല ം
കരടും), the stump of nux vomica (ൈക ിരകു ി), thorns (മു ്), and cobras
(മൂർ ൻപാ ്), included in the circle (വ ം) of the above four boundaries, are granted
on Attipper and water, after fixing the price (വിലമുറി ്). The witness (താ ി) in
behalf of the grantor and grantee is............ Written by Valli.
Note. - Translated from a copy received from the Huzar Sheristadar, Malabar
Collector’s Office. The deed is incomplete, and to some extent, unintelligible.
NOTEs: 1. A. D. 1625.
2. See note to Deed No. 20. END OF NOTEs
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42
Malabar
No. 17
Pattolakarunam (പാെ ാല കരുണം), executed in the solar month (ഞായർ) of
Kumbham of the year 8223.
Mukkachattil Kandar Kandar and Karumattil Ponnan
Chattu received 121 new fanams from Chembil, Parangodan Kandar ; the object, then,
of receiving the said 121 fanams is that our Talappalli Tirutt Kandam4 6 plots (ക ം),
Pulakkura Kandam 2 plots, making a total of 8 plots, are a pattam5, together with the
Kavalpalam (കാവൽപലം or കാവൽഫലം—remuneration for protection6 of land
claimed by, the chief inhabitants), on an annual5 pattam of 5 potis (െപാതി) of paddy,
as per the Edappal Peru-nali (െപരുനാഴി-big nali) ; out of this deduct 2 potis and 8 tunis
(തുണി) as interest on the amoimt at 5 per cent, and commutable at 4 paras per fanam
(നാ പര വിലയും) and 12 tunis (തൂണി) Kavalpalam (കാവൽഫലം). May the
balance of 2 potis (െപാതി) be paid annually. Thus written by Eledatt Elayad.
Note.-Translated from a copy received from Kilepatt Teyyan Menon of

Walluvanad Taluk.
NOTEs: 3. A.D. 1627.
4. Here again Kandam occurs in a way to suggest that it originally meant the Taravad’s share of the
communal rights. See Deed No. 12.
5. Pattamayi pattamandu.
6. The duty of the Kanakkars (Nayar headmen) was protection. See note to Deed No. 4. It is a
significant fact that in this, the earliest Kanam deed, the duty of protection is thrown on the Kanakkar. END
OF NOTEs
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William Logan
44
Malabar
No. 18
Attippettolakarunam (അ ിെ െ ാലകരണം), executed, at Nalleppalli Mannam7
(മ ം), of Ankavenatkatavur (അ േവണാ കടവൂർ) Keiretatt (ൈകെരട ു്) in the
solar month (ഞായർ) of Mithunam Edava vyalam, 8311. Chambattil Chattan Chattan
and heirs (ത ിമാർ) received the market value (െപറുമർ ം) from Iswara Pattar, son
of Ellappa Pattar, residing at Nalleppalli. Thus the object of the said market value is that
Chambattil Chattan Chattan and heirs, by pouring water granted as Nirmutal (നീർമുതൽ
= literally, water property) Nirattipper (നീര ിേ ർ = Attipper with water) of 2 pieces
of land sowing 20 paras and lying above the Vakappatat Arayakka Chira lands sowing 45
paras down from Eluvat Potta in Kalayam Kolumbu and above (േമെ ്) Ankarat
Nilam, others sowing 20 paras above Talatteturu Nilam, and others sowing 20 paras
above Karakkatan Chira in Kosavan Kuli, making a total of (ആെക) lands sowing 105
paras, and parambas on both sides, together with the upper and lower produce
(േമൽഫലവും കീ ഫലവും). Iswara Pattar and heirs accordingly paid the said market
value (െപറുമർ ം), and by receiving water poured out obtained as Nirmutal
(നീർമുതൽ = water property) Nirattipper (നീര ിേ ർ = Attipper with water) of the
said lands sowIng 20 paras at Vakappatom, sowing 45 paras at Kalayam Kolumbil, 20
paras of Talatte, and 20 paras at Kosavankuli making a total of (ആെക) lands sowing
105 paras, and the parambas on both sides, together wdth the upper and lower produce
(േമൽഫലവുംകീ ഫലവും). Written in the hand of Ponnachatat Pannochan, with the
knowledge of Vettiyil Chattan Chattan and Tevur Teyyan Raman witnesses knowing
this.
Note. — Translated from a copy received from Nallepalli Ankaratta Valiya
Mannadiyar of Cochin State.
NOTEs: 7. Vide note to Deed 1 No. 24.
1. A.D. 1656 END OF NOTEs
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No. 19
Tittu (തീ ്) of Yogiyatiri (േയാഗിയാതിരി), addressed to (ക ുകാർ ം) our
Elavathur Vanchi Tayamman and heirs (ത ിമാർ). In consideration of what we have
enjoyed (നമു ുേവ ി അനുഭവി തി ു്) from your Karnavan Chittalapalli
Nambidi, we have given to you at the Rishabha Yogam (ഋഷഭേയാഗം = council of
that name), for your hereditary enjoyment (വംശപര രയായി
അനുഭവി െകാളള മ ം) the following, the Pallipuratta pattam : (പാ ം)2 to be
enjoyed as Karam pattam2? (കാരാംപാ - കാര മപാ ം = perpetual pattam), and

the Velakkora land sowing 62 paras, and Karamata sowing 7 paras, which were given to
you for 36 years, and 2 narayams of boiled rice at Pilakkod in Madilagam. From the solar
month of Makaram 8423, what is here written under orders may be enjoyed in hereditary
succession (വംശപര രയായി).
Note.—Translated from a copy of a copper-plate deed received from the

Nallepalli Ankaratta Valiya Mannadiyar of Cochin State. The deed is barely intelligible in
places.
NOTEs: 2. Compare note to paragraph (i) of Heed No. 3.
3. A.D. 1666. END OF NOTEs
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No. 20
Attippettolakaranam (അ ിെപെ ാലകരണം), executed in Meta Nyayar (ഞായർ
= solar month) of the year (which has) advanced to 8454. Putiyaparambatt Tachcholi5
Emma Kurup and Rayiru Kurap of Meppayil Ur (ഊർ == village) having received
(വാ ിെകാ ്) the current market value (അ ുെപറുംവില അർ ം) of thelr
Malamal House1, and joining (with them) the nearest Anantiravars for the time being
and having received (വാ ി) full value in gold (െപാ ിരവാ ി), granted Attipper
and water (അ ിെ രുംനീരും), after settling the price (വിലമുറി ്) in a way to
extinguish the price (വിലയറ) and water (right) (നീരറ), with the knowledge of the
neighbours (അയൽ) and the over-lord (പതി = lord or master), and in the presence
(മു ാെക) of the Kovil (േകാവിൽ = palace, hence king) of that Nad.
Putiyaparambatt Tachcholi Devan Yamma Kurup and Rayiru Kurup having paid the
current market value (അ ുെപറും വില അർ ം), and having paid (െകാടു ു) the
full value in gold (െപാ ിറ), purchased the Attipper by settling the price (വിലമുറി ്)
of his (ത ുെട) Malamal house, by joining (with them) the nearest Anantiravars for the
time being (അ ടു ും അന ിരവെരയുംകൂടി), and with the knowledge of the
neighbours (അയൽ) and of the over-lord (പതി) = lord, master), and in the presence
(മുെ ) of the king of that Nad (അ ാടുേകാവിൽ), in a way extinguishing the water
(right) (നീരറ) and extinguishing the price (വിലയറ). In the blessed name of Perillatta
(േപരിലാ തരിനാമംവയരാം) of Nalladath Ur (ഊർ = village), the Uralars, by
sitting inside (ഊരാളർ ഉളളിരിെ ), got the Malamal house surrendered
(െവ ി െകാ ാൻ == literally, caused to be laid down) by paying the current
market value (അ െപറും വിലയർ ം), and by joining the nearest Anantiravars for
the time being (അ ടു ും അന ിരവെരയും കൂടി), and with the knowledge of the
neighbours and the over-lord (അയലും പതിയും അറിയ), the Attipper and water
(അ ിെപറുംനീരും) were got surrendered (െവ ി െകാ ാൻ) in the blessed name
of the god (ൈദവം തിരനാമം വയരാം ?) (by) the Uralars sitting inside
(ഊരാളരു ിരിെ ). In this way (ഇ ാർ െമ) the boundaries of the said house are
east as far as the god’s swamp (പട ), south as far as the river, west as far as the hill
(മല) and north as far as the hill cultivated with cholam (െചാളംെവ ) by Kilalam
Kurup, the good and bad stones (കല ം കരടും), the stump of Nux vomica
(കാ ിരകു ി), thorns (മു ്), cobras (മൂർ ൻപാ ്), hidden treasure (െവ ്), the
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vessel in which it is secured (െച ്), water (നീർ), included (അട ി ) in these
four boundaries (are) given as Attipper with water (നീേരാടുകൂടി), by settling the price ;
in behalf of the giver (െകാടു െമ ും) and in behalf of him who purchased the
Attipper and water by settling the price, the witnesses (താ ി) knowing (this) are
Taravattam2 Kaikanda (തറവാ ം ൈകക = literally, influential in the circle2 of
Taras), Malachcheri Kunka Kurup and Chellattan Karunakara Kurap ; written by the
god’s accountant (ൈദവ ി െറ കണകുപി ) with due publicity (െക ് േകൾ ി
= literally, heard and caused to be heard).
Note.— Translated from a copy received from the Huzur Sheristadar, Malabar
Collector’s Office. The document is in one place very obscure. There is an apparent
inconsistency in the beginning, where the vendors are first said to sell the house by receiving the
price and then to buy the same house by paying the price.
NOTEs: 4. A.D. 1670.
5. Apparently the family of the hero of the തേ ാളിപാ ്, the Robin Hood of North Malabar. -
Conf. p- 96 of the next.
1. Vidu (Drav.) ordinarily means a house, but it had a meaning more ancient and more
approximate to the verb [viduka (Drav.)—to part, let go, untie, discharge, abandon] from which it is derived.
The viduper, 72 of which were conferred on the Jews by Deed No. 1, were items which were "given up” to
them by the Perumal. The meaning of vidu in this deed would probably be more precisely represented by
the word "manor". Compare the note on Taravad in Deed No. 22, and the note on Purayidam in Deed No.
26.
2. See note to Deed No, 13. END OF NOTEs
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No. 21
Attippettola Karyam (അ ിെ െ ാലകാരിയം), executed in the month (മാസം)
of Dhanu, 8531. The Cochin Rajas (െപരു ട ്) Lekshmikovil Adhikarikal
(അധികാരികൾ = Sarvadhi-Karyakar), on receipt of the market Attipper value, then
found by four people (അ ുനാലർക െപറുംവില അ ിെ രർ ം) granted an
Attippera (അ ിെ ർ) of their Pilavattara paramba2 (പറ ു്), and Paliyat Raman
Ittikkumaran and heirs (ത ിമാർ) accordingly obtained, on payment of the market
Attipper value, then found by four people, an Attippera of Pilavattara paramba. The
boundaries of the paramba sold are Nambulikat paramba on the east, Vayikkat paramba
on the south, Vayal on the west and Vatakkera paramba on the north. Everything3 of
whatever description3, that is contained (അകെ ് എേ ർെ തും) within the said
boundaries, including stones (കല ്), charcoal (കരി ), stump of Strychnos nux
vomica (കാ ിര ു ി), thorn-clumb (മു മുരിട), cobras (മൂർ പാ ു്), holes
(അള), mounds (തറ), treasure (നിധി), wells (കിണർ) skies (ആകാശം), the underground
(പാതാളം), water-course (നീരുവീധി)2 and everything else (മ ് എെ ർെ ടുതും), were
sold and purchased, as witness Kotamangalat Battatiri and Ulutaral Battatiri. Written in
the hand of Vattakkumcheri Unikkumaran.
Note.—Translated from a copy received from the Dewan of Cochin.
NOTEs: 1. A.D. 1677-78.
2. By this deed the Cochin Baja, disposed of a piece of garden. Compare with this the Deed No.
15.
3. In No. 15 the following were also named :—1, Boundaries ; 2, Field ridges ; 3, Canals ; 4,
Washing-places ; 5, Roads ; 6, Streams ; 7, Deer forests ; 8, Shady places for honey ; 9, Desam ; 10,
Desadhipatyam ; 11, Amsam ; 12, Sthanam ; 13,. Angam ; and 14, Chungam. If all these important privileges
had been conveyed by this deed, it is hardly possible that they would have been all lumped together under
the general head at the end. Moreover, Deed No. 15 has likewise a general head for privileges not
mentioned. END OF NOTEs
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No. 22
Tittu (തീ = letter from a superior to an inferior) from Karunnukki Tattan
Narayanan to the Fifteen4 (പതിന ്) of Irinyalakuda4 and to the Muttatu (മൂ തു്)
of Kolamanna. As the anger (േ ാഭം) of Kudalmanikkam (കൂടൽമാണി ം) =

probably an evil spirit was found in our Taravad, we have this day, according to the
remedy suggested (ഒഴിക ിരി ു പകാരം) by an astrological calculation (വ ം),
surrendered (ഒഴി ു) by a document (എഴുതിെവ = literally, wrote and placed)

laid on the blessed door (തൃ ടി = door of temple) the lands (നിലം) and parambas
(പറ ു്) which are our Taravad5 Janmam6 (തറവാടുജ ം) in Allur Desam in the
country (നാടു) of Chundal, and Poymale temple (േ തം), Turutti temple, and Alu
Bhagavati temple out of (our) temples (േ തം), and the property (വ തുവക), and
retainers (ആൾ) and slaves (അടിയാർ) and others (മുതലായതും) of the above
temples (ഈ േ ത ളിെല), and in addition to this (ഇതുകൂടാെത) the property
(വ തു ൾ) in the interior Dessams (ഉൾേദശം) of Poravur, Perumannai and
Kandiyur, and the Karayma and Samudayam (കാരാ മസദുദായം) of the Kandiyur
temple (േ തം), as perpetual (ശാശ ാത) enjoyment (അനുേപാകും), with water
(ഉദയമായി) in order that they may be enjoyed for ever and ever (എെ േ ും) as
Devaswam (property): all the above-written property (േമെലഴുതിയവക ലവും)
may be enjoyed by the Devaswam in the same manner as we are enjoying them. (This is)
executed voluntarily (മനപൂർ മായി), with gift of water Janmam1 (ജ നീരുദകം), by
Karumukka Illath Tattan Narayanan, Chumaran, and Saraswati and Nanganeli out of the
females (അ ർ ന ൾ), on the 14th of Chittrai month, in the year 8562, on the
auspicious day, (ശുഭദിനം) of Tuesday (മംകളവാരം) and written by Unikkandan Vittil
Raman. Witness : Kovur Vasudevan and Nallurpilli Paramesvaran.
NOTEs: 4. Irinyalakuda is one of the original 64 Nambutiri Gramams (villages). The "Fifteen”
probably constituted the council of the Gramam, just as the Karanavar of the Nayar Tara represented the
Tara in the Kuttam in the nad, or the Palliyar (literally, church people) the various communities of Christians
under the protection of Manigramam. See Deed No. 3
5. The use of this word here by a Brahman family marks a change in the constitution of society.
The Tara was the Nayar village or guild (so to speak) ; Taravad is Tara-padu, that is, authority in the Tara.
How could a Nambutiri family have obtained authority in the Tara ? The answer seems to be supplied by
Deed No. 9 and also by Deeds Nos. 11, 13, 14, 16 and 20. The vidu is, probably, equivalent to Taravad, and
both alike, it will be seen, were frequently sold.
6. This deed was executed by a Nambutiri family in favour of the elders of a Nambutiri village. 4.
Irinyalakuda is one of the original 64 Nambutiri Gramams (villages). The "Fifteen” probably constituted the
council of the Gramam, just as the Karanavar of the Nayar Tara represented the Tara in the Kuttam in the
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nad, or the Palliyar (literally, church people) the various communities of Christians under the protection of
Manigramam. See Deed No. 3
5. The use of this word here by a Brahman family marks a change in the constitution of society.
The Tara was the Nayar village or guild (so to speak) ; Taravad is Tara-padtt, that is, authority in the Tara.
How could a Nambutiri family have obtained authority in the Tara ? The answer seems to be supplied by
Deed No. 9 and also by Deeds Nos. 11, 13, 14, 16 and 20. The vidu is, probably, equivalent to Taravad, and
both alike, it will be seen, were frequently sold.
6. This deed was executed by a Nambutiri family in favour of the elders of a Nambutiri village.
This is the earliest instance as yet found of the use of the Sanskrit word Janmam in a Malayali deed.
1. Vide note above. Compare the phrase frequently repeated in the preceding and subsequent
deeds, namely, Attipper nir, etc. Janma nir udakam is merely the Sanskritised form of the ancient phrase.
2. A.D. 1681.
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No. 23
Pattolakarunam (പാെ ാലകരണം), executed in the solar month (ഞായർ) of
Karkadakam, of the year 8683. Tirumalasseri Naranan Naranan having received 240 new
fanams from (literally, from the hands of, ക ാൽ) Tekkat Raman Kumaran ; now the
object (കാർ ം) of receiving the said 240 fanams is that the lands at the northern end
of Potiyapuram are a pattam4 on a pattam of 24 paras of paddy, exclusive of an
allowance for damage (േകടു) and inclusive of Vasi (വാശി = allowance for difference
of measures) ; let the net pattam of 12 paras of paddy, after deducting 12 paras for
interest on the amount (advanced) at 5 per cent, and commutable at 1 para per fanam,
be paid annually to my Polattikkarar (െപാഴ ി ാരർ = Pravarttikkar). Thus written
by Ambalat Kelu.
Note—Translated from a copy received from Kilepatt Teyyan Menon of
Walluvanad Taluk.
NOTEs. 3. A.D. 1693.
4. Pattamayi pattamandu. END OF NOTEs
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NO. 24
Attipettolakaranam (അ ിെ െ ാലകരണം), executed in Chingam Nyayar
(ഞായർ = solar month), Karkidaka Vyalam, of the year 8815, at the Chittur Mannatt6
(മ ു് ഇരു = literally, sitting at the Mannatt) of the Kilappalayur Nad (നാടു്).
Kotakare Kumaran Kandan received from (ക ാൽ == literally, from the hands of)
Ambat Raman Manchu the market value (െപരുവർ ം) ; thus the object (കാർ ം)
of this market value (െപരുവർ ം) is that Kotakare Kumaran Kandan has given, with
water as Attipper, his land (.. ) sowing 80 paras, and bounded on the north by
Otachirayil Matampalli Vatti Kandam (field), on the south by the high road (െപരുവഴി),
on the east by Parikkat Paru Nilam, and on the west by the hill ; together with its upper
produce (േമൽഫലം) and lower produce (കീ ഫലം), as well as Vellayan and his two
children, Kutti Kannan and his four childreii, and Tambi (ത ി) and his two children,
making a total of five (adults) and six children, and making a grand total of eleven
Cherumars (വലി ാ ാർ), out of his (Kumaran Kandan's) slave Cherumars
(അടിയാൻ വലിചാ ാർ). In this way Ambat Raman Manchu and heirs (ത ികൾ)
have taken with water as Attipper after paying the above market value (െപരുവർ ം),
the abovesaid land sowing 80 paras, and bounded on the north by Otachirayal
Matampalli Vatti Kandam (ക ം = field), on the south by the high road (െപരുവഴി),
on the east by Parikkat Paru Nilam, and on the west by the hill ; together with the
jungles (കാടു്) and embankment (കര) on both sides (ഇരുകര), as also Vellayan and
his children, Kutti Kannan and his children, Tambi and his children, making a total of
five adults and six children, and making a grand total of eleven Cherumars out of the
slave Cherumars (വലിചാ ാർ). The witnesses who know this (transaction) are
Ilamule Chennan Raman and Chennalikkote Chatta Raman. Written by Meledatt

Menon.
Note.—Translated from a copy received from the Nallepalli Ankaratta Valiya Mannadiyar
of Cochin State.
NOTEs: 5. A.D. 1706.
6. A place of judgment or assembly, or a place for transacting business. For the three kinds of
Mannatt, vide Gundert*s Dictionary under മണat page 788. The Chittur Taluk of Cochin State lies east of
Palghat. END OF NOTEs
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NO. 25
Attippettolakaranam (അ ിെ െ ാലകരണം), executed in Dhanu Nyayar
(ഞായർ = solar month), Chinga Vyalam, of the year 8821, at the Chittur Mannatt2
(മ ഇരു = literally, sitting at the Mannatt) of the Kilpapalayur Nad (നാ ).
Matampalli Korissan and heirs (ത ിമാർ) received from the hands of (ക ാൽ)
Eluvatt Chattan Malayan the market value (െപറുവർ ം). The object (കാർ ം), then,
of this market value is that the Otasara land (ഉഭയം) I obtained from Kotukare Nayar,
and sowing 500 Nali (നാഴി) seeds, the boundaries whereof are these : below the Ambat
Nilam and above the Porayattavar's Nilam, west of Annayi Kanam (അ ായികാണം)
east of the public road. The land comprised within these (boundaries), and sowing 50
paras seed, and Vellanan, son of Cheruman (വലിചാ ൻ) Tambi, obtained3 (േനടി)
by me, and the original document (മുതൽകരണം) thereon, and the jungle (കാടു്), the
hillock or margin (കര), channel (േതാടു്), fees (ഇറ)4, and the upper and lower produce
(േമൽഫലവും കീ ഫലവും) comprised within the abovesaid boundaries, are given
with water as Attipper by Matampalli Korissan and heirs (ത ിമാർ). Thus having paid
the said market value (െപറുമർ ം), the abovesaid Otasara land (നിലം), sowing 50
paras seed, and Cheruman (വലിചാ ൻ) Vellanan, with the original document
(മുതൽകരണം) thereof, as well as the upper and lower produce comprised within the
said boundaries, are taken with water as Attipper by Eluvatt Chattan Malayan and heirs
(ത ിമാർ). Thus the witnesses who know this (transaction) are Ilamule Chennan
Raman and Chennalikkote Chatta Raman. Written by Nerayath Teyan.
Note. - Translated from a copy received from the Nallepalli Ankaratta Valiya
NOTEs: 1. A.D. 1707.
2. Vide note to Deed No. 24.
3. Probably before this transaction regarding the land.
4. Ancient meaning, tribute, taxes. END OF NOTEs
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No. 26
Attippettola Karyam (അ ിെ െ ാലകാർ ം), executed in the Kanni Nyayar
(solar month) of the year 8881. Kulikkat Karumukkil Naranan Memman and heirs
(ത ിമാർ) conveyed (എഴുതിെ ാടു ാൻ = literally, wrote and gave) as
Nirmutalaruti2 Attipper (നീർമുതലറുതി അ ിെ രാെക), their Karumattara Desam
(േദശം) by receiving the market Attipper value (െപറും വില അ ിെ രർ ം), as then
found by four people (നാലർക ു്), to Paliyatt Mannan Kommi, in the blessed name
(തിരുനാമ) of Putiya (പുതിയ = new ; probably newly-built) Peruntiracovil Tevar
(െപരു ിര െകാവിൽേതവർ) god of Peruntira temple, or god of that name). The
boundaries of the Purayidam3 (പുരിയടം = the site of a habitation, compound) thus
purchased on Attipper at Karumattara Desam, are Otikkam Todu (േതാടു് = stream)
on the east, the river on the south, Angadi Kadaivu (അ ാടികട = shop ferry) on
the west, and Ramanchira (രാമൻചിറ = a tank or embankment of that name) on the
north. Everything, of whatever4 description (എെ ർെ ടുതു്) included in the above
four boundaries, has been purchased (എഴുതി െകാ ാൻ = literally, wrote and took
or brought) by Paliyatt Mannan Kommi, as Nirmutalaruti Attipper
(നീർമുതലറുതിഅ ിെ റാെക), in the blessed name of Putiya Peruntiracovil Tevar
(പുതിയെപരു ിരെകാവിൽേതവർ). The witnesses who know this (transaction) are
Chekolli Nambutiri and Kutampilli Nambidi.
Note: - Translated from a copy received from the Dewan of Cochin.
NOTEs: 1. A.D. 1712.
2. Nir (Drav.) = water ; mutal (Drav.) property ; aruti (Drav.) = end, utmost limit.
3. This word is probably used here in a wider sense than ordinary. As the sale was of a Desam, the proper
rendering of pura ( = house), idam ( = place, mansion), should probably be manor. Compare the note on vidu
in Deed 20.
4. It is impossible to say from this whether the official dignities of Desavali were included in the rights
conveyed. END OF NOTEs
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No. 27
Attippettolakarunam (അ ിെ െ ാലകരുണം), executed in the solar month
(ഞായർ) of Kumbham, 8885, Kumbha Vyalam. Matattil Otanyil Mukkan and heirs
(ത ിമാർ) received the current market value (അ ുെപറും അർ ം) from Nambale
Naranan Chinnaran, and granted (െവ െകാടു ാൻ) him the Attipper, with water
(നീരുതകമായി), of the Adhipatyam (ആധിപത ം = sovereignty) of his Kile Otani
Taravad6 ..................7 in Vellott Kurissi Desam, along with the said Desam and
Desadhipatyam (േദശാധിപത ം = supreme authority in the Desam), and Urayma
(ഊരാ മ), and Ama1 [ആമ = turtle (?)] and hill (മല), and Malapuram (മല റം =
hill side), and Nanya (ന ് = a poison used in fishing), and hunting (നായാ ്) and
everything, of whatever description (എെ ർെ ടുതും). Thus Naranan Chumaran and
heirs (ത ിമാർ) obtained (െവ ി െകാ ാൻ), by paying the current market value
(െപറുംഅർ ം), the Kile-Otani Taravad, Desam, Desadhipatyam, Ambalapadi2
(അ ല ടി), Urayma, hill (മല), Malapuram (hill-side), Nanya (ന ു്), and hunting.
Mukkan and heirs (ത ിമാർ) accordingly granted Attipper with water, after receiving
the current market value, and Naranan Chumaran and heirs (ത ിമാർ) obtained
Attipper with water after paying the current market value, as witnessed on behalf of
both grantor and grantee by the Sabhavattam (സഭവടം = circle of assembly). Written
in the hand of Putiyetat Komunni.
Note.—The original is in Vatteluttu character. A clause near the end is imperfect, and
has been omitted. The copy from which this translation has been made was obtained from
Kileppatt Teyyan Menon of Walluvanad Taluk, Malabar.
NOTEs:
5. 1713 AD
6. Here the word Taravad (Tara-padu, see Glossary) bears its original meaning. Compare notes on
vidu in Deed No. 20 and on Purayidam in Deed No. 26.
7. Words gone here owing to age of docrunent.
1. Perhaps the scat shaped like a turtle, or perhaps Ambalapadi, the seat of honour in a temple.
The Ama, however, was probably portable, while the Ambalapadi, was fixed in the outer side of the wall of
the sanctuary.
2. Here Ambalapadi seems to be the equivalent of Ama, vide above. END OF NOTEs
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No. 28
Attippettolakaranam (അ ിെ െ ാലകരണം), executed in the month (മാസം) of
Karkidakam of the year 8983. Samudayattiri Panikkar and heirs (ത ിമാർ) have given,
with water (നീരടി), the Attipper of the land (നിലം) called Vellatt oluva, sowing 12
paras and belonging to the three Panikkars of Vellatt Samudayam
(െവ ാ സമുദായ ിൽ പണി ർ ാർ ർ മൂ ർ ും), after receiving3 the
market Attipper gold (െപറുംഅടു◌ിെ െപാ ു്) , then found by four people
(അ നാലർക . In this way Paliyatt Mannen Komi and heirs (ത ിമാർ) have
bought with water the land (നിലം) called Vellatt oluva, sowing 12 paras, after paying
(മാവറമുതല ) the market Attipper gold then found by four people. The witnesses
who know this are Mangalassa Nambutiri and Kilani Nambutiri. Written by Pattatt
Raman.
NOTEs:3. A.D. 1723 END OF NOTEs
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No. 29
Attippettolakarunam (അ ിെ െ ാലകരുണം), executed in the solar month of
Karkidakam 8983, Dhanu Vyalam. Kolappurat Nokan Narayanan and heirs (ത ിമാർ)
received the current market value (അ ുെപറുംഅർ ം) from1 Palayur Viyatan

Manichan, and granted him the Attipper with water of Murkankandi Nilam, Kodunga
Nilam, Telakka Nilam, Atamban Nilam, Patinhare Vellakunnu paramba, and Namban
Pallimanyayal (പ ിമഞായൽ), situated in Irimbalasseri Desam. Thus Palayur Viyatan
Manichan paid the current market value and obtained the Attipper with water of the said
Murkankandi Nilam, Kodunga Nilam, Telakka Nilam, Atamban Nilam, Patinhare
Vellakunnu paramba and Namban Pallimanyayal (പ ിമഞായൽ). The boundaries
(അതിരുകൾ) of the said lands are east Vellakunnu, south Nambankalam Nilam, west
Ayyappantepanatiri Nilam, and north Vellarakku Nilam. Everything, of whatever
description (എെ ർെ തും), contained within the said boundaries is given (as)
Attipper with water. The boundaries of Murkankandi Nilam are east Matana Nilam,
south Atamari Nilam, west the embankment of the tank, and north the canal ;
everything, of whatever description included within the said boundaries, including the
planting space of seedlings (നുരി) and the interval between them (നുരിയിടപഴുതു്),
was obtained on Attipper with water ; as witnessed on behalf of both grantor and
grantee by neighbours (അയലും), the over-lord1a (പതിയും), and the Sabhavattam (circle
of assembly). Written in the hand of Vellot Raman.
Note.—The original is in Vatteluttu character. The copy fiom which this translation was
made was obtained from Kilepatt Teyyan Menon of Walluvanad Taluk, Malabar.
NOTEs: 3. A,D. 1723 .
1. Receiving and paying are qualified by the phrase മാവറമുതലെറ, which cannot be clearly made out. If
മാവർ is a corruption of മൂവര, then the clause may mean “in a way extinguishing the right of the
three,” i,e., three Panikkars. But if മാവര stands for മാവൻ, then the clause may mean “in a way
extinguishing the right of Mavan, a deity of Nayars.” The Panikkars being called Samundayam favours this
interpretation. Finally the word may mean that the right extinguished was "as far as the mango tree," i,e., the
timber right. On this last point compare Deed No. 43.
1a. Here the Pati and the circle of assembly attest the deed. END OF NOTEs
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No. 30
Attippettolakarunam (അ ിെപെ ാലകരുണം), executed in the solar mouth of
Makaram of the year 8982, Dhanu Vyalam. The Uralars of Iswaramangalam sitting inside
[ഉ ിരു = sitting inside (probably of temple] in the sacred name
(തിരുനാൾേപരാൽ) of the god (േതവർ), received the current market value (annu
perum artham) from Valayur Kuriyetat Viyatan Manichan, and granted him the Attipper
with water, Nirudakamayi of their Vettan Nilam in Kilatrikkovil Desam. Thus Valayur
Kuriyetat Viyatan Manichan paid the current market value (അ ുെപറുംഅർ ം) and
obtained the Attipper with water of the Vettan Nilam in Kilatrikkovil Desam. The
Uralars of Iswaramangalam sitting inside (ഉ ിരു = sitting inside, perhaps of
temple), in the sacred name (തിരനാൾേപരാൽ) of the god (േതവർ), granted the
Attipper with water, of everything, of whatever description (എെ ർെ തും),
comprised within the four boundaries of the said Vettan Nilam in Kilatrikkovil Desam.
Thus witnessed by the Sabhavattam3 (സഭവ ം = circle of assembly) on behalf of the
granting and obtaining, for current value, the Attipper with water of Vettan Nilam in
Kilatrikkovil Desam, together with everything, of whatever description, contained within
its four boundaries. Written in the hand of Panku.
Note.—The original is in Vettelutta charactors. The copy from which this transalation was made
was obtained from Kilepatt Teyyan Menon of Walluvanad Taluk, Malabar. A clause near the end
is imperfect and has been omitted.
NOTEs: 3. The circle of assembly represented authority. END OF NOTEs
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No. 31
Pattolakarunam (പെ ാലകരണം), executed in the solar month (ഞായർ) of
Kanni, 8991. Tirumalsseri Naranan Naranan received 840 new fanams from (the hands
of) Mulayil Kummini Tayi ; the object (കാർ ം), then, of receiving the said 840 fanams
is that the land called Ekaram in Iswaramangalam Pattam1a is a pattam2 on a pattam of
56 paras of paddy, as per my Narayappara3. Out of this deduct 11 paras on account of
damage (േകടുപിഴ) and 42 paras on account of interest on the amount (advanced) ; let
the balance of 3 paras of pattam, which with Vasi (വാശി == allowance for difference
of measure) becomes 3 paras and 3 tunis (തുണി == a measure about 1½ Idangali), be
paid to my Poluttikkarar (െപാഴു ി ാരർ = Pravarttikkar). Thus written by Atiyarat
Krishnan.
Note.—Translated from a copy received from Kilepatt Teyyan Menon of Walluvanad
Taluk.
NOTEs: 1. A.D. 1724.
1a. The sense in which the word pattam is here used, that is, as an aggregation of lands, points to yet another
mode in which the "Six Hundred" broke up their communal rights. The Nad was assessed with a certain
quantity of produce as the Ko's share, that is, as Ko-patta-varam, Note (i) to Deed No. 3. The Taravad
Karanavar in distributing the land would have to assign liability to pay a certain portion of the Ko's pattam
to each piece of land made over to each Taravad as its share of the common property. Each piece of land
would then come to be known as so and so's or such and such pattam. The use of the word in this sense is
still adhered to in British Cochin inherited from the Dutch.
3. നാരായം = a certain measure. END OF NOTEs
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No. 32
Pattolakaranam (പാ ലകരണം), executed in the solar month of Kanni, 8994.
Tirumalasseri Naranan Naranan received 101 fanams and 125 paras of paddy from
Mulayil Kummini Tayi ; the object, then, of receiving the said 101 fanams and 125 paras
of paddy is that the land which formerly belonged to Kundanur Perumpilavil people of
Cherumarutur Desam is a pattam2 on a pattam of 48 paras, as per my Narayappara
(നാരായപറ), exclusive of an allowance for damage (േകടു്). Out of this deduct 10
paras as interest on the amount at 5 per cent, and commutable at 4 paras per fanam, and
let the balance of 38 paras be paid to my Poluttikkarar (െപാഴു ി ാരർ) annually.
Thus written by Atiyarat Teyyan.
Note .—Translated from a copy received from Kilepatt Teyyan Menon of Walluvanad
Taluk.
NOTEs: 4. A D. 1724. END OF NOTEs
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No. 33
Attippettolakaranam (അ ിെ െ ാലകരണം), executed in the solar month
(ഞായർ) of Mithunam of the year 9005. Having received from (ക ാൽ == from the
hands of Atayur Raman, Samudayam (സമുദായം) (of) the Uralars who sit inside
(ഉ ിരു = sitting within, perhaps the temple), in the blessed name (തിരുനാമം) of
the Pallimal Tevar (േതവർ = god), the current market value (അ ുെപറും അർ ം),
Patavarkote Narayanan Devan granted [എഴുതിെവ െകാടു ാൻ === literally,

wrote and gave by laying (on the ground)] Attipper (അ ിേപർ) with pouring of water
(നീരുദകമായി), of Arangatodi land (നിലം) of 12 paras, Mutayan Chattamili of 12
paras, Pullanimuri of 6 paras, the land above it (അതി ുേമെല), of 5 paras, and
Kunnachcheri Kandam6 of 12 paras, aggregating (കൂടി) lands sowing 47 measures
(വടി ൻ — a measure) of seed, possessed by him (തിന ു ) in Valia Kundanur
Desam. Thus paying the current market value (അ ുെപറും അർ ം), Atayur Raman
Samudayam (of) the Uralars who sit inside (ഉ ിരു — see note above), in the
blessed name (തിരനാമം) of the Pallimal Tevar (േതവർ), obtained
[എഴുതിെവ ി െകാ ാൻ = literally, wrote and caused to be laid (on the ground)]
Attipper (അ ിെ ർ) with pouring of water (നീരുദകമായി), of Arangatodi land (നിലം)
of 12 paras, Mutayan Chattamili of 12 paras, Pulanimuri of 6 paras, the land above it
(അതി േമെല) of 5 paras, and Kunnachcheri Kandam of 12 paras, aggregating lands
sowing 47 measures (വടി ൻ) of seed (situated) in Valia Kundanur Desam. Thus

Patavarkote Narayanan Devan having received the current market value, granted
(എഴുതിെവ േകാടു ാൻ) Attipper with pouring of water (നീരുദകമായി), of the
lands sowing 47 paras of seed which he possesses (തനി ു ) in Valia Kundanur
Desam. Thus Atayur Raman obtained (എഴുതിെവ ി െകാ ാൻ == see note
above) the said lands (as) Attipjoer with pouring of water (നീരുദകമായി). Thus the
witness who knows this on behalf of the grantor (എഴുതിെവ െകാടു െമ ും)
and grantee (എഴുതിെവ െകാ െമ ും) is Raru Patteri (Bhattatiri). Written by

Kelachchatil Paman.
Note —Translated from a copy received from the Dewan of Cochin.
NOTEs: 5. A.D. 1725.
6. See note to deed No. 12. END OF NOTEs
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No. 34
Desapattolakarunam (േദശപാെ ാലകരണം), executed in the solar month
(ഞായർ) of Karkadakam 9061 Chinga Vyalam Kudallur Yogiyattiri Tiruvadi
(കൂടല ർേയാഗിയാതിരിതിരുവടി) in the name of Trisivaperur Appan
(തൃ ിവേപരൂർഅ ൻ = Trichur god (?) ] received 14,000 old fanams from Kuttale
Anantanarayanan Tayamma. The object of receiving the above 14,000 faiiams is that
subsequent to the former document, lands sowing 420 paras of Kanimangalam
Cherikkal2 (േചരി ൽ), 120 paras of Utiyal, 360 paras of Manniti Cherikkal
(േചരി ൽ), 620 paras of Mattur Cherikkal, 120 paras of Ayinampattam3, and 120 paras
of Mangalur Vengattara and 18 Cherumars (--ലിയാൾ) are a pattam to you4 on a
Pattam of 5,000 paras of paddy including the 1,000 paras payable by Kayaradi5
Pattillattavar and the 120 paras payable from Vellamkur [െവ ാംകൂർ (?)]. The net
annual purapad is 1,500 paras after deducting 1,050 paras for interest on the amount
(advanced), 2,240 paras for Changngatam6 (ച ാത ള ം) and Palisa [പലിശകള ം
== persons rendering service as guards bearing (palisa) shields] and 210 paras for
( പവർ ികാരനു7(?) േ പാർ ിയാവന (different kinds of agents, servants), making a
total deduction of 3,500. The above purapad of 1,500 paras with one Chotana (േചാതന
= a measure) of oil should be annually8 paid regularly on the 1st of every Chingam, and
you may enjoy വഴിപിഴ (fines) for infringing old customs. Written in the hand of
Kuruppat Chennan.
Note.—Translated from a copy of a copper-plate deed received from the Nallopalli
Ankaratta Valiya Mannadiyar of Cochin State.
NOTEs: 1. A.D. 1731.
2. Lands belonging to Rajas or temples.
3. See note to Deed No.31 on pattam used in this way.
5. കയരാടിപ ില വർ — the ten Illam people of Kayarati (?).
6. See Glossary.
7. Probably for പവൃ ിയാവൻ.
8. This deed cannot be clearly understood, as the previous deed is not forthcoming. So far as can be made
out, it is a Kanam deed (see Glossary under “Kanam" and notes to Deed No.4 ) of a whole Desam or of
the whole of the demisor’s interest in -- and, etc., in the Desam. It is of interest because the Kanakkar had
evidently to take upon himself the protection of the territory. See Deed No.4. END OF NOTEs
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No 35
Valiyolakaranam (വലിഒലകരണം, corruption of വിലേയാലകരണം = bill of
sale), executed in the solar month (ഞായർ) of Karkadakam of the year 9141.
Kurikkalote Palakkal Mittalevittil Ummanga and Uchchira of Cherukunnatt village
(ഊർ) sold as far as their share (ത ൾ ുളളഒപതിഒളവും) of the Tara2 (തറ)
Kandam (ക ം = field) and swamps (ൈക ാടു്) below their house (വീടു്). Tayatt
Vittil Rairu Koran and heirs (ത ിമാർ) purchased (the same) by paying the current
market value3 (അ ുെപറും അർ ം). The boundary of the land (ക ം) for which
this price was paid is east as far as the river, south as far as the Palakkal paramba
(പറ ു്), west as far as the Palakkal paramba, and north as far as the Patikkarante
Kandam (land). The land (നിലം) produce (പലം = fruit) hidden treasure (െവ ്)
and the vessel in which it is secured (െച ്) and thorns (മു ), and cobras
(മൂർ ൻപാ ്) included in the said four boundaries are purchased (വിലെകാ ാൻ)
by paying the price (വിലെകാടു ു). The witness4 who knows this (transaction) is
Kuppadakkal Kannan Kammaran and the witness5 who knows the house
(കടിയറിയുംതാ ി) is Valliyotan Chingan Kelu. Written with the knowledge of the
neighbours6 (േക േകൾ ി ്) in the hand of Talavil Sankaran.
Note.—Translated from a copy received from the District Munsif of Kavai, Chirakkal Taluk. The
original is in Tamil (Koleluttu) characters.
NOTEs: 1. A. D. 1739.
2. The fact that the vendors sold their share of the Tara hold or Tara portion (Kandam, see Deed No. 12)
looks as if the Tara (Nayar village or guild) had held property in its corporate capacity in this part of the
country (Northern Kolattunad). See Deed No. 4 and Deed No. 14.
3. Literally, Anna = that day ; Perum = which will produce : Artham = the money, wealth
4. The attestation of the neighbours and of two special witnesses was alone considered necessary in this
case.
5. (?)
6. Literally “heard and caused to be heard” Kettu-Kelpichu. END OF NOTEs
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No. 36
Attipettolakaranam (അ ിെ െ ാലകരണം); executed in Edavam Nyayar (solar
month) Karkadaka Vyalam of the year 9177 at the Chittur Mannatt8 (മ ു്) of the
Kilappalayur Nad (നാടു്). Varikkot Raman and heirs (ത ിമാർ) received the market
value (െപറുവർ ം) from the hands of Ambat Raman Manchu. The object of this
market value is that Varikkat Raman and heirs have given with water as Attipper his
(Raman’s) property (െതാ ) the field9 (ക ം) sowing 10 paras (and situated) above
the Ambatte field by the side (ഓെര) of the hill (മല) and below the field belonging to
the Ayam house, together with its adjoining hillock or margin (കര) and upper and
lower produce (േമൽഫലവും കീ ഫലവും). Thus having paid the said market value
the above said land (നിലം) which is above the Ambat field by the side of the hill and
below the field belonging to Ayam house, and sowing 10 paras, together with its
adjoining hillock or margin and the upper and lower produce has been taken with water
as Attipper by Ambat Manchu and heirs (ത ിമാർ). Thus the witnesses who know this
(transaction) are Ilamule Chennan Raman and Chennalikkote Chatta Raman. Written by
Kuttikat Itti Korappen.
Note. — Translated from a copy received from the Nallepalli Ankaratta Valiya
Munnadiyar of Cochin State.
NOTEs: 7. A.D. 1742.
8. Vide note to Deed No. 24,
9. Kandam See note to deed No. 12. END OF NOTEs
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No. 37
Attippetttolakaranam (അ ിെ െ ാലകരണം), executed at Nallaypalli Mannatt1
(മ ു്) in Angavenat (അ േവണാ ്) (?) Kadavur (കടവൂർ) (?) Kayariyadath
(കയരിയട ു്) (?) in the solar month (ഞായർ) of Tulam 9242 Makara Vyalam.
Karutta Mannattil Iravi Itarachan and heirs (ത ിമാർ) received from (the hands of)
Tottatt Malayan Itti Chattar the current market value (െപരുവർ ം). The object of
receiving the market value is that Karuttamannattil Iravi Itarachan and heirs have given
by pouring water as Nirmutal (നീർമുതൽ) = water property) the Nir Attipper
(നീർഅ ിെ ർ) of his (Itaraohan’s) land (െതാ )3 situated on the south of the
Kalaparamba (കളപറ ു്) and Pula (പൂള = silk-cotton tree) which are above the
embankment (ചി..) lying below that (land) demised on Kanam4 (കാണം ചാർ ിയ)
by them (Itarachan and heirs) at Kottamangalam (െകാ മംഗലം) and (situated) on the
north of the Kolaohira (െകാളചിറ = big tank) ; the plots (ക ം) included within
those (limits) sowing 70 paras and Kuli (കുഴി = an excavated ground) and the three
Kuli parambas (കുഴിപറ ു്) with their upper and lower produce (േമൽഫലവുംകീ
ഫലവും) together with Atiyan Valli Chattanmar (അടയാൻവലിചാ ാർ = slave
Cherumars) Kannan’s son Karuttapulli and Rangayan. Thus Thodatt Malayan Itti
Chattan and heirs (ത ിമാർ) by giving the abovesaid market value (െപറുവർ ം)
obtained as water property (നീർമുതൽ) the Nir Attipper (നീർഅ ിെ ർ) of the
abovesaid lands with their upper and lower produce (േമൽഫലവുംകീ ഫലവും) and
Kuli (കഴി) and the three Kuli parambas together with two Cherumars (വലിയാൻ).
Witnesses hereof are Vadavannur Vellalars (വടവ ൂർ െവ ാളർ and Kilillatt
Anantiravars (കീഴില ു് അന ിരവർ). Written in the hands of the vendor
(െകാ ാൻ).
Note. - Translated from a copy received from the Nallopalli Ankaratta Valiya
NOTEs: 1. Vide note to Deed No. 24.
2. A.D. 1748.
3. Tonma, a corrupt form of Svanma, which occurs in Deed No. 6
4. The lane demised on Kanam was not sold. END OF NOTEs
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No. 38
Baliyolaharanam (ബലിഓലകരണം, corruption of വിലേയാലകരണം = sale
deed), executed in the solar month (ഞായർ), of Makaram of the year 9255 Kaliyatt Vittil
Kunyan Nambi and heirs (ന ിമാർ) having received (വാ ി) the current market6
value (അ ുെപറും േപാൻകാണം വില) sold (വിലെകാടു ാർ) the Kurikkalott
Palakkal Koliyatt Putiyavittile Valappa (വള = paramba) in Cherukunnatt village
(ഊർ = village) Palakkal Mittalevittil Kammaran Otenan having paid (െകാടു ) the
current market6 value (അ ുെപറും െപാൻകാണം വില) purchased (വിലെകാ ാൻ)
(the same). The boundaries of this paramba (പറ ്) are, east as far as the canal
(േതാടു്), south as far as the Chettire Karanma Kandam7 (ക ം = field), west as far as
the eastern wall (മതിൽ) of Kaliyatt Mittale house, and north as far as the Bhagavathi
Ammere Kandam7 (ക ം = field). Kaliyatt Vittil Kunyan Nambi and heirs having
received the current market value sold1 the lands (നിലം) and produce (പലം = fruit),
including (അട ി) the hidden treasure (െവ ്) and the vessel in which it is secured
(െച ്) comprised within the said four boundaries. Palakkal Mittalevittil Kammaran
Otenan purchased (the same) by paying the current market value. The witness2 (താ ി)
corruption of (സാ ി) who knows this (transaction) is Kuppadakkai Kannan

Kammaran and the witness who knows the house (?) [കടിഅറിയും താ ി (?)] is
Vellyodan Chindan Koran. With the knowledge of these, written in the hand of Talavil
Narayanan Sankaran.
Note.— Translated from a copy received from the District Munsif of Kavai, Chirakkal
taluk. The original is in Tamil (Koleluttu) characters.
NOTEs: 6. Literally, Anna == that day ; Perum = which will produce ; Pon - gold, Kanam =
kanam, possession ; Vila = price
1. The use of the word Kanam above proves, that what was sold was the Kanam right (compare
Deed No. 4). If so, it is important to observe exactly the things so conveyed, viz., lands, produce and hidden
treasure. Veppum Cheppum are two of the best known incidents of the water birthright.
2. It is suggested in a note to Deed No, 2 that possibly the transfer of freehold "by water” came
into the country with the Vedic Brahmans, whose influence was never so great in this part of the country
(North Kolattunad, Chirakkal taluk) as it was further south. Possibly, therefore, this deed and, perhaps, No.
35 also were meant to be freehold deeds. They were certainly handed in as copies of so-called Janmam deeds.
END OF NOTEs
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No. 39
Attippettolakaranam (അ ിെ േ ാലകരണം), executed in the solar month

(ഞായർ) of Dhanu of the year 9323. Nechchikkot Raman Kittanan (കി ണൻ =
vulgar form of Krishnan) and heirs (ന ിമാർ) received from (ക ാൽ = from the
hands of) Kuruppatt Chirukota and heirs (ത ിമാർ) the current market value
(അ ുെപറും അർ ം). Thus having received the current market value, Nechchikkot
Raman Kittanan and heirs granted (എഴുതിെകാടു ാൻ = literally wrote and gave)
the Attipper അ ിെപർ as water property (നീർമുതൽ) with water (.....) of his
Kotumanna land (നിലം) sowing 6 paras in Kurichchikkare desam. Thus having paid
the current market value, Kuruppat Chirukota and heirs obtained [എഴുതി െകാ ാൻ
= literally had or got (it) written] the Attipper as water property നീർമുതൽ with water
of the Kotumanna land sowing 6 paras in Kurichchikkare desam. Thus Neehchikkot
Raman Kittanan and heirs granted the Attipper as water property with water of the
Kotumanna (land) of 6 paras. Thus having paid the current market value, Kuruppatt
Chirukota and heirs obtained (എഴുതി െകാണഅടാൻ), see note above) the Attipper as
water property with water of Kotumanna (land) of 6 paras in Kurichchikkare desam.
Thus Raman Kittanan and heirs granted (എഴുതിെകാടു ാൻ) the said land. Thus
Chirukota and heirs obtained (എഴുതി െകാ ാൻ) the said land. The witnesses who
know this in behalf of the grantor (എഴുതിെകാടു െമ ും) and of the grantee
(എഴുതി െകാ െമ ും) are Koravankuli Nayar and Attittre Kora Mappilla.
Written in the hand of Chiraman.
Note.— Translated from a copy received from the the Dewan of Cochin.
NOTEs: 3. A.D. 1756-57. END OF NOTEs
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No. 40
Attippettolakaranam (അ ിെ െ ാലകരണം), executed in the solar month
(ഞായർ) of Mithunam of the year 9344. Having received the current market value
(അ ുെപറും അർ ം) from (ക ാൽ = from the hands of) the Uralar in the blessed
name (തിരുനാൾേപരാൽ) of Kurichchikkare Tevar (േതവർ = god) Techchikkot
Chakkan Ramar and heirs (ന ിമാർ) granted (എഴുതെകാടു ാൻ = wrote and
gave) the Attipper with pouring water (നീരുദകമായി) of his Pati paramba of 7 paras in
the Muti desam. Thus having paid the current market value (the Uralars) obtained
[എഴുതി െകാ ാൻ = literally had or got (it) written] the Attipper with pouring
water of Pati paramba of 7 paras in the Muti desam. Thus Chakkan Ramar and heirs
granted (എഴുതിെകാടു ാൻ, see note above) the said land. Thus having paid the
current market value, the Uralar in the blessed name of Kurichchikkare Tevar obtained
(എഴുതി െകാ ാൻ, see note above) the said land. The witnesses who know this in
behalf of the grantor (എഴുതിെകാടു െമ ും) and grantee
(എഴുതി െകാ െമ ും) are Koravankuli Nayar and Malamavatiyil Makkachar.
Written in the hand of Koyat Kondu.
Note. - Translated from a copy received from the Dewan of Cochin.
NOTEs: 4. A.D. 1759. END OF NOTEs
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No. 41
Attippettolakaranam (അ ിെ േ ാലകരണം), executed at Chittur Mannatt1
(മ ു്) in Kilappalayur Nad in the solar month (ഞായർ) of Minam9282, Edavam
Vyalam. Elluvatt Raman Chattan and heirs (ന ിമാർ) received from Ambat Manchu
Raman the current market value (െപറുവർ ം). The object of receiving the said
market value is Eluvatt Raman Chattan and heirs give as water porperty (നീർമുതൽ) by
pouring water the Nir Attipper (നീര ിെ ർ) of the land (.... ) called Otasera above
the Porayatta Nilam and below the Alukkan Chira, comprising plots sowing 60 paras of
paddy and the parambas (പറ ു്) on both sides (ഇരുകര) and the upper and lower
produce (േമൽഫലവും കീ ഫലവും) and the Nuri (നുരി = space required for
planting seedlings) and the Nuriyida Paluta (നുരിയിടപഴുതു്— interval between the
planting of seedlings). Thus Ambat Raman and Manchu and Raman and heirs
(ന ിമാർ) by giving the current market value obtained as water property (നീർമുതൽ)
the Nir Attipper with the pouring of water of the said land Otasera above the Porayatta
Nilam and below the Alukkan Chira, comprising plots sowing 60 paras of seed and the
parambas on both sides, and the Nuri (നുരി = the space required to plant seedlings)
and Nuriyida Paluta (നുരിയിടപഴുതു് = interval between the planting of seedlings).
Thus Raman Chattan and heirs receiving the current market value have executed this,
and likewise Manchu Raman and heirs paying the current market value have got this
executed. Tlius the witnesses to this are Elamally Chenur Raman and Chennalikat
Chattan Raman. Written in the hand of Achatt Kandu.
Note. — Translated from a copy received from the Nallopalli Ankaratta Valiya
NOTEs: 1. See note to Deed No. 24.
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No. 42
To the Adhikari (അധികാരി) of Tirumala Devara (േദവര) in Cochin. Heard
from Cochin Sangara Pillay that boundaries were fixed (അതൃ ി തിരി ) to the
compounds3 (പുരയിട ൾ = literally the site of a habitation) and lands4 (ക ൾ)
belonging to Tirumala devasam in the tracts പേദശ ൾ) included in Turavur and

Manakkottuttu (subject to) Cherttala Mandavattum1 Vatukkal1 and that copies were
brought and deposited [അനുവവ പി (?)] at the Mandavattum Vatukkal
(മ വ ും വാതു ൽ) of documents relating to property held on Erakkarayma2
(എറ ാരാ മ) and Janmam (ജ ം). Therefore I have relinquished (ഒഴി ുത ു)
in behalf of the devasvam of the Mupra3 (മു പ) and 1/8 of what is Janmam (ജ ം) and
Erakarayma (എറകാരാ മ) documents whereof have been found. Enjoying (them)
thus the Michavaram4of Erakarayma should be paid annually to the Mandavattum
Vatukkal and receipts (ചീ ്) taken. Thus to this effect written on the 10th of the
month (മാസം) of Makaram of the year 9455 under the orders of His Highness
(തിരുവു ുംപടിനിനവു) by Anancha Perumal Anancha Perumal, the Valia
Meleluttu Kanakku (വലിയേമെലഴു ുകണ ് = an office of that name).
Note. — Translated from a copy received from the Dewan of Cochin State.
NOTEs: 1.Mandapam (Sansk.) = open shed or hall, and Vatil (Drav.) = door, gate, chief
entrance. Taken together they mean a Tahsildar’s office.
2. A right by which a small purapad is paid to the janmi by the name of Era-Micharam. It is not
generally renewed, but of late it is renewed on payment of Oppu and Tusi alone. It is now recognised as
redeemable.
3. Literally, three (Munnu) paras (bushels), i.e., 3 paras per 10 paras, the State share of the net
produce.
4. The Mupra assessment in the Native States of Travancore and Cochin is perhaps the relic of
the ancient Ko-Pattavaram, [see note to paragraph (2) of Deed No. 3]. It is certainly noteworthy that if a
Nambudiri in Travancore sells this freehold land to anyone but a Nambudiri, an obligation to pay Mupra (in
the case of wet lands), and Ettayil onnu (1 in 8 in the case of garden lands) immediately attaches to the lands,
—(Ward and Connor’s Survey Memo., p. 63. Trivandrum Ed.) The Brahman hierarchy had evidently prior
to the execution of Deed No. 2 (A.D.774) been admitted to privileges equal or perhaps superior to those
conferred on the Jews and Syrians. Those privileges were probably hereditary, but not assignable to any one
but Nambudiris.
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No. 43
Attipper ola karanam (അ ിെ െറാലകരണം), executed on the closing (െപാകു )

solar month (ഞായർ) of the Chingam of the year 9516.
Pilaparambil Kelan Koman and heirs (ത ിമാർ) having received the current
market Attipper value (െപറുംവില അ ിെ റർ ം) as found at the time by four
people (അ ുനാലർക .) granted (എഴുതിെകാടു ാൻ == literally wrote and gave)
the Attipper with pouring of water (നീരുദകമായി) of the plot (ക ം) lying east to
west on the northern slope ( വടെ എറ ിൽ
) of the hill in the western Odi (ഒടി) =
division or range of fields) of Karaka Akathutta belonging to them (ത ൾ ു ) in
Kutuvur desam, so as to extinguish the (right in) mango tree (മാവെര)7 the (right in)
sand (മണലെര) and the right in water (ഉദകമെര) and to convey the right of
ceremony (കർ ം മട ി)8 without any dispute respecting this and touching that
(ഒ െതാെ ാ െചാലി െചാതിയംകൂടാെത). In this way Iluvan Tharayolil Kalavan
Maman and heirs (ന ിമാർ) obtained the Attipper with pouring of water
(നീരുദകമായി) of the plot (ക ം) lying east to west on the northern slope of the
western hill and belonging to Kelan Koman and heirs, in a manner to extinguish the
(right in) mango tree (മാവെറ), the (right in) sand (മണലെര), and the (right in) water
(ഉദകമെറ), and to convey the right of ceremony (കർ ം മട ി) and without any
dispute respecting this and touching that (ഓ െതാെ ാ െചാലി െചാതിയും
കൂടാെത). Thus the witness who knows this is Otaparambatt Kittanan Nayar. Written
by Poringelil Chennan.
Note. — Translated from a copy received from the Subordinate Judge of
British Cochin.
NOTEs: 6. A.D. 1776.
7. These seem to indicate that the timber-right, the earth-right, and the water right were given up.
8. It is not clear what this means. END OF NOTEs
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No. 44
This is Attippettolakaranam (അ ിെ െ ാലകരണം) written in the solar month
(ഞായർ) of Tulam of the year 9541. Talikokkat Parameswaran Trivikraman and heirs
(ത ിമാർ) have given, by receiving the market (െപറും2 = literally, born2 or produced)
Attipper2 value (അ ിേ റർ ം) as then found (ക ു) by four people (നാലർ) the
Attipper2 with pouring of water (നീരുദകമായി) and accompanied by Janmam2 right
(ജ ഫലം == literally born2 fruit) over their (lands) in Talikolangara Desam and
bounded on the east by (the land called) Totu-pata, west of Pangolam and
Kunnatotupata, on the west ................... on the south by Puli Kandam and
Manakkattilavan’s dwelling compound (മണ ാ ിലവൻ ഇരി ു പറ ്) ...... . .
.north............ field and Pilakkat paramba on the west ......on the east by the Patinhare
Devasvam Totuva, on the south by. . . . jungle (കാടു), (Note.— Here more boundaries
follow which owing to omission of words are unintelligible) ; (the lands) included in the
above four boundaries (നാലതിർ) and sowing 18 paras, Erinheri (lands) of 8 paras,
Nalpatinam land, Karuvannur Punja (പു ) (land) of 9 paras, making a total of punja
lands (പു നിലം) of 38 paras and wet lands (ഉൽപ ി) and parambas (പറ ു്)
Netumpalli Tarana Nellur Narayanan Parameswaran" and heirs (ത ിമാർ) take the
abovesaid lands (ഉ പ ി) and parambas (പറ ു) and the waste (മുട)
Chulliparamba in the east and west (കീ േമൽ) with flowing water (നീരുദകമായി) and
water caused to come into contact (നീര ിക) along with the Janmam right (ജനമഫലം,
see note above)......................... Witnesses knowing (this) are Ponnallur, Kuttampilli,
Kataluramallur, Kilakkiniyeddatt Kokka.
Note. - Translated from a copy received from the Dewan of Cochin State.
NOTEs: 1. A.D. 1778
2. Here the close connection between the Drav. Peru and the Sanskritised form of it
Janmam is sufficiently obvious. END OF NOTEs
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No. 45
Attippettolakaranam (അ ിെ െ ാലകരണം), executed at Tatta Mangalam Mannatta3
(മ ു്) in Palayur Nad (നാടു) in the solar month of Kumbham in the year 9574. Dhanu
Vyalam Shippi Ammiyar, daughter of Thoppa Pattar5, a Paradesi (പരേദശി = foreigner) and
heirs (ത ിമാർ) residing at Kakurissi Akaram (അകരം = a Brahman house) received from
Ambat Raman Ittunni Raman the current market value (െപരുവർ ം). Thus the object of
receiving the said market value is that Shippi Ammiyar and heirs (ത ിമാർ) give by pouring
water as water property (നീർമുതൽ) the Nir Attipper (നീർഅ ിെ ർ) of 2 kandams (plots)
sowing 120 nalis (നാഴി) of paddy and situated below your land (െതാ )1 called Otasira nilam
of Chamba (?) and above our Parakkal Kandam (plot) and the parambas (പറ ു്) on both sides
(ഇരുകര) of it together with the upper and lower produce (േമൽഫലവും കീ ഫലവും).
Thus Ambat Raman Ittunni Raman and heirs (ത ിമാർ) obtained with the pouring of water as
Nirmutal (നീർമുതൽ = water property) the Nir Attipper (നീര ിെ ർ) of the abovesaid two
plots of land below the Otasira land of Chambatt (ച ു്) and above the Parakkal Kandam
and sowing 12 paras of seed, and the parambas on both sides of it with the upper and lower
produce (േമൽഫലവും കീ ഫലവും). Thus the witnesses who know this are Kilatti
Arangan Chattan and Manikatt Kandan Teyyan. Written in the hand of Eluvatt Thoppu.
Note. - Translated from a copy received from the Nallepalli Ankaratta Valiya
NOTEs: 3. See note to deed No. 24.
4. A.D. 1781-82.
5. East Coast Brahman.
1. Tonma, See Note to Deed No. 37. END OF NOTEs
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No. 46
Attippettolakarunam (അ ിെ െ ാലകരുണം), executed at Chittur Mannatt2 in

the solar month (ഞായർ) of Edavam in the year 9593 Kumbham Vyalam. Porayatt
Raman and heirs (ന ിമാർ) received the current market value (െപറുവർ ം) from
Ambat Raman Ittunni Raman. The object (കാർ ം) of receiving the said market value
is that Porayatt Raman and heirs give (െകാടു ാർ) with pouring water as water
property (നീർമുതൽ) the Nir Attipper (നീര ിെ ർ) of the Kandams (ക ം ==
plot) sowing 12 paras seed, bounded on the north by your (ത െറ) land (െതാ )
called Otasira Annakonath (ഒടാശിര അ ാെകാണ ു്) and on the south by our
(ത െട) Nilam, east by Tiruttillatt Nilam, and on the west by the slope (െവ ചരു)
of the paramba, together with the (right of) guarding3 (പേരാവു or പാറാവു =
sentry or guard) and Karayma4 (കാരാ മ) as well as the upper and lower produce
(േമൽഫലവും കീ ഫലവും) and everything of whatever description
(എെ ർെ തും) comprised within these four boundaries. Ambat Raman Ittunni
Raman and heirs (ത ിമാർ) obtain with the pouring of water as water property
(നീർമുതൽ) the Nir Attipper (നീര ിെ ർ) by giving the said market value of the
Kandam (plot) sowing 12 paras and bounded on the north by the Otasira Annakonath
Nilam, on the south by their (ത െട) Nilam, on the east by Tiruttillatt Nilam, and on
the west by the slope of the paramba together with the right of guarding (പാരാവും)
and Karayma as well as the upper and lower produce and everything of whatever
description (എെ ർെ തും) comprised within these four boundaries. Thus the
witnesses who know this are Chattan Raman and Chennalikot Teyyan Raman. Written in
the hand of Tatchat Kandu.
Note.—Translated from a copy received from the Nallopaili Ankaratta Valiya

NOTEs: 2. See note to deed No 24.
3. A D. 1784
4. Compare notes to paragraphs (c) and (f) and (m) of Deed No. 3 ; also notes to Deed No. 4. END OF
NOTEs
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No. 47
Attippettolakaranarn (അ ിെ െ ാലകരണം), executed in the solar month
(ഞായർ) of Karkadakam of the year 9635. Chirakkal Panayanullil Narayanan Chumaran
and heirs (ത ിമാർ) having received the market Attipper value (െപറും
അ ിെ റർ ം) as found at the time by four people (അ ുനാലെപർക ു) granted
(എഴുതിെകാടു ാൻ) the Attipper with water flowing (നീരദകമായി) and water
coining into contact (നീര ി ) of their (ത ൾ ു ) Kalimpuram Desam
(കഴി ുറം േദശം). Thus Ayirur Narayana Rama Varma Avatiri Kovilatikarikal and
heirs (ത ിമാർ) having paid the market Attipper value (െപറും അ ിെ റർ ം) as
found then by four people (അ ുനാലുേപർ ക ു) obtained (എഴുതി െകാ ാൻ)
the Attipper with water flowing (നീരുദകമായി) and water coming into contact
(നീര ിക) of the said Kalimpuram desam. Thus the boundaries of this desam are east
Edamuttam Desam, south Ramallur desam, west Meppuratta Paramba (which is) west of
Tirunilam, and north Kuruvetti Paramba. The lands (ഉൽപ ികൾ) and parambas
(പറ ുകൾ) and everything else of whatever description (മ ം എെ ർെ തും)
included (അകെ ) within the above four boundaries and the Desam1 Desadhipatyam,
Amabalappadi1 and Urayma1 have been given and received with water flowing
(നിരുദകം). The witnesses who know this are Kuttumpilli Mutta Nambutiri,
Kunampilli Nambutiri, Edatiruttu Pattali, and Kutaykkal Sankaran Kammal. Written by
Chemmappallil Sankaran Shollampenambiyath Sankaran.
Note: Translated from a copy received from the Subordinate Judge of British Cochin.
NOTEs: 5. A. D. 1788.
1. Incidents attached to the rank of a Desavali. See Glossary. END OF NOTEs
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No. 48
Vilayolakaranam (വിലെയാലകരണം = deed of sale), executed in the solar
month (ഞായർ) of Mithunam of the year 9832. Palakkal Patinhare Vittil Rayiru
Chandu and heirs (ത ിമാർ) of Cherukunnatt village (ഊർ) sold by receiving the
current market value (അ ുെപറും വിലയറു ം) the paramba (പര ്) known as
Kallinga Valappa which is the janmam (െജ ം corruption of ജ ം) of Payangote
Palakkal Patinhare Vittil Chandu of Cherukunnatt village. The said paramba was
purchased by payihg the current market value3 (അ ുെപറും വിലയറു ം) by
Karippatt Palli Kulakatt Chirakkal Kulakkat Ravi Varma Raja (രാച). The boundary of
this paramba (പറ ു്) is east as far as the Cherukunnatt Devasvam (േതവാ ം)
Kandam (field), south as far as Kalattil Kolangakote Paramba, west as far as

Udayammadatt Palakkal Kandam (land), and north as far as the land (ക ം) of
Chirakkal Kovilakam and Cherukunnu Devasvam (േതവ ം). The lands (നിലം)
produce (ഫലം = fruit), stones (കല്), thorns (മു ), hidden treasure (നിതി), and
other things of whatever description (എെ ർെ തും) included in the said boundaries
were purchased by paying the current market value by Karippatt Palli Kulakattil
Chirakkal Kulakatt Ravi Varma Raja Tamburan to Palakkal Patinhare Vittil Rayiru
Chandu and heirs. Thus the witnesses (താ ി corruption of സാ ി) are Chenicheri
Chattu and (കൂടി അറിയും ?) Puliyankotan Kannan. Written in the hand of
Katankotan Chandu Koran with the knowledge of the neighbours (േക േകൾ ി )4.
Note .—Translated from a copy received from the District Munsif of Kavai, Chirakkal
taluk.
NOTEs: 2. A.D. 1808.
3. No mention here of water, through Janmam would seem to mean the water birthright. The
deed is called merely a deed of sale—not an Attipper. There are only three deeds in this collection. Nos. 35,
38 and 48, in proof of the fact, but it is not improbable that neither Attipper nor Janmam was in general use in
North Kolattunad (Chirakkal Taluk until after the British occupation).
4. Kettu Kelpichu = heard and caused to be heard. END OF NOTEs
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No. 49
Attippettolakaryyam (അ ിെ െ ാലകാർ ം), executed in the solar month
(ഞായർ) of Makaram of the year 9851. Medabyalam at Mitranannapuram
Mukkalvattam (മു ാൽവാ ം = temple of Bhagavati). Payyur Parameswaran
Narayanan and heirs (ത ിമാർ) granted (എഴുതിെ ാടു ാൻ = literally wrote and
gave to Ennur Nandiyar Valli Narayanan Narayanan and heirs (ത ിമാർ) by receiving
the current market value (െപറു വിലഅർ ം) as then found by four people
(അ നാലർക ു്) the Attipper (അ ിേ ർ) with pouring of water (ഉദകപൂർ ം) in
such a manner that (the transaction) might not in future (േമലിൽ) be questioned
(േചാത യം) by us, our heirs (േശഷ ാർ == descendants) or anybody else
(മെ ാര രാലും), their Putturdesam2 (പു ൂർേദശം) Desadhipatyam2
(േദശാധിപത ം) two temples (ഇതുര ും) (called) Mitranannapuram
(മി താന പുരം) and Tekkiniyammakava, the Ambalappadi2 (അ ല ടി) Urayma2
(ഊരാ മ) and other temple dignities (മ ം േ താധിപത ള ം) the lands
(ഉ പ ി) and parambas (പറ ു) the retainers3 (ആള ്) and slaves (അടിയാർ) the
dues (േപാക ൾ corruption of േഭാഗ ൾ = enjoyments) of Desavali (േദശവാഴി)
and everything else of whatever description (മ െമേ ർെ തും) included (അകെ )
within this desam. Thus Ennur Nandiyar Valli Narayanan and Anantiravars obtained
(എഴുതി െകാ ാർ = literally, had or got written) by paying the current market
value (െപറുവില അർ ം) as then found by four people (അ ുനാലർക ു്) the
Attipper with pouring of water (ഉദകപൂർ ം) in such a manner that (the transaction)
might not in future (േമലിൽ) be questioned (േചാത യം) by Parameswaran
Narayanan, heirs (ത ിമാർ) descendants (േശഷ ാർ) or anybody else,
(മെ ാരു രാലും) Parameswaran Narayanan’s and heirs (ത ിമാർ) Puttur desam4,
Desadhipatyam4, the two temples (called) Mitranannapuram and Tekkiniyammakava, the
Ambalappadi4 and Urayma4 and other temple dignities (മ ം േ താധിപത ൾ), the
lands and parambas (ഉ പ ികള ം പറ ുകള ം), the retainers and slaves
(ആളടിയാർ), the dues (േപാക ൾ, see note above) of Desavali, and everything else of
whatever description included within this desam. Thus the witnesses for this
Attippettola (അ ിെ െ ാല) in behalf of the grantors (എഴുതിെ ാടു െമ ും)
and the grantees (എഴുതിെകാ െമ ും) Vennarattur Okki, Tekkiniyetam and

Nantiyarvalli. Written in the hand of Kollikandara Govindan.
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Note. - Translated from a copy received from Mr. H. Wigram, District Judge of
South Malabar.
NOTEs: 1. A.D. 1810
2. Incidents attached to the dignity of a Desavali. See Glossary.
3. The conveyance of rights in free retainers after the introduction of British rule is to be noted as
it explains the relations which have all along subsisted between the Janmi and those beneath him.
4. "C.D. was anciently Desavali of the Desams of --------in your division, but as the present family
is disqualified from poverty (or want of respectability or other cause) you will exercise in these Desams the
duties of head of Police, of Village Munsif, and of Tax-Collector, but you will not interfere with the Desavali
Sthanamnana Avakasam (or such ancient privileges belonging to him as Desavali) as the Government may
deem it advisable to permit to be enjoyed, and as the inhabitants may voluntarily offer in conformity with
old customs.” Extract from Mr. Græme’s form of sanad appointing Adhikaris of Amsams. Special
Commissioner to Principal Collector 20th May 1823. Conf. p. 89 of the text. END OF NOTEs
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No. 50
Royal letter addressed to Cheruvattur Nambutiri. Eletat Ullannur lllam in
Perumpillesseri Desam of Urakam Pravirtti having become extinct that Taravad1
together with the property (വ തു) rice-lands (ഉ പ ി), persons (ആൾ =
probably retainers, guards), slaves (അടിയാർ), chest of documents (െപ ി പമാണം)
and all Ambalapadi and Urayma rights and everything of whatever description
(എെ ർെ തും) with the exception of the Urayma of Changarayil Kshetram (temple),
are hereby granted2 to you Cheruvattur Nambutiri for exclusive enjoyment
(മെ ാരു രാലും േചാദ ംകൂടാെത = literally without any question from any one).
Written in the month of Vrischikam 10203 M.E. in the hand of Pavvattil Krishnan, in
the presence and under the orders of Kanayannur Kovilakam Raja.
Note. — Translated from a copy received from Nellisseri Siva Ramayyan of
Palghat Town.
NOTEs: 1.See note to Deed No. 22.
2.This illustrates one mode in which Nambutiri inheritances are passed on in the Native States.
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No. 51
ROYAL LETTER ADDRESSED TO CHUNDAYKAT OTALUR
(NAMBUTIRI)
Whereas there being no male members in the two Illams of Kandiyur
Natuvattunnu Natuvat and Kandanasseri Palaykat in Alur Muri of Chundal Pravirtti,
Sridevi and Savitri, two females of Natuvat Illam4, have executed a document
authorising4 Otalur Nambutiri to marry5 in the said Taravad4, to hold and enjoy the
property, movable and immovable (വ തുമതുൽ), including the slaves and the
Ambalapadi, Urayma and other titles and honours ( ാനമാന ൾ) attached to the
pagodas of Ariyannur, Kandiyur and Plakkat, and to maintain the females : and whereas
that document has now been presented before us, we hereby direct that Otalur
(Nambutiri) do marry in the said Taravad, hold and enjoy the property, movable and
immovable, slaves and chest of documents (െപ ി പമാണം) belonging to the two
Illams of Natuvat and Palaykat, and the Ambalapadi, Urayma, titles and honours, and
everything else pertaining to the abovementioned three pagodas and maintain the
females. Written in the month of Mithunam 10266 M.E. in the hand of Pavvattil
Krishnan, in the presence and under the orders of Trichur Vatakkechira Kovilakam
Raja.
Note. — Translated from a copy received from Nellisseri Siva Ramayyan of Palghat Town.
NOTEs: 4. Illam is a Dravidian, not a Sanskrit word. It is now almost exclusively applied to Nambutiri
family houses, but anciently the il was the king’s house. See the use of Kovil (properly Koyil) in Deed No. 12
and others. The Nambutiris, in right of the princely privileges which seem to have been conferred on them,
in common with Jews and Syrians, probably assumed the right, among their other privileges, of styling their
dwellings royal houses. There is a strong contrast in this deed between lllam and Taravad—See note to Deed
No. 22.
5. This illustrates another mode in which Nambutiri inheritances are passed on in the Native States.
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No. 52
ROYAL LETTER ADDRESSED TO CHOLAYKARA (NAMBUTIRI)
Whereas the document executed on the 8th Mithunam 991 by Tamarasseri
Nambutiri of Kariyannur Muri, in Chengalikkot Pravirtti, authorising1 Cholaykara
Nambutiri to hold and1 enjoy, in the capacity of Anantiravan1, the Tamarasseri Taravad
and the property, movable and immovable, slaves, chest of documents (െപ ി പമാണം),
Desam, Desadhipatyam, Ambalapadi, Urayma, and everything else belonging to that
Taravad2 has been produced before us ; and whereas Tamarasseri Nambutiri and the
female members are dead and Cholaykara has married in that Taravad and has been
enjoying the property and titles pertaining to the same ; and whereas Cholaykara has
communicated the matter to us by a letter, we hereby direct that Cholaykara do hold and
enjoy the said Tamarasseri Taravad and the property, movable and immovable, slaves,
chest of documents (െപ ി പമാണം) Desam, Desadhipatyam, Ambalapadi, Urayma,
and everything else attached to the Taravad. Written in the month of Vrischikam 10313
M.E. in the hand of Pavvattil Krishnan, in the presence and under the orders of
Kanayannur Kovilakat Tamburan.
Note. — Translated from a copy received from Nellisseri Siva Ramayyan of Palghat Town.
NOTEs: 1. This illustrates another mode of passing on Nambutiri inheritances in the Native States.
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No. 53
Whereas the document executed by Nangayya and Nangeli, the only members
(female) of Pattallur Illam in Etakkulam Muri of Arippalam Pravirtti, authorising4
Patiyur Nambutiri to hold and4 enjoy the property, movable and immovable, slaves,
chest of documents (െപ ി പമാണം), Ambalapadi, Urayma, titles and honours attached
to Vellinattan Pagoda, Desam, Desadhipatyam, and everything else belonging to that
Taravad1 has been produced before us and Pattallur Nangeli is dead, we hereby direct
that Patiyur Nambutiri do hold and enjoy, as he has hitherto done, by virtue of the
document aforesaid, the Pattallur Taravad, and the property, movable and immovable,
slaves, chest of documents (െപ ി പമാണം), belonging to the same, Ambalapadi and
Urayma of Vellittat Pagoda, Desam and Desadhipatyam, and everything else connected
with the said Taravad, and maintain the female Nangayya. Written in the month of
Dhanu 10315 M.E. in the hand of Pavyattil Krishnan, in the presence and under the
orders of Iringatakkute Kovilakat Tamburan.
Note. - Translated from a copy received from Nellisseri Siva Ramayyan of Palghat Town.
NOTEs: 1. This illustrates another mode of passing on Nambutiri inheritances in the Native States.
NOTEs: 4. Illustrative of another mode of passing on Nambutiri inheritances in the Native States.
5. A.D. 1855-56. END OF NOTEs
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No. 54
Jamnam6 deed (ജ ാധാരം) executed by 1, Erechchan alias Chekkunni Nayar ;
2, Chandu Nayar ; 3, Chattu Nayar, sons of Koletuttakuriyettina Cheratamma ; and 4,
Erechchan Nayar, son of Pennutti Amma in Nedungottur Desam, Kottuli Amsam,
Calicut Taluk, to Rama alias Unnippera Kurup, son of Matiravana Cherukotta Cherunni
Amma of the above Desam, on the 12th Chingam of the year (െകാലം) 1056,
corresponding to 26th August 1881. Whereas Rs. 300 was fixed (നി യി ) as the
Janmam value (ജ വില) of 1, Vadakkemulakkandam (വടെ മൂലക ം ==
northern comer land) in the eastern division (ഒടി) of Kilakke (eastern), Mantayar Nilam
(നിലം == land) ; and 2, Vadakku Padinyare Mulakkandam Paramba (north-western
corner portion of the paramba) in Veluttur Paramba, specified in the schedule below,
which are our Janmam, we have this day granted (ത ിരി ു ു) the Janmam of the
property (വകകൾ), with everything of whatever description (എേ ർെ േതാടുകൂടി) ;
out of the Janmam value of Rs. 300 due to us ( ഞ ൾ ുവെര ും
= literally, that ought to
come to us) we have reserved (നിർ ി) Rs.103, being the Kanam and loan
(കടംവാ പ), including interest (പലിശകൂടി), due by us the first and second executants
to Chemmalasseri Patinyarayil Koru Kurup on land No. 1, and Rs. 166-10-0, being the
Kanam and loan (കടംവാ പ), including interest (പലിശകൂടി), due to you on the
paramba No. 2, making under the two heads (വകര ിൽ) Rs. 270-10-0, and the
balance of Rs. 29-6-0 we have received in cash (െറാ ം) from you, and we are satisfied
as to the Janmam value of Rs. 300; we have therefore no claim (അവകാശം) and
concern (േചർ ) about your possessing (അട ി) and enjoying (അനുഭവി ) the
property (വകകൾ) as Janmam under this (deed) (ഇതിനാൽ).
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Written in the hand of Kakkalan Imbichchi Andi with Matirapanapennapurat

Ittirarappa Kurup and Mannil Arikkotparambat Kelu Adiyodi as witnesses to this —
1. CHEKKUNNI NAYAR (signed).
2. CHANDU NAYAR (").
3. CHATTU NAYAR (").
4. EROMAN NAYAR (").
Witnesses-
1. ITTIRARPPA KURUP (Signed).
2. KELU ADIYODI (").
Note.—Translated from a copy received from the Registrar of Malabar.
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No. 55
KOVILAKAM No. 10 of 1057.
Royal letter (തീ ്) written jointly by Walluvanattudaya1 Kadannamuttayil
Walluvanattukare Mankadakovilakat Vedapuratti Valiya Tamburatti of Mankada Amsam,
Walluvanad Taluk, and Srivallabhan Valiya Tamburan Avarkal of the said Kovilakam, to
Mambee Ali, son of Moidu of Valambur Amsam, of the said taluk. The object (കാർ ം)
is that, whereas one item of Kudiyirippu (കുടിയിരി ), being the Janmam of Mankada
Kovilakam Cherikkal, purchased (തീരു്വാ ി) on the 13th Vrischikam 1052 from
Avarankutti and his brother Said Ali, sons of Kalattiltodiyil Pari, and specified in the
schedule below, has this day been demised to you on a pattam of 3 fanams and a
Kanam2 of Rs.4-9-2, equal to 16 new fanams, you should pay within the 30th Makaram
of each year from 1057, Annas 6, being the michcharam payable annually, after
deducting the interest on the Kanam amount and the Government assessment from the
aforesaid pattam, as well as 2 annas for Onavalakkula (ഓണവാഴ ുല = bunch of
plantains presented during the Onam festival) and Annas 2 on account of Nei Vilakku
(െനയിവിള ു = lamp lighted with ghee) in Mankada temple from your pocket
(ക ാൽ = literally, from the hand) and obtain receipt (േനർമറി) ; and if the
michcharam is left in arrears without being paid at the prescribed time, you should pay
the same, with interest at 12 per cent ; you should also surrender, on receipt of the
Kanam, the Kudiyirippu mentioned in the schedule on demand3.
NOTEs: 1. One of the families which attested Deeds Nos. 1 and 2,

2. There is here no mention of any fine on entry. It is not usual to mention it or state its amount,
3. This is the innovating clause which is so much objected to by tenants, particularly by those who have paid
fines on entry or renewal fees. See Mr. Holloway’s decision in South. END OF NOTEs
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William Logan
Written in the hand of Pulappillimadattil Venkideswara Pattar on the 6th
December 1881, corresponding to the 22nd Vrischikam 1057, with the
undersigned witnesses.
Note.—Translated from a copy furnished by the District Registrar.
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No. 56
Panaya patta kulikkana1 kudiyirippu deed (പണയ ാ കുഴി ാണ കുടിയിരി ്)
executed on the 9th

Dhanu 1057 by Nadavilakat Mamukkoya, son of Mayan Koya of
Nagaram Amsam, Calicut Taluk, to Ayyappan, Mundakkutti Imbichchi and Sami, sons
of Puvvattinkal Tannikunnat Chekku, residing in Valappil Paramba in Veliyancheri
Desam, Kasba Amsam of the said taluk. Whereas I have this day granted you a renewed
lease (െപാളിെ ഴുതിചാർ ിരു ു) of the Valappil Paramba, the boundaries and
extent of which are specified in the schedule below, being my Janmam, and included in
the property assigned to me as my share in execution of the Appeal decree No. 282 of
1880, against the decree of the Subordinate Court of South Malabar in Regular Suit No.
329 of 1879 of the District Munsif’s Court of Calicut, which was transferred to the
former Court, on an annual pattam of Rs. 17—8—0, equal to 70 fanams, on a Kanam of
144 fanams and 12 visams (വീശം), the Kanam already due to your father Chekku, plus
38 fanams and 8 visams, the improvement value with Ali (അഴി) = customary
deduction in paying for improvements under Kulikkanam when the Janmi has not to
pay for the tenth plant) of 15 coconut and 8 areca trees, this day paid for, plus 516
fanams and 12 visams, equal to Rs. 129—3—0, received this day in cash
(ഇ ുെറാ ംവാ ിയ), making under the three heads a total Kanam of 700 fanams,
equal to Rs. 175, and on a Purappad pattam of Rs. 8-12-0, deducting Rs. 8-12-0 for
interest on the money advanced (അർ ംപലിശ) ; you should enjoy the lease
(പാ ംനടു ു) of the paramba and pay annually from Vrischikam 1058 Rs. 8-12-0,
being the Purappad pattam after deducting the interest on the Kanam amount, and
obtain receipt (മുറി). Keikkuli Avakkasam (ൈക ൂലിഅവകാശം == fine upon a
lease and its renewal) equal to the amount of the pattam has been collected.
Alikulikkanam (അഴികുഴി ാണം = customary improvement value subject to Ali),
according to local custom (േദശമർ ാദ) for trees already planted but not paid for, and
for those that may be planted hereafter, excepting the 38 coconut and 8 areca trees and
miscellaneous trees (പടുമരം) included in the lease, along with those which have been
paid for, and the Kanam amount of Rs. 175 will be paid on eviction when the term
expires. It has also been stipulated that if the paramba is not properly taken care of, or if
the pattam is allowed to fall into arrears, the property should be surrendered on demand
after settlement of accounts, irrespective of the term of the lease (കാലനിയമംപറയാെത
= literally without speaking about the term), and that as the Government tax
(ശീമനികുതി) and the Municipal tax, if paid by you, will be allowed out of the pattam
payable by you; but the Municipal tax must be paid by you. Written in the hand of
Putiyakovilakam Parambil Sankaralinkam Pilla on the 21st December 1881 with the
undersigned as witnesses to this :
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Note.—Translated from a copy furnished by the District Registrar.

NOTEs: 1. Panayam = pIedge : pattam = rent ; kuli = pit, excavation ; Kanam = money claim ; kudiyiruppu =
house-site, meaning a deed embracing in its conditions some elements of a mortgage, a lease, an improving
lease, and a building lease. END OF NOTEs
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No. 57
Kanam1 deed, executed by Chekku Panikkar, son of Puliyosseri Mittaie Vittil
Ittu Amma of Cheruvannur Amsam and Desam, Calicut Taluk, to Govindan Nayar, son
of Chellat Imbichchi Amma of the above Desam. Whereas I have granted you, for the
period included within 12 years (12 െകാല ി കമായ) Dharm Nyayar (ഞായർ =
solar month) of this year 1057, a renewal of Kulikkanakudiyirippu (കുഴി ാണ
കുടിയിരി ി െപാളിെ ഴുതിചാർ ി)2 of Vattakandi Paramba and two others items
of property, which are my Taravad Janmam3 in the above Desam, and the boundaries
and extent of which are described in the schedule below, on a pattam of 14 fanams for
Parambas 1 and 2, and 4 paras of paddy per Nanaliyan para (നാനാഴിയൻപറ), worth 10
annas, for land No.3, and on a Kanam of 12 fanams, being the amount for which a lease
was granted in 1046 after payment of the improvement value of (കഴി ൂർ
തീർ ുചാർ ിയ) 2 coconut and 1 jack tree in Paramba No. 2 plus 4 fanams, being
the improvement value with Ali (അഴി or ....= customary deduction in paying for
improvements under കഴി ാണം when the Janmi has not to pay for the tenth plant) of
two coconut trees now grown in the said paramba, making a total under the two heads
of 16 fanams, from which deduct fanams 5 for arrears of rent, leaving a balance of 11
fanams as present Kanam and on a Purappad pattam of 13 1/2 fanams and 4 paras of
paddy, half a fanam being deducted for interest on the Kanam1 amount ; you should
from this (day) ഇതുമുതൽ enjoy the lease (പാ ംനട ു) of these lands annually
(കാലംേതാറും), and pay me annually 13½ fanams and 4 paras of paddy, being the
Purappad pattam (പുറ ാടുപാ ം) due to me after deducting the interest on your
Kanam (amount) and obtain receipt (പുകമുറി).
NOTES: 1. This is quite a modern phrase. The proper term for a Kanam deed is Pattamola or
Patola. See Glosssary and Deeds 17, 23, 31, etc.
2. Kulikkana kudiyirippina polichcheluti chartti. Literally, for an improving (Kuli) Kannam
dwelling-house site, having cancelled (polichchu) and renewed (eluti = written) and written (chartti).
3. Taravad Janmam has now come to signify merely "family property,” but the retention of the
word Taravad before Janmam points out the direction in which modern ideas on the subjet have been
derived. All Janmam land has descended to the present owners through the ancient Nayar Taravads (Tara =
Nayar village, and padu = authority).
1. Here Kanam signifies simply money advanced and secured on the land. Compare the use made
of the word in Deed No. 4. END OF NOTEs
Customary improvement value, subject to Ali (അഴി, see above) ൈദശമർ ാദ

അഴീകുഴി ാണ will be paid2 for young trees (എളംഫലം) already planted but not
paid for (മു ുെവ തിൽ തീരാതെതയു ), and for trees which may be planted
hereafter (ഇതുമുതലായി), excepting two old jack trees (മുതുഫലംപിലാവു്) previously
existing in Paramba No. 1, and four coconut and one jack tree in Paramba No. 2, of
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William Logan
which the improvement value has been paid (കുഴി ൂറുതീർ ), although a premium3
(പാ ൈക ൂലി) of Rs. 5—8—0 for 12 years is now collected, if the Purappad pattam
payable annually be not paid at stated periods but be allowed to fall into arrears, the
same should be paid in one lump (ഒ ായി), with interest at 12 per cent, whenever I
demand it. Written in the hand of Katakkat Pappu Nayar on the 19th Dhanu Nyayar
(ഞായർ = solar month) of the year 1057, corresponding to 1st January 1882, with
Kuttitalat Cherunni Nayar and Kannyingat Appunni as witnesses (സാ ിയാെക).
Note.—Translated from a copy received from the Registrar of Malabar.

NOTEs: 2. The incorporation in the deed of clauses relating to the valuation of improvements is quite a
modern practice.
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125
William Logan
126
Malabar
No. 58
Karipanayam deed (കരിപണയം = mortgage with possession), executed by
Mangngalasseri Tekkinkattil Narayanan Nayar, son of Kunchiamma of Mundur Amsam
and Desam, Palghat Taluk, to Anappara Purakkal Pachchi, daughter of Iluvan Velu, of
Nechchippalli Desam, Kavalpad Amsam, of the said taluk. One item of land sowing 5
paras and specified in the subjoined schedule being given to (your) possession
(കയ ശംത ു) as Karipanayam (കരിപണയമായി) (I have) this day received 360
fanams, which, with 40 fanams already due, makes under two heads (വകര ിൽ) a
total of 400 fanams, equal to Rs. 114-4-7. For this sum of Rs. 114-4-7 you should, by
cultivating (കൃഷിനട ു) the land mentioned in the schedule, measure out
(പടിേക ും) a pattam of 33 paras and 5 Idangalis of paddy, out of which, deducting
22 paras 5 Idangalis as interest on the money advanced (അർ പലിശ), (there is left) a
balance inclusive of assessment of a pattam of 11 paras of paddy, which must be
annually measured out at my house in my para from 1058 (M.E.) within the 30th
Makaram, after being dried and cleaned (െവടി വരു ി), and a receipt should be
taken (by you). Moreover, you should quit and give possession of the land (to me) when
the 400 fanams is returned on the day following any Uchchar (ഉ ാർ or ഉചാചരൽ is
the season when leases of land are generally granted and cancelled ; festival in honour of
Bhudevi’s (ഭൂേദവി goddess of earth) menstruation on Makara Sankaranthi (end of
January)]. Written in the hand of Narayanan, the receiver (െകാ ാൻ of the the money)
on the 29th January 1882, corresponding to 17th Makaram of the year 1057, with the
undersigned as witnesses.
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WILLIAM LOGAN
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APPENDIX XIII
Mr. GRÆME’S GLOSSARY WITH

NOTES AND ETYMOLOGICAL
HEADINGS
INDEX
A
Adima Parambu. Adima.
Adinynya Urukkal, see Revenue Adimappanam, see Revenue
Alipadam Adiyan
Alukiya Attipper, see Perura Artham Alisilavu
Amsapatram Ambalappadi, see Desam
Anappidi, see Revenue. Anakkomban
Anubhavam Angam, see Revenue
Aphalam Anubhogam, see Anubhavam, also
Kulichchekam
Attadakkam, see Revenue Areca
Attipperu, see Attippettola Attaladakkam, see Revenue
Ayudhakatti, see Kodungakatti Attippoettola, Attuveppu
B
Betelnut, see Areca.
C Chala, see Houses
Changngatum Changagatam, see also Revenue
Changngatikkuri Changngatikkur Kalyanam, see
Changngatikkuri
Charadayam, see Revenue Chaver
Chenkombu, see Revenue Cherikkal, see Revenue
Cherlabbam, Cheru, See Podl
Cherujanmam Cherumakkal.
Chira. Chungam, see Revenue
Coconut Cowle
D
Dasta bakki. Desadhipatyam, see Desam
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William Logan
Desakoyma, see Desam Desam
Desavali, see Desam Dravyani, see Otti
E
Edam Eimmula, see Revenue
Ela, see Revenue Elam
Ennam. Ennipadu, see Koyilmeni
Ettukkonnu
F
Fanam Forfeiture of lease, see Kanam
G
Garce Gold Fanam, see Fanam
Gramam Grandhavari
H
Hobali Houses
I
Idam, see Edam, also Houses Idapadu
Ilavan Illakkur
Illam, see Houses Improvements, see Kanam
Inakkumuri Incidents, see Kanam
Irunalipattam, see Pattam
J
Jack tree Janmakkaran, see Jemmam
Janmakkaval, see Janmam Janmakkolu, see Janmam
Janmakkudiyan , see Janmam, Janmam
Janmapanayam Eluttu, see Janmam Janmapanayam Ola Ka.
Janmapanayam Ola Karanam, see Janmam Jamini, see Janmam
K
Kadamvaypa, see Palisa. Kal.
Kalameni. Kalappad.
Kalayi. Kalcha, see Revenue.
Kalkura patinaru. Kanakkappilla, see Kirani.
Kanakkaran, see Kanam. Kanam.
Kanampuram-kadam, see Kanam. Kandam.
Kandi, see Kandam. Kani, see Pattam.
Kannadappulli, see Revenue. Kappam.
Kara, see Ur. Karalan.
Karanam. Karaveppu.
Kattakkanam. Kattakkol, see Kattavadi.
Kattavadi. Kattival, see Kodungakatti.
Kattuvaram. Kavalphalam.
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Kayattu nel, see Petipadu. Keikkuli.

Keippanam. Keivida otti.
Keram. Kilayijanmam, see Kilayikurujanmam.
Kilayikurujanmam. Kinattil panni, see Revenue.
Kirani. Kodungakatti.
Kol Peimasi. Kol.
Kola, see Revenue. Kolichchal.
Kolu Labham. Koluppanayam.
Kombu, see Revenue. Kottaram, see Houses.
Kovilakam, see Houses. Koyilmeni.
Krishi. Krishikkaran, see Krishi.
Kudi, see also Houses. Kudi.
Kudichillara. Kudippaka.
Kudiyan. Kudiyankur.
Kudiyirippu. Kudiyirumappadu.
Kudmanir, see Kudumanir. Kudumanir
Kuduppu, nee Kudippaka.. Kulichchakkaran
Kulichchekam. Kulikkanam.
Kuppamanyal. Kuraka, see Revenue.
Kuri Muppan, see Changngatikkuri. Kurvalcha.
Kuttadan. Kuttala, see Houses.
Kuttam. Kutti nellu.
Kutti vasi. Kuttikkanakkola.
Kuttikkanam. Kuva.
M
Macleod seer. Madhyastanmar.
Malikana. Mana, see Houses.
Maniyani. Mannattappan.
Mappilla. Maricham
Marupattam, see Pattam. Maryada.
Matham, see Houses. Melkanam, eee Kanam.
Melkoyma. Melvaram, see Pattam.
Menavan. Meni Vilachchal.
Menippattam, see Pattam. Mennokki.
Menon, see Menavan. Michcharam, see Pattam.
Michchavaram, see Pattam. Modan.
Modern Land Revenue, see Revenue. Mrigam Nalkkali.
Muda. Mukhyasthan.
Mukkatavali. Mukkuvar.
Mulluvalli. Mummula, see Revenue.
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William Logan
Mummula, see Revenue. Mundakam, see Kuttadan.
Munnu-meni-nilam. Munpattam, see Pattam.
Muppappanam, see Kattakkanam. Muppara, see Ettukkonnu.
Muri. Mutalalan, see Janmi.
Mutira.
N
Nadukuttam, see Kuttam. Naduvali.
Nalubhayam. Nalu-meni-nilam, see Munnu-meni-niIam.
Nambiyar. Namburi, see Nambutiri.
Nambutiri. Nayan.
Nayar, see Nayan. Nayattukuttam, see Kuttam.
New Viray Fanam, see Fanam. Nikuti Chittu.
Nikuti Sishtam, see Nikuti Chittu. Nikuti Vitty, see Nikuti Chittu.
Nilal Kuttam, see Kuttarn. Nilam, see Kandam.
Nirmutal Nokkichartta.
Nokkiyelutta Peimasi, see Nokkichartta.
O
Oart. Old Viray Fanam. see Fanam.
Oppu. Otti.
Ottikkum-purameyulla Kanam, see Otti.
P
Pada Kuttam, see Kuttam. Padam, see Kandam.
Pakuti ola, see Amsapatram. Palisa.
Palisa Madakkam. Pallimanyayal, see Palliyal.
Pallinyayal sea Palliyal. Palliyal.
Palliyali, see Palliyal. Palparambu.
Panaya Eluttukaran, see Panayam. Panayam.
Panaya patta Kulikkanam, see Kulikkanam. Pandakkaval.
Pandaram. Pandi.
Panikkar. Para.
Parambu. Para of seed land, see Para.
Pasirna, see Pasuma. Pasuma.
Patam. Pattachchittu, see Pattam.
Pattakkaran, see. Pattam. Pattali, see Pattam.
Pattam. Pattamali, see Pattam.
Pattamola, see Pattom. Pattan.
Pattinnu randu. Pattola, sea Pattam.
Pepper vine. Perpetual lease.
Perum artham. Phalam.
Pidika, see Houses. Pila, see Revenue.
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Pisharam, see Houses. Podi.

Polichcheluttu. Poluttikkaran, see Maniyani.
Ponnarippu. see Revenue. Potippadu.
Potippattu, see Potippadu. Prabhu.
Pramanam. sea Karanam. Pramani.
Pramani, see also Tara. Pravrittikkaran.
Pravrittikkaran, see also Maniyani. Proprietors.
Pukil. Pulayatta penna, see Revenue.
Punam. see Modan. Punja.
Pura, see Houses. Purappad, see Kanam.
Purushantaram, see Revenue. Pushpottu. see Houses.
Puttada. Puval, see Revenue.
R
Rakshabhogam, see Revenue. Rasi, see Pasuma.
Rasi Fanam, see Fanam. Rat Hunts, see Kuttam.
Reas. Renewal, see Kanam.
Revenue. Rice.
Rice Lands, see Rice. Robbin.
S Sakshi.
Salt. Salt-pans, see Salt.
Sanar. Silakkasu, see Keikkuli.
Silver Fanam, see Fanam. Sisht Bakki.
Sisu. Slaves.
Sthana-maria-avakasam Sudran.
Sultani Fanam, see Fanam. Svarupakkur. see Svarupam.
Svarupam.
T
Tala Uda-ya Tamburan. Talappanam, see Revenue.
Tandu. Tappu. see Revenue.
Tara. Taravadu, see Tara.
Taravattukaran, see Tara. Tarisu.
Tei, see Sisu. Tikappalisa, see Palisa.
Tingalppanam. Tippali.
Tiruvatira Nyattutala. Tittu, see Adima.
Tiyan. Tobacco.
Todi, see Parambu. Toduppanayam
Tol, see Revenue. Tottam, see Parambu.
Tusikkanam.
U
Ubhayam, see Kandam. Ulaparambu.
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Ulpatti, see Kandam.
Undaruti. Ur.
Uralan, see Ur. Urayma, see Desam.
V
Vakachchal. Vakachchalkaran, see Vakachchal
Vakku. Val, see Revenue.
Valli. Valumel Kodi.
Valum-pudavam Vanokki.
Varam, see Pattam. Vilumpadi.
Virippu. Vittu-pati-pattam, see Pattam,
Vittiratta pattam, see Pattam. Vattolam pattam, see Pattam.
Vittu, see Valli. Vittupadu.
Vyalavattam. Vyavaharamala.
Y
Yapana. see Kulichehekam. Yogakuttam, see Kuttam.
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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS NOTED IN THE GLOSSARY.

S.A. = Sadr Adalat,
S.C. = Sadr Court.
M.H.C. = Madras High Court.
M.H.C.R. = Madras High Court Reports.
M.S. Decisions = Madras Sadr Court Decisions.
M.S.C. = Madras Sadr Court.
S.D.C. = South Malabar District Court.
S.S.C. == South Malabar Subordinate Court.
N.D.C. = North Malabar District Court.
I.L.R. Madras — Indian Law Reports, Madras Series.
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GLOSSARY
ADIMA GRANT called a TITTU
Adima, from Dravidian adi ( bottom, base, foot), means slavery, feudal
dependency. Tittu, from Dravidian tinduka (= to touch, defile), means a writ
from a superior to an inferior.
In Malabar there are few castes under the rank of Nayar who did not, and who do
not still, acknowledge a feudal dependence upon some superior lord, and who are
not Adiyans or vassals. Persons of this description were not formerly allowed to
possess land in Janmam right ; and therefore, when a Janmi made over land to a
person in the condition of an Adiyan, it was called an Adima deed or grant, although
he might not be his own vassal, and although the proprietor might have received
the full Janmam value for the land. The right of proprietorship continued with the
Janmi, and the tenant paid him a small sum of money—not more, perhaps, than
two fanams annually—by way of acknowledgment of proprietorship. The tenant,
however, could not be dispossessed, and the Iand descended to his heirs, and only
reverted to the Janmi on failure of heirs.
The Adima grant of a paramba or garden was also often conferred by a superior
lord, or Tala Udaya Tamburan, upon his own Adiyan or vassal ; but here it was in the
feature of an Inam or gift, no consideration having been received for it by the
proprietor. An annual trifling tribute of superiority is, however, reserved to the
proprietor to prevent the garden being entirely alienated. The garden reverts to the
proprietor on failure of heirs on the part of the Adiyan and if the Adiyan takes a
part with the enemies of his patron, the latter may resume the property. Under any
other circumstances the Adiyan cannot be dispossessed, and he has the right of
burial within the garden.
Notes.—1. See Kudima, Changngatam.
2. In this the land is made over in perpetuity to the grantee, either unconditionally as a
mark of favour, or on condition of certain services being performed. The terms Adima
and Kudima mean a slave, or one subject to the landlord, the grant being generally made
to such persons. A nominal fee of about two fanams a year is payable to the landlord to
show that he still retains the proprietary title. Land bestowed as a mark of favour can
never be resumed, but where it is granted as remuneration for certain services to be
performed, the non-performance of such services involving the necessity of having
them discharged by others will give the landlord power to recover the land. The non-
payment of the annual fee will form no ground for ousting the grantee, but it will be
recoverable by action. The hereditary property of Native princes cannot be conferred
on this tenure, the ruling prince having only the right of enjoyment during life, without
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power to alienate —(Proceedings of the Court of Sadr Adalat, No, 18, dated 6th August
1856.)
3. A grant on condition of performing service is irredeemable so long as the grantee is
ready and willing to perform the service.—S.D.C. 522 (1876), 113 (1877), 663 (1879).
ADIMA PARAMBU.
Adima (q. v.) Parambu (Dravidian) = higher or dry ground laid out in terraces, all
fields too high for irrigation, an orchard, garden, compound.
Is a garden given to a slave (not a Cheruman or a person who can be sold), rather a
vassal under the lord’s particular protection. A certain pattam is taken sometimes,
and sometimes none. Land so given can never be taken away, but remains with the
vassal till his death. If he dies without heirs, it reverts to the lord paramount. A
Vettuvan or salt manufacturer who had got such a piece of land at Calicut said it was
a place where he could be buried. He seemed to consider it a privilege insured to
him.
Note.—See Parambu.
ADIYAN.
From Dravidian adi ( == base, bottom, foot), means servant, slave.
Is literally slave both in Tamil and Malayalam, and in the Northern Division of
Malabar it is applied to the real slaves, but in South Malabar it means generally vassals.
Under the old system, where every Tiyan was under a kind of vassalage to some
superior, to some patron, to a Tamburan as he is commonly called, the patron was
bound to protect him and to redress any petty wrongs he might sustain, and the
client or vassal acknowledged his dependent state by yearly presents, and was to be
ready with his personal services upon any private quarrel of his patron. This kind of
dependency gave the patron no right of disposal of the person of his vassal as a
slave, nor did it acquit the dependent individual of a superior obligation to the Raja
or his representatives, the Desavali, and Neduvali, upon a public emergency.
Individuals were often clients of the church, which, by means of its representatives,
the Uralar, was bound to protect them. Even at the present day an individual will
immediately say who his Tamburan or patron is, and the yearly presents are still
kept up.
Note.—See Changngatam.
ALIPADAM.
From (Dravidian) ali == (the ocean, the deep) and (Sanskrit) padam (a range,
especially of rice-fields).
Alam, means, as in Tamil, depth, lowness, and padam field. The word applies to the
lowest rice-lands.
Note.—See Kandam.
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William Logan
ALI SILAVU.
Ali, properly alu or aluku (Dravidian), means the high wall round an orchard.
Silavu, properly chelavu (Dravidian), means expense.
The expense of preparing gardens. It bears the proportion of 20 per cent to the
established valuation of trees, which is settled in making the Kulikkanam. This being
added to the value of the trees, which in most places is half a rupee a coconut tree,
the proprietor must pay for both, or else the interest of the two sums, according to
the usual rate of the place, is included in the Pramanam and deducted from the
pattam.
AMSAPATRAM or Pakuti Ola
Amspatram, from Sanskrit Amsom (= share, part) and Sanskrit Patram (= a leaf, a
letter).
Pakuti Ola, from Dravidian pakuti (= division, share) and Dravidian ola (= palm
leaf, a writing leaf).
Is a deed of division of hereditary property among relations ; another kind of
Panaya Ola Karanam for rice-lands ; it is also called Muri : the same deed is used
for plantations, and it is called in addition Kettiadakkam on account of these words
being in the deed, which show that it refers to plantations.
Is a deed under which a Janmi makes over land for money borrowed. The
mortgagee pays himself the interest and gives to the Janmi the purapad or residue of
the pattam after deducting the interest, and in some cases the land tax is also to be
deducted. The land is to be restored on payment of the debt without any
deduction, of Sakshi, and no Polichcheluttu is allowed under this deed. The interest
is supposed to be rather high in this transaction compared with that of many other
land tenures.
ANAKKOMBAN.
From Dravidian Ana (= elephant) and Dravidian kombu (= tusk ivory).
A species of fine paddy grown in the Palghat District in low rice-lands, which is ten
months in coming to maturity. It is heating. It is generally exported to Coimbatore,
where it fetches one-twentieth more than any other kind of paddy.
ANUBHAVAM or Anubhogam.
(Sanskrit) = enjoyment, usufruct.
A deed of gift of land as a reward for services performed, answering, perhaps, to
Inam land. The holder cannot be dispossessed, and the right is hereditary; but if the
grantee or any of his descendants die without heirs, the land reverts to the Janmi,
and on the succession of heirs the Janmi is entitled to Purushantaram. In some
instances a trifling payment of one or two fanams is made by the grantee to the
Janmi in token of acknowledgment of proprietorship. An hereditary grant of
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Anubhavam of the purapad, or residue of purapad after deducting mortgage interest,

which remains in the hands of a mortgagee, is sometimes made to the mortgagee
himself, or to some other person not connected with the land to whom the
mortgagee is required to pay it.
Notes. —1. See Adim Kulichchekam.
2. It was customary for princes, when conferring a title on any person, to grant him at
the same time sufficient land, to enable him to maintain the dignity of his position.
Grants under this tenure were also bestowed upon persons for special services
rendered, or for the future performance of certain services. The tenant cannot be
ejected except where there are conditions imposed and he fails to fulfil them ; but, on
the other hand, he and his heirs have only the right of enjoyment and cannot alienate
their title. A trifling annual fee is generally paid to the landlord to show that he has not
surrendered the proprietary.—(Proceedings of the Court of Sadr Adalat, No. 18, dated
5th August 1856.)
APHALAM.
(Sanskrit) = unfruitful, from a (Sanskrit negative particle) and Sanskrit phalam (=
fruit), perhaps from Dravidian palam (== fruit).
A tree past bearing.
ARECA or BETEL-NUT. (Areca Catechu)
The tree = Kamugu, Kamundu, Kavundu, or Kalungngu (Dravidian). Its fruit =
Adakka, Adekka (Dravidian), whence Portuguese Areca.
The nut of the betel-nut tree (not the tree itself) in Malayalam, whence probably the
botanical name areca.
According to Arshad Beg’s Settlement of 1783-84 or 959 of the Southern District,
exclusive of Palghat.-
Total Trees 3,361,195
Aphalam or Sisu 2,161,115
Productive 1,200,080
Hoons S. C.
Or about one-third assessable Revenue 20,018 0 0
59 productive trees per hoon, or 20 productive trees per rupee.
The number according to the Janmi Pymaish account of 981, furnished by the
Collector, Mr. Vaughan, was 4,409,843 ; of this past bearing 1,326,652, pupils
1,376,846, productive 1,706,345. Their revenue of that year, deducting past bearing
and pupils, Rs. 58,656 1 qr, 32 3/4 reas; average assessment per productive tree 13
3/4 reas.
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William Logan
Note.—The number according to the Jamabandi accounts of Fasli 1289 (1879- 80) was
8,167,552, of which 1,661,003 were returned as past bearing 3,304,740 too young to
bear, and 3,201,189 as productive. The revenue, assessed on the productive trees alone,
was returned as Rs. 81,311—12—0, giving an average of nearly1 5 pies per productive
tree.
NOTEs: Correct average = 4215740/246293 pies. END OF NOTES.
ATTIPPETTOLA or Attipperu.
From Dravidian Atti (= causal of a verb signifying to be close, contiguous to,
hence causal form, == to come in contact) and Dravidian peru (= birth, bringing
forth), and Dravidian ola (= palm-leaf, leaf for writing.) The full phrase is Nir
Atti peru, meaning the birthright (peru) obtained by coming in contact (Atti) with
nir (= water).
Per in Malayalam corresponds with the Sanskrit word, Janmam, which means born,
created, acquired, and more generally property. Atti means to join, mix. These two
words united give but an imperfect meaning, and the word nir is generally prefixed.
Nir-atti-per thus means the Janmam combined with water is given up. The Janmi
reserves no purapad (balance of rent after deducting mortgage interest) or anything
to himself. He cannot, after the execution of this deed, redeem the mortgage, and
the relinquishment of the proprietary right is absolute under it. At the time of
executing and delivering the deed, the following persons must be present. A Sva-
jati, a person of the same caste ; Bandhu, a relative ; Putran, literally the son, but in
Malabar construed to mean the heir, whether a nephew or son ; Narapati, the Raja ;
the writer of the deed ; Tatra Sambandhi, a resident round the spot. In practice the
attendance of the Raja, or the execution of the deed before the Raja, is dispensed
with. It is only necessary that he should be apprised of the transaction. The
mortgagee gives two fanams, which is placed in a small vessel of water ; the
mortgagor, holding the deed in his hand, pours the water over it, which the
mortgagor receives as it falls, and either swallows it, or puts it upon his head, or
upon his feet, or upon the ground, according to the relative caste of the two parties.
The deed is then delivered to the mortgagee. This deed mentions generally that the
full value of the property disposed of has been received, and states the boundaries
of it, but it does not specify the amount received.
Notes.—1. See Janmam and Perumartham and Sthana-mana-avakasam.
2. The purchaser, in coming into possession, is bound by all obligations which attached
to the proprietor. He cannot disturb those who may be holding the property or any
portion of it on Kanam mortgage, but merely receives the surplus rent produce in place
of the former landlord. On the other hand, he comes into all the rights and privileges of
the former landlord and may pay off Otti mortgages and sell or transfer the property as
he pleases.—(Proceedings of the Court of Sadr Adalat, No. 18, dated 6th August 1856.)
ATTUVEPPU.
From Dravidian Aru (= river) and Dravidian veppu := (placing, planting).
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Plantations bordering the seashore and rivers.

Notes.—1. One of the classes into which coconut gardens are divided.
2. As matter of fact, such gardens do not always border on the shore or river.
CHANGNGATAM.
(Sanskrit) == convoy, guard, income of Rajas from granting such guards, grants of land
to persons liable to such service, companion.
Is also a kind of vassalage, and is applied particularly to Nayars who have placed themselves
in a state of dependency upon some Desavali, Naduvali or Raja. The word Adiyan would, with
respect to them, be degrading and improperly used. Nayars have often agreed to give
Changngatam or protection-money to some chief of authority, and to make yearly presents in
consequence from 4 to 34 fanams to individual patrons, and as high as 120 to the church.
The church, again, has often subjected itself to Changngatam money to Rajas to ensure the
benefit of their power.
Notes.—1. “Those who desire to proceed thither should first pay a certain sum of
money to the king of the country, who will then appoint people to accompany them and
show them the way.” — Fah Hian's Travels, quoted at Indian Antiquary VII, p- 3.
‘‘Thither” meant the country called by Fah Hian the “Kingdom of the Dakshina” or of
the South.
2. There were four classes of officers about the Raja, whose posts were not hereditary
but within his gift, viz., (1) Munnalippad, attendants with a daily allowance of three Nalis
of paddy, youthful attendants ; (2) Arunalippad attendants with double the above
allowance ; (3) Pandarappad, treasury officials ; and (4) Changngatuppad (see heading).—
(Gundert’s Dictionary.)
3. See Kudima, Kulichchakkaran, Revenue.
CHANGNGATIKKURI.
From Sanskrit changngati (—convoy, guard, companion, friend) and Dravidian
Kuri (= lot, share, lottery, club).
May be construed a season of friendship, a periodical association the lodge of
friendship, a society of friends. It was a meeting formerly very common in Malabar
among the natives, and still partially kept up, for the purposes of conversation, of
discussing any particular subject, of inquiring into the conduct of any individual. It
is not, it appears, confined to people of the same caste, but the association was
often composed of Nayers, Tiyars and Mappilas. Besides promoting social
intercourse, it has a tendency to prudential consequences. It induces economy.
Where there is a variety of castes in the society, the entertainer gives to those who
are not of his own caste a certain quantity of rice and allows them to dress it by
their own people. It is supported by the subscription of the members in the
following manner. Suppose there are 25 members ; that each contributes 4 fanams
monthly, making a total stock for each month of 100 fanams ; that the society is
limited to 25 months' duration, and every member is obliged to give an
entertainment to the party once in the course of this period at his own house. It
does not come to the members in regular turn, but is decided by lot, that is, every
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member places with his subscription a ticket with his name into the deposit, and a
ticket is drawn every month by some indifferent person, and the person whose
name appears on the ticket drawn gives the entertainment and is entitled to the
amount in deposit for the month.
The entertainment is calculated to cost at most not more than 10 per cent, of one
month’s' subscription of all the members, and the great advantage is derived from
drawing a ticket at an early stage, on account of the interest upon the sum to the
remaining period ; there is no other prize ; every member’s subscription amounts in
the end to the whole principal gain which he can ever make.
The greatest disadvantages to any member are the drawing his ticket towards the
close of the duration of the society, the consequent loss of interests on his monthly
subscriptions, and the loss of principal expended in the entertainment to the extent
of two or two and a half month's subscription.
But these are counterbalanced by his facility of procuring easy loans of money
upon the security which the ultimate certainty of attaining a prize affords. The
monthly subscriptions in the meantime are small and not felt, and induce a habit of
saving which would not otherwise be practised.
The interest upon loans which the members thus procure is to be paid only till the
prize comes up. The lender derives no benefit from the chance of its coming up
early.
Notes.—1. See Changngatam.
2. The Kuri was of three kinds : (1) Nelkkuri, where the shares were paid in paddy ; (2)
Arikkuri, where the shares were paid in rice ; and (3) Panakkuri, where the shares were
paid in money.
KURI MUPPAN
Is the president of the society termed Changngatikkuri, whose duty it is to see the
money collected, or, in failure, to forfeit to the prize-drawer double the deficient
subscription. He is entitled to the privilege of giving the first month’s
entertainment.
The society has of late years fallen into disuse, partly because the European
authorities have discouraged it among all public servants as liable to abuse, and
partly because it does not enjoy the necessary power to enforce its rules by
degradation or other punishment, and members are not to be found who will
support it from their own respectability. The contempt of its regulations can only
be attempted to be remedied by a tedious, vexatious and expensive appeal to a
judicial tribunal—an appeal likely to be more particularly ineffectual from the
compact of the parties being rather understood than expressive, founded more
upon a sense of honour than upon law or written agreement.
CHANGHGATIKKURI KALYANAM.
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See Changngatikkuri; Kalyanam (Sanskrit) = luck, happiness.

May be termed an association of friendship and pleasure among the natives of
Malabar. It is an entertainment given by a respectable native, at which all his friends
who are invited present a sum of money and a certain number of coconuts,
plantains, betel-leaves and betel-nuts, every man according to his fancy, to the
entertainer.
The host feeds all those who come and has diversions for the company. An
account is kept of what each guest offers, and when these guests in their turn
announce that an entertainment is to be given by them, the person who has
formerly had the benefit of an entertainment is expected to be present and to make
a return at least equal, but in general half as much again, and sometimes double,
what he has received.
To any person who evades the invitation and does not send the proper present of
money and fruit, a small vessel of arrack and the bone of a fowl are sent in derision
to shame him into a more liberal spirit, and he is desired to eat and drink them and
to return the money, etc., he formerly received. This, in general, was sufficient to
ensure a compliance with the custom.
Note. —Kurikkalyanam is in some places used to signify Changngatikkuri. Such
associations are still kept up.
CHAVER.
From Dravidian Chava (death) and Dravidian Eruka (= to arise, aseend),
literally, those who went forth to death.
Or lands granted by Rajas to the families of deceased heroes who fell in
performance of solemn vows to fight till death against the enemy. If any escaped
this conflict they were excommunicated them caste and obliged to flee the country.
The Ilaya Raja of Angadipuram states that much of his original rajyam in Vullatra
was alienated from this cause in his wars with the Zamorin. It appears the private
Janmams of conquered states were not respected by the conquerors.
Notes 1.—The name was applied to those persons who, for the honour of the
Valluvakonatiri or Vellattiri elected to run, armed with swords and shields, the gauntlet of
the Zamorin’s 30,000 spears at Tirunavayi in Ponnani taluk every twelfth year.
2. Their ostensible object was to elude the spears and to slay the Zamorin, who, armed
with Cheraman Perumal’s sword awaited their onslaught. Conf. pp. 162—69 of the text.
CHERLABHAM.
Cherlabham, from Dravidian cheru (= wet soil) and Sanskrit labham ( = gain,
profit).
Meaning generally the same as Kolulabham, but more literally the profit of the earth
or soil—the cultivator’s share.
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Note.—See Kolulabham.
CHERUJANMAM.
From cheru (Dravidian) = small, and Janmam (Sanskrit) = birth.
Inferior rights applied to the fees receivable by the carpenter and smith in Malabar.
Notes.—1 . See Janmam.
2. Hereditary rights and perquisites were claimed, within certain defined local limits, by
(1) the Kanisan (astrologer) for feasts, (2) the Asari (carpenter) for dedication of houses,
(3) the Tattan (goldsmith) for marriages, (4) the Malayan (musicians and conjurors) for
devil feasts, (5) the Vannan (washerman), (6) the Velan (midwife, accoucheur), (7) the
Vilakkattaravan (barber), etc.
CHERUMAKKAL.
From Dravidian cheru = chiru (= small) and Dravidian makkal ( = children).—
(Gundert).
Slaves in general. It is supposed to be derived from cheru = soil, and makkal
children : children of the soil, or sons of the earth. Others say from cheru, small, and
makkal, children, indicating that they are to be treated as young children by their
masters.
Notes.—1. From a census taken in 1857 of the slave population it appeared that they
were then distributed as follows :
1.Chirakkal 13,380
2.Kottayam 2,859
3.Kurumbranad 16,590
4.Wynad 16,661
5.Calicut 14,082
6.Ernad 35,419
7.Waliuvanad 34,902
8.Palghat 25,280
9.Ponnani 28,668
10.Cochin 71
District total 187,812
2. The bulk of the slaves being located in the ancient Cheranad (part of the Ernad taluk)
and in the neighbourhood of it, it is not unreasonable to suppose they got their name as
being the aborigines of Cheranad, or possibly of the still more ancient kingdom of Chera.
CHIRA.
(Dravidian) == enclosure, dam, tank.
A reservoir of water or tank on a smaller scale ; it answers to eri or lake in the
Dravida country. In the Palghat and Temmalapuram districts, it is used for
cultivation. It is formed by a bank thrown across the higher parts of a tract of
rice lands and resting at each end upon eminences. Cultivation of rice is carried
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on on land lower than its level ; and in the bed of it a kind of rice called Kuttadan
is sown, which takes nine months to come to maturity. It is sown in Chithri or
April, before the commencement of the heavy monsoon, and is cut in Margulli
or December, and it shoots its head above the water, the depth of which is
often six feet.
COCONUT.
In Malayalam tengnga contraction for tengngankayi, from Dravidian tekke (=
south) and Dravidian kay (= ripening fruit)
According to Arshad Beg’s Settlement of 1783—84 or 959 of the southern
districts, exclusive of Palghat there were:-
Coconut trees 2,896,099
Aphalam and Sisu 2,162,508
Productive 733,591
or about one-fourth assessable revenue 36,724 - 5½ fanams, or twenty trees per
hoon, or 7 trees per rupee.
The number according to the Janmi Pymaish account of 981, furnished by the Collector
Mr. Vaughan, was 6,124,367, past bearing 1,792,987, pupils 1,244,440, productive
3,086,939. Their revenue of that year, deducting past bearing and pupils, Rs. 3,15,115-0
qr. 75 ¼ reas ; average of assessment per productive tree 40 13½/16 reas.
In talking of the price of coconuts, it is always understood to be the nut without the
husk, which latter is sold separately.
Note.—According to the jamabandi accounts of fasli 1289 (AD. 1879—80) the number
of coconut trees was 9,519,567, of which 1,310,253 were past bearing, 3,611,506 were
not yet come into bearing, and 4,597,808 were productive. The productive trees were
assessed at Rs. 3,49,835-11-3, being at the rate of 1 anna 22799143/4597808 pies per
productive tree.
COWLE.
(Arabic) qabul = engagement, cowle.
Notes.—1. A Government cowle for the cultivation of waste land confers a right of
entry, and of compensation for improvements, but does not affect the Janmi’s right to
rent.—S.D.C., 132 (1877), 79 (1878).
2. A Jamni is not at liberty to eject a squatter on waste land who has obtained a cowle
from Government, if 12 years have elapsed from the date of entry SD.C, 195 (1878),
674 (1879).
3. A Government cowle does not confer any right as against a prior occupant. S.D.O., 47
and 48 (1878).
DASTA BAKKl.
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From Persian dast ( = balance in hand) and Arabic bakki ( == remnant,
surplus).
A balance of revenue collected from the person due, but not brought to the public
credit by the Revenue Officers.
DESAM.
(Sanskrit) = region, country, parish.
A village, the same as Tara in the Malabar province. In the ancient Hindu histories
a kingdom, of which there were 56 in India, is meant by it.
Note.—See pp. 87-90 of the Text. The Desam and the Tara were not the same thing.
See Tara.
DESAVALI.
From Desam (q.v.) and Dravidian vali, from valuka, to live, live prosperously,
reign.
Hereditary heads of villages. Before Hyder’s conquest some had one, some two or
more villages , their places are now supplied by Mukhyastanmar.
The number of Nayars or fighting men attached to a Desavali was from 25 to 100 ;
if it exceeded the latter number, he ranked as Naduvali.
Note—See pp. 87—90 of the Text. He was the military chief, not the civil chief of the
Desam.
DESAKOYMA
From Desam. (q.v.) and Dravidian Koyma, modern form of Konma, from Kon (=
king) , means sovereignty, authority.
Same as Desavali.
Note.—This word denotes the functions of a Desavali which were as follows:-
1. Desam
See Desam
2. Desadhipatyam
From Desam (q.v.) and Sanskrit adhipatyam = supreme authority.
3. Ambalappadi
From Dravidian ambalam (= place devoted for public use or assemblies, a temple) and
Dravidian padi (=a step, bench).
4. Urayma
From Dravidian Ur (= village, town, parish) and Dravidian vayama modern form of
vanma from valuka (= to live prosperously, reign) meaning authority, office.
Sthanams or dignities.
Ambalappadi is the seat of honour, a certain step or degree in a temple to which
only particular persons are entitled. The claim to it is derived from ancestry, but the
dignity is saleable. It is, however, understood that it cannot be disposed of except
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to a person of the proper caste and necessary respectability. It is, strictly speaking,
confined to Brahmans but there have been interlopers of the Samunta caste.
The Urayma is the office to which is attached the general superintendence of the
affairs of a temple; a person who has attained the Ambalappadi dignity in the
village holds invariably also that of Urayma, that is, he is the Uralan of the temple,
but the Uralan may be such without being an Ambalappadi (sic).
Desam means that a person possesses in proprietary right the whole property of the
village or Desam He is the janmi or Mutalalan of the Desam.
Desadhipatyam is the office held by the Desadhipati or Desavali, which is the political
ruler or representative of Government in the Desam; of the Desam and
Desadhipatyam an individual may be possessed of the one or the other separately.
The Desavali was not necessarily proprietor of all the lands of the village. But a
person enjoying these four dignities collectively and in the same Desam is esteemed
as one who has reached the summit of honour All the dignities were saleable, either
separately or collectively, except the Urayma and the Ambalappadi, which went
always together, and generally the Desam and Desadhipatyam.
Ambalam equals temple of the first order, called Maha Kshetram dedicated to the
Hindu Trimurtti. There were 108 principal temples constructed by Parasurama
between Gokarnam and Kannya Kumari (Cape Comorin), and the one opposite to
Mr. Babington’s bungalow at Varakkal, near Calicut, is of the number.
Notes.—1. See pp. 87—90 of the Text ; also Tara and Ur.
2. A Desam was not Synonymous with a tara. Great confusion has arisen from thinking
so.
3. The seat of honour in the ambalam is just outside the sanctuary. As Brahmans can
enter the sanctuary itself, it was no honour to them to be seated on the ambalappadi. To
be thought entitled to exclusive right to the ambalappadi was, on the other hand, a source
of profit which Brahmans coveted. The ambalappadi was originally the seat of the chief
man directing the proceedings of any public meeting, such as a temple feast ; he was, in
short, chairman
4. Ambalappadi and Urayma were the privileges of the headmen, Karanavar of the tara
(Dravidian teru — street, village) or of the Ur (Dravidian = village), along with other
privileges, some of which are still observed, for example, Urpalli, the special place set
apart in the village (Ur) for cutting up the carcases of deer, etc., killed in the village hunt,
the headman of the Ur (a Taravattukaranavan) being entitled to a hind-quarter and other
parts of the animal.
EDAM or Idam.
(Dravidian) = place, house, mansion.
Is the distinctive name of a house or palace occupied by a member of the family of
the Palghat Raja; it is also used sometimes for the house of a Naduvali of
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consequence in the Palghat district. In the same part of the country the house of a
common man is called a Vidu ; Edam in Tamil means place.
Note. —The use of the word is not confined to the Palghat taluk.
ELAM.
(Dravidian) —cardamoms.
A thousand rupees a candy the Wynaad cardamom sells for.
Note.—The best cardamoms now fetch from Rs. 1.200 to Rs, 1,400 per candy 700 lb.
ENNAM.
(Dravidian) = number, counting.
Counting. It is a term used for the expense of reaping, reckoned 10 per cent. In
some places this proportion is given after the paddy is measured out , in others one
out of ten sheaves is given in the field.
Note —The number of sheaves varies : in one part of Chirakkal taluk at the present
time one out of twelve goes to the reapers. See Patam, Kolulabham, Cherlabham, and
Pandakkaval.
ETTUKKONNU and Muppara.
Ettukkonnu, from Dravidian ettu ( == eight) and Dravidian onnu ( == one).
Muppara, from Dravidian munnu (= three) and Dravidian para (= a measure,
bushel).
Meaning one to eight, and three paras ; it expresses the nature of the land-tax in the
Travancore province. On the garden land one in eight (of the pattam or rent) is said
to be taken, and on rice-lands three paras (out of ten).
FANAM.
From Dravidian Panam = coin, fanam, money in general.
Old Viray or Gold = 4 to a rupee. There are 12½ Malabar pice to one fanam.
New Viray or Gold = 3½ to a rupee. There are 141/4 Malabar pice to one fanam.
Silver = 5 to a rupee, and each fanam worth ten Malabar pice.
Note.- Mr. Græme has omitted mention of the
1. Rasi fanam. —The most ancient of the indigenous fanams, bearing at the present time
a fanciful value. They are of gold, and have the same 14 dots as the gold fanams
mentioned above. Rasi means a sign of the Zodiac, so it is supposed the 12 dots are the
12 signs of the Zodiac, and the two separate dots are the sun and moon. The 12
Zodiacal signs are divided into four good, four middling, and four bad signs, which may
account for the appearance of the dots on one side of the coins : the four prolonged
dots being the good, the four ordinary-sized ones the middling, and the four tiny dots
placed separately in a corner by themselves the four bad signs. The other emblems are
not understood.
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II. The Sultani fanam.—A coin of Tippu’s, which in 1790—92 had fallen in value to 3½
= a rupee.
GARCE.
120 paras of Macleod seers, or 3,000 Macleod seers, make a garce, Bombay salt,
according to my experiment, weighs 90 lb. the para of salt, so that a garce is
10,800 lb.
GRAMAM.
(Sanskrit) = village.
Equivalent to Agraharam in the Carnatic, a Brahman village. At the time of
Parasurama’s gift of the country to the Brahmans, 64 Gramams were established
from Goa to Cape Comorin, 32 from Kanyirote (or Cassergode north to Comorin
south) ; to these were attached all the Sudra villages.
Notes.—1. See Chapter III, Sections (a) and (b) of the Text.
2. Mr. Græme here follows the Keralolpatti tradition, which, is unreliable.
GRANDHAVARI.
From Sanskrit Grandham == verse, book.
A book formed of the leaves of the Kudappana palm or Talipot tree, in which Janmis
register their agreements respecting land with their tenants or mortgagees. Where it
is kept it is said to be a register which may be safely referred to as authenticating an
agreement otherwise doubtful, but it is not kept up so much as it used to be. The
Kudappana of Malabar does not afford the leaf capable of being so used ; the
impression of the iron pen goes through and prevents its being written on both
sides. The proper kind is only procurable in Travancore and Canara. It is brought
for sale. It is much more expensive than that of Malabar. It is also much more
durable.
HOBALI.
(Dravidian) == division of a district.
A term introduced into Malabar by the Muhammadan Government. It is in
Malabar a subdivision of a taluk comprehending several Desams or villages. It
corresponds with Magani in Canara and with Maganum on the Eastern Coast.
Note.—The Muhammadans called their village organisation in Malabar the Tara. See Sir
Thomas Munro’s Report. Revenue Selections, Vol. I, p. 842. See also Tara and Ur.
HOUSES.
Different names for them in Malabar according to castes -
Mana Nambutiripadu’s house
Illam Nambutiri’s house
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Kovilakam or Kottaram Raja’s house
Idam or Kuttala Naduvali’s house
Vidu Nayar house
Pushpottu or Pisharam or Houses of Ambalavasi or servants of the pagoda,
Varyam. expressive of their caste
Matham Houses of Chakkyar
Kudi House of Chaliar or weavers
Pidika House of Mappilla
Pura House of Tiyan
Chala The house of a Cheruman
Pura or chala The house of a blacksmith, goldsmith, silversmith,
carpenter, brazier
IDAPADU
From Dravidian idam ( = place, house of Naduvalis) and Dravidian padu (falling,
falling into power, place, rank of officials, etc.), means the authority exercised by
the family inhabiting the idam, who also controlled the pagodas of Urile Bhagavati
(goddess of the ur, village) and of Muvanti kali (the tutelar deity of Calicut) lying
within their limits. Pagodas ; 18 should be included in the range of a Kartava of
3,000 (Nayars).
Note .—See Edam.
ILLAKKUR.
From Dravidian. Illam ( == a house) and Dravidian kuru or kur ( = part, share).
Illam, a house ; kur, partition, share. It means the private property of a Raja which
descends to his heirs. He relinquishes this property to his nephew or next heir
upon his giving up one official dignity for a higher step. Not that he absolutely
gives up all control over it, but this arrangement is made to distinguish and separate
it from the public property of the official station he has just held, and to prevent its
being claimed by his successor in it.
Note.—See Kurvalcha.
ILAVAN.
From ilam, from Chingngalam, Simhala, Sihala = Ceylon.
The name of the Tiyan in the Palghat and Temmalapuram Districts in parlance,
who are aborigines of Malabar ; in other places they are only so named in writings.
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Note—The Tiyar or Tivar (from tivu, corruption of Sanskrit divpu = an island) are
believed not to have been the aborigines of Malabar, but to have come from an
island (Ceylon), bringing with them the southern tree (tengngkay), the cocoanut. See
Tiyan, Shanar, Mukkuvar.
INAKKUMURI.
From Dravidian inakku ( = agreement, certificate of agreement) and Dravidian
muri (== fragment, note, bond, receipt).
There are two kinds of deeds of this denomination. A mortgagee making over land
to another person in mortgage gives him an Inakkumuri, or certificate that he has
received a sum of money from the second mortgagee and has made over the land
to him, and calls upon the Janmi to confirm him in the same tenure which he
himself possessed. If this certificate be shown to the Janmi, he has a right ro
demand Sakshi for the renewal of the deed, but the second mortgagee often
withholds the production of the deeds in order to avoid payment of the renewal
money. That is also called an Inakkumuri which a Janmi gives to a mortgagee when
he has sold the Janmam right of the mortgaged land to a third person. In it he refers
the mortgagee to the purchaser for the future responsibility for the kanam money.
Note.—1. Mortgagees may transfer their interest to sub-mortgagees, and the latter come
into the enjoyment of the same rights and privileges as the former possessed. A notice
should be given to the landlord at the time of such transfer. In an action for the
recovery of the property, when an Inak has been given, the landlord must recognize and
sue the property in possession, but it is only liable to pay the amount which would have
been payable to the original mortgagee.—- (Proceedings of the Court of Sadr Adalat,
No. 18, dated 5th August 1856.)
3. Mr. Græme and the Sadr Court both here use kanam as synonymous with mortgage.
It is clear that the Kanakkar had the privilege of selling his holding, independently of the
Janmi, a most important point. See Chapter IV, Section (a) of the Text.
JACK TREE. (Artocarpas integrifolia.)
In Malayalam the tree = pilavu ; its fruit == chakka, whence Jack.
Chakkha — the Malayalam name for the fruit of the Artocarpus integrifolia,
whence is probably derived the name Jack.
Chakka, Mangay, Tal or Talu, Takara = a common saying expressive of the kind of
food which the poorer classes of people live upon chiefly in Malabar. Chakka is the
Jack, Mangay the Mango, Tal or Talu a species of wild Yam with a broad leaf, often
cultivated in private gardens, and Takara a species of Dholl. It is called Sag in
Hindustani, and the leaf is eaten boiled. The Jack is eaten boiled, in general mixed
with salt, etc.
Note.—According to the Jamabandi accounts of Fasli 1289 (A.D. 1879—80) there were
1,441,034 Jack trees, of which 500,641 were past bearing, 605,640 were too young to
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bear, and 334,753 were productive. The productive trees were assessed at Rs. 52,337-8-
7, or at the rate of 2 annas 66217/334753 —pies per productive tree.
JANMAM.
(Sanskrit) == birth, birthright, hereditary proprietorship, freehold property =
the Sanskritised form of the Dravidian peru ( = birth birthright).
The landed property of a Janmakkaran or proprietor.
Notes.—1. See Chapter IV, Section (a) and Attiperu.
2. The purchaser, in coming into possession, is bound by all the obligations which
attached to the proprietor. He cannot disturb those who may be holding the property,
or any portion of it, on kanam mortgage, but merely receives the surplus rent produce in
place of the former landlord. On the other hand, he comes into all the rights and
privileges of the former landlord, and may pay off Otti mortgages, and sell or transfer
the property as he pleases.—(Proceedings of the Court of Sadr Adalut, No. 18, dated 5th
August 1856
JANMAKKARAN or JANMI or MUTALALAN.
Janmakkaran and Janmi = from Sanskrit Janmam (q.v.) and Sanskrit Karan ( =
doer, one who has to do with).
Mutalalan, from Dravidian Mutal ( = beginning, principal, stock property,
money) and Dravidian al ( = person).
A landed proprietor. In Malabar there are 44,378, and the same number of estates,
and the land assessment being about Star Pagodas 480,000, each estate on an
average bears to the whole revenue a proportion of little more than 10 pagodas per
annum.—(38th paragraph of the Revenue Board’s Minute of 5th January 1818).
This number is taken from the 77th paragraph of Mr. Warden’s letter to the
Revenue Board of 16th June 1813, and the 33rd paragraph of his letter to the Board
of 20th April 1815, which again was taken from the Janmi Pymaish accounts of 981,
but by mistake the taluks of Kavai, Cotiote, and Randatara were omitted.
The copy of the Janmi Pymaish accounts received from Mr. Vaughan by Mr,
Græme makes the number 52,303, which reduces the revenue payable by each to
little more than 9 pagodas. It is conjectured (though I have not yet obtained any
accounts to prove it) that half the revenue is paid by estates yielding from a
thousand to five thousand rupees’ assessment, which will make the amount of the
assessment payable by the greater proportion of the proprietors very small indeed.
Supposing that half the revenue is paid by estates yielding a revenue of a thousand
rupees, that will withdraw eight hundred and forty from the number, and the
remaining half, viz., 240,000 Star Pagodas, will be paid by 52,463 estates or
proprietors, which will be between 4½ and 5 pagodas for each.
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The Board of Revenue have considered the number stated as so many estates,
whilst Mr. Warden expressly calls this number so many proprietors, but upon
examination I find that neither the one nor the other mode of considering it is
strictly correct. That may be called an estate which an individual possesses in the
whole province or in a village, and others have denominated single fields estates,
but in the Janmi Pymaish accounts is entered as one estate the whole landed property
possessed by an individual in one Hobali comprehending several Desams or
villages, the number of estates is therefore either too great or too little, according to
the acceptation given to the term. But if it is wished to know what assessment is
payable on the whole estate in the province of each individual, this account will not
show it. The number of estates is too great. It is only correct with respect to each
Hobali, for many Janmis possess lands in different villages of the same Hobali, in
different Hobalis of the same taluk, and in different taluks of the province, all of
which, with the exception of those within the confines of villages, are entered as
separate estates.
The real number of Janmis is, in consequence, not equal to the number of estates
specified. Some individuals are entered ten times instead of one, and very many
appear four times. The number cannot therefore be taken at more than 15,000, but
for this conjecture there is no document.
Note.—See Proprietors and Perumartham and Sthana-mana-avakasam.
JANMAKKAVAL.
From Janmam (q.v.) and Dravidian kaval ( == custody, guard, watch).
Is a fee which is given to a kind of headman among slaves for watching a large tract
of rice-land and protecting it from cattle. The land may belong to different
proprietors, though the watcher is the slave of only one. The fee consists in the
crop of a certain portion of every rice-field. The watcher is generally selected from
the caste of Palium, which is considered the most trustworthy and attentive, and the
watcher goes on such occasion by the name of Kalladi Palium, though the Kalladi is a
different caste of slave.
JANMAKKOLU.
From Janmam (q.v.) and Dravidian kolu ( == ploughshare, cultivating tenure).
Answering to Moolgainee. It is a fixed rent which cannot be raised, and the
proprietor cannot remove the tenant. It prevails in some few places in the
Northern Division of Malabar.
Notes.—1. In this case the land is made over for permanent cultivation by the tenant in
return for services rendered. Where the proprietary title is vested in a pagoda, the grant
will be made for future services. In some cases land is mortgaged on this tenure, the
Kanam mortgagee paying the surplus rent produce to the landlord after deducting the
interest of the money he has advanced. The tenant has, in North Malabar, only a life-
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interest in the property, which at his death reverts to the landlord. In the South the land
is enjoyed by the tenant and his descendants until there is failure of heirs, when it
reverts to the proprietor ; except where the is granted for special services, an annual rent
is payable under this tenure. The tenants right is confined to that of cultivation, but it is
permanent, and he cannot be ousted for arrears of rent, which must be recovered by
action, unless there be a specific clause in the deed declaring the lease cancelled if the
rent be allowed to fall into arrears.—(Proceedings of the Court of Sadr Adalat, No. 18,
dated 5th August 1856).
2. This right reverts to the landlord on failure of tenant’s heirs.—High Court Spec. App.
495 (1869).
JANMAKKUDIYAN.
From Janmam (q.v.) and Dravidian Kudiyan ( == inhabitant, subject, tenant).
May be translated a proprietary inhabitant. It is not uncommonly used to designate
the modern Janmakar, who has acquired his property by purchase, in
contradistinction to the ancient or hereditary Janmakar.
JANMAPANAYAM Olakkaranam, or JANMAPANAYAM Eluttu.
Janmapanayam, from Janmam (q.v.) and Dravidian panayam (= bet, stake, pledge).
Olakkaranam, from Dravidian Ola ( == palm-leaf writing) and Sanskrit Karanam
( = acting, instrument, deed). Eluttu (Dravidian) = writing, writ.
The Janmakkaran is supposed to have received an additional 10 per cent on the
amount of the Otti, making altogether 30 per cent beyond the Otti. Under this deed
he pledges the Janmam or proprietary right, without relinquishing the actual
possession of it by which he is bound not to transfer the Janmam right, to another
without the consent of the present mortgagee. He has still, however, the power of
redeeming the mortgage by paying the debt and the interest of all sums borrowed
since the period of the execution of the Otti deed, with the proviso that the interest
do not exceed double the amount of the sums so borrowed. The amount of the
debt, but not the pattam, is specified in this deed.
Notes.—1. “This is the last resource short of selling the land altogether. In executing
this deed the landlord relinquishes the power to redeem his land, and has nothing left
him but the nominal right of proprietorship. By going through the form of casting a few
drops of water from his hand he yields up all right of further interference in the land.
Nor can he sell his proprietary title to any one but the mortgagee, as he has already
made over to him all the rights and privileges possessed by a proprietor. This tenure
prevails only in the neighbourhood of Calicut.”—S.C. Circular, dated 5th August 1856,
No. 18.
2. Mr. Græme in his report (paragraph 1553) remarked : "Before the conquest several
intermediate stages of mortgage, in the hope of future redemption before land was sold,
were common, and its disposal with all this was very rare ; but in the present times the
intermediate deeds are dispensed with entirely in Palghat, and in Calicut the Otti and
Janmam deeds, instead of being as before at different and distant periods from each
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other, are now very frequently executed on one and the same day, and the property
transferred without reservation on the part of the proprietor.”
3. The above interpretation of this deed was probably more theoretical than real. It was
supposed to be the fifth of the six deeds culminating in Janmam.
4. A suit to recover lands granted on a pepper-corn rent is barred after 12 years from
the grant-—S.D.C., 368 (1879).
KAL
(Dravidian) == foot, leg, stem, pillar.
Literally, leg ; figuratively, support. In the Northern Division of Malabar it means
the standard tree round which the pepper-vines climb. It applies to trees such as
the Moochy wood tree (moorka), which are planted expressly for the support of
the vine. A coconut or jack would not be called a Kal.
KALAMENI.
From Dravidian Kalam ( = pot, vessel, measure) and Dravidian meni ( = body,
shape, sample, average).
An average.
KALAPPAD.
From Dravidian Kalam ( = a threshing-floor) and Dravidian padu ( = falling, falling into
power of, rank, nature, measure of space and time).
A term in use in the Walluvanad Taluk, and, perhaps, other places to the
southward in Malabar. It means a threshing-floor, a house or a place for
removing the grain from the straw, whether by threshing, or, as in Walluvanad,
by treading with men. More generally it means a collection of paddy-fields
under one manager or cultivator, the produce of which is brought to one
threshing-floor.
KALAYI.
(From Dravidian kal = foot, stem, or stubble, and ayi ( = became) = the second
cultivation of a rice-field.
Means rice of a second crop. It implies that one crop must have been cut in Kanni
(September and October, and that the second crop is cut in Makaram (January and
February). It does not apply to a crop cut in Makaram which had no previous crop.
Note—Kalayi Nilam is the opposite of Ariri Nilam , which means land on which Ariri —
a single crop—is raised.
KALKURA PATINARU.
Kal (Dravidian) = one-fourth ; kuravu (Dravidian) == deficiency; patinaru,
(Dravidian) = sixteen.
Quarter less 16 or 153/4 Viray fanams, which Desavalis could receive in fines from
inhabitants. If the fine amounted to 16 or above it, it was the right of the Naduvalis.
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KIRANI or Kanakkapilla.
Derivation of Kirani is doubtful. Kanakkapilla, from Dravidian kanakku. ( =
accounts) and Dravidian illa ( = child, honorary title).
Writer or Accountant. In Malabar the first used exclusively for Portuguese and
half-caste writers, the second is also used for them, but I find it was also the
common name for the Raja’s accountants in the Kadattanad, Kottayam (Cotiote),
and Chirakkal Rajyams.
KANAM.
From Dravidian Kanuka ( == to see) means now-a-days possession, mortgage
or lease, but originally it meant supervision, protection.
Which, I think, is generally supposed to mean mortgage or pledge, must be
construed to be the thing or consideration for which the mortgage or pledge is
given, and it seems applicable only to lands, timber trees, and slaves.
In Arabic the terms for the different incidents of mortgage are very distinct and
precise. Murhoon is the thing mortgaged or pledged ; Rahin is the mortgagee ;
Moortahin the mortgagor ; and Mooblunghi Murhoon the money or consideration
which is given for the pledge. Kanam corresponds with Mooblunghi Murhoon, or the
money given, and Panayam with Murhoon, or the thing mortgaged.
Panayam Eluttu is the mortgage writing or deed. Though the pattam or rent capable
of being collected from the lands which is in the possession of the mortgagee is
more than sufficient to pay the interest of the mortgage debt, yet it is generally
calculated that the value of the pattam would, if sold, be not more than adequate to
pay the principal. If the mortgagee retains more than his fixed share of the pattam
for the payment of the interest of the debt, and neglects to pay the remainder to the
Janmakkaran, he forfeits the land, which is instantly resumable by the Janmakkaran.
It is supposed that the original intention of receiving the kanam was to secure the
proprietor against the imposition or the neglect of the tenant, that it was to be
considered that the pattam was permanent notwithstanding the representations of
the tenant, whether true or false, of bad seasons and accidents. The principal of the
kanam was not, therefore, more than equal to one year's pattam, and the proprietor
thus provided against failure by having received the pattam in advance for a year.
The introduction of the land-tax and the increasing necessities of the proprietors
obliged them to involve deeper in debts and mortgages.
There is a great distinction to be observed between a mortgage and what is called
kanam. A mortgage is the thing given for the security of the creditor for money
borrowed of him. A kanam is an advance of rent made by a tenant to a proprietor
for the security of the latter against failure in payment of the pattam. It was
originally as much the custom for a tenant to have been a long time in possession
of land, merely paying the simple pattam before he advanced money, as for him to
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acquire possession in consequence only of advancing the pattam money. The

occupancy of the land, in short, sometimes preceded, and sometimes followed, the
advance of money.
One of the six Pramanams or deeds of mortgage recognised in the Sastra.
Notes.—1. See Chapter IV, Section, (a) of the Text, and Pattam and Pattola or Pattamola
and Proprietors and Keikkuli.
2. Said to be the second of the six deeds culminating in janmam.
3. If no period be specified the mortgage is considered to extend to 12 years, and always
so where a fee has been paid. The mortgagee has possession, recovering the interest of
the money he has advanced from the produce of the land, and paying over the net
profits to the landlord. Should he fail in the last respect, the amount is placed to the
landlord’s credit when the mortgage is paid off, allowance being made, on the other
side, for any improvements which the mortgagee may have effected. Failure to pay over
the net proceeds regularly to the landlord will not give the latter power to redeem his
land before the expiration of the period stipulated (or that of 12 years), unless there be
an express condition to that effect in the deed. Any attempt, however, an the part, of
the mortgagee to defraud the landlord and usurp the property wifi give the latter that
power. Should the landlord desire to raise a further sum of money on the land, and the
mortgagee be unwilling to advance it, he may mortgage the property to a third party,
who will be entitled to possession on paying off the sum originally advanced by the first
mortgagee. The latter, however, has the option of advancing the required sum and
remaining in possession if he pleases. Where the land has been mortgaged for a
particular period, the landlord cannot interfere until the expiration of such period.
Kanam mortgages are generally renewed at the end of the period fixed, the landlord
receiving a fee ; but there is no obligation on either side to renew them unless the
landlord and mortgagee should be mutually desirous of doing so. Where the mortgagee
discovers that the landlord has acted fraudulently in valuing the produce of the land, he
is entitled to have the deed cancelled.—(Proceedings of the Court of Sadr Adalat No.
18, dated 5th August 1856.)
4. The following are notes of some of the voluminous and conflicting decisions of the
Courts on the various points connected with kanam and kulikanam, The Courts, starting
with an erroneous idea as to what jamnam was have, in their endeavours to ascertain
customs, been evidently making law instead of merely declaring it, and deciding by it.
(a) Renewal.—The payment of keikkuli fees (fine) is merely an accident of the
contract, and when the kanam amount has been passed, all necessary acts will
be presumed to have been done, particularly when undisputed possession has
followed upon the demise.—S.S.C., 5 (1856)
‘‘The payment or non-payment” (of the renewal fees)“ is wholly
irrelevant to the question of validity of the deed.”—S.S.C, 57 and 155
(1865). A suit for money advanced on account of renewal fees is not
barred until three years from the date of the refusal to renew.—
S.D.C., 69 and 182 (1876). A renewal is the making of a new, not a
continuation of an old, contract.—S.S.C., 197 (1855). A contract to
renew, of which the mortgagee might claim specific performance is a
sufficient answer to a suit for redemption.—S.D.C, 524 (1876), 644
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William Logan
and 650 (1877) 395, 572, 573 (1879). A tenant may forfeit his right to
insist on specific performance of an agreement to renew by denying
his mortgagor’s title to a portion of the demised property.—S.D.C.,
625 (1877). A contract to renew must, if in writing, be stamped and if
the consideration exceeds Rs. 100, and if the proper construction is
that the whole amount is to be credited to renewal fees, it ought to be
registered under Section 17, Clause 3, Act VIII of 1871. Aliter, if part
of the consideration is for arrears of rent.—S.D.O., 126 (1876). The
execution of the kanam and kychit deeds and their registration is good
evidence of oral agreement to renew.- S D C., 333 (1877)..
(b) Incidents.— A kanakkaran creating a mortgage or quasi -mortgage of the
kanam holding of which he is not owner “is to me a contradiction in terms;"
the quasi-mortgagee is simply a creditor.—S.S.C., 144 (1855). It is necessary
for the security of a sub-mortgagee that he should make known his claims to
the proprietor. By not doing so he renders himself liable to have his claim
overlooked on a settlement occurring between the proprietor and the superior
mortgagee and for this the proprietor can of course not be held liable.—S.S.C.,
103 (1844). A mortgagee cannot, by private arrangement with his mortgagor,
prejudice the rights of the sub-mortgagee in possession. S.D.C., 346 (1878).
Sub-mortgagees have no right as against janmis to hold for twelve years from
date of sub-mortgagees.- S.D.C., 180 (1851). No sub-kanam does exist. The
kanam, with all its incidents attached to it, can only be cut out of a right
superior to itself, and the only way in which a mere kanakkaran can convey
such a right is by selling that which accrued to him from the possessor of a
janmam or otti right. He can also give his kanam right on simple mortgage.—
S.S.C., 234 (1855). The jamnam right can be sold while kanam right is
outstanding.—S.S.C., 113 (1858). The contract is not complete till the deed has
been properly delivered.—S.D.C., 626 (1876). “No janmi can, in less than
twelve years, demand the restoration of his land by a kanakkaran" except in the
case of the breach of express or implied covenants by such kanakkaran. Such a
protection the custom of the country provides against the grasping avarice of
proprietors, and it is only the strict preservation of this custom which can
prevent this species of tenure from becoming a monstrous fraud, in which the
weak will always be the prey of the strong."—S.S.C., 398 (1854). So also fn
S.S.C 63 (1855), and M.S.C., 154 (1855). A janmi has no power to enhance his
demands during the currency (12 years) of a kanam lease.—S.S.C., 57 (1853).
Kanam right is “an incorporeal right over the land, which may or may not be
accompanied by physical possession.’’—S.S.C,, 441 (1855). If a kanakkaran has
two claims, both must be settled before he can be dusted from the land.—
N.D.C., 126 (1856); M.S.C., 22nd April 1858. The kanam amount cannot be
apportioned piecemeal on the several parcels of land the possession of which
constitutes the kanakkar’s security.—S.S.C,, 37 (1854). The kanam amount
secured on several parcels of land cannot be apportioned among them : the
kanakkaran may resist redemption and recovery till the whole of his kanam
claim has been paid—N.D.C., 380 (1868). So also "my money was advanced
on the security of all the parcels, good, bad, and indifferent together, and until
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I get all back I shall not relinquish any.” — N.D.C., 198, 216, 221 (1876) ;
M.H.C., 611 (1877). In a suit by a janmi for damages for waste, the defendant’s
liability will depend on whether there has been any injury to plaintiff’s
reversion.—S.D.C,, 116 (1876), 560 (1877). A janmi cannot attach and sell his
kanakkaran’s interest for arrears of rent if that interest has already been
assigned by private sale.—S.D.C., 335 (1877). A kanam deed is not a lease for
more than one year, and is not compulsorily registrable.—S.D.C., 353 (1876).
An understanding as to how the increased fruitfulness of trees is to be brought
to account in future demises does not make the tenure a permanent one.—
N.D.C., 177 (1861). If land is taken back before the expiration of the lease, a
portion of the fees paid at the commencement of the lease, proportionate to
the time unexpired of the lease, is returned to the tenant, who, however, if
guilty of breach of covenant, is not entitled to the return of such proportionate
part.—N.D.C., 401 (1873).
(c) Melkanam. - When there are two valid equitable titles, he who has got the
legal estate shall prevail is a doctrine peculiarly necessary in a country like this.”
A man should not accept a kanam deed when the land is not in the possession
of his demiser without sufficient enquiry into the demiser’s title to give him
possession, which was held in this case by a previous kanam demisee.—
N.D.C., 38 (1860). If the janmi is unable to give possession, the remedy is by
suit against him for return of the money.—2 M.H.C K., 315. "These acceptors
of kanam rights while other rights are outstanding are a pest to the country.
The remedy for this hardship is the non-acceptance of kanam rights until it is
in the power of the janmi to deliver the land.”—NT.D.C., 86 (1860). A first
kanakkaran is entitled to the first chance of supplying his janmi’s further needs.
If this is not done, and even if, in the course of proceedings in Court, the first
kanakkaran denied his janmi’s title, the second kanakkaran has no cause of
action, for asking a return of the land.—1 M.H.C.R., 13.
Semble : If the first kanakkaran denied his janmi’s title before the date
of the second kanam, it would not be necessary to give him the
option of supplying his janmi’s needs. — Ibid.
A melkanam is not wholly invalid, but will operate as an assignment of
the equity of redemption although the time for redeeming may not
have arrived. — S.D.C., 484 (1879). Whilst a prior kanam mortgage is
outstanding and the document is in the hands of third persons
claiming a lien thereon, a renewal of such mortgage is invalid.—
S.D.C., 159, 743, 768 (1877). A melkanakkaran cannot oust a
kanakkaran or his assignee before the expiration of 12 years from the
date of the kanam.—M.S.C., 129 (1862).
{d) Purappad.—Rent tendered and refused, if of the proper amount ; exempts
the tenant from future claims for that amount.—S.S.C., 157 (1855). In
deciding that a kanam tenant allowing the purappad to fall into arrears was not
liable to be turned out, the High Court pointed out two ways in which the
jarnni can recover his purappad, viz., (1) by suing for it ; or (2) by taking credit
for it on paying off the kanam amount after the lapse of 12 years.—1
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William Logan
M.H.C.R., 112. In a suit for redemption of kanam, arrears of rent, the recovery
of which is barred by the Statute of Limitations, may be set off against the
mortgage money.—S.D.C., 426 (1876), 449 (1877). The principle of this is that
the kanam is deposited as security for the rent, and that the mortgagor is
entitled to an account of rents and profits-—S.D.C., 285 (1877). When no date
is specified for payment of rent in kind the presumption is that the rent is
payable in Kanni and Makaram. If the rent for one crop is specified, double the
amount may be presumed to be a fair rent for two crops.—S.D.C., 370 (1877).
It is usually the rule that 60 per cent, of the rent is payable in Kanni and the rest
in Makaram.—S.D.C,, 393 (1878), The words "Kanam free from the payment
of rent” will not enlarge that kanam into an otti — M.H.C., 142 (1870).
(e) Improvements.—When a janmi rents a land, he must well know that the
tenants cannot live thereon without a house, and, consequently, that they
would, in conformity with established usage, build one. If the building is
unnecessarily large, or in other respects informal, or not sanctioned, he ought
to have put a atop to it ; but the idea of making the renters pull it down and
carry off the materials, since he tacitly consented to its being built, is absurd.—
N.D.C., 55 (1843). The Court admitted an appeal to try “whether the tenant
was entitled to the value of the house,” or "whether he has the option of either
removing the materials or receiving only their value,” and confirmed the Civil
Judge’s decree allowing hire of labourers as part of the cost of the house.—
M.S.C., 11 (1847). Tenants in North Malabar are entitled to Vettukanam, and
the law encourages cultivation so much that even trespassers are entitled to it
less one-tenth.—M.S.C., 32 (1872); N.D.C., 312, 315 (1873). Rupees 11½ per
100 perukkams (1210 to the acre) was taken as a fair price for converting
paramba into rice-fields.—N.D.C., 283 (1874). The implied contract to pay for
improvements is limited to agricultural leases. — S.D.C., 286 (1876). No
compensation is claimable for improvements made prior to the date of the
demise, unless specially reserved.—S.D.C., 627 (1877). All reasonable
improvements must be paid for.—S.D.C., 156, 161 (1877). It is usual to
apportion the compensation for improvements among the sub-tenants.—
S.D.C., 170 (1878).
(f) Forfeiture of Lease.—The following have been held as reasons –
I. Sufficient for cancelling the lease before the expiration of the
customary 12 years’ period. Failure under improving lease
(Kulikkanam, q v.) to make reasonable improvements.—S.D.C., 68
(1859). Alteration of boundaries.-—S.D.C., 75 (1853). Denial of
janmi’s title.—2 M.H.C.R., 161. Removal of foundation-stones of a
ruined pagoda outside limits of holding, and from possession of
which the tenant was specially shut out.—N.D.C., 82 (1844). Neglect
to plant trees under improving lease (Kulikkanam, g.v.).—N.D.C., 62
(1875). Acts to invalidate the lessor’s title obviously operate the
forfeiture of lease.”-—S.S.C., 191 (1854) , N,D.C., 172 (1861).
Destruction of a pond essential to irrigate the lands-—S.S.C., 157
(1855). Cutting down trees without janmi’s permission.-—N-D.C ,
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211 (1859). Fraudulent setting up of a different tenure to that given

by the janmi.—N.D.C., 218, 219, 220 (1859). Failure to cultivate in a
husband-like manner under an improving lease (Kulikkanam, q.v.).—
N.D.C., 274 (1859). Fraudulent attempt to embarrass the janmi by a
false dispute as to the boundaries of a portion of the holding.—
N.D.C., 21 (1861). False claim of right larger than tenant really
possessed.- N.D.O., 176 (1861). Denial of ]anmi’s title by the assignee
of a kanam right.—1 M.H.C.R., 14, 445. Neglect to cultivate.—N.D
C., 350 (1870). Cutting down fruitful trees without janmi’s consent.—
N.D.C., 386 (1872). Denial of janmi’s title after institution by the janmi
of a suit to oust.—2 M.H C.R., 109. Express agreement to surrender
on demand.—S D C., 566, 612, 621 (1876), 204 (1878) ; M.H.C., 278
(1879).
II. Insufficient for cancelling the lease before the expiration of the
customary 12 years’ period. Burial of a corpse.—N.D.C., 350 (1873).
“Non-payment of purappad being a breach going only to a part of the
consideration, should not in all principle be held to repeal the
contract.”—N.D.C., 172 (1861). So also in. M.H.C.R., 112, and
M.S.C., 84 and 111 (1862).
KANAKKARAN.
From Kanam (q.v.) and Sanskrit Karan ( = doer, or one who has to do with).
Mortgagee ; the person who has lent the kanam.
KANAM-PURAM-KADAM.
From kanam (q.v.) and Dravidian puram ( = the back, outside, beyond) and
Dravidian Kadam ( = debt, obligation).
This is an expedient for raising money on land already made over on kanam. It is
quite a separate transaction, sometimes taking place at the time of the mortgage, in
which case it is referred to in the kanam deed ; at other times effected long after the
mortgagee has come into possession. In the latter case the fact of the mortgage is
alluded to in this deed, and the landlord engages to pay off both the mortgage and
the loan together. The loan thus made gives the mortgagee an additional lien upon
the property as security for the repayment of the loan. Where the new loan is added
to the sum first advanced, and a fresh mortgage-bond is executed, the transaction is
treated altogether according to the rules applying to kanam mortgages.—
(Proceedings of the Court of Sadr Adalat, No. 18, dated 5th August 1856.)
KANDAM.
(Sanskrit) == piece of anything, land.
A division in rice-fields.
Note.—Perhaps this word meant originally a share of the Tara rice-fields held in
common.
NILAM.
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William Logan
(Dravidian) = ground, soil, rice-field.
Which means particularly rice-land, means also a field (answering to a stullum in
the Carnatic) having a distinct name, and having many kandams or divisions of
banks for the convenience of irrigation.
PADAM.
(Sanskrit) =- range, especially of rice-fields.
UBHAYAM.
(Sanskrit) = in South Malabar, rice-fields.
ULPATTI.
(Sanskrit) = birth, origin, rice-fields.
Terms used in Malabar for rice-lands ; some of these terms are peculiar to some
districts.
VAYAL.
(Dravidian) = rice-fields.
A large tract or sheet of paddy land.
KANDI.
(Dravidian) == gap in a hedge or fence, a piece of high ground.
A division used in garden lands only to express one paramba or garden. It is used
when speaking of the number of gardens in an estate.
KAPPAM.
(Dravidian) = tribute, taxes.
Equivalent to peishcush or tribute. The rajas of the Northern Districts of Malabar
agreed to give to the Bednore Government in 913 M.S. a kappam of 80,000 rupees.
KARALAN.
(Dravidian) = workers, agents, temple servants. Their office Karayma (ancient,
Karanmei).
Is the agent or deputy for the uralan, or founder, in the management of the lands of
Hindu temples.
Notes.—1. Karayma right is not proved to be a right of perpetual tenure of land ; it is
equally consistent that it was a title to the perpetual performance of certain services for
which certain payments were demandable. - N.D.C., 142-171 (1859). Karayma right is
unsaleable - M.H.C., 120 (1867)—and indefeasible. - M.H.C., 623 (1874). Karalar have
no right to succeed Uralar on these becoming extinct. The right of appointing others
“always did, and does still be with the executive.”—N.D.C, 1 (I860).
2. Lands made over by the trustees or managers of pagodas to those employed in
performing certain offices therein are conferred on this tenure. So long as they fulfil
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their duties, the tenants are not liable to be ousted ; to maintain an action of ejectment,
therefore, it must be shown either that they have neglected their duties, which has
rendered it necessary to employ other persons to perform them, or that they have
endeavoured to set up a proprietary claim in subversion of that of the pagoda,—
3. For other and more ancient uses of this word, see pp. 110—13 and Chapter IV,
Section (a) of the Text.
KARANAM or PRAMANAM.
Karanam (Sanskrit) = acting, organ, instrument, deed ; Pramanam (Sanskrit) =
measure, authority, proof, bond.
Generally means bonds and agreements of all kinds.
Note.—The six kinds of Karanama culminating in Janmam were, 1, Kulikkanam ; 2, Kanam , 3,
Otti ; 4, Ottikkumpuram ; 5, Janmappanayam ; 6, Janmam.
KARAVEPPU.
From Dravidian Kara ( = snore, river-side, bank) and Dravidian Veppu ( =
deposit, planting).
Plantations on elevated spots of ground, in contradistinction to Attuveppu, situated
on low ground.
Note.—High-lying coconut gardens are divided in the revenue accounts into three
classes of Karaveppu. See Ur. Kuraveppu gardens are not unfrequently situated on the high
banks of rivers and backwaters. See Attuveppu.
KATTAKKANAM also MUPPAPPANAM.
Kattakkanam, from Dravidian Katta ( == lump, mass, clod) and Kanam (q.v.) ;
also called Kashtakkanam, from Sanskrit Kashtam ( = hard, bad) and Kanam (q.v.).
Muppappanam, from Dravidian Muppan ( == old man, chief) and Dravidian
panam ( = money).
Is the acknowledgment or Nuzur paid by a cultivator to a proprietor for land he is
allowed to cultivate. It is not an advance which is recoverable. It is not deducted
from subsequent payments to be made, nor is any interest granted upon it ; the
cultivator pays the full established pattam besides. Its proportion to the pattam does
not seem uniform. It means, literally, clod-money.
Note. - Kattakkanam is the tenure of a simple lessee who deposits m his Janmi’s hands a
sum of money as security (a) for due fulfilment of his lease contract, and (b) for
payment of rent. It does not carry with it a right to hold for 12 years; the security is
returned without interest at the end of the lease.—N.D.C., 18 (1874)., 466 (1877).
KATTAVADI or KATTAKOL.
From Dravidian Katta ( = lump, clod) and Dravidian vadi ( = stick, staff) or
Dravidian Kol ( = staff, rod).
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Literally, clod-breaker. The stick in Malabar, with a knob at the end of it, with
which men and women break the clods in a field after it has been dug by the
mamutty or spade.
KATTUVARUM.
From Dravidian Kadu. ( = jungle) and Dravidian varam ( == share of produce).
A tax of two fanams upon every individual possessing land in a few Hobalis of the
Temmalapuram District, where there is no regular Modan cultivation. It was
intended as an equivalent for any cultivation which might he carried on in the Kad
or jungle.
KAVALPHALAM.
From Dravidian Kaval ( == custody, protection) and Sanskrit phalam (?
Dravidian palam) ( = fruit, produce).
Protection fund or compensation for protection.
KEIKKULI or SHILAKKASU
From Dravidian Kei ( = hand) and Dravidian Kuli ( == wages) and from
Dravidian Shila ( = purse) or perhaps Sanskrit Shilam ( = conduct, habit,
character) and Dravidian kasu ( == gold, copper coin).
A fee or fine or Nuzur of so many fanams on a Potippadu which the lessee or
Verumpattakaran gives to the Janmi or proprietor upon the renewal of his lease. In
Kavai Taluk, two Velli fanams, the Potippadu, is the rate fixed, which, calculating at
the rate of 41½ rupees per 1,000 Idangalis, is supposed to add one-fourth to the
Janmi's share in the year in which it is imposed. It is the extent of Shilakkasu which
any land can afford that seems to give it a value in sale and purchase above its
nominal value, or that at which the pattam is entered in account. Where this
proportion is given, the lease is only for one year ; where it is for four, it is equal to
one year’s pattam, that is, the full pattam is taken once in four years, being an
equivalent for Polichcheluttu, though Keikkuli in the Southern Division answers to
Shilakkasu in the Northern Division, where the transaction is a simple lease or
Verumpattam. It is also applied in the Southern Division to land having already a
mortgage upon it. It is taken in lieu of Sakshi, being in general the amount of one
year’s pattam.
Note.—-See Kunarn and Pattola.
KEIPPANAM.
From Dravidian Kei ( = hand) and Dravidian panam ( = money).
Note.— Keippanam property is property given on marriage (among Mappillas), which
is returnable on termination of the marital state by death or divorce ; to the widow
if she survives, or to her children if she has died, or to the Taravad in absence of
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wife and children. The widow and children have a Iife interest independent of the
Karanavan.—N.D.C., 60 (1874).
KEIVIDA OTTI.
From Dravidian Kei ( = hand) and Dravidian vida or vidatta ( = without leaving)
and Otti (q.v.).
Is not a separate deed, but if the two first words are tacked to the Otti deed, it
becomes a condition that the mortgagee can never be dispossessed, that the land
can never go out of his hands, that the mortgage is irredeemable. Kei is "hand” and
vida is "without letting go.”
The following note is by an experienced Native Revenue Officer of the district :-
Notes.—1. The question is not settled as yet, I believe it has been decided both ways. The whole
thing turns on the meaning of the expression. Above it is written ൈകവിടാ ഒ ി and
interpreted accordingly. But some hold that the term is ൈകവിടുക ഒ ി, that the meaning is
that in Otti of this description the landlord “relinquishes” in favour of the Otti holder his right,
recognised in ordinary Otti cases, of taking from the garden mortgaged (if the property is a
garden) a few coconuts and a jackfruit annually without asking for the permission of the tenant.
2. The balance of authority is in favour of a Keivida Otti being irredeemable. The mortgagee
cannot, however, assign. S.D.C.,— 578-629 (1878).
3. The landlord in this case relinquishes the power of transferring the property to a third party,
and binds himself to borrow any further sum he may require only from the mortgagee. Should the
latter decline to advance the amount, the landlord may pay off the mortgage and re-assign the
property to another party. — (Proceedings of Madras Sadr Adalat, No. 18, dated 5th August
1856).
KERAM.
Canarese mode of pronouncing Cheram.
The Sanskrit name for the coconut fruit. A law is in existence in Malabar, contained
in a book called Kera Kalpam, composed in the Sanskrit language but written in the
Malayalam character, regulating the mode of planting coconut, betel-nut and jack
trees, and the pepper-vine, and of settling the Kulikkanam.
Note. — Dr. Gundert’s view is that Keram is the Canarese mode of pronouncing
Cheram, i.e., Chera or Malabar, and hence applied to its chief fruit, the coconut palm.
KILAYIKURUJANMAM or KILAYIJANMAM.
From Dravidian Kilu = place below, under ;
From Dravidian Ayi = became ;
From Rravidian Kuru = part, share, class ; and
Sanskrit Janmam (q.v.).
A deed in use.
Note.— Means the right to the lower kinds of paramba produce when the higher (i.e.
Nalubhayam or coconut, areca and jack trees, and pepper-vines) belong to another.
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KODUNGA KATTI.
From Dravidian Kodunga ( = bent) and Dravidian Katti ( == knife).
The knife worn for defence by the Nayars of Malabar, fastened to a hook attached
to a leathern girdle at the back of the body.
Note.—Also called Ayudha Katti, Vettu Katti, Katti, Val, Nayar knife, Mappilla knife, etc.
KOLICHCHAL.
(Dravidian) == falling.
Literally, fall. Is an allowance made by inspectors of pepper-vines for the quantity
of pepper which is likely to fall off between the period of inspection and the season
for plucking.
KOL.
(Dravidian) = staff, rod, measuring rod.
A pace (a native’s), ten of which regulate the distance that ought to be observed
in the original planting of coconuts ; another is afterwards planted between the
two original ones, when they have grown large, in order to supply their place
when they decay.
KOL PEIMASI.
From Kol (q.v.) and Persian Paimaish ( == measure, survey).
The survey which took place in 983 under Mr. Warden of the ricelands by actual
measurement in cawnies and goolies is so called ; all other paimaishes in Malabar have
been merely inspections without measurement.
Note. —The result of this Pymaish was embodied in what are known in the district as
the Hinduvi, i.e., Mahratta accounts. It is the only reliable account in the records, but
even m regard to it the details, owing to the changes in names of fields and in holdings,
are not always available for references. It refers to wet lands alone.
KOLULABHAM.
From Dravidian Kolu (= ploughshare) and Sanskrit labham (== getting gain,
profit).
Kolu, ploughing, and labham, profit ; or the profit of agriculture. It is the
cultivator’s share.
Is the cultivator’s clear profit after deducting expenses under the name of Vittu
Valli, or charges of cultivation. Out of the Kolulabham is reckoned, indeed, to pay
the inconsiderable expense of Eru Irimbu, or cattle and iron. It is generally supposed
that the Kolulabham is a third of the gross produce (deducting, always, 10 per cent
for reaping), and that the Vittu Valli is another third. It may be so reckoned when
the produce is above seven-fold, but within that the Vittu Valli comes to more than
a third and encroaches upon the Kolulabham.
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Notes.—1. “Besides the rent there is a cultivator’s share, which is very valuable and
which affords a comfortable subsistence to a family.”—Graeme’s Report, paragraph
1428.
2. “Taking the pattern to be four-tenths of the gross produce, the gross produce would
be paras 19,204,887 ; to this again may be fairly added 20 per cent. (“the usual
deduction,” paragraph 1565) for the expense of reaping, for the fees of carpenters,
smiths, and other petty proprietors denominated Cheru Janmakkar, and for portions of
crops given up to slaves for watching, which are never brought into any calculation of
produce and the gross produce would then be paras 23,045,865.” Græme’s Report,
paragraph 1563.
3. See Ennam, Patam, Cherlabam, Kudiyankur, Pandakkaval, Valli-vittu.
KOLUPPANAYAM.
From Kolu (Dravidian) == ploughshare, and panayam (q.v.).
Notes.—1. Under this tenure, the mortgagee has only the right to cultivate the land. If
no period be specified, the landlord is at liberty to pay off the mortgage whenever he
pleases. This tenure prevails in the neighbourhood of Palghat as well as in North
Malabar—(Madras Sadr Adalat Proceedings, No, 18, dated 5th August 1866).
2. In absence of a period fixed in the lease, it was held that a Kolukkanam lease was for 5
years, which had been the time fixed in the previous lease. N.D.C., 248 (1877).
KOYILMENI or ENNIPADU.
From Dravidian Koyil (= hire of fruit-gatherer) and Dravidian Meni (= average).
And from Dravidian Ennuka (= to count) and Dravidian padu (= authority).
Different modes in use of valuing or estimating the produce of coconut
gardens. Koyilmeni means strictly the number of pluckings, or more generally the
number of crops. After deducting the Sisu or young plants, and the Aphalam or
those past bearing, it is estimated what the productive trees will yield with reference
as well to their appearance as to the kind of soil—Attu Veppu, Kara Veppu, Pasima,
etc. (in which they are classed by nature rather than by any public account or any
written deed). It is estimated that the tree produces so many crops in the year and
so many fruit for each crop. Eight crops (Ettu Koyil) of 7 fruit each (Elu Meni) are
the highest at which a tree is rated in account, making altogether 56 fruits ; but it is
reported that there is one garden at Calicut whose trees have in general produced
64 fruits each.
The Ennipadu is the reckoning of the actual number of fruit growing in a
particular year. There is supposed to be great enmity between the Janmi and the
Kudiyan when this extreme measure is resorted to, and it is not common. When the
estimation is fixed to take place, the Janmi gives notice to the tenant that he must
not touch the fruit for a year, but allow it to remain on the trees. At the end of the
year the Janmi counts the number there actually are, and fixes his pattam or share
accordingly. In the present times, the fear of the dishonesty of the tenant, who
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might make away with many of the fruit before the day of examination arrived is
sufficient to deter Janmi from this unpopular mode.
KRISHI.
(Sanskrit) = ploughing, agriculture.
Seems the land under the direct management of proprietors or their stewards,
also called Svakaryam Krishi.
KRISHIKKARAN.
From Krishi (q.v.) and Sanskrit Karan (= doer, one who has to do with).
Steward of Janmi, employed to pay the slaves of the estate and other domestic
expenses.
KUDI.
(Dravidian) = house, hut.
A pair ; applied to a slave and his wife in speaking of their price.
KUDICHILLARA.
From Kudi (q.v.) and Dravidian chillara (= sundries).
Tax on houses, shops, warehouses, and implements of the profession of
blacksmiths, potters, oilmen, weavers, etc. Persons of these professions pay the
house-tax as well as the tax on their implements. The Kudichillara amounts in
Malabar to a revenue of Rs. 1,10,441—12—916½/25 and consists of the following
items, viz., taxes on large houses, on small houses and huts, on upper-roomed
retailer shops, on retailers’ shops, on petty retailers’ shops, on warehouses in the
bazaar, warehouses, in other places, on oilmen’s mills, on carpenters’ tools, on
blacksmiths’ anvils, on silversmiths’ tools, on grinders’ stones, on sawyers’ saws, on
weavers’ looms, on smiths’ hammers, on smiths’ shops, on potters’ furnace, on
brass-smiths’ shops, on barber shops, on washermen’s stones, on mud-wall
bricklayers, on mat-makers’ tools, on Pattom or Cherumars, on fishermen’s nets, on
fishermen’s boots, on pack-bullocks, on brinjals, etc., on betel-leaf vendors, on
grazing lands in Kanattil, on salt godowns belonging to salt-pan proprietors, on
coconut safe, on chunam-makers’ furnace, on Kangany, interest on Sircar land given
on Kanam, Annakat or fees on tailor acting as barber, on teahtorum ; total 37 items
composing the Kudichillara. Supposing the tax upon the houses of the lower classes
to be generally 2 fanams (new Viray) a house, it would take off the tax upon 25,000
houses to reduce the house tax revenue in the sum of 5,000 pagodas or 60,000
fanams.
Note.—The Mohturfa taxes were abolished in 1861.
KUDIPPAKA or KUDUPPU.
From Kudi (q.v.) and Dravidian paka (= separation, enmity).
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Family or house feud or enmity. It is the common term to express the deadly
hatred subsisting between two families, if a member of a family has been killed, his
relations have been known to steep a cloth in his blood and vow never to lose sight
of it till they have avenged his murder by the death of the murderer and the
destruction of his habitation.
Note.— It was the custom to burn the body of the slain in the house of the slayer
which was of course also burnt. It was usual, however, to burn only an outhouse!
KUDIYAN.
(Dravidian) = inhabitant, subject.
Who pays revenue direct to Government, not less than one hundred and fifty
thousand.—(Mr. Warden’s letter to Board of Revenue 16th June 1813, paragraph
77.)
Note.- The number of separate pattas issued or in force in Fasli 1290 (A D 1880-81) was
178,790.
KUDIYAN KUR.
From Kudiyan (q.v.) and (Dravidian) Kur ( = share, portion).
Cultivator’s share.
Note.—See Kotulabham, etc.
KUDIYIRIPPU.
From kudi (q.v.) and (Dravidian) irippu ( = sitting, residence).
It is consideration of 2 fanams which before the land-tax a tenant used to pay to
a proprietor for land taken for building alone.
Notes.—1. A Kttiyirippu tenure carries with it power to build shops if locality is suitable
for the purpose. N.D.C., 21 (1879). One who has obtained permission to build a house
in a paramba, but not to enclose any portion of it, is liable to pay rent for use and
occupation if he excludes the owner or his assignee from access to the trees.—S.D.C.,
367, 382 (1877).
2. The payment was made as a token of fealty to the Janmi. The land taken was used for
a garden as well as for building purposes.
KUDIYIRUMAPPADU.
From kudi (q.v.) and (Dravidian) irikkuka ( == to sit, remain, be in a place), and
(Dravidian) padu ( = falling, falling into one's power, etc.)
Is a muri or document by which a Janmi who is entitled to receive purappad from a
mortgagee assigns over the payment of it to a third person from whom he has
borrowed money.
Note. This is an agreement between a landlord, and his creditor, according to which the
latter agrees to receive the rent produce of land leased to a tenant in lieu of interest in
money upon the sum borrowed by the landlord. Should any dispute arise between the
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landlord and his tenant, and should the latter in consequence refuse to deliver rent produce
according to the landlord’s deed of assignment, the creditor, can sustain an action only
against the landlord.—(Sadr Adalat Proceedings No. 18, dated 5th August 1856).
KUDUMANIR or KUDIMANIR.
From Darvidian Kuduma = narrow point, crest, (top) or Dravidian Kudma ( =
tenantry) and Dravidian nir ( = water).
The terms of the body of this deed1 are the same as those in the deed of Attipper.
The difference in the title alone shows a difference in the attributes. The proprietor
acknowledges by this deed to have received the full value of the property, and the
execution and delivery of the deed are attested by the same formalities as those of
the Attipper deed. The word Kudima2, which means the condition or station of
tenant, shows that the proprietor has still some proprietary right and that the
mortgagee continues in the relation of Kudiyan or tenant. As a tribute of
acknowledgment of proprietorship the mortgagee is bound to pay a sum of money,
not exceeding two fanams or a half or a whole Tipree of ghee, which, and the periods
of payment, are specified in the deed. Under this deed the proprietor has no power
of redemption.
NOTEs: 1. Adima is more properly Service Inam. It used to be granted in favour of village artisans,
washermen, and others who in return for the bulk of the rent of the land were bound to perform
certain services. Sometimes it was likewise granted to Cherumars and other low caste people to
enable them to bury or burn their dead in spots where the latter were not liable to be disturbed.
2. Kudima used to be given by big Janmis to their dependents and others as building sites. END
OF NOTES
Notes—1. See Adima

2. The foot-notes to Mr. Græme’s text are by an experienced Native Revenue Officer of the
district.
3. In this case the land is made over in perpetuity to the grantee, either unconditionally as a
mark of favour or on condition of certain services being performed. The terms Adima and
Kudima mean a slave or one subject to the landlord, the grant being generally made to such
persons. A normal fee of about two fanams a year is payable to the landlord to show that he
still retains the proprietary title. Land bestowed as a mark of favour can never be resumed,
but where it is granted as remuneration for certain services to be performed, the non-
performance of such services involving the necessity of having them discharged by others
will give the landlord power to recover the land. The non-payment of the annual fee will
form no ground for ousting the grantee, but it will be recoverable by action. The hereditary
property of native princes cannot be conferred on this tenure, the ruling prince having only
the right of enjoyment during life, without power to alienate.—( Proceedings of the Court
of Sadr Adalat, No. 18, dated 5th August 1856).
4. Kudima Janmam is the highest but one of the Malabar tenures; the land is never
recoverable.— 285 (1862).
KULICHCHAKKARAN.
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From Dravidian kulichcham (from kuli = hire, wages) = pay of Nayar militia, and
Sanskrit karan ( = doer, one who has to do with).
An armed servant or vassal of a Naduvali or Raja ; he is sometimes paid with land
for his maintenance.
Note.—See Adima, Kudima, Changngatam.
KULICHCHEKAM.
Or Kulichcham (see Kulichchakkaran), from Dravidian Kuli ( — hire, wages), means besides
pay the honourable service of Nayars, especially in war. Military tournaments formerly
in use among the Nayars.
KULICHCHEKAM or Yapana or Anubhogam.
Kulichchekam (q.v.) Yapana (Sanskrit) = livelihood, maintenance, provisisions for
soldiers. Anubhogam (q.v.).
KULIKKANAM.
From Dravidian kuli [ == hollow, hole, excavation, pit (for planting fruit trees]
and kanam (q.v.).
Before the introduction of the land-tax the pattam used to be settled once
in twelve years, and Kulikkanam allowed for young trees, and a deduction made for
those that had gone to decay. This practice was observed even though the garden
did not admit of any increase beyond the number originally planted. The tenant’s
business was to take care of the trees that were standing , but he was under no
obligation to replace old ones with young ones without being paid the Kulikkanam
money. Since the tax, wherever the proprietor receives regularly from the tenant
the pattam and takes upon himself the payment of the public assessment, the
settlement of the Kulikkanam and the pattam is conducted as before ; but where the
assessment is entered in the name of the tenant, and he only pays to the proprietor
the Nikuti Sishtam, or what remains after discharging the assessment, the system of
Kulikkanam and pattam is generally relinquished.
The tenant is responsible for the revenue ; he gets nothing from the
proprietor for improvements, and he enjoys the undivided profits of them.
The Kadattanad Raja is said to have made over all his garden lands to his
tenants in this way, and no settlement of Kulikkanam and pattam has been made
between them for many years. The chief condition of it is that the mortgagee is to
be paid a certain sum for the trees he may grow in a garden, or the interest upon
that sum, to be deducted annually from the pattam or rent in the case the principal
is not paid. If the tenant who planted the trees is continued in the lease, the
Kulikkanam money is only given for such trees as bear; but, if he is to be
dispossessed for another, the proprietor must pay it for the young trees also. This
kind of tenure does not, I think, imply poverty in the Janmi. It is a good
arrangement for ensuring the improvement of property by giving the tenant an
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interest in it. The general price of a coconut tree is from 1 old to 4 fanams from 4
to 8; betel-nut trees 1 fanam, pepper-vine 4 rupees for vines capable of yielding 1
maund, and jack trees from 2 to 16 fanams each.
It is according to the Sastra and to ancient custom to plant coconut trees at
the distance of forty feet from each other. It was then the practice to continue the
tenant in possession who had planted the trees, but the Mappillas being now in the
habit of turning out the original tenant as soon as the trees come to maturity and
paying off the Kulikkanam money, the tenants now plant closer than they used to
do in order to increase the number of trees upon which they are entitled to the
Kulikkanam.
It is not customary to settle the Kulikkanam and the pattam for four or five
years after the trees begin to bear. The tenant in this period enjoys the produce free
of any payment to the proprietor, which, and the produce of Chama and the oil-
plant for the first two years, make up the expense he has to sustain, as the
compensation to him does not come to him till the latter period of his undertaking.
A tenant who takes upon himself the planting of trees must possess a certain
capital from which he can afford to advance the expense, or, at all events, he must
be able to afford to labour unpaid for this period.
The Kulikkanam rates vary from one to four old gold fanams, or one-quarter
to one rupee, but half a rupee is the most prevalent.
PANAYA-PATTA KULIKKANAM.
See Panayam, Pattam and Kulikkanam.
This is a deed1 of mortgage executed by the mortgagor in favour of the mortgagee
for plantations, and differs in no respect from that given for rice-lands, except that
it promises to give the Kulikkanam, or the fixed value of the trees, and the Aliva, or
the expense of preparing the garden, in conformity with the Desa Mariyada or
custom of the village. In deeds2 in use in the Northern Division of Malabar the
rates of Kulikkanam for the different kinds of trees are specified. In the Panayapatta
deeds, as well for rice as garden lands, the proprietor of the land has a right of
Polichcheluttu, that is, to renew the deeds every twelve years ; or, when the Janmi
dies, his successor3 may demand the Polichcheluttu (or tearing up of old bonds and
the making of new), by which he is entitled to a deduction Sakshi and Oppu and
Suchi from the mortgage debt, or to receive the amount of it in hand from the
mortgagee. It is understood that the proprietor has not the right of renewal within
five or six years after the last renewal. There are two modes of settling the pattam
on plantations, the Kulikkanam pattam and the Koyil4 Meni pattam : the first is where
the pattam is fixed at one-fifth or 20 per cent of the Kulikkanam or established value
of the trees, and the latter is where the produce is estimated and two-thirds of it
determined to be the pattam.
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NOTEs: 1. I have already said that Kanam sometimes means simply money. I believe
Kulikkanam means digging money or hole-money, i.e. compensation for digging and
planting the land. അഴിവ expense
2. Sometimes the descriptions of trees in respect of which alone improvement value is
claimable are likewise specified.
3. Obsolete.
4. Koyil = harvesting ; meni = fold. Koyil meni gross produce ? The Kulikkanapattam is
almost nominal, being fixed at a time when there are perhaps no bearing trees in the
paramba. The practice is to lease out on a nominal rent in the first instance, and to
continue to collect the same till the trees planted by the tenant have come into bearing.
When this is done the custom is value improvements, make the value a charge (kanam)
on the paramba, fix a Koil Mani Pattam, deduct therefrom the interest on the Kanam
amount, and divide the residue between the Janmi and Government.
Under the Kulikkanam tenure the tenant or mortgagee is not answerable
for any loss of trees or diminution of produce occasioned by mere neglect in not
fencing the premises or not manuring the trees. No remission, however, is made in
the pattarn by the Janmi for loss occasioned by this cause. The loss the tenant
himself thus sustains is a sufficient punishment to him. If, however, he does a
positive injury by cutting down trees without the consent of the Janmi, he is
answerable1 to him for their value ; they are the property of the Janmi. The Kanam
money may be forfeited in toto, or in part in proportion to the injury done. He is not
however, responsible for the acts of the sovereign or the visitations of Providence,
known by the name of Rajikam and Devikam. A tenant is entitled to the value of the
Kulikkanam for every succession of trees which he plants, and if he throws up the
garden, insisting upon this right the proprietor must pay, but much depends upon
the relative situations of the proprietor and the tenant.
NOTEs: 1. Doubtful. Vide note below. END OF NOTEs
If the latter has a good thing of the tenure, or from having no other
residence it would be inconvenient for him to remove, he will submit to a
modification of the right not quite so favourable to him. For instance, a tenant
possesses a garden producing a pattam of 100 fanams ; he plants more trees yielding
a further pattam of 40 fanams. The pattam being a fifth of the Kulikkanam value, he
is entitled to 200 fanams for the addition without any deduction for trees decayed
of the original number. The loss from this cause being, however, 20 fanams of
pattam, the proprietor deducts it and gives him credit for only 20 fanams in
addition, that is, he gives him only 100 instead of 200 fanams to which he was
entitled as Kulikkanam, but a remission is made for the pattam of trees decayed, and
the future pattam is fixed at 120 fanams.
He has the right to revise the pattam upon the tenant’s demand of
Kulikkanam for new trees, but if he anticipates an unfavourable result, he will
decline any inspection of the trees upon which the pattam has been settled ; he
must, at all events, pay the Kulikkanam money. If a tenant is obliged to quit a
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garden on the motion of the proprietor, the proprietor must pay the full
Kulikkanam of all trees, however young, and the tenant on notice of such a measure
frequently introduces young trees for the purpose of getting the Kulikkanam money.
The Janmi has no right to revise a pattam after it has once been fixed
except upon a demand of Kulikkanam for new trees, but all this depends a good
deal upon the relative circumstances of the parties. Upon every Polichcheluttu or
renewal of bonds the tenant has a right to demand a revision of the pattam, and if
he has suffered from Devikam (the visitation of Providence, which comprehends
losses by fire, lightning, storms, floods, etc.) or from Rajikam (the acts of a
sovereign), he may claim remission or decline payment of the puttam. These losses2
must be supposed to exceed 20 per cent to come within the extent of these
exceptions. Jack and mango trees are exclusively the property of the proprietor, and
cannot3 be cut without his permission. The tenant is entitled to cut down all
unproductive coconut and betel-nut trees.
NOTEs: 2. Not legally or customarily recognised at present as far as I am aware.
3. Nor, in my opinion, can the landlord do so without the tenant's consent. END OF
NOTEs
Notes.—1. See Kanam.

2. The foot-notes to Mr. Græmo’s text are by an experienced Native Revenue
Officer, Mr. P. Karunakara Menon.
3. The landlord contended that “whenever a Kulikkanam deed provides for no
period, the ryot must give up the land when demanded," and that “if this be not allowed,
the ryot (who is merely to receive his Kulikkanam improvements) and proprietor are
placed on the same footing.” The tenants contended “that it is not customary to resume
parambas when no injury or arrear of rent is sustained.” It was held that summary
ejectment in the manner asked could not be granted. — Malabar Auxiliary Court, 43
(1843).
4. “The law only gives 12 years' possession to a Kulikkanam tenant.” N.D.C., 33 (1876).
5. In a Kulikkanam lease there was a clause to this effect : “If you plant these said four
fruits and the coconuts bear fruit as is the usage, I will give a taragu, fixing rent after
estimate of the produce.” Held that the Janmi was entitled to take a full rent after the
Kulikkanam lease was up, that is, after 12 years quite and sure enjoyment by the tenant,
and that the tenant was obliged to give up the land at the end of the 12 years on
receiving the value of his improvements.—N.D.C., 98 (1876).
6. A Kulikkanam lease is not forfeited by failure to pay rent ; even though there is an
express stipulation in the deed of lease, the tenant has a right to hold for 12 years.—
N.D.C., 75 (1875).
7. Where no express period has been stipulated this lease is considered to run for 12
years, otherwise for such period as may have been agreed upon. At the expiration of
either of these periods the landlord may either renew the lease to the same tenant,
paying him the value of his improvements, which may also be invested as a mortgage, or
he may satisfy all the tenant’s claim upon the land for improvements, and may let the
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property to a new tenant. Compensation is allowed for buildings and fruit-producing

trees and shrubs of every description. In the event of the tenant failing to reclaim the
land, plant trees, and otherwise fulfil the conditions of the deed, he may be dispossessed
by the landlord before the expiration of the period specified. The landlord may exercise
.a similar power in the event of the tenant setting up a fraudulent title to the land.—
(Proceedings of the Court of Sadr Adalat, No. 18, dated 5th August 1856).
8. Under this tenure the tenant binds himself to pay a stipulated rent, as well as to bring
new land under culture. Failure in either of these respects, or any attempt to defraud the
landlord of his title, will render the tenant liable to ejectment. If no period is named in
the agreement the lease will be considered to extend to 12 years.—(Proceedings of the
Court of Sadr Adalat, No. 18, dated 5th August 1856).
9. A tenant cannot be disturbed under this tenure for 12 years, or during the period, if
any, stipulated, unless he attempts to set up a claim subversive of the landlord’s rights.
Possessing a pecuniary interest in the property, he cannot be dispossessed for neglect to
improve it.—(Proceedings of the Court of Sadr Adalat, No. 18, dated 5th August 1856).
10. The customary payment for improvements was meant as payment for the Janmi's
share of produce not as payment for the cultivator’s interest in the land. See Chapter IV,
Section (a) of the Text.
KUPPA MANYAL.
From Dravidian Kuppa (= heap of dirt, sweepings), and Dravidian Manyal (=
saffron, yellow dye).
The Anotta or Bixa orellana. There is a great abundance of it growing wild at
Quilandy, about 15 miles north of Calicut, without any kind of cultivation. The
natural colour of the juice of the seed, which is used as a dye, is yellow, for which
purpose it is exported to Bombay. It is so easily procurable that no stock is laid in
for exportation, but the coasting merchants pick it up as they find it growing in the
lanes about Quilandy. The seeds are carried off without any preparation. They are
used in Malabar as beads in necklaces by the Mappilla women and are called Mulla.
The tree grows in hedges with little or no care within the precincts of the town of
Tellicherry.
KURVALCHA.
From Dravidian. Kur (=== share) and Dravidian valuka (= to live, live well,
reign).
Is the step or throne which the Rajas of Malabar ascend. It answers to
Puttum in Tamil and to Musnud Tnkht in Persian. Kur is share and Valcha is the
management or government, implying that a Raja has come to the possession of
the share of rank to which he is entitled by his seniority.
Note .—The term was always used in speaking of the share of Government
entrusted to a subordinate prince of the ruling family.
KUTTADAN or Mundakam.
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William Logan
A species of paddy sown within the bed of tanks in the Palghat District. It
is sown in the middle of Chittree (April), when there has been a little rain, and it
grows afterwards during the monsoon in water, and is not cut till the middle of Tye
(January), making a period of nine months for its growth.
The name of a rice which has only one crop in the year, and that crop is
only cut in Makaram (January and February).
The names of paddy crop sown in Kumbham (February and March) and is
eleven months before it comes to maturity . After the ploughing there is no
expense of cultivation. The smallness of the expense of cultivation is mentioned as
a proof that the Valli cannot be regulated by the number of meni produce.
Note—The two names are not generally applied to the same kind of paddy ; the former
kind grows in salt marshes—planted April, reaped January. The latter is a rice of slow
growth, reaped about January
KUTTAM.
(Dravidian) = junction, assembly.
A collection of houses, consisting of, 500 or 600 persons, six necessary for a
Kartavu of 3,000.
Notes.—1. See pp. 132, 133 of the text. The Kuttam was evidently the “ Six hundred”
of Deeds Nos. 3 and 4, Appendix XII.
2. The Kuttam answered many proposes, e.g., Nilalkuttam, assembly under shade of a
tree to discuss Tara affairs, etc., Padakuttam, for war ; Nayattukuttam, for hunting ;
Yogakkuttam, for meditation ; Nadu-kuttam, for arbitration.
3. In the Laccadive Islands there are periodical kuttams for killing the rats which infest
the coconut trees. Any one absenting himself is fined.
4. The Honourable Mr. Hudleston has suggested that the Koot organisation which gave
so much trouble in Canara in 1832-33 was probably identical with the Kuttam of
Malabar.
KUTTIKKANAKKOLA.
From Dravidian Kutti (= stake, peg to mark limits) and Dravidian kanakku (==:
accounts), and Dravidian Ola (= palm-leaf, writing).
A kind of memorandum or register written upon the Karimbana palm or palmyra
leaf, in which is recorded the Janmakaran's Pramanams or deeds with his tenants and
the amount of the pattam share.
KUTTIKKANAM.
From Dravidian Kutti (= stake, peg, stump) and Kanam (q.v).
Is the privilege of half a rupee or one rupee (according to local custom) to
which every proprietor of a forest is entitled for every tree cut within the limit of
his property. It means literally, stump money.
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Note.— This is an arrangement by which the landlord assigns on mortgage a

tract of forest land, receiving a stipulated fee for every tree felled by the mortgagee ;
the entire number of trees to are cut down, and the period within which they are to
be felled, being expressly fixed in the Karar entered into between the parties. The
mortgagee usually makes an advance and agrees to pay the balance by instalments.
The non-payment of the stipulated instalments does not render the mortgagee
liable to dispossession unless there be special clause in the agreement to this effect.
The instalments may be recovered by action, but the mortgagee remains in
possession during the period stipulated.—(Proceedings of the Court of Sadr
Adalat, No. 18, dated 5th August 1856).
KUTTINELLU or Velinellu.
From Dravidian Kutti (— peg, stump, stake, in a fence) and Dravidian veli (=
hedge, fence) and Dravidian nel (== rice).
Hedge grain ; a contribution formerly made by Janmakars for keeping up fences
against cattle, half of which contribution was taken and consolidated with the land
revenue in 975 M.S. in the taluk of Kavai. It amounted to 16 Idangalis for every 100
of seed, or 8 of which were incorporated with the land revenue.
KUTTIVASI.
From Dravidian Kutti (= peg, stake, stump of a tree, hence what remains,
balance) and Dravidian vasi (== excess, difference).
With the soft t it may be called the Nuffur Bakee, or balance against individuals.
KUVA.
(Dravidian) = arrowroot.
The Malayalam name for the arrowroot that grows in Malabar. It grows without
cultivation, and is commonly eaten by the poorer classes boiled in water and mixed
sometimes with teire (curds), and salt.
Note. — The different kinds in Malabar are Anakkuva, elephant arrowroot ;
Channakkuva, Costus speciosus ; Nyettikkuva, Curcuma augustifolia, Manyakkuva and
Malankuva, Koempferia ; and Manyalkkuva, Curcuma longa.
MACLEOD SEER.
Macleod seer is 25 to a para of salt, or 3,000 to a garce. Of the Madras seers
there appear to be 4,800 to the garce in measuring salt.
MADHYASTANMAR.
Plural of Sanskrit Madhyastam (= neutral person mediator, arbitrator).
Arbitrators answering to Panchayat, though the latter term is not known in
Malabar. Dharmakarta is also used.
Note.— The Karanavar of the Tara answered to the village Panchayat of Eastern
districts. See Taravattu Karanavar.
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MALIKANA.
(Persian)—what is due to the Malik or proprietor when set aside from the
management of his estate, allowances to deposed Rajas.
Which is a Bengal term implying the fee or privilege of the proprietor, and was
originally applied to the allowance made to the Bengal Zamindar in concluding the
permanent settlement ; means in Malabar the fifth or 20 per cent, of a fixed
revenue of their former countries which the dispossessed Rajas of Malabar receive
from the Company.
Note. The allowances are calculated on the revenue of 1800—1.
MANIYANI.
(Sanskrit) = manager of estate on behalf of the Janmi.
POLUTTIKKARAN.
A Malayalam corrupt form of –
PRAVRATTIKKARAN.
From Sanskrit Pravratti (= occupation, business) and Sanskrit karan (=
doer, one who has to do with).
Stewards or managers for Janmis or proprietors on estates or fields kept under
their own direct management.
Note.- The officers who collect the revenue from ryots in Cochin and
Travancore are called Pravrattikars.
MANNATTAPPAN.
From Dravidian Mannadi (= immigrant landowners in Palghat) and Dravidian
appan (— father).
A caste of Vellalars or cultivating Sudras residing in certain Hobalis of the Palghat
Taluk, who are said to have come from Kangayam in the Coimbatore province, and
who are now so intermixed with the Nayars as not to be distinguished from them
except when a Tiyan addresses them and gives them this appellation instead of
Nayar. In Kangayam they are called Mannadi.
MAPPILLA.
From Ma, that is, Sanskrit Maha (= great) and Dravidian pilla (= child, honorary
title).
A tribe of Mussulmans in Malabar whom Europeans call Mappillas. They are
supposed to be descendants of the Arabs who first settled on the Malabar Coast,
and in some families the inheritance by nephews, instead of sons is observed, the
same among the Nayars, but generally the succession is by sons. Some derive the
name from Ma, mother, and pilla, son, implying that they are the sons of their
mothers, but that their fathers are unknown in consequence of the promiscuous
intercourse between the first Arab settlers and the Native women of Malabar.
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Others, from Makkal daughter, and pilla, son, literally, but meaning son-in-law, that
is son to the man whose daughter he has married. Makkalpilla is usually
pronounced Mappilla. Makkalpilla is the common word for son-in-law in Tamil.
Mokhaeepilla, or people from Mokhaee, as Mocha is usually pronounced, is another
derivation. The Rajas, in writing to a Mappilla, designate him Jonakan, and they are
often called Jona Mappillas. The Kestorian Christians are called Nassrani Mappillas.
The number of Mappillas in Malabar, according to an account taken in 1807,
amounts to 172,600.
Notes.—1. Dr. Gundert’s view is that Mappilla was an “honorary title given to colonists
from the West, perhaps at first only to their representatives." The name is not confined
to Muhammadans.
2. The number of Mappillas (Mnhaimnadans) in Malabar at the census taken in 1871 was
546,912.
MARICHAM.
(Sanskrit) = pepper.
The Sanskrit name for the pepper. The Hindustani word mirch is evidently derived
from it.
MARYADA.
(Sanskrit) = limit, boundary, custom.
Which in Tamil means honour, respect; signifies in the Malabar province the
custom, the usage, and corresponds exactly with the Hindustani word mamool.
MELKKOYMA.
From Dravidian mel (= above) and Dravidian konma or koyma (= royal
authority).
Note.—Melkkoyma was the right the sovereign power possessed over property of which
the ownership was in others. Malabar Rajas not now being sovereigns have no longer
Melkkoyma rights.—N.H.C., 118 (1861).
MENAVAN or Menon.
From Dravidian mel (= above), and Dravidian avan (= he).
Is the accountant or register, and answers to Karnam and Kanakkapilla
(Conicapoly). The appellation is generally, if not always, confined to an accountant of
the caste of Nayar.
Note.—The accountants of Amsams (parishes) are now styled Menons.
MENI VILACHCHAL.
From Dravidian Meni (= body, shape, sample, average article), and Dravidian
vilachchal (= produce of corn).
Means in one case the number of fold. If you ask the Meni Vilachchal, or
produce of an extent of land requiring so many paras of seed to sow it (in a single
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crop), it is usual to state the Vilachchal, or produce, of the best crop, and not the
aggregate of the different crops. For instance, the first crop may produce 8 paras,
the second 10, and the third 6 : instead of saying 24, the answer would be 10.
It means also the gross produce. The number of fold produced from one para
of seed land (or land which requires one para to sow it for a single crop) is about
514/16 in the province of Malabar upon applying the total gross produce (15,571,268
paras) to the total seed sown (2,638,168 paras) according to the accounts rendered
by the Janmakars in 981. The assessment being proposed to be regulated on the
principle of deducting seed and the same quantity under the name of Vittuvalli or
expense of cultivation, and also one-third for the cultivator, and dividing the
remainder in the proportion of 6 in 10 to the Sircar and 4 in 10 to the Janmi, the
Government assessment comes to 184/5/16 of a para for every para shown, or about
266/15 per cent of the gross produce.
Note.—The distribution a of wet land produce, according to the scheme drawn up by
Mr. Richards and approved by Government (1803-4), is known as the Villachchal meni
pattam (q.v.) scheme.
MENNOKKI.
From Dravidian mel (= above, and Dravidian nokkuka (= to look at, view, look
after).
The common name formerly for accountants in the Kurumbranad and Polwye
and Pyurmala Districts and in the Kartavus or lordships of Vadakkampuram, and
Kilakkampuram, or the Northern and Southern Divisions of the Calicut District.
MODAN and PUNAM.
Mean generally high lands where a particular kind of paddy is capable of being
cultivated, and where the oil-plant and millet and toor are also planted. In the
Northern Division that land only is called Punam in which there is a great deal of
underwood, and which can only be cultivated once in six years ; and that Modan
which is high land, but not overgrown with wood, and capable of being planted
with coconut, etc., trees ; but in the Southern Division Modan is the only name and
Punam is not known. The Punam is never ploughed, but always dug. The plough
could not make its way through the roots of the underwood. The seed is sown, or
rather placed in the holes dug, dry and not sprouted.
Rice sown on high orchard land.
Note.—Modan cultivation is now assessed at a uniform rate of 12 annas per acre in the
low-country taluks, and Punam cultivation at rates varying from 8 annas to 12 annas per
acre. The assessment is imposed only on the breadth of ground annually occupied.
MRIGAM NADKKALI.
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Mrigam (Sanskrit) == quadrupeds, wild animals. Nalkkali (Dravidian) =

quadrupeds, tame animals.
Four-footed animals. In the Southern Districts of Malabar a permanent
allowance has, by ancient custom, been made by proprietors in fixing the pattam for
estimated losses by animals, whilst in the Northern Districts no allowance was
made for this and other items, such as Veli Nellu ; but the proprietors take upon
themselves the expense of protecting their fields from cattle and pay it out of their
pattam, each contributing so much to one or more persons appointed to watch a
particular tract.
MUDA.
(Dravidian) = load, bale.
Means, literally, a fastening, or bundle, or package. It is applied to the packages
in a circular form, like a Dutch cheese, fastened with whisps of straw, in which rice
is made up in the south of Malabar and Canara. It is uniformly of the same size,
containing 25 Macleod seers. In the Sea Custom accounts the Muda of rice is
reckoned at 81 lb. and of paddy at 55 lb.
MUKHYASTHAN.
From Sanskrit mukhyam ( = chief, principal) and Sanskrit stham ( = staying).
Is quite a modem term, introduced since Hyder’s invasion, in lieu of the
Taravattukarar or heads of villages. Though it may be derived from the Sanskrit
word Mukhyam or chief, it is doutbful whether Mukhyastan, which was unknown in
Malabar, was not an imitation of the Persian word Mokhtusir, which was common
in the Mysore durbar and means a person of authority, a chief.
Note. - Mr. Græme, contrary to other observations made by him, here alludes to the
Taravattukarur as being the heads of villages. See Tara, and Ur, and Madhya--stanmar and
Taravattu-karanavar.
MUKKATAVALI.
From Dravidian munnu ( == three) and Dravidian Katam ( =- about five
EngHsh miles, a league), and Dravidian vali ( = ruler).
The limit of the jurisdiction of a Kartavu of 3,000 men, extending to 3 Katam.
MUKKUVAR.
From Dravidian mukkuka (= to dip, immerse, plunge) and Dravidian avar ( =
they).
A tribe of fishermen in Malabar whom Europeans call Mucquas ; their number,
according to an account taken in 1807, was 12,369.
Note.—“Said to be immigrants from Ceylon with Ilavar” (q.v.) —Gundert.
MUTTUVALLI.
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William Logan
From Dravidian mullu ( = thorn) and Malayalam valli ( = proper subsistence
given in kind to slaves or day-labourers).
Literally, thorn expense, the expense of taking care of plantations. It is synonymous
with Ali Silavu.
MUNNU or Nalu Meni Nilam.
Munnu (Dravidian) = three ; Nalu (Dravidian) == four ; Meni (Dravidian) =
average ; Nilam (Dravidian) = rice-field.
A paddy-field requiring only one para of seed and capable of producing three and
four fold.
MURI.
(Dravidian) == a fragment, note, bond, receipt.
A receipt.
MUTIRA.
(Dravidian) = horsegram.
Horsegram, answering to Kollu in Tamil, Kooltee in Hindustani.
NADUVALI.
From (Dravidian Nadu) = the country, a (province) and Dravidian valuka ( = to
live, to live well, rule).
He was not considered a Naduvali who had not at least 100 Nayars attached to
his range ; any number below that ranked a person as a Desavali.
Notes.—1. See Desam and Tara, and Kuttam.
2. Mr. Græme is here referring to the modern idea of a Naduvali. In ancient the Nad was
the territory of the Six Hundred, of the Kuttam, of the Kanakkar, supervisors, protectors,
Nayar militia.
NALUBHAYAM.
From Dravidian nalu ( == four) and Sanskrit ubhayam (= garden produce in
North Malabar).
Means the four products, and is applied in the Northern Division of Malabar to
the produce, collectively, of the coconut, the betel-nut, the pepper and the jack
tree.
Note.—The fifth in degree of importance was the Kodi, betel-leaf vine.
NAMBIYAR.
Honour, plural of Dravidian nambi ( = a title among Nayars).
A caste of Nayar ; the caste is distinguished by this termination to their name.
NAMBUTIRI or Namburi.
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From Dravidian Nambuka ( == to trust, confide) and Sanskrit affix tiri ( == tiru
= sri = blessed, fortunate).
A Brahman of Malabar.
NAYAN, plural Nayar.
(Sanskrit) = leader, in honorific plural, lord ; in ordinary sense, soldiers, militia.
A caste of Hindus in Malabar classed among the Sudras ; their number, from an
account taken in 1807, was 156,283. Among Nayars nephews, and not sons, are
entitled to succeed to property. This material point being established, the law of
shares among relations follows in other respects the general Hindu law of
succession. There are some Nayar families in Travancore who circumcise. The origin
of this custom, does not seem clearly known. There is some faint tradition that
there was a forcible, but partial, circumcision of natives of Malabar by people from
Arabia long before Hyder’s invasion. The word Nayar has much resemblance to the
Gentoo word Nayadu, to the Canarese and Tamil Nayakkan, and to the Hindustani
Naig ; all titles of respect, applied in the manner that Sahib is at the end of a name.
NIKUTI CHITTU.
Nikiti or Nikuti, from Arabic nagdi ( === ready-money) or Canarese nigadi ( =
instalment) or Sanskrit niti ( =:= right, proportion, law, justice), means the land-
tax payable in money introduced by the Muhammadans (Mysoreans).
Chittu (Dravidian) = note, bill.
A document given by the Sircar to every person who is to pay the Nikuti or
public revenue showing the annual amount of Nikuti he is to pay.
NIKUTI Sishtam.
Nikuti (q.v.) Sishtam (Sanskrit) == balance.
Is where the Kudiyan gives to Janmakar in pattam whatever remains in the pattam
after paying the Nikuti.
Different ways in which it is settled in the districts south of the Kotta river, viz. :
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William Logan
NIKUTTI Vittu.
Nikuti (q.v,). Vittu (Dravidian) = seed.
Is the quantity of seed assessed in the time of Hyder by the Huzzur Nikuti
accounts. It is in contradistinction to the Vittu, which is the seed required to
sow the land for one crop.
Note.—In Wynad also the actual seed sown is not always shown in the accounts.
NIRMUTAL.
From Dravidian nir ( = water) and Dravidian mutal ( = property, money).
Is a compound of Nir, water, and Mutal, property ; figuratively it means that
additional property or security is acquired to the mortgagee by a pledge given by
the proprietor that he will perform the ceremony of giving water to the mortgagee.
It is a kind of mortgage, without possession, of the additional right which the act of
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giving water confers. After the execution of this deed, the proprietor cannot
transfer the land to another without the express consent of the mortgagee. It is still,
however, in his power to redeem the mortgage by payment of the debt. At this
stage of the mortgage the proprietor has generally received 10 per cent upon the
sum specified in the deed of Otti in addition to that which he had received under
the deed of Ottikkumpuram. The amount of the debt, but not the pattam, is
specified m this deed.
Note.—When the landlord requires to borrow a still further sum on the security of land
assigned to an Otti mortgagee to whom he has already executed an Ottikkumpuram deed, he
is bound first to apply to such mortgagee, and if the latter should consent to make the
required advance, the landlord gives him a Nirmutal document, by which he makes over to
him all but the right of water. Such further advance is recoverable with the amount of the
original mortgage, the Otti claim being, in fact, merged in the Nirmutal deed. In this case, as
in that of an Ottikkumpuram transaction, if the mortgagee decline to make the advance, the
landlord may obtain it from a third party, who satisfies the claim of the original mortgagee
and comes into possession. In any of the three cases last mentioned the landlord is at liberty
at any time to pay off the mortgage and redeem his property.—(Proceedings of the Court
of Sadr Adalat, No. 18, dated 5th August 1856).
NOKKICHARTTA or Nokkiyelutta Peimasi.
From Dravidian Nokki ( == having looked) and Dravidian chartta ( = assessed)
or Dravidian Elutta ( = written). Peimasi = (Persian) Pymaish.
Terms in use for survey. The latter seems to have been introduced only in
Tippu’s time. The surveys, except what was made by Mr. Warden in 983, are not to
be understood as meaning an actual measurement of the land by square feet, but
merely a calculation of the quantity of seed necessary for sowing with respect to
paddy, or an inspection of the number and a valuation of the produce of trees with
respect to orchards.
OART.
Used in the Commissioners’ correspondence of 1793 for garden. The
Portuguese word is Horta, and its origin is evidently from Hortus.
OPPU.
From Dravidian okka ( = together, all), means agreement, and hence a signature
as the mark of agreement.
Is the signature. A fee upon one of the parties signing a new mortgage-deed
respecting land.
OTTI.
From Dravidian Otta ( = one, single), hence ottuka ( = to step aside, make room
for another) and otti ( = the stepping aside to make room for another, or,
perhaps, the substitution of one thing for another).
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In former times the Otti deed was scarcely ever executed before the Pattola
deed. It was the consequence of the mortgagor becoming involved in a greater
degree than when he first incurred the debt to the mortgagee. It is a deeper stage
into debt. In the present times it is very usual for persons to borrow to that extent
at once, without going through the preliminary step of Panaya Pattam to render it
necessary to execute the Otti deed.
In this deed the amount of the debt only is specified and not the pattam or
rent. In this stage of mortgage the interest of the debt is equal to the annual pattam,
and the mortgagee pays no pattam to the proprietor. It is also called Veppu (in
Palghat) and Palisa Madakku (in Nedunganad and Walluvanad), which latter term is
expressive of this characteristic feature.
The mortgagor under this deed and under the subsequent deeds, which
indicate advanced stages of the mortgage, is not entitled to polichcheluttu and its
concomitant advantages, Sakshi, etc., etc.
He is considered to have already received two-thirds of the value of his
mortgaged land, and to be entitled to one-third more before he has relinquished his
proprietary right.
Though this and other deeds have certain defined rules, it must not be
understood that they are rigidly observed with respect to the proportion to the
whole estimated value of the Janmam or proprietary right which should constitute it
to be one kind of deed or another, but the particular sums to be given will be
exceeded where the quality of the land and the great demand on the part of others
may render the mortgagee apprehensive of losing possession, and in other cases the
Janmi may not get so much as is supposed in these explanations.
Under this deed, as the proprietor receives no rent from the land, he must
be considered to have lost all interest in it, and to be wholly inefficient for the
purpose of improving it ; he is no longer even a pensioner upon it.
Notes.—1. This tenure gives the mortgagee possession and the entire produce
of the land, the landlord merely retaining the proprietary title and the power to redeem.
Where no period has been stipulated, the landlord may pay off the mortgage at any
time. The principal alone is repayable, the mortgagee recovering the interest of his
money from the produce of the land If the landlord be desirous of raising a further sum
and the Otti mortgagee refuse to advance it, the money may be received from a third
party and the mortgage transferred to him. But the original mortgagee has a right to be
first consulted.—(Proceedings of the Court of Sadr Adalat, No. 18, dated 5th August
1856.)
2. The following are some of the decisions of the Courts. An Otti holder, like a
Kanakkaran, forfeits his right to hold for 12 years by denying his Janmi’s title.—2
M.H.C.K , p. 161. An Otti holder is entitled to the first chance of supplying his Janmi’s
deeds for further loans.—M.S.C., 17 (1860) ; M.S. decisions (I860), p. 249. The words
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“Kanam free from the payment of rent" will not enlarge that Kanam right into an Otti
right.—M.S.C., 142 (1870). Until the Otti holder refuses to purchase it the Janmam right
cannot be sold to another person. S.S.C., 344—358 (1855). The offer to sell the Janmam
right must be “at a reasonable rate.”—N.D.C., 64 (1859). A Janmi can at any time call on
an Otti holder to purchase the Janmam right, and, on his refusal, he can sell his rights to
whom he pleases. M.S.C., 30 (1857). To grant land on Janmam to a third party without
the Otti holder’s consent is directly at variance with the general usage of the country.
S.D.C., 135—155 (1854). The Otti holder is entitled to the refusal of the opportunity of
making a further advance—M.S.C, 17 (1860) and 1 M H.C.R., p. 356. The right to hold
for 12 years probably attaches to an Otti.—N.D.C., 28 (1862) ; M.H.C., 380 (1862). The
difference between a Kanam and an Otti pointed out : the latter includes (a) the right of
pre-emption of Janmam, and (b) Janmi’s right is reduced to a mere pepper-corn rent —
M.H.C., 101 (1862).
DRAVYAM.
(Sanskrit) = object, movable property, money.
The amount of Otti received by the Janmi when giving his property under the tenure
of Otti.
OTTIKKUM PURAMEYULLA KANAM.
(Literally) the Kanam which is in addition to the Otti.
May be considered the third stage of mortgage. The mortgagor has borrowed 10
per cent more than the sum he had received when he executed the deed of Otti.
The deed specifies the amount of debt with this addition, and makes no allusion to
the pattam. The mortgagor is as little entitled to Polichcheluttu, Sakshi, and Suchi under
this as under the deed of Otti.
If the mortgagor should pay off the mortgage debt, he must also under this deed,
and under all the deeds executed at subsequent stages of the mortgage, pay the
interest of the additional 10 per cent from the time he borrowed it, with this
qualification, that it does not exceed double the amount of the principal from
which it sprung.
Ottikkumpuram means above or beyond the Otti.
Under this deed the mortgagor has still the power of transferring the property to
another or recovering the possession for himself by redeeming the debt.
The addition to the Otti deed which makes this deed called Ottikkum puram is not
necessarily limited to 10 per cent. The mortgage retains this denomination till it
becomes deep enough to be classed under Nirmutal.
The amount of the debt, but not the pattam, is specified in this deed.
Note.—When the landlord wishes to obtain a further sum he applies to the Otti
mortgagee, and on receiving it executes this deed to him, in which he binds himself to
repay the amount at the same time that he pays off the mortgage. The mortgagee must
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William Logan
always have the option of making such further advance, but if he decline, the landlord
may apply to a third party and assign the property to him, the latter paying off the claim
of the original mortgagee.—(Proceedings of the Court of Sadr Adalat, No. 18, dated 5th
August 1856.).
PALISA.
(Malayalam) = interest on money, distinct from interest on rice (= Polu, or
Palisa).
Interest. The subjoined are the denominations of the different kinds of Palisa and
the meaning of them in the Southern Division of Malabar, not including Palghat
and Temmalapuram, where the Janmakar’s and tenants’ pattam rate is one gold fanam
for 2 paras. In the Northern Division it is generally 2 silver fanams for 1 para, but in
Kavai alone it is 1 silver fanam for 1 para. The terms of interest which in this table
indicate so many years’ purchase for the Southern Division generally have not the
same meaning in the Northern Division or in the Palghat and Temmalapuram
Districts of the Southern Division, for which there ought to be a separate table.
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Remarks.—No. 1. May be explained to be an interest of one-sixteenth of every Idangali

pattam for every fanam borrowed, or (taking the settled price of 10 Idangalis a fanam) one
hundred and sixtieth part of the principal, or 160 years’ purchase, 10/16 per cent. This
explanation applies to the Palisa upon paddy-fields. In plantations it is customary to refer
its relation to every 10 fanams borrowed. A Makani Palisa is one-sixteenth, to be paid in
interest of one fanam pattam for every ten fanams borrowed. Its centage, number of years’
purchase, and proportion to the principal, are the same as in paddy lands.
No. 2 (Blank.)
No. 3. After deducting the proportion for the assessment, this rate of interest
prevails in some places.
No. 4. After deducting the proportion for one assessment, this rate is the most
prevalent.
No. 5. Not in use before the introduction of the land assessment, but now in some
places it prevails inclusive of the Nikuti.
No. 6. Not in use before, but now is in use inclusive of the assessment. When the
assessment is half the pattam, the Ner Palisa, including the Nikuti, is equivalent to the
Palisa exclusive of the Nikuti.
TIKAPPALISA.
From Dravidian Tikayuka = to become fall, complete) and Palisa (q.v.).
With respect to plantations has the same meaning as Ner Palisa in regard to rice-
lands. It is the full interest or 10 per cent., that is, it is 10 fanams given in purchase
for every fanam pattam (rent). It is the highest interest on land recognised by custom
; any excess above it would be usury.
KADAMVAYPA.
From Dravidian Kadam (= debt) and Dravidian vaypu ( = growth).
Rate of interest observable in loans of money, in contradistinction to the interest
on land mortgage loans, which is much lower, but in Ernad and Vellatra many
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William Logan
Janmakars have been obliged to borrow part of the money upon which their land is
mortgaged on the terms of the Kadamvaypa.
PALISA MADAKKAM.
From Palisa (q.v.) and Dravidian Madakkam ( = return).
Used in Palghat.
The chief feature of this deed1 is that the interest of the money borrowed is
equal to the value of the pattam in the possession of the mortgagee, and in this
respect it exactly resembles the Otti deed. In it, however, the pattam is specified
(which is not the case in the Otti deed) as well as the amount of the debt.
It is rather more favourable to the Janmakar than the Otti deed, because, as long
as the mortgage has not reached the point of Otti, the Janmakar is at liberty2 to raise
his terms, and the specification of the pattam gives him the means of doing it.
Under the Otti deed the knowledge of the pattam is lost in former deeds, and the
proprietor, it is well known, has no right to more than half as much again as he has
already received. He has already got two-thirds of the whole value of the Janmam.
Notes.—1. See Otti.
2. The foot-notes to Mr. Græme’s text are by an experienced Native Revenue
official.
NOTEs: 1. Otti and Palisa Madakkam are one and the same, at present at all events.
2. The distinction is scarcely maintained at the present time. END OF NOTEs
PALLIYAL, or PALLIYALI, or PAILLNYAYAL, or PALLIMANYAYAL.

Pallimanyayal from Dravidian Palli or Pallam ( == pit, hole, excavation) and
Dravidian Nyaru or Naru (= what rises above ground, young plant fit for
transplantation).
The highest stage of Ubhayam, a low rice-land ; it corresponds, I think with
the bill of Canara The paramba may be called the high land which is not artificially
irrigated.
In one kind of Palliyal or Pallimanyayal or Potta there is no cultivation. It
only answers for sowing seed to be transplanted to lower lands.
Note.—Pallimanyayal was originally land excavated for rearing rice plants for
transplantation.
PALPARAMBU.
From Dravidian Pal ( = an empty, void, desolate, waste place) and Dravidian
Parambu ( = high ground, orchard, garden).
A destroyed garden.
PANAYAM.
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From Dravidian root pan ( = to exchange, buy, bet) = bet, stake, pledge,
mortgage.
In speech this deed is often designated the Todu Panayam deed with
reference to its character, which corresponds with the Tors Udawoo deed of Canara.
By this deed the Janmi engages to pay a certain interest for money
borrowed, or, in failure thereof, to make over to the Panayakkaran or mortgagee
certain lands therein named.
In some cases the term for repayment of the principal is specified, in
others it is omitted ; but it is supposed the mortgagee has a right to be put into
possession of the land if the mortgagor do not pay upon the demand of the
mortgagee.
If the Janmi decline putting the mortgagee into possession in failing to pay
the interest, the mortgagee is in the habit of bringing an action for the recovery of
the principal and interest by any means, whether by the sale of the mortgaged land
alone or by the sale of other property belonging to the Janmi ; and the Judicial
Courts, it is said, pass their decisions conformably to this principle.
If the Janmi, upon failing to pay the interest, were immediately to put the
mortgagee in possession, the latter, it is thought, would have no right to sue for
recovery of the debt by any other means.
Under this deed the Janmi has properly no right to dispose of the Janmam in
the mortgaged land without the consent of the mortgagee ; but if any transfer of
the kind should be clandestinely made, may insist upon the purchaser paying his
demand or placing him in the possession of the land.
Where a mortgagee is placed in possession under this deed, he is to pay to
the Janmi the residue of the pattam after deducting the mortgage interest.
Under this deed there is no right of Polichcheluttu, Sakshi, Oppu, and Suchi.
Notes.—1. The land is here pledged as security for the repayment, with interest, of
certain sums advanced, but the lender has no right to interfere m the management of
the property. In some cases it is stipulated that on failure on the part of the borrower to
pay the interest, the lender shall be placed in possession of the land. Where such
stipulation exists, the lender can sustain an action for possession ; in other cases he must
sue for the recovery of the principal and interest of the loan, the land being liable in the
event of the money not being paid. (Proceedings of the Court of Sadr Adalat, No. 18,
dated 5th August 1856.)
2. The tender of the mortgage amount makes the person to whom tender is made
responsible for rent from date of tender.—M.S.C., 134 (1857). A simple mortgagee has
no claim to improvements.—S.D.C., 338 (1877).
3. This deed was evidently a mortgage without possession of the land interest pledged.
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PANAYA ELUTTUKARAN.
From Panayam (q.v.) and Eluttukaran (Dravidian) = writ, or deed-holder.
A creditor of a Janmi, to whom the actual possession of the estate is not;
consigned, but to whom the Janmi has engaged to consign it in failure of payment
by a certain time. It depends upon the terms of the deed whether the land becomes
in the possession of the mortgagee or not.
PANDAKKAVAL.
From Dravidian Pandal ( = temporary shed of leaves) and Dravidian Kaval ( =
custody, guard, watch).
A watching fee, consisting of the crop of a certain portion of the field, which a
slave receives from his master for his trouble. Kaval is watching and Pandal is the
awning or cover under which the slave sets to watch.
Note.—See Kolulabham and Ennam and Patam.
PANDARAM.
(Dravidian) = treasury, government.
Term commonly used in Malabar for expressing the Government.
PANDI.
(Dravidian) = the Southern Tamil country with Madura as capital.
The name given to a tribe of Christian fishermen and palanquin-bearers on the
Malabar Coast, whom I have seen at Cannanore. They are supposed to have come
from, the southernmost part of the Malabar Coast, viz., Travancore, and, perhaps,
from the Tinnevelly province originally.
PANIKKAR.
A kind of Master of Arts, formerly held in great respect in families as teachers
of the use of arms and of martial exercises of all kinds.
The agent having jurisdiction either in a village or in a Hobaii on the part of the
Kartavu, or lord of the Nad or district, to whom intermediate references are made
from the Adiyans or vassals of the Kartavu.
PARA.
(Dravidian) = a drum, a rice measure.
In the Malabar province means generally ten of the measure next in quantity to
it, that is, ten Idangalis or Dangalis, whatever may be the quantity of the latter. It is
nearer to the mercal than to any other measure at Madras.
The standard para which appears in Mr. Græme’s statements of assessment
contains ten Macleod Idangalis each Idangali being four Calicut Nalis and 3,000
Idangalis a garce.
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Note.- See Vittupad.

PARAMBU.
(Dravidian) = high, dry ground, orchard, garden, compound.
May be considered the high land, whether cultivated with Modan rice, the oil-
plant, the chama (Panicum miliaceum), or coconut and other trees, which is not
capable of being inundated or irrigated artificially, and it does not apply exclusively
to garden land as I at first thought it did.
Todi or Tottam.
(Dravidian) == garden.
Terms used for gardens and plantations.
PASUMA or Pasima.
(Dravidian) = freshness, softness, richness of soil.
Rasi.
(Sanskrit) = (a heap) with Dravidian Kuru ( = class), means poor, light soil.
Terms used for distinguishing the qualities of lands, viz., Pasima is the first, Rasi
Pasima the second, and Rasi the third sort.
PATAM.
(Dravidian) = share of reapers.
It is a term used for the expense of reaping, reckoned 10 per cent. In some
places this proportion is given after the paddy is measured out, in others one out of
ten sheaves is given in the field.
Note.—See Ennam, Kolulabham, and Pandakkaval.
PATTAM.
Probably from Dravidian padu ( = falling, falling into one’s power, place,
situation, order, office, rank of officials and of princes, etc.), hence probably
meaning the share of the produce of land due to officials and princes, and
latterly to Janmis or other proprietors of land. It was probably at first written as
patta-varam ( = the pad's share (varam) of the produce).
The fixed proportion agreed to between a Janmi and cultivator to be given
to the Janmi as his share or rent ; this proportion is usually paid in kind for rice
cultivation and in money for plantations.
In settling the pattam of coconut trees it has, in most places in Malabar,
been the custom to give 20 per cent of the kulikkanam money, that is, of the value
of the trees. Where the cultivator has demanded immediate payment of the value,
the pattam has almost everywhere been settled at two-thirds of the estimated
produce. 7 1/2 rupees has been the general price almost everywhere in the central
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Southern Districts, at which the produce has been commuted between the
proprietor and tenant in settling the pattam. At Tellicherry, Kadattanad, Kolattunad
and Kavai the rate is 10 rupees The Mappilla proprietors along the coast frequently,
however, take their pattam in kind and dispose of it to the best advantage.
Note.—See “Varam” and note to cl. (i) of Deed No. 3, App. XII. See also Chapter IV,
Section, (a) of the Text. The kulikkanam money was the value not of the trees, as Mr.
Græme asserts, but of the Janmi's share of the produce of the trees, the pattam in fact. It
would never have paid any one to have planted a garden and to have undertaken to pay
as annual rent one-fifth of the value of the trees, but one-fifth of the value of the Janmi's
share of produce (pattam) was a very moderate annual rent.
PATTAKKARAN
From Pattam (q.v.) and Sanskrit Karan ( = doer, one who has to do with).
The tenant on a simple lease without any mortgage incumbrance.
Note.—The tenant simply yielded up the whole of the Janmi's share of the produce, that
is of the pattam. It was the pattam which was not encumbered by mortgage—not the
land.
KANI.
(Dravidian) =- something to be seen, gift.
Is an allowance, or offering, or tribute, of one Poti of paddy for every Poti of
seed-land, which the cultivator makes to the proprietor in Wynad, answering to the
Nikuti Sishtam of other taluks. Ramasvami, formerly Tahsildar of Wynad, says the
Poti is given for every Poti seed of assessment, which is different from the Poti
seed-land and answers to the Nejja moodee in Canara.
Synonymous with Pattam and Varam, and is used in the Wynad country for the
landlord’s rent.
VARAM.
(Dravidian) == share in general, landlord’s share, rack-rent, chiefly of rice-lands
(pattam of trees). — (Gundert).
The proportion given to the proprietor by the cultivator from the produce of
his land. This proportion is not fixed, but depends on the actual produce, and the
proprietor receives either half, or more or less, according to their agreement, which
is made with respect to the quality of the land.
Note.—Pattam was probably originally patta-varam. In the ancient system certain
individuals held the Varakol (share-staff) and distributed the produce. See Deed No. 3,
App. XII, Conf. Nakachchal.
VARAM PATTAM.
See Varam and Pattam.
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Malabar
Though in general these two words are synonymous to express the

landlord’s share of the produce on all kinds of land—Varam being used in the
Northern and Pattam in the Southern Districts of Malabar—it appears that Varam
is used in the districts south of the Kotta river in a more limited way, that is, it is
confined to mean the landlord’s share arising from lands producing Modam or hill
paddy and Till only, and no other descriptions of land.
Note.—Doubtful if this is so now.
VERUMPATTAM.
From Dravidian veru ( = empty, bare) and pattam (q. v.).
Simple rent unencumbered with mortgage interest.
Notes.—1- The following are a few of the Civil Courts’ rulings. —Verumpattakkar are
entitled on eviction to the value of improvements, whether these have been effected
with or without the knowledge of the Kanakkar or Janmi. This is an ordinary usage in
the country.—S.D.C., 40 (1854). A tenancy expressed to be for one year is not
necessarily determined at the end of the year. If the tenant remains in possession he
holds as a tenant from year to year.—S.D.C , 400 (1877), 437 (1878). Although it is not
open for a tenant to deny his lessor’s title, it is open to him to show that the title has
ceased.—N.D.C., 413 (1861), 73 (1862) ; S.D.C., 172 (1877). A lessee is debarred from
disputing that his lessor had no title.—S.S.C., 366 (1854). Semble: Lessor’s transferee’s
lack of title.—M.S.C., 103 (1859). Encroachments by a tenant on adjoining waste are for
the benefit of the landlord, — S.D.C., 438 (1877), 559 (1877). A tenant cannot of right
claim remission on account of loss by drought.—S.D.C., 60 (1878). 133 (1878).
2. This lease runs only for a single year, unless otherwise specified. At the end of the
year the landlord is at liberty either to renew the lease or to let the land to another
tenant ; but he cannot, under any circumstances, disturb the tenant in his enjoyment
until the year has expired. Where the lease is for a specified period, the tenant cannot be
ejected during that period unless he endeavours to defraud the landlord or allows the
rent to fall into arrears. In either of these cases, however, an action of ejectment will lie
against the tenant.—(Proceedings of the Court of Sadr Adalat, Ko. 18, dated 5th August
1856).
NOTEs: Note.—See Chapter IV, Section (a) of the Text. The records of the Courts having been searched
it is believed that no suits of ejectment were in reality brought before 1856, or at any rate before 1822. The
Janmi used to oust an obnoxious tenant by selling his interest in the land before 1856. END OF NOTEs
VITTA PATI PATTAM.

= literally, pattam equal to half the seed sown.
Where it is half (of seed sown).
VITTOLAM PATTAM.
= literally, pattam equal to seed sown.
Where it is equal (to seed sown).
VITTIRATTA PATTAM.
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William Logan
= literally, pattam equal to double the seed sown.
Where the pattam is double the seed sown.
IRUNALI PATTAM.
= literally, pattam of two Nalis.
That is, two Nalis out of four which make an Idangali. It is used to express an
equal division of the crop between proprietor and tenant, a mode of settlement
which is seldom practised in Malabar, and which is only made for the year. It has
the same meaning as Varam on the Coromandel Coast.
MENIPPATTAM.
From Dravidian meni ( == average) and pattam (q.v.).
Means the pattam or rent of a given extent of land derivable from the aggregate
of the different crops, whilst the Vilachchal meni, or gross produce, refers only to the
best crop, in common parlance, though not in account.
MICHCHAVARAM or MICHCHARAM.
From Dravidian micha ( = height, above) and varam (q.v.).
The balance of pattam or rent after deducting mortgage interest. It is the same as
Purappad.
MELVARAM
From Dravidian mel ( = what is above, above) and varam (q.v.).
The tax upon the pattam or varam which was levied by the Rajas in the Northern
Districts of Malabar before Hyder's time to pay the tribute of the Bednore or
Ikkaree Raja. The Chirakkal Raja states it amounted to 2 in 10 ; in some places it is
said to have been 3 in 10, or 30 per cent of the pattam.
MARUPATTAM.
From Dravidian maru ( = other, next, back again) and pattam (q.v.)
Is the counterpart of the Pattam Pramanam which the Janmi keeps by him,
and may be referred to as a document in failure of the Grandhavari.
It is written upon the Karimbana palm or palmyra leaf.
MUNPATTAM.
From Dravidian ( = priority in time or place, first) and pattam (q.v.).
Note. No condition of 12 years’ enjoyment attaches to a Munpattam lease. — S.B.C.,
215 (1878).
PATTACHCHITTU.
From Pattam (q.v.) and Dravidian chittu ( — a note, bill, bond).
A receipt.
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Note—It is not a receipt, as Mr. Græme says, but a lease given by the proprietor to the
tenant. The counterpart is Marupattam (q.v.).
PATTAMALI or PATTALI.
From Pattam (q.v.) and Dravidian ali ( = a holder).
Is a subordinate officer attacked to a Hindu temple, subject, generally, to
the Uralan or to his locum tenens the Karalan. Generally speaking the office is
hereditary, but the Uralan may procure his dismissal for any crime by representation
to the Raja or the reigning authority.
The hereditary Karanam or register of a Naduvali The fixed or permanent
writer. It is not applied to registers of Desavalis or others.
PATTOLA or PATTAMOLA.
From Pattam (q.v.) and Dravidian Ola ( = palm-leaf, deed).
Is a deed executed by the mortgagor in favour of the mortgagee, making over
certain rice-land to the possession of the latter in consideration of money received,
called Kanappanam. In the deed the amount of the debt is specified, the whole
number of paras pattam which the land yields, the number of paras which are to be
deducted1 for the interest of the debt, and the remaining number of the paras pattam
of rice in the husk, called purappad, which are to be paid to the Janma. It describes
the particular kind of para in which the residue is to be paid, and that it is to be
delivered at the house of the proprietor. The deed states that the Kanam money
received is equal to the pattam, by which is to be understood that the amount of the
principal does not exceed the annual pattam, and it is said that the original intention
of the proprietor receiving an advance was merely that of securing himself against
the tenant failing in the payment of his pattam. The necessities of the proprietors in
aftertimes drove them to borrow far beyond their annual incomes. Though not
specified in the deed, it was formerly customary to give from 3 to 5 per cent, on the
amount of the principal to the proprietor upon making out this deed as a fee2
under the name of Oppu or signature, and further the mortgagee had to give 2 per
cent, under the denomination of Suchi, or the point of the iron style used for
writing the deed. This was given where the Janmi’s established Pattolakkaran or
register was employed, but the fee was less where the mortgagee appointed a
person for the occasion.
NOTEs: 1. Among deductions is likewise the equivalent in paddy of the amount of assessment
on the land in cases in which the tax is agreed to be paid by the mortgagee.
2. At present the rates differ with different Janmis. In some cases these are ad valorem, more
frequently they are fixed. Other fees are usually paid now-a-days, such as fee to attesting witnesses,
and small presents to the mortgagor’s relatives.
In the case of the Zamorin and his Kovilakams the fines and fees ordinarily levied are the subjoined
:—
(1) Avakasam, at so much per para, or fanam, Janmapattam. The rate varies from 8 to 12 annas.
(2) Twenty per cent, on ditto under the name of “Aduppatha.”
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William Logan
(3) Stalat chilavu (expenses on the spot), that is, fees to local Karyastans.
(4) Tiruveluttu valivadu, i.e., the signature fee.
(5) A fee to the agent of the Janmi, who, under a Power of Attorney, admits execution of the
documents before the registering officer. END OF NOTEs
Altogether the Oppu and Suchi are supposed not to have exceeded 5 per cent, on
the amount of the debt in general. But these payments1 have been for some time
discontinued in practice in most places ; they have only reference to a state of
things in which the interest of the mortgage debt bore little proportion to the
annual rent yielded by the land in the possession of the mortgagee, and are too
excessive to be applicable to the altered circumstance of the interest of debts being
equal to the pattam receivable by the mortgagee. With respect2 to this deed it is
understood that if the mortgagee insists upon payment of the mortgage debt, the
mortgagor has a right to deduct from the principal from 10 to 20 per cent, the rate
depending upon local custom, under the name of Sakshi, and he is under no
obligation to return the fees of Oppu and Suchi which he has received.
NOTEs: 1. I dare say they were when paddy was so cheap that the Michcharam received in kind
hardly enabled the Janmi to meet the Government demand.
2. I am not aware that where a mortgagee demands money, any deduction in Kanam is allowed.
The Janmi is not liable to refund fees. Within the last few years a practice has been introduced by
certain janmis of inserting a clause m the Kanam deed whereby the mortgagee is deprived of his right
of holding for 12 years if he keeps rent in arrear or does any act to the prejudice of the Janmi.
Sometimes it is provided that the land shall be surrendered on demand. In all these cases the mortgagee
is entitled to the refund of a fraction of the fines and fees whereof the denominator is 12, while the
numerator is the number of years out of 12 which still remain to run out. The Janmi, however, takes
care to mention in the document only a portion of the fines, etc., actually received by him, and when
it is remembered that only a certain fraction of the principal is claimable, and not interest thereon, the
hardship this practice works on the tenant becomes clear. END OF NOTEs
If the mortgagor refuses payment upon demand, the mortgagee has a right to
withhold the whole of the pattam yielded by the land in his possession until his
claim is satisfied, or he may mortgage the land or sell his interest in it to another.
He has no claim upon any other but the particular property mortgaged belonging
to the mortgagor, or any right of causing the arrest of the mortgagor. If the
mortgagor of his own accord tenders payment of the mortgage debt contrary to the
wish of the mortgagee, he must pay the full amount without any deduction for
Sakshi, and if the mortgagee has not held possession for three years, the mortgagor
must return to him the Oppu and Suchi fees which he has received.
If the mortgagee3 under this deed fails to pay the proprietor the purappad or
residue after deducting the mortgage interest from the pattam, he forfeits all claim
to the debt, and the proprietor has a right to demand restitution of the land. The
Polichcheluttu claimable under this deed seems intended as an equivalent for the
tenant’s profit, named Cherlabham, which he has derived from the land.
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NOTEs: 3. At present the law, except in the cases mentioned in Note 4, is, I believe, that the
Janmi shall sue for rent from time to time, or set off the accumulated rent against the Kanam money at
the end of the 12 years. END OF NOTEs
On the demise4 of the tenant it is a fine of entry to his successor. The amount
of it and the frequency of its renewal seem to depend upon the quality of the soil
and the quantity of Cherlabham which has been enjoyed by the tenant. The latter is
generally ascertained by the competition of neighbours who offer better terms to
the proprietor. In the Northern Division the practice of Silakasu, or taking one
year’s pattam once in three or four years, or a quarter or a third of the pattam every
year, as an equivalent for the Cherlabham, has prevailed in lieu of Polichcheluttu.
Notes.—1. See Kanam and the notes of judicial decisions appended thereto.
2. The foot-notes to Mr. Græme’s text are by an experienced Native Revenue
official of the district.
NOTEs: 4. This is obsolete now. END OF NOTEs
PATTAN
Corruption of Sanskrit bhattan ( = a class of foreign Brahmans). Honorific plural
== pattar, applied as a caste name.
Is the foreign Brahman, not an aboriginal of Malabar. In the Palghat and
Tommalapuram Districts they are the chief money-lenders and traders.
PATTINNU RANDU.
(Dravidian) = literally, two in ten.
Is where the Kudiyan pays only 2 in 10 of the pattam to the Janmi, whatever
the Nikuti may be, and the difference between the Nikuti and what remains is his
profit and loss.
PEPPER - VINE.
By a vine in the public accounts is meant the standard tree supporting a
number of pepper-vines, or as many pepper-vines as there may be clinging to a
standard tree are reckoned as one. The vine of assessment, again, the Nikuti valli, is
as many vines as produce a certain quantity of pepper ; these are counted as one
assessment-vine ; the quantity is 15 Idangalis of pepper in the Southern Division.
Notes.—1. The 16 Idangalis were of green pepper, which would turn out about 6
Idangalis of dry pepper.
2. The pepper-vine assessment was abolished in 1806—7, and an export duty levied
instead. This continued till 1874—75.
PERPETUAL LEASE.
Notes.—1. A perpetual lease is an absolute alienation of the land subject to a perpetual
obligation of paying the quit-rent, but failure to pay the quit-rent will certainly not
justify resumption of the land.—S.S.C., 405 (1854), 10 (1865).
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William Logan
2. A perpetual lease is irredeemable, but usually not assignable.— S.D.C., 188 (1877), 29
(1878), 374 (1878), and 236 (1879).
PERUM ARTHUM or ALUKIYA ATTIPPER.
From Dravidian Perum (from peruka=to bring forth, to obtain, acquire, get) and
Sanskrit (= aim, scope, object desired, gain, wealth, riches, money), and from
Dravidian Alukuka (=to rot, decay) and Attipper (q.v.).
Is a deed under which the Janmi has received the full value of the property
mortgaged and is not entitled to any, the smallest, share of the pattam, or even the
smallest token of acknowledgment of proprietorship, but he withholds the
ceremony of giving water that he may retain the empty title of Jamni.
Notes.—1. This tenure approximates closely to that of Otti, the mortgagee being in
possession and enjoying the whole produce. The peculiarity of this transaction is that
the sum advanced, which is always the full marketable value of the land for the time
being, js not mentioned in the deed ; and the landlord, in redeeming his property, does
not repay the amount originally advanced, but the actual value of it in the market at the
time of redemption. In other respects the same rules that apply to Otti mortgages are
applicable to this also. Deeds of this kind are in use only at Palghat and
Temmalapuram.—(Proceedings of the Court of Sadr Adalat, No. 18, dated 5th August
1856.)
2. Perum Artham is a mortgage under which, when the mortgagor redeems, the
mortgagee is entitled (before restoration of the mortgaged land) to be paid its market
value at the time of redemption, not the amount for which the land was mortgaged.—
I.I.L.R., Madras, 57.
3. Query : Was Janmi, as Mr. Græme says, an empty title after his share of the produce
of the land had been thus mortgaged ? It is contrary to all reason to think so. The Janrni
still retained his ‘‘water contact birthright’' (Nir-atti-peru). With various privileges
attached to it. See Attiperu, Janmam, Sthana-mana-avakasam.
PHALAM.
Sanskrit, probably from Dravidian palam (==ripe fruit), fruit especially of trees,
result, produce.
Fruit, profit, compensation. Under the name of Kaval-phalam or
compensation for protection the Zamorin in 933 M.S. levied a general tax of one
quarter of a Viray fanam upon every para of seed-land specified in Pramanams or
deeds.
A bearing tree.
Note.—It was in parts of Palghat only that the Zamorin levied the tax.
PODI-CHERU.
Podi, dust ; Cheru, mud ; alluding to the different states in which land is before
and after the rains. The seed without preparation is sown in the dry land and the
sprouted seed on the wet.
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POLICHCHELUTTU.
From Dravidian polikka (=to break open, undo) and Dravidian Eluttu (=
writing).
A deed on the periodical renewal of lease, a new bond.
Literally, tearing (of documents). Is the remission or donation which the
mortgagee makes periodically to the Janrni upon the amount of the debt and upon
renewing the mortgage-bond. It was formerly renewed once in twelve years, the
cycle in use before the present Malabar era, and generally speaking may be
reckoned 2 in 10 upon the principal, but every family has its peculiar custom. At
present the twelve years are not observed, but it depends on circumstances. The
former principal is not reduced in the new bond ; for instance, it might have been
1,000 fanams, and the Kanakkaran gives one or two hundreds to the Janmi ready
money, but the 1,000 are brought into the new bond. It is not receivable when the
mortgage has arrived at that stage which is called Otti, nor is it payable upon Kadan
Vayppa mortgage.
POTIPPADU.
From Dravidian poti (==a measure) and Dravidian padu (= falling, subjection,
nature, measure of space, time).
Poti is a measure equal to 30 Idangalis, Potippadu is an extent of land which
requires this quantity of seed to sow it.
POTIPPATTU.
From Poti (q.v.) and Dravidian pattu (=ten).
KAVATTU NEL.
From Dravidian Kayattuka ( =to increase, raise) and Dravidian nel (= unhusked
rice).
The tenth of the seed, the tax which pagodas used to receive from the
Kudiyan’s share in some Hobalis in the Kavali Taluk. It seems to have been
consolidated with the Sircar assessment upon the Company's first survey, and no
adequate compensation provided for the pagodas.
PRABHU.
(Sanskrit) = lord, prince, chief of Nayar militia.
A military chief or leader of a large force.
PRAMANI.
(Sanskrit) = chief, influential person.
Village arbitrators in the time of the Rajas, respectable inhabitants.
PRAVRITTIKKARAN.
(Sanskrit) = man of business. Often corruptly written Parputty or Parbutty.
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William Logan
The native collector of the revenue of a Hobali or subdivision of a taluk or
district, of which there are in general from 9 to 15 to a district. It is rather a modern
term, substituted for the ancient term of Pravrittikkaran.
PROPRIETORS.
It has been supposed (Mr. Warden’s letter to the Board of Revenue, 16th
June 1813) that there are 44,378 proprietors1 in Malabar, the average revenue of
whose estate is 480,000 pagodas, and that there are about 150,000 individuals who
pay revenue direct to Government, whose payments do not exceed 3-3/16 pagodas
each ; that almost the whole2 of the Janmam property is vested in pagodas and
other religious establishments, and that about three-fourths of the land are held
under foreclosed mortgages. This information is founded upon the account given
in by the landed proprietors in 981 or 1805-6 ; but it has not been adverted to that
an immense number of proprietors possess estates in several districts and different
Hobalis.
NOTEs: 1. One-twentieth of them only pay-revenue to Government.
2. This was, perhaps, the state of things at the time this was written, but it is not at
present, although Mr. Chattu Nambiar states that Devaswam lands form not less than one-third of
the Malabar lands. There is probably some truth in the complaint, so frequently preferred of late,
that the Uralars of Devaswams are converting into private (i.e.Taravad) janmam lands belonging to
the pagodas. It is however, I believe, well known that all Devaswams are not public institutions.
Many are strictly private property. It is considered a great point to own a Devaswam, and many
janmis, until quite recently, had a tendency to set apart for their Devaswam lands till then their
Taravad property. Others, again, used to do the same in order to guard against lands being sold by
posterity (it being considered sinful to dispose of pagoda property, but apparently not to
misappropriate the produce thereof) or held responsible by Courts for debts contracted by the
owners of the Devaswams. END OF NOTEs
The account of 981 was made out by Hobalis, and a proprietor who has
estates in many Hobalis appeared separately in the account of each Hobali, or
perhaps three or four times in the account of a district, though properly he should
only have been entered once. The number of proprietors is therefore swelled
beyond all proper proportion, and their actual number is not supposed to exceed
15,000 The number of persons paying revenue direct is much exaggerated from the
same cause, though the payment is certainly in very great detail and the number is
no doubt very large who pay within one rupee.
I have only, however, been able to see Hobaliwar accounts, and many
individuals have to pay in several Hobalis of a district. There are no accounts to
show how much each individual pays in each district. It has been stated that almost
the whole of the Janmam property is vested in the pagodas and other religious
establishments. Much of this property must, however, be considered to belong to
individual Brahmans to whom the whole landed property is said at one time to
have appertained.
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Taking the number of proprietors at 15,000 each estate may be reckoned

to give 32 pagodas revenue, but it is conjectured that half of the whole revenue is
due from estates yielding from 1,000 to 5,000 rupees assessment, though the
proprietors do not themselves hold the lands in their possession or pay the
assessment, the mortgagees being the occupants and paying the revenue.
The mortgaging system has been considered injurious, because the
mortgagee in possession could not improve his land without the risk of being
dispossessed, without affording to the proprietor the temptation to demand more
or to transfer possession to another ; but it must be recollected that the proprietor
cannot dispossess a mortgagee without foregoing the benefit which would be
derivable to him if the mortgagee himself were to require payment of a deduction
of 20 per cent from the mortgage debt under the name of Sakshi ; that it is not
customary to alter a pattam long established upon an average estimate ; that every
fresh demand on the part of the proprietor for an increased rent diminishes his and
strengthens the rights and interests of the mortgagee in the land, gives the latter an
additional mortgage interest and an improved prospect of becoming the ultimate
proprietor.
By the gradual operation of this system the greater part of the mortgagees
have indeed already become the virtual proprietors of the land. It seems to have
been considered that lands were expressly and for the first time made over to
mortgagees to discharge1 an existing debt contracted from causes unconnected with
the occupation of the land ; but the fact is, I believe, that the money was almost
invariably borrowed from tenants who were previously in possession.
NOTEs: 1. I do not believe that in former times the Kanam money was borrowed in order to
discharge debts, for it will, I am sure, be found on investigation that in every case, without
exception, the existing Kanam on any given land might have been borrowed on a mortgage of a
portion of it. The fact is, I believe, that the money was received rather as security for rent. In
short Kanam originally was not mortgage but was lease. Otti was mortgage. A janmi who assigned
land on Otti did so because he was pinched for money. Of this, however, further on.
A “Kanam" is probably equivalent to the Roman emphyteusis, under which the tenant possessed the
right of enjoying all the fruits, and disposing at pleasure of the thing of another, subject to the
payment of a yearly rent to the owner (dominus). The idea of a 12 years’ holding is quite modem.
Indeed it originated, I believe, with Mr. Holloway, who, taking Kanam as equivalent to emphyteusis,
is said to have substituted Vyalavattam or jubilee, and thence argued that under Kanam demise the
tenant was entitled to hold for a Vyalavattam or 12 years.
The meaning of the term Kanam is not clear. It is said by some to be “small fee,” “usufruct,” the
word being of Persian origin. The root may perhaps be "കാണു ു" see, and the meaning,
“money secured on the land,” i.e., seen, visible, or mentioned in the deed ("കാണുംപണം") as
opposed to "കാണാപണം" invisible money, i.e., not secured on the land. The latter term is
widely used in respect of renewal fees. Generally the word kanam is used as meaning money, as in
Kulikkanam, Vettukanam, Tusikanam, etc.
The origin of these loans seems to have been that the tenant should give a
year’s rent (pattam) in advance to the proprietor, either as a necessary security for
payment or as a bonus for the profit he was allowed to enjoy, and the extravagance
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William Logan
or necessities of the proprietor induced them to continue to borrow till the rights
and interests of the mortgagee in the land became stronger than those of the
proprietor. The inherent principle of redemption which the mortgage of Malabar is
described to possess, and which applies strictly to the Kanam tenure alone, is
accountable for by the Cherlabham or cultivator’s profit from the soil, which the
proprietors have allowed them to possess independently of the deduction from the
pattam on account of the mortgage interest. This is the origin of the Polichcheluttu,
the Sakshi, which may be considered fines for the renewal of leases, of 10 and in
some places 20 per cent according to local custom and the degree of profit enjoyed
by the tenant.
Mr. Warden says truly that “The variety and number of the mortgage
tenures, till they reach the deed which for ever alienates the janmam, affords the
most conclusive evidence that can be adduced of the tenacity with which the
ancient landholders clung to the janmam right.” They may also be considered as the
result of a circumspect and jealous1 precaution on the part of the mortgagees, who,
whenever they accommodated the necessities of the janmi, did not fail at the same
time to add gradually but strongly to their securities for the ultimate acquisition of
the proprietary right, for every step of the different mortgages involved a condition
which increased the difficulty of transferring the land to any but the mortgagee.
Notes.—1. The foot-notes to Mr. Græme’s text are by an experienced Native Revenue
official of the district, Mr. P. Karunakara Menon. As regards the derivation of Otti the
derivation shown in its proper place in this Glossary seems preferable ; and as regards
Kanam, the original meaning (supervision, protection) is fixed by Deeds 3 and 4,
Appendix XII.
2. The number of Pattadars in Fasli 1290 (A.D. 1880—81) was 178,790.
3. See Chapter IV, Section (a) of the Text. The fact that the cherlabham or kolulabham
(q.v.), the cultivator’s share of the produce, was “possessed independently of the
deduction from the pattam on account of the mortgage interest” by the cultivator should
have suggested to Mr. Græme that the thing which the Janmi mortgaged under kanam,
otti, etc., was not the soil itself, but the Jamni's interest in the soil, his share of produce,
the pattam in short. And this should also have suggested to him—that the Janmi had only
a limited interest in the soil— that the Janmi was a co-proprietor of the soil not the
dominus thereof.
NOTEs. 1. This is easily accounted for if Kanam is assumed to have been security for rent. Under Kanam,
then, the mortgagee (I use the word because it is convenient) used to enjoy large profits, and he could not
well impose conditions on the janmi. When however, the latter became needy and assigned land on Otti,
the profits to the tenant became smaller and he naturally demanded at least greater permanency of title.
And here I may attempt to derive the term Otti. I believe it is derived from "ഒ ൽ" (which see in Dr.
Gundert’s Dictionary). The verb is "ഒ ക" i.e., to secure (fish) in an "ഒ ൽ". The Otti holder secures
the land to a certain extent, for the janmi cannot sell away to another without first giving the Ottida, the
refusal. END OF NOTEs
PUKIL
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A crop.
PUNJA.
(Dravidian). The name of a rice which is always cut in Medam or Edavam (April
and May), It may be the only crop of the season, for some lands only admit of
one, or it may be the second or the third, but it must be the crop that is cut in
Medam or Edavam to entitle it to the appellation of punja.
PUTTADA.
From pu (Dravidian) == flower.
In the Northern Division of Malabar this species of rice is sown upon
paramba land, whilst the kind of rice sown on lands overgrown with wood, which
requires to be dug rather than ploughed, is called Punam.
REAS pronounce RIAS.
An imaginary coin introduced into the public accounts of the Malabar province,
since the Company became possessed of it, from the Bombay Presidency. There
are 100 of them to a quarter or 400 to one Bombay rupee.
REVENUE.
Different sources of the former revenues of Rajas in Malabar, viz. :
ANKAM.
(Dravidian) = fight, duel, battle-wager.
Was as high as 1,000 fanams or 250 rupees ; was only leviable by the Raja.
It was the money which he received as umpire between two combatants under the
system of battle-wager. These quarrels arose from private feuds and were meant to
wipe off stains cast upon an individual's honour. A preparation and training for
twelve years preceded the battle in order to qualify the combatants in the use of
their weapons. They were not necessarily the principals in the quarrel, generally
their champions. They undertook to defend the cause they had espoused till death.
It was indispensable that one should fall.
Battle-wager or trial by single combat was a source of considerable revenue
to the Rajas in former times, for each combatant was obliged to deposit with the
Raja a certain sum of money. Women were the chief origin of the quarrels which
occasioned these combats. They were confined to the Nayars. They were thought
necessary to prove or disprove the charge of seducing women under particular
protection. It was not indispensable that the parties themselves in the quarrel
should be the combatants. Champions were admitted, and, in general substituted.
The champions settled all their worldly affairs before the onset of the combat, for it
was unavoidable that one must fall. A notification of twelve years took place before
the day of combat.
CHUNKAM.
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William Logan
(Dravidian) == toll, custom.
Customs—land and sea—upon imports and exports. By some said to be
only 2½ and 3 per cent and by others as high as 10. Naduvalis were also entitled to
inland customs.
ELA.
(Dravidian) = fine, penalty, exacting presents.
The systematic usurpation of the estates of such neighbouring Rajas or
Naduvalis or other chiefs as might be incapacitated from poverty or other cause
from governing. The Sastra says the peculiar duty of a king is conquest.
KOLA or CHARADAYAM.
KOLA
(Dravidian) = violence, forced contribution, extortion.
CHARADAYAM.
From (? Dravidian) char (=confidant, third person) and Sanskrit adayam (=
gain, income).
Forced contributions levied by Rajas for particular emergencies according
to the circumstances of the individuals.
TAPPU.
(Dravidian) = blunder.
Fines levied by Naduvalis and Desavalis from their inferiors, and by Rajas from
them, for accidental unintentional crimes.
PILA.
(Dravidian) = slip, fault, fine.
Fines levied in the same manner for intentional crimes, according to the
magnitude of the crimes and the circumstances of the individuals. It might be a
total confiscation of property.
PURUSHANTARAM.
(Sanskrit) = the next generation, succession duty.
Literally, the death of the man. Sums varying from 120 to 1,200 fanams, levied
by Rajas from Naduvalis, Desavalis, heads of commercial corporation, from the
holders of lands in free gift or under conditional tenure, and generally all persons
holding sthanam, manam, or official dignities in the State, They also, in common with
other Janmis or private proprietors, levied Purushantaram from their tenants as a fine
of entry upon the decease of a proprietor or tenant. It has been supposed that the
Rajas were entitled under the head of Purushantaram to a certain share of the
property of deceased Mappillas, but the prevalent opinion is that there was no fixed
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proportion, and that it was not levied generally upon all Mappillas, but was
confined to individuals possessed of wealth and holding situations or privileges
dependent upon the will or favour of the Raja. The Purushantaram was sometimes
enjoyed by the Desavali and Naduvali, instead of the Raja, according to the extent
of right and authority which was granted or usurped, and on all occasions they were
exclusively entitled to the Purushantaram of their own private lands.
PULAYATTA-PENNA.
(Dravidian) == lewd, adulterous women.
Pulayatta-penna, or degraded women, were a source of profit to Rajas ; outcastes,
not exclusively, but chiefly of the Brahman caste, they were made over to Rajas to
take care of. As a compensation for their maintenance and for the trouble of
preventing their going astray again, the family of the outcast were in the habit of
offering to the Rajas as far as 600 fanams or Rs. 150. The Rajas then disposed of
them for money, but their future condition was not exactly that of a slave. They
were generally bought by the coast merchants called Chetties, by whom they had
offspring, who came to be intermarried among persons of the same caste, and in a
few generations their origin was obliterated in the ramifications of new kindred into
which they had been adopted.
PONNARIPPU.
(Dravidian) == (pon) gold (arippu) sifting.
Ponnarippu, the sifting of gold, or, generally, gold dust, was considered a royalty
and the perquisite of the Rajah or the Naduvali as the case might be.
ATTADAKKAM or ATTALADAKKAM.
From Malayalam attam ( = extremity, end) and Dravidian adakkam (=
subjection, possession, enjoyment).
Under the name of Attadakkam the Raja was entitled to the property of
Naduvali, or Desavali or an Adiyan (vassal), or any person who held lands in free
gift, dying without heirs ; and no Datt Swikaram or adoption could be valid without
his sanction. A Naduvali and Desavali enjoyed the same privilege with respect to
persons in the same manner dependent upon them.
ADIMAPPANAM or TALAPPANAM.
From Adima (q.v.) and Dravidian tala ( = head) and Dravidian panam (=
money).
Adimappanam was the yearly payment of 1 and 2 fanams which every
Adiyan was obliged to pay to his Tamburan or patron, whether he was Raja,
Naduvali, Desavali, or other great man.
CHANGNGATAM.
(See note on this word in its proper place in the Glossary.)
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William Logan
Whenever a person wished to place himself under the special protection of
a man of consequence, he paid from 4 to 64 fanams annually for Changngatam, or
companionship or association, making sometimes an assignment on particular
lands for the payment. It was meant for the maintenance of a kind of honorary
sentinel, a belted official peon of the present times, whom the patron furnished to
the person who sought his protection, but this implied also a necessity for the
patron to assist with a stronger force if required in his defence.
RAKSHABHOGAM.
(Sanskrit) — Raksha, protection, and bhogam, enjoyment, hire.
Rakshabhogam payments were much to the same extent and for the same
purposes. It implies an engagement of protection generally without being limited to
any specific aid in the first instance.
KALCHA.
Verbal noun, from Dravidian kanuka (= to see), means perception, offering,
gift.
Note. - Compare Kanam.
(Answering to Nuzzur) or presents of from 2 to 1,000 fanams, according to the
circumstances of the parties, of congratulation and condolence were made to Rajas and
Naduvalis by all ranks of people on occasions of the ascension of Rajas to their pattam or
throne ; of the opening of a newly-built palace, a marriage, a birth, the ceremony of placing
rings on a child, and a death in the family of Rajas and Naduvalis.
ADINYNYA Urukkal or Wrecks
From adinynya (Dravidian) = touched bottom, drifted ashore, and urukkal
(Dravidian) = vessel, ship.
Rajas alone were entitled to shipwrecked vessels or Adinynya Urukkal.
CHERIKKAL or private domains.
From Dravidian cheri ( = assemblage, village), and, perhaps, Dravidian kal ( =
foot, stem, quarter, place in general).
And they besides possessed extensive private domains in proprietary right,
whether by purchases, lapses, or escheats, called Cherikkal.
EIMMULA
From Dravidian ei ( = 5) and Dravidian mula ( = udder).
MUMMULA.
From Dravidian mu ( = 3) and Dravidian mula ( = udder).
CHENOMBU.
Literally, red (chem) horn (kombu).
KANNADAPPULLI
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Literally, eye spotted.

ANAPPIDI
Literally, elephant- catching.
PUVAL.
Literally, spot or speck tail.
KOMBU.
(Dravidian) = horn, ivory.
KURAKA.
(Dravidian) == the quarter, horn, thigh of an animal.
VAL.
(Dravidian) = the tail of an animal.
TOL.
(Dravidian) = the skin of an animal.
KINATTIL-PANNI.
Literally, pig (fallen) into a well.
Rajas and Naduvalis were besides entitled to Eimmula and Mummular, cows
having 5 or 3 dugs ; to Chenkombu, or cattle that had destroyed a man or any animal
; to Kannadappulli, cattle having a white spot near the corner of the eye; Anappidi,
elephants caught ; Puval, a buffalo having a white spot at the tip of the tail ; Kombu,
the tusks of an elephant killed ; Kuraha, the leg of a deer, wild hog, or other eatable
wild animal ; Val, the tail of a tiger ; Tol, its skin : and Kinattil panni, a hog fallen into
a well.
MODERN LAND REVENUE.
The revenue in rice-lands, applying t.he existing professed rates of assessment
per 100 paras to the average value, as fixed by Mr. Græme, of the actual pattam
as rendered by the Janmis in 981, is Rs. 84 3 qrs. 52 reas per cent in the Southern
Division, and Rs. 72 1 qr. 15½ reas in the Northern Division of the pattam, or
for the whole province Rs. 82 0 qr. 1¼ reas.
RICE.
According to Arshed Beg’s Settlement of 1783-4 or M.E. 959 of the Southern
Districts, exclusive of Palghat:-
Total paras sowable 743,031
Deduct fallow 38,386
Sowable land 704,645
Hoons F
Revenue 231,481 4
Seed of rice sown, 3 paras per hoon or 1 para per rupee.
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William Logan
RICE LANDS.
There are 231,114 cawnies of rice-land in the Malabar Province, with the
exception of Wynad, according to the survey by measurement in 983, and
according to Mr. Warden’s abstract accompanying his report to the Revenue
Board of 16th June 1813, of which 149,143 yield only one crop, 59,720 cawnies
produce two crops, and 1,031 cawnies produce three crops ; but deducting
24,214 cawnies for waste and for pagoda and other Inams, there were remaining
assessable to the revenue cawnies 209,899, of which 149,143 produce one crop
only, 59,727 two crops, and 1,031 three crops, According to the Janma Pymaish
accounts of 981 each cawny gives 67 standard paras and 3¼ Idangalis gross
produce, and 5 rupees 42½ reas assessment, if the total revenue of 980 is
applied to the total cawnies.
Note.—The rice-lands of the district are now supposed to measure,
including Wynad, 394,411 acres, and excluding Wynad 366,466 acres, equivalent
to 277.140 cawnies. The total revenue on the rice-lands is Rs. 11,65,921 or Rs.
2-15-5 per acre.
ROBBIN
Is what in the English correspondence is understood by a muda of rice.
I cannot discover its origin.
SAKSHI
(Sanskrit) = witnessing, evidence.
Means renewal or confirmation connected with Polichcheluttu ; 2 in 10 is
given for Sakshi upon the renewal of a mortgage-deed.
Note.—-See Pattola, Polichcheluttu.
SALT.
From Fasli 1216, the first year of the monopoly, to the end of Fasli
1227—
210
Malabar
In Bombay the price rarely exceeds 2 rupees per ton. In 1821 it had
risen to 6 and 7.—{Bombay Gazette, 18th April 1821.) A ton is 2,240 lb, ; a
Madras garce of Bombay salt (reckoning a para at 90 lb. and 120 paras to a
garce) is 10,800 lb. or 4 tons and 1,840 lb. The price of a Madras garce at 2
rupees a ton is therefore 9 rupees 2 quarters and 57 reas. The usual price at
which Bombay salt has been bought in Malabar has been 13 rupees a coomb or
39 rupees a garce at Cannanore, Tellicherry, and Mahe, 42 at Calicut, and 45 at
Ponnani.—(Mr. Warden's report of 3rd October 1828). At 7 rupees a ton the
price is Rs. 33 3 qr. the Madras garce.
According to a letter from Government to the Revenue Board, of 20th
March 1820, the present average consumption of salt in all the territories under
the Madras Presidency may be taken at 25,000 garces ; reckon them at Rs. 112
the garce, monopoly selling price, they will come to 27,90,000 rupees ; but
reckoning 30 per cent, for prime cost and charges, the net revenue will be Rs
19,53,000, or between 5 and 6 lakhs of pagodas. In this calculation there is
nothing authenticated but the number of garces sold.
Note.—The annual average importations of salt for the five years preceding
the introduction of the excise system was 4,2391 garces. Since the introduction (1877)
of the excise system the annual average importation has been 3,016 garces, i.e. 10 garces
of Government salt, 2,596 garces of duty prepaid salt, and 401 garces of foreign salt.
SALT PANS.
The owners of salt pans in Malabar used before the monopoly to
employ labourers for the manufacture of salt, or to let the pans out on rent or
pattam. The pattam was not fixed for a length of time together as on rice-lands,
but depended upon the annual produce. It is generally supposed to have been a
third leaving two-thirds to the manufacturer.
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William Logan
SHANAR.
The name by which Tiyars or toddy-drawers are called in the Temmalapuram and
Palghat Districts, who are not aborigines of Malabar, but come from the
districts to the east of the ghats.
Note.—See Iluvar and Tiyar.
SISHT-BAKKI.
From Sanskrit Sishtam ( = remainder) and Arabic bakhi ( == surplus).
A balance of revenue uncollected from the person from whom due, in
contradistinction to Dast-bakki, a balance collected but not brought to the
account of Government.
SISU or Tei.
Sisu (Sanskrit) = young animal or plant. Tei (Dravidian) = shoot, young tree.
A young plant.
SLAVES.
Amount taken in 1807, to 96,368.
Note.—In 1857, when the last census of slaves was taken, the number was
found to be 187,812, of whom 148,210 had up to that time remained with their
former masters. See Cherumakkal.
STHANA-MANA-AVAKSAM.
From Sanskrit Sthanam ( == standing, place, situation, rank) and Sanskrit Kanam
( = honour, rank) and Sanskrit Avakasam ( = title, claim, right).
Dignity and emoluments of a public situation.
Note.—This probably denoted the true position of a Janmi or holder of the "water
contact birthright" (Nir-atti-peru). See Attiperu, Janmam, Perumartham.
SUDRAN, plural SUDRANMAR.
(Sanskrit) = the fourth caste in the Hindu system.
Who according, to the Sastram, are the fourth class of Hindus, are a
particular caste of Nayars in Malabar, whose duty it is to perform ceremonies or
Karmam in Brahman families on the birth of a child, etc.
Note.—Nayars generally do now style themselves as Sudras.
SVARUPAM.
(Sanskrit) = one’s own shape, image, idol, dynasty.
Means descent, family, race, house, answering to Vamsam. The Calicut
Zamorin Raja’s family is called the Nayaririppu (or vulgarly, Nediyirippu) Svarupam,
that of the Kadattanad Raja is the Porlatiri Svarupam, that of the Chirakkal Raja,
Kolatthi or Kola Svarupam, that of Kottayam or Cotiote the Puranattukara or Purattara
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Malabar
Svarupam, that of the Kurumbranad the Kurumbarattiri or Kurumbiyattiri Svarupam.

The Walluvanad Raja is the Arngngottu Svarupam, the Cochin Raja is the Perimbadappu
Swarupam, the Travancore Raja is the Trippa or Trippappu Svarupam.
SVARUPAKKUR.
From Svarupam (q.v.) and Dravidian Kuru ( = part, share).
Office, dignity, and Kuru, share, partition, allotment. It means the property
attached to the official rank of a Raja.
SVARUPAM.
See Svarupam
Head of a family. Ten necessary for a Kartavu or lordship of 3,000 men.
TALA UDAYA TAMBURAN.
Literally == the head-possessing lord.
The Kartavu or superior lord of a vassal.
TANDU.
(Sanskrit) — palanquin hanging on silk cords
An open palanquin, which in the Malabar Province is also called and which
Englishmen call Manchil. The attainment of the rank of Valum-pudavum is
indispensable to qualify any person, whether a common man or a Raja, to ride in a
palanquin.
TARA.
(Dravidian) == foundation, mound, ground, village, quarter. Similar to Tamil
and Malayalam teru, Telugu teruvu, Canarese and Tulu teravu.
A village. The same as Desam in the Malabar Province.
Note.—See Ur and Desam. This and not the Desam was the true village of Malabar, that
is, it was the Nayar village or unit of organisation for civil purposes among the Nayars.
Conf. p. 87 of the text.
TARAVADU.
From Tara (q.v.) and Dravidian padu (=falling, falling into one's power, place,
situation, rank, authority)
A house or family.
Note.—Compare pattam. Dr, Gundert defines the term a house chiefly of noblemen,
ancestral residence of landowners, a family. The term was applied only to the families of
authority in the Nayar village (Tara).
TARAVATTUKARAN or PRAMANI.
From Taravadu (q.v.) and Sanskrit Karan (=doer, one who has to do with), and
Sanskrit Pramanam (== measure, authority).
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William Logan
In every Desam four householders or Taravattukarar possess a certain
hereditary sthanam or dignity which points them out as the proper persons to apply
to whenever a marriage, a death, a religious ceremony or dispute takes place. They
are sometimes called Pramani, or principal inhabitants, and latterly, under the
Company’s Government, Mukhyastanmar. They did not possess the Koyma or
controlling authority in the Desam, but were a kind of arbitrators. When a dispute
could not be settled by their mediation it went to the Desavali.
Names of former heads of villages.
Note.— Mr. Græme, contrary to previous notes, here states correctly, if Tara be
submitted for Desam, the position of the Taravattukkarar. The Desavali was usually one
of the Taravattukarar of his tara or village. See Madhyastanmar and Mukkyastan.
TARISU.
(Dravidian) = waste rice-land.
TINGALPPANAM.
From Dravidian tingal (==the moon) and Dravidian panam (=money).
General monthly levy on all classes of the inhabitants. One of the
contributions levied in Malabar by the Rajas.
TIPPALI.
Is the same as Nali, a measure of which 4 go to a Idangali. It is supposed that in
Malabar a man has enough to eat if he has 1½ Tippalis of rice and ½ Tippali of
conjee a day, or 1 Idangali of paddy of 4 Calicut Nalis There are many in a starving
condition who get less, and many affluent who eat more.
TIRUVATIRA NYATTUTALA
From Tiruvatira (==the sixth asterism, including Betelgeuze) and Dravidian
Nyattutala (= the time of a constellation).
Nyattutala is a period of fourteen days. It is in the fourteen days
commencing with about the 7th of Mithunam (June) that there must be constant rain
for the proper growth of the pepper ; the failure of this season may cause a
difference of produce of perhaps 25 per cent.
TIYAN.
Formerly written Tivan, that is islander (from Sanskrit dvipam).
Toddy-drawer and cultivator of land. Upon asking a number of Brahmans
and Nayars assembled at Calicut whether Tiyars were included among the Sudras of
the Sastra they professed ignorance, and said they must refer to the Sastra. Their
number, according to an account taken in 1807, was 128,045.
The Tiyan woman (Tiyatti) wears no cholee, or any cloth thrown over her
shoulders and neck. Her body down to the waist is entirely exposed.
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Malabar
Notes.—1. See lluvan, Shanar.

2. This caste now numbers 527,928 (Census, 1871).
TOBACCO.
Average annual consumption 1,500 candies of 640 lb., or 1¾ per head in the
whole population.
TODUPPANAYAM.
From Dravidian Toduka = to touch, feel, come into contact with) and Panayam
(q.v.).
A deed in use.
Notes.—1. The land is here pledged as security for the repayment with interest of
certain sums advanced, but the lender has no right to interfere m the management of
the property. In some cases it is stipulated that on failure on the part of the borrower to
pay the interest, the lender shall be placed in possession of the land. Where such
stipulation exists the lender can sustain an action for possession. In other cases he must
sue for the recovery of the principal and interest of the loan, the land being liable in the
event of the money not being paid.—(Proceedings of the Court of Sadr Adalat, No. 18,
dated 5th August 1856.)
TUSIKKANAM.
From corruption of Sanskrit Suchi (=a needle, iron style) and Kanam (q.v.).
Is the fee to the writer of a new mortgage-deed. This and the Oppu may
amount to 7 per cent, sometimes more, sometimes less.
ULA-PARAMBU.
Ula for ulavu (Dravidian) = tillage, and Parambu (q.v.).
Ploughable or arable highland by which the hill rice cultivation, or Modan
paramba, is distinguished from the plantations, which are more properly called
paramba.
Note.—Applied to land made over temporarily for use.
UNDARUTI.
From Dravidian Unnuka (==to eat) and Dravidian aruti (end) ; literally,
therefore, it means having eaten and ended, that is, the property is enjoyed until
the money advanced has been fully recovered with interest.
Undaruti means a settlement1 (of the debt) by the enjoyment of the profits
by the usufruct. It is a species of mortgage which seems to answer to the Vivum
Vadium, where the mortgagee holds the estate till the rents and profits repay the
sum borrowed ; with this exception, that the pattam or rent is previously
determined, and it is therefore known beforehand in how many years the debt will
be liquidated, and the mortgagee is under no necessity of rendering to the
proprietor an account of the produce of the estate.
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William Logan
NOTEs: 1. Undaruti is, I conceive, a lease. The full rent for the term of the lease is paid in
advance. In fixing the rent, of course the tenant will take care to see that only the present worth is
offered and paid. An Undaruti lessee is never entitled, as a matter of right, to cancel the lease. In any
case he would get back no interest for the reason just advanced. END OF NOTEs
In this deed the pattam being first determined and specified, whether in rice
or garden lands or in grain or money, a provision2 is made out of it to the
mortgagee for the interest of the debt at the rate agreed upon, and a further
provision for such a share of the pattam as shall, within, a certain time, repay the
principal. If the mortgagee relinquishes the land before the expiration of the time
and claims the debt, the mortgagor may take credit for the amount which the
mortgagee has received, during the period he has been in possession, out of the
fund allotted towards the discharge (not of the interest, but) of the principal, and
from the remainder he is entitled to deduct 23 per cent for Sakshi and Suchi. The
mortgagee having undertaken the responsibility of the management, this deduction
is considered a just fine for his breach of engagement.
NOTEs. 2. Not that I know of. END OF NOTEs.
It has been1 said that the mortgagee does not receive the Kolulabham
or cultivator’s profit, but according to my inquiries he is entitled to it.
The interest under the Undaruti deed is greater than that under the
principal deeds of mortgage which have their rise from the Kana Janma Maryada.
It is generally 10 per cent.
Though it affords the means of early liquidating the debt, it is
considered in a less friendly light by the mortgagee in general than the Panaya
Pattola deed. It is true he recovers his money, but what he receives annually is
probably expended annually, and at the end of the specified period he does not
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Malabar
become the laird of the land. It is a mere mercantile speculation which does not
add to his dignity. The old proprietor, on the contrary, prefers this kind of
tenure ; for though he suffers deprivation for a period, he is ultimately restored
to his station of proprietor of the soil.
NOTEs: 1. Major Walker's treatise cm Mortgages. END OF NOTEs
Notes.- Notes.—1. The foot-notes to Mr. Græme's text are by an experienced Native
Revenue official.
2. The tenant is much in the same position as a Kanam mortgagee having possession
and recovering the interest of his money from the rent produce ofthe land. Instead,
however, of making over the surplus produce to the landlord, he places it to his credit in
account, to be applied to the reduction of the principal. As soon as the principal is in
this manner repaid, the mortgagee must restore the land to the proprietor.—
3. Undaruti is a species of mortgage, the nature of which is to absorb the principal
amount in the profits of the mortgaged property till it is reduced to nothing. —N.D.C.,
25 (1874).
UR or KARA.
Ur (Dravidian) = village, hamlet. Kara (Dravidian) — shore, bank, hamlet.
A collection of houses in different directions, a number of which
constitute a Desam. Houses are generally built round a tract of paddy land, and,
according to their bearings, are named Vadakku kara (a collection to the north),
Tekku kara, and so forth. The Urus or Karas have no separate boundaries and no
distinct names, but are comprehended in the Desam.
Notes.—1. See Tara and Desam.
2. Those were probably congeries of houses inhabited by husbandmen, cultivators,
subordinate to the Desavals in military, and to the Taravattu Karanavar in civil, matters.
URALAN.
From Ur (q.v.) and Dravidian at (person, able poison) Their office Uranma or
Urayma.
May be considered the patron or founder of a pagoda, whether established
in the time of Parasurama or in more recent times by Brahmans or Rajas.
Notes. —1 . When the pagoda is itself the property of the family, by the custom of
Malabar the lands attached thereto are alienable as any other private possession.- M,S.C.,
64 (1861). A sale of Urayma right is invalid. N.D.C., — 34 (1874). Lands attached to a
pagoda cannot be alienated by the whole body of Uralar. N.D.C., — 102 (1843). Uralur
cannot sell their rights.— 1 M.H.C.R, 210 ; 1, I.L.R., Madras I, 235.
2. See Desam.
VAKACHCHAL.
From Dravidian vakayuka ( == to divide).
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William Logan
The share of 2 in 10 in the pattam, in kind, which the Rajas used to receive
in the northern districts, before Hyder’s conquest, from all but the pagoda lands,
after which, in 953, the Huzzur Nikuti or the basis of the present assessment was
established. The Vakachchal is said to have been introduced first in 90, when the
Ikkery or Bednore Government first invaded Malabar.
VAKACHACHA(L)KKARAN.
From Vakachchal (q.v.) and Sanskrit Karan ( = doer, one who has to do with).
The collector of the share (of the pattam), He held the situation under the
Rajas formerly nearly corresponding to the Pravartti of the present day.
Note.—See Pravrittikkaran and Varam.
VAKKU.
(Malayalam) = hemp. From Vala (Dravidian) = net, hence Valkkuka or
Vakkuka == to catch fish and vakku, the material used for lines.
Hemp. It is sown in paramba land, but it is supposed to thrive best in the
land called Palliyal, which has a sufficient command of water without being too low.
The cultivation of it has extended of late years In consequence of the
encouragement given to it by the canvas manufactory at Beypoor, but in the
Kilakkampuram. and Vadakkampuram and Polnad Districts there is an ancient
prohibition against its culture, as there is against that of ginger and against the use
of buffaloes for ploughing, said to have been issued by a Raja of these districts,
from whom the Zamorin Raja usurped them, and who has since become the
Kadattanad Raja.
VALLI and VITTU.
Valli from val (Dravidian) = strong, means proper subsistence given in kind to
slaves or labourers. Vittu (Dravidian) = seed.
Is the charges of cultivation, and with Vittu or the seed is called Vittuvalli.
As the hire of labour applies only to slaves, Kuli or Cooly is the term when free men
are employed. Vittu-valli comprehends the expense of ploughing, of digging, of
sowing, of manuring, of weeding, and of threshing. (On the Eastern Coast the
paddy is trod by bullocks, in Malabar by men.) The Valli is reckoned to amount to
a third of the gross produce (deducting always 10 per cent, for reaping), but where
the produce falls short of seven-fold the Valli exceeds this proportion. It must be
paid, it is supposed, out of the Kolulabham or the cultivator’s profit.
Mr. Rickards, in his proposed settlement for Malabar, recommends the
quantity of seed sown and an equal quantity for charges to be deducted on account
of Vittu-valli from the gross produce, and the different shares to be determined on
the remainder. The proportion to the gross produce varies according to the quality
of the soil and its estimated produce. (See the account given by the Janmis to Mr.
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Malabar
Rickards in 978). The lowest sort of land in this statement is supposed to produce
three-fold only, which is 333/10 per cent, the highest thirty-fold, which is only 33/10
per cent, of the gross produce for Vittu-valli.
Note.—See Kolulabham, etc.
VALUM-PUDAVUM.
Val (Dravidian) = sword. Pudavu (Dravidian) = double cloth.
Is a certain rank conferred upon Rajas and Naduvalis, the external
ceremony of which is conferring a sword and some cloth. To a Raja the ceremony
is performed by a Namburipad Brahman, and to a Naduvali by a Raja. Money is given
on these occasions by the person upon whom the honour is conferred.
VALUMEL KODI.
Literally = coloured tip of the tail.
A buffalo having a white tip to the tail, belonging to individuals, became
the property of Desavalis in former times as one of their privileges.
VANOKKI.
Perhaps from Vanam (Dravidian) = sky, and nokkunnu (Dravidian) = to look,
observe, meaning crops dependent on the sky, rain-fed.
Same as Punam and Modan.
VARGE.
A word used in the early records of Malabar. From the Portuguese word Varja,
and means field or meadow.
VASTU and VASTU-Mutal.
Vastu (Sanskrit) — substance, matter, thing, property, weighty action,
provender. Mutal, (Dravidian) = beginning, blossom, principal or capital, stock
in trade, property, money.
Means generally the landed property of an individual, to include the
personal property it is necessary to say Vastu-mutal.
VELLAKKEDU.
From Dravidian vellam ( == water) and Dravidian kedu ( = destruction, loss,
damage).
Loss by flood. In fixing the pattam for the Kudiyan remission is allowed
on this account.
VEYILKKEDU.
From Dravidian veyil ( = sunshine) and Dravidian kedu (=, destruction, loss,
damage).
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William Logan
Injury by heat or drought. In fixing the pattam in Malabar permanent
allowance appears to have been made on this account.
VILACHCHAL MENI-PATTAM.
Vilachchal, from Dravidian vila ( = vegetation, crop), means produce of corn,
ripe crop. Meni (Dravidian) = body, shape, sample, average Pattam (q.v.).
Is the pattam deducible from taking, according to Mr. Rickards’ proposed
settlement, two-thirds of the Vilachchal or gross produce of the Janmi Pymaish
account of 981, after deducting a quantity equal to the quantity of seed sown, and
one-third for the cultivator’s share. In the Malabar Province, with the exception of
Wynad, it amounts to standard paras 6,210,562 and 5 Idangalis. It is to be
distinguished from the Verumpattam of the same account, which is the quantity
stated by the Janmis to be actually receivable by them from their tenants. It amounts
to standard paras 5,910,375 and 3 Idangalis. The Vilachchal-meni-pattam with respect
to gardens is two thirds of the gross produce according to Mr. Rickards’ proposed
settlement.
Note.—See Pattam and Kolulabham.
VILUMPADI.
From Dravidian viluka ( = to fall) and Dravidian padi = measure at the rate of,
according to).
Is a mode of agreement in practice between the Janmi and Kudiyan in
Kilakkampuram and Vadakkampuram of the Calicut Taluk.
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Malabar
It has above been explained to mean the proportion of the public

assessment which a Kanakkaram agrees to pay out of his share of the produce in
common with the Janmi. Refers also to a mode of levying the assessment in
Walluvanad, etc., taluks on Modan and hill produce. For instance, the permanent
jamma under these heads being in any village considered to be 100 fanams, an
annual inspection of the produce takes place, and 2 in 10 being assumed as the
Sirkar share, this share is valued at a higher or lower rate on the different lands as
may be necessary to bring the jamma exactly to 100 fanams. As a farther illustration,
the Sirkar share of the produce might, in one year, be 100 paras , one fanam would
accordingly be fixed as the rate for 10 Idangalis. In another year the Sirkar share of
the produce might be only 80 paras ; the rate would then be a fanam for every 8
Idangalis. In both cases the total amount would be equal. Vilumpadi means generally
proportion, ratio, rate.
VIRIPPU.
Dravidian = bedding, crop out in August and September.
The name of a rice which has only one crop in the year, and that crop is
only cut in Kanni (September and October).
VITTUPADU.
From Dravidian vittu (= seed) and Dravidian padu ( -= falling, falling into power
of, rank, nature, measure of space and time).
Answers to Verripadoo in Tamil and Beenjivurree in Hindustani. It means
seed-land, that is, the quantity of seed which any land requires to sow it for a single
crop. That is, suppose a land takes 10 paras to sow it or one crop and that it yields
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William Logan
three crops. It would altogether require 30 paras for the different crops, but it
would be called only a 10-para Vittupadu.
A specific superficial extent in cawnies or acres is not to be ascertained
merely by the quantity of seed required to sow any land, because bad soil requires a
larger, and good soil a smaller, quantity to sow it in the same extent of land.
Note.—See one Para Seed Land
VYALAVATTAM.
From, vyalam (Sanskrit) = the planet Jupiter, and vattam (Dravidian) = a circle ;
means the cycle of Jupiter, about 12 years.
A cycle of 12 years, to which all transactions in Malabar had reference
previous to the establishment of the present Malabar era,—renewal of leases,
bonds, and rent of gardens. Each year of the cycle was named alternately from the
12 signs of the Zodiac, and as months were distinguished in the same way, the
name of the month and the name of the year might often be the same in a deed.
Note.—-The word andu, in the Jews’ Deed. (No. 1) and in the old Kanam Deed (No. 4)
printed in Appendix XII, signified this cycle of Jupiter, or a cycle of 60 years.
VYAVAHARAMALA.
From Sanskrit vyavaharam ( = dealings, usage, practice of Courts, lawsuit) and
Sanskrit mala ( = garland, wreath, necklace).
A book containing the law of division of produce between the cultivator
and proprietor, without allusion to any assessment which did not at that time exist.
Note.— As matter of fact, the Vyavaharamala is more taken up with judicial matters
than with matters agricultural.
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Malabar
APPENDIX XIV
A.—ANJENGO FACTORY AND
RESIDENCY.
List of Chiefs and Residents.
Factory established in 1684
John Brabon, Chief about 1710
Alexander Orme, do 1723
Hezakiah Ring, do 1729
William Wake, do 1735
The factory records extant commence from 1st August 1744
Date of assuming Date of retirement. Remarks.

charge.
Chiefs
R. Bouchier 1st February 1750 Was Chief on 1st
August 1744.
T. Byfeld 2nd February 1750. 5th March 1751.
T. Hodges 5th March 1751 7th April 1752.
W. Hornby, acting. 8th April 1752 14th May 1752.
G. Scott 15th May 1752 27th March 1757.
L. Spencer 28th March 1757 12th September 1758.
C. Crommelin 13th September 1758. 20th April 1759.
I. Whitehill 21st April 1759 8th September 1769. Died at Anjengo.
W. Taylor, acting. 8th September 1769. 9th December 1769.

P. E. Wrench. 10th December 1769. 16th February 1774.
S. Ewart, acting. 17th February 1774 . 23rd March 1774.
N . Slackhouse. 24th March 1774 12th February 1776. The Chiefship was
now reduced to a
Residency.
Date of assuming Date of retirement. Remarks

charge.
Residents
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William Logan
G. Bigger, acting. 13th February 1776 31st December 1776.
J. Torlepe 1777 8th December 1780. Diary missing.
J. Morley 9th December 1780 10th December 1781.
Hutchinson, 11th December 1781 22nd March 1782 Mr. Hutchmson was
appointed Cochin
acting. Commissioner, but in five
Hutchinson, 23rd March 1782 24th February 1796. months he returned to
Anjengo and died there.
confirmed.
I. T. Dyne, acting. 25th February 1796 17th July 1796.
J. Hutchinson. 18 July 1796
th 11 October 1797.
th
I T. Dyne, acting. 12 October 1797 22nd February 1798.

th
G. Parry. 23rd February 1798 3rd September 1803.

A. W. Handley. 4th September 1803 1st July 1808 Died at Anjengo.
I. T. Dyne, acting. 1st July 1808 27th October 1808.
I. Smee. 28th October 1808 27th December 1809.
R. Coward 28 December 1809. 10th December 1810. Factory abolished and
th
Anjengo transferred to the
Political Resident,
Travancore.
B.—TELLICHERRY FACTORY AND

RESIDENCY
List of Chiefs and Residents.
charge.
Chiefs.
Robert Adams. 10th March 1728 Chief
John Braddyll. 10th

March 1728. 17th December 1732
Stephen Law. 17thDecember 1732. 27 February 1739
th
William Wake. 27th February 1739. 8th November 1742

William Jeynson. 8th November 1742. 8th February 1743 Provisional.
John Geekie. 8th February 1743. 20th January 1746

George Dudley 20th January 1746. 13th May 1747
William West. 13th May 1747. 20th May 1748 Provisional.
Robert Rawdon 20th May 1748. 31st October 1748 Died
Thomas Byfeld. 31st October 1748. 17th January 1750

Thomas Derrill. 17th January 1750. 3rd January 1754 Suspended.
John Sewell and 3rd January 1754. 13th March 1754 Supravisors.
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Malabar
Thomas Hodges.
Thomas Hodges. 15th March 1754. 13th February 1762 Chief
William Hornby. 13thFebruary 1762. 30th April 1764

Thomas Byfeld. 30th April 1764. 28th September 1765 Died
Harry Huet. 28th September 1765. 13th November 1765

James Ryley. 13th November 1765. 13th January 1767
William Hornby. 13th January 1767. 10th December 1768
Daniel Draper. 10th December 1768. 10th January 1770
Rawson Hart 10th January 1770 4th March 1776 Chiefship
reduced to
Boddam. Residency.
Date of Date of Remarks

assuming retirement.
charge.
Residents
William Ashburner. 4th March 1776 7th March 1777.
Richard Church. 7th March 1777 22nd January 1781.
Samuel Stedman Factors in to May 1781.
and Michael Firth. charge
Willam Freeman. 21st May 1781 18th January 1784 Chiefship
restored.

charge.
Chiefs
Richard Church. 18th January 1784. 14th February 1785
J. Beaumont. 14 February 1786.
th 5th June 1786
William Page Factors in charge to 24th November 1786
and George
Paterson.
William Lewis. 24th November 1786. 24th December 1789
Robert Taylor. 24th December 1789. 27th July 1794 Factory abolished.
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228
Malabar
APPENDIX XV
Proclamation
Treaties. etc., ii, CCXLII—CCXLIII.
The Government of Fort St. George having received information

through various channels that great inequalities exist in the present revenue
jamabundy of the province of Malabar, transmitted orders some time back to the
Principal Collector to frame by survey and assessment a new jamabundy upon
improved principles founded on a liberal consideration of the relative rights of
the Sirkar, of the proprietor and cultivator. Those orders the Principal Collector
has now determined to carry into immediate and due execution.
It is well known to be considered a just system of assessment for the
Government to derive its land revenue from the pattam (or net rent) payable by
the cultivator’s tenant to his proprietor.
To establish a fixed rule by which the pattam shall be calculated and
ascertained, it must be in the recollection of every one that the principal Malabar
Rajas, Head Nambutiris and Mukhyasthans in each district were some months ago
assembled by summons at Calicut, and, after the most patient inquiry into the
mode by which the pattam was usually rated, it was found that a variety of
systems prevailed, which might chiefly be ascribed to the existing inequalities in
the revenue in the different districts in the province.
In order to rectify such errors and establish a permanent revenue by
which one ryot shall neither be more heavily nor more favourably assessed than
another, it became obviously convincing and desirable to all parties that one
uniform system should obtain in estimating the pattam on which the Sirkar
revenue was to be fixed.
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William Logan
Having fully and deliberately discussed the many points connected with
so material a question and pretty accurately ascertained the customs which in
former times regulated pattam on lands and gardens generally throughout the
province the aforesaid Rajas, Head Nambutiris and Mukhyasthans at length
unanimously concurred in certain fixed principles whereby to determine the
Sirkar revenue, which they recorded and authenticated by their several signatures.
Those being the very principles which the Right Honourable the
Governor in Council had formally and finally confirmed and ordered to be
adopted framing the new
assessment of Malabar, they are now
hereunder written and hereby
published for the information of all
its inhabitants.
First—On wet or rice
grounds after deducting from the
gross produce the seed and exactly
the same quantity for expenses of
cultivation and then allotting one-
third of what remains as kolu-labham
{or plough profit) to the kudiyan,
the residue or pattam is to be divided
in the proportion of six-tenths to
the Sirkar and four-tenths to the
janmakkar ;
Secondly,—On parambu or
orchard lands one-third of coconut,
supary, and jack-tree produce being
deemed sufficient for the kudiyan,
the remainder or pattam is to be equally divided between the Sirkar and janmakkar
; and
Thirdly.—-On dry grain lands (which are very scantily cultivated in
Malabar) the Sirkar’s share is to be half of the janmahkar's varam on what is
actually cultivated during the year.
The assessment on the pepper produce will be fixed upon hereafter.
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Malabar
The new paymash on the preceding principles has in the first instance
been entrusted to the execution of the several Subordinate Collectors, to whom
the necessary orders have been issued.
As the present mode of assessment has been acknowledged to be fair and
moderate, it is expected that the janmakkars will render a true and faithful
account of the pattam of their estates at the cutcherries of the Subordinate
Collectors, who on their part will take care that every assistance shall be given by
the local revenue servants in each district as the janmakkars belonging to it might
want to obtain information from their tenants relative to the existing state of
their landed property. A form will be likewise given to the several janmakkars by
order of the Sub-Collectors, agreeably to which the required accounts are to be
drawn out.
After these accounts are all delivered in, a rigid scrutiny will be made and
the fullest means devised to ascertain their accuracy. The true result will then be
submitted for the approbation of the Board of Revenue and Government, under
whose sanction the Principal Collector will visit each district for the purpose of
granting sealed and signed pattas, or assess notes to the several janmakkars and
other inhabitants, specifying the correct annual revenue they are to pay to the
Company's Government.
The Principal Collector therefore confidently expects that, without
making themselves liable to punishment by any act of palpable fraud or
deception, the inhabitants will willingly and readily render exact accounts of their
property in order that all their apprehensions might be dissipated by the early
establishment of an unalterable assessment.
Calicut, (Signed) T. WARDEN,
21st July 1805. Principal Collector.
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Malabar
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234
Malabar
235
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236
Malabar
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APPENDIX XX.
238
Malabar
List of the Malikhana Recipients

of Malabar and of the Amounts of
their Malikhanas
239
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240
Malabar
241
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242
Malabar
APPENDIX XXI.
CHIRAKKAL TALUK.
By Chappu Menon, B.A.
Position, Boundaries, Area.—This taluk formerly comprised the taluks of Kavayi

and Chirakkal. It is the most northerly taluk of the district. Boundaries ; North—South
Canara ; East—Coorg ; South— Kottayam taluk ; West—the Arabian Sea. Its area is not
accurately known, there having been no regular survey of it by the professional
department. For the census of 1881 the area was taken to be 648 square miles. About
150 square miles may be said to be under cultivation.
Physical Aspect.—The terraced character of the laterite formation is nowhere
more conspicuous than in the Chirakkal taluk, and more particularly in that portion of it
lying to the north of the Valarpattanam river. These laterite terraces are, as a rule,
unproductive, but where they break off in abrupt cliffs the soil is extensively cultivated
with coconut and jack and pepper. The flats also lying between the laterite terraces are
thickly peopled and every inch of available ground is occupied. Along the coast, the
beach, except at Mount Deli and again to the south of Cannanore, is low and sandy.
Inland, the outlying spurs of the Ghat mountains are covered with scrub jungle, and
even the Ghats themselves are in great part also covered with scrub, the heavy forest
having disappeared before the axes and fires of the thriftless punam cultivators.
Population and Houses.—The population, according to the census of 1881, was
272,669 as against 257,377 in 1871, showing an increase of 15,292 or 5.9 per cent, on the
number returned in the latter year. The Hindu population numbered 207,909, and there
were 60,154 Muhammadans, 4,507 Christians, and 99 persons belonging to other classes.
The males were to the females as 132,715 to 139,954, and the density of population was
421 per square mile. The total number of houses in the taluk was 54,005, of which
44,250 were occupied and the rest unoccupied.
Subdivisions of Taluk for Administrative Purposes.—The taluk is subdivided,
for purposes of revenue administration, into 43 amsams or villages, each of which is as
usual placed under an adhikari (village head) aided by menon (accountant) and a petty
staff of peons. Groups of amsams are assigned to officers, designated Deputy
Tahsildars, and these latter exercise criminal jurisdiction likewise over the area under
their control. There are two Deputy Tahsildars, located one at Taliparamba and the
other at Cannanore whose territorial jurisdictions extend over 10 and 9 amsams
respectively ; and the Tahsildar, who has general revenue charge of all the amsams and
special magisterial charge of 24 of them, has his head-quarters at Cannanore. The
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William Logan
Tahsildar and Revenue and Magisterial establishments generally work under the Sub-
Collector.
Public Establishments.—In addition to the village and taluk establishments
above specified, there are two District Munsifs' Courts, situated at Taliparamba and
Chova1 usually designated the District Munsifs' Courts of Kavayi and Cannanore
respectively, and there are also four sub-registry offices, located at Palayangadi,
Taliparamba, Cannanore and Anjarakandi.
NOTEs: 1. Since transferred to Cannanore. END OF NOTEs
The details of the several public establishments in the taltik are given below:-
1. Brigadier-General commanding the Western District, comprising Malabar and
Canara, with the offices of the Deputy Assistant Adjutant and Quarter-master
Generals’ and Medical Departments, Cannanore.
2. Cantonment Magistrate and his establishment, Cannanore.
3. Civil Surgeon, Cannanore, and Medical subordinates, Cannanore.
4. Superintendent, Central Jail, and his establishments, Cannanore.
5. Chaplain, Cannanore, and church servants, Cannanore.
6. District Munsifs at Taliparamba and Cannanore.
7. Tahsildar, two Deputy Tahsildars, Taluk Sheristadar, Revenue Inspectors and
other subordinate revenue staff.
8. Sea Customs Superintendent and Port Conservator, Cannanore, and his
subordinates.
9. Two Inspectors of Police, one at Taliparamba, and the other at Cannanore, with
station-house officers and men.
10. D.P.W. Supervisor, Cannanore sub-division, and his subordinates.
11. Sub-Registrars of Assurances at Palayangadi, Taliparamba, Cannanore and
Anjarakandi.
12. Officers of the Postal and Telegraph departments.
13. Sub-Inspector and other subordinates of the Salt and Abkari department.
14. Local Fund Overseer and his subordinates.
15. Municipal establishment, Cannanore.
16. Inspecting Schoolmasters and teachers.
17. Vaccinators.
NOTEs: 2. The head-quarters and a portion of the British Infantry regiment stationed at Cannanore
were transferred from Cannanore to Wellington and Malabar annexed to the newly constituted
“Southern District” (G.O. No. 7124, dated 15th November 1886, Military, Board’s Proceedings, No.
62, dated 18th January 1887,) since this article was sent to press. END OF NOTEs
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Malabar
Towns.—Cannanore (lat. 11° 51' 20 N., long.

75° 21' 45" E.), which is the head-quarters of
the taluk, is a straggling town situated on the
sea coast. It consists of two detached
portions, locally known as the old town, or
Cannanore proper, and the cantonment.
Between the two, and commanding the old
town, lies Fort St. Angelo, an old-fashioned
fort built of laterite and standing on a rocky
promontory surrounded on three sides by the sea. The fort is held by the British
troops located in the cantonment. It has a dry ditch on the landward side and
flanking bastions. The greater part of the outworks was demolished some years
ago. The fort has a flag-staff with a mast-light for the use of mariners.
Adjoining the fort is the brigade parade ground, which is very extensive, and has on
its outskirts the barracks of the European regiment, the Anglican, German, and
Roman Catholic churches, the European
cemeteries, the powder magazines, the
Commissariat office, and the little village of
Barnacherry. This esplanade is used for
parade and other military purposes.
At a short distance north from the brigade
parade ground lies another esplanade used by
the Native Infantry regiment. On its outskirts
lie the camp bazaar, the depository of the
arms of the native regiment and their lines,
and a bazaar known as "Thakki" bazaar, used by the native troops. The public
buildings at Cannanore present no marked features. They consist of Commissariat
offices, Deputy Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General’s offices, the
Tahsildar’s and Sub-Registrar’s offices, civil and military dispensaries, postal and
telegraph offices, and the Government school. The chief places of resort for
travellers are the Esplanade Hotel, the travellers’ bangalow, and the mussafarkhana,
the latter two belonging to the Cannanore Municipality.
Cotton fabrics of different descriptions are manufactured at Cannanore, chiefly by
the mercantile branch of the German Mission. About 3 miles north of the fort is
the Central Jail, at a place called Utayan Kunnu ; and the court-house of the
District Munsif, Cannanore, is located at Chova1, a suburban place about 3 miles to
the south-east of the fort.
NOTEs: 1. Since transferred to Cannanore. END OF NOTEs
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William Logan
The Central Jail is built on the system of blocks of cells radiating from a central
watch tower. There is an extensive garden attached to it, in which is situated the
Superintendent’s house. The jail can accommodate 829 prisoners.
The Municipal Act (X of 1865) was introduced into Cannanore by the notification
of Government, dated 24th June 1867, but its operation was suspended over the
area included in what are called “Kirar limits,” owing to the protest made by Sultan
Ali Raja of Cannanore. His objection was, however, overruled by the Madras
Government2, and the area temporarily excluded was brought within the operation
of the municipal enactment in June 1873. The municipality now comprises portions
of Pulati and Elayavur amsams, and has an area of about 4 square miles. Its
population, according to the census of 1881, was 26,386, of whom Hindus
numbered 10,656, Muhammadans 11,617, Christians 4,087, and other classes 26.
The males were to the females as 13,046 to 13,340. The number of houses within
the municipality was 5,981, of which 1,943 were returned as ‘‘unoccupied" at the
recent census. The income of the municipality from all sources of revenue amounts
to about Rs. 19,000 on an average. The following table shows how the funds are
raised and spent :
NOTEs: 2. G.O. dated 21st June 1873, No. 264, Political. END OF NOTEs
CANNANORE MUNICIPALITY
Receipts.
1884-85.
Rs.
Opening balance 1,202
Rates on houses and lands 8,391
Taxes on arts 2,788
Taxes on vehicles and animals 1,414
Registration of carts 636
Tolls 3,100
Licenses 116
Assignments by Government 799
Fees and fines 631
Endowments, &c. 71
Miscellaneous 740
Total receipts. 19,787
Charges
Grand I. Rs.
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Malabar
New works—Sanitary and miscellaneous repairs

Communications 781
Buildings 88
Sanitary and miscellaneous 222
Establishment 180
Tools and plant
Grant II.
Municipal schools
Results grants 2,502
Schools on the combined system . . 314
Inspection (contribution) . . 100
Miscellaneous
Grant III
Hospitals and dispensaries 3,285
Medical college 100
Sanitary inspection 102
Vaccination 317
Registration of births and deaths 142
Conservancy 6,670
Grant XV.
Lighting 832
Choultries
Avenues and watering roads 20
Miscellaneous 819
Grant V.
Supervision and management 2,209
Refunds 272
Balances 932
Total charges 19,787
Villages or Important Places.—Payyannur, which, is the northernmost amsam of

the taluk, contains, inter alia, the desazos of Kavayi and Payyanur, both of which are of
some importance. The former is situated on an island and contains the bungalow of that
name which stands at the frontier of the district. There is a large mosque, and an old
redoubt built many years ago, probably by the French.
Payyannur lies two miles to the south-east Kavayi and possesses an ancient
temple dedicated to god Subramaniya. The image is said to have been consecrated by
Parasu Rama. The mandapam is elaborately sculptured and the temple is surrounded by
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William Logan
a strong wall. The place is celebrated as having been the seat of the "Payyannur
Gramakkars" whom Parasu Pama is said to have specially favoured, and whose
descendants still follow the marumakkatayam law of inheritance, unlike the other
Brahmans of the district. There is still extant a poem entitled the Payyannur Pattola,
described by Doctor Gundert as "certainly the oldest specimen of Malayalam
composition which I have seen", and of which he gave a very interesting account in a
paper contributed to the Madras Journal of literature and Science (No.XIII-II, pp. 14-
17). "The language," continues Doctor Gundert, "is rich and bold, evidently of a time
when the infusions from Sanskrit had not reduced the energy of the tongue, by
cramping it with hosts of unmeaning particles."
"The legend of Payyannur, N. Lat. 12° 5' near Kavai." — "Nilkesi, a woman of
good family, an inhabitant of a place called Sivaperur (Trichur?), a town famous for
female beauty, could not obtain a son though married to several men. She resolves,
therefore, to do penance by wandering about as a beggar, and comes to the famous
emporium, Cachilpatnam (near Mt. Deli), where the chief of the place, a merchant
named Nambu Chetti, or Chombu Chetti enters into conversation with her, advises her
to perform certain vows, and then takes her to his palace as his lawful wife. A son is
born and receives the name of Nambusari Aren, and a feast of rejoicing is celebrated on
the 41st day on the plain of Payyannur. At the time Nilakesi's brothers happened to go
up the coast in a ship. They hear the music and disembark to see the play, but as they
climb up a wall of the temple some spectators expostulate with them. They call
themselves Culavanier (merchants), who cannot be expected to know the customs of the
place, and appeal to the chief. He comes, but applies his rod to the head of one, a scuffle
ensues and the strangers are killed.
"Nilakesi, when acquainted with the murder of her brothers, leaves the palace
and her son, and again wanders forth begging. The son grows up and is instructed by his
father in all the arts of trade and shipbuilding (given in interesting detail, full of obsolete
words). The ship being at length launched and manned with Vappurawas (?) Pandias,
Chonakas, Cholias, and also with one Yavanaka, the merchants start fearlessly on a
voyage, first to Pumpatna round Mt. Eli, then passing the mala (—Dives) into the
Tanipunularu (river) to the town of Puvenkapatna, proceed further on to the Caveri, from
whence they sail into another sea and to other shores till they reach the Gold mountains
(Ponmala), where they exchange all their cargo for gold, return and land their goods in
Cachilpatnam, store them in a new magazine, and dismiss the mariners with their shares.
After this, when the father and son are amusing themselves with playing chess, a female
devotee is announced who is not satisfied with alms, but wants to see the young
merchant. Then follows a long and mysterious conversation. She invites him urgently to
be present at a night feast of a woman at Payyannur. He promises, but cannot afterwards
persuade his father to give him leave, who fears a plot and danger, but the son persisting
in importuning him, and at last, prostrating himself, he consents.
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“I swear by thee, O Father ! I must go’.

“Father : ‘I have opposed thee to the utmost, but now I must not prevent thy
going—thou goest far away like dying men. Strong guards (or companioris) are now
required—take the children of the Govatala chetti of Anjuvannam and of the Manigrama
people, who, together with ourselves, are the 4 (classes of) colonists in the 4 towns.’
“They took of the 4 classes of colonists, the sons (or servants) of the town lord in
that country, 14 companions, a noble household, not to be outwitted (or defeated) by
any in this country (and, says the son), ' though I should be dragged by the foot I shall
return (to-morrow) to Cachilpatnam, nor shall this eye sleep (to-night).’
“Upon this, the father advises them to take some merchandise along with them
in the ship as for a fair, and the poem, evidently a fragment, closes in the 104th sloka with
an enumeration of wares, replete with obscure terms free from any anachronisms.
"I belive that the people of Anjuvannam and Manigramam here mentioned as
belonging to yonder country can only mean Jews and Christians (or Manicheans), who,
for commerce sake, settled also beyond the Perumal's territories. It would be interesting
to know who the 2 other classes are. In the meantime the existence of 4 trading
communities in the old Kerala seems to be proved, and the നാലുെചരി of the first
Syrian document receives some elucidation from this incidental allusion.” Gundert in
M.J.L.S., XIII-II, 14-17.
Taliparamba, which is the seat of the local Deputy Tahsildar’s and Sub-
Registrar’s offices and of the Court of the District Munsif of Kavayi, has an area of
5.938 acres and a population of 8,363 souls. It has a bungalow and a mussafarkhana
close to the Deputy Tahsildar’s office, and is celebrated for two of the most ancient and
important temples in North Malabar, known as Taliparamba and Trichchamparam
temples.
The former is dedicated to Siva, and is a magnificent structure covered with
brass plates and surrounded by a high laterite wall. On the bank of a tank attached to the
temple is a building on which is a granite slab bearing an inscription ; and another, dated
K.A. 954 (A.D.1778), is to be seen at the foot of a banyan tree in front of the temple.
The former is to the effect that the bathing house was finished in Kollam Andu 700
(A.D. 1524). The temple has many sculptures and some fine gopurams (towers) which
were, however, destroyed by Tippu. It is said to be of very great antiquity, to which the
architecture in parts bears witness.
There is a large and important mosque here and an old mud fort.
On the south side of the road leading to Kuppam is a sculptured figure of a
village goddess. Four rock-cut sepulchres were excavated some time ago near the
travellers’ bungalow, one of which had a circle of massive laterite blocks ranged round it.
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These caves consist of a small chamber with a domed roof and entrance. In the centre
of the dome is a hole to the upper air closed with a slab.
The celebrated temple at Trichchamparam is dedicated to Krishna, and there is
another at Kanjirangott dedicated to Siva. In the former an annual utsavam (ഉ വം)
or festival, commencing on the 22nd Kumbham and ending on the 6th Minam, is
performed, and on the last-named day a large concourse of people from all parts of the
district, estimated from 15,000 to 30,000, are said to assemble. The Trichchamparam is
supposed to be a corruption of Sri Sambaram ( ശീശംബരം) so called after the great rishi
of that name who did penance there, propitiated the god, and in his honour consecrated
the image.
Madayi or Palayangadi, about 14 miles north-west of Cannanore, is a Mappilla
village of some importance situated on the right bank of a fine river and is a place of
trade. Boats of a large size come up to it. Here is a small redoubt, also a bungalow for
the reception of travellers, and in the middle of the village is a handsome mosque
bearing an inscription in Arabic commemorating its building in Hijira 518 (A. D. 1124).
There is another inscription stating that a tank was constructed by a Hindu. The grave of
an Arab, who died several years ago, also exists. In the hamlet of Palayangadi is an old
tank known by the name of the "Jewish tank” near which stands the old Eli palace of
the Kolattiri Rajas, The tank was probably constructed by a colony of Jews or
‘‘Yavanas". There is also a Hindu temple close to the Madayi bungalow.
Ettikulam, a small village lying a mile to the south of Mount Deli or Eli mala,
where the sea forms a small bay, is inhabited by Mappilla merchants who supply
Cannanore and Tellicherry with firewood. On a small hill stretching into the sea is a
redoubt strongly built but overrun with scrubs. It was probably built by the Portuguese
to protect their trade on this coast, and it subsequently passed into French and then into
English hands. There is an insignificant mosque almost on the summit of Mount Deli
frequented on certain days by numbers of Mappillas. It is infested with monkeys.
Irukkur, a large Mappilla town with some mosques, and lying southeast 25½
miles from Kavayi, is a place of note, being on the high road from the coast leading
through the Pudiya Churam or Huggel pass towards Coorg and Mysore. It is on the right
bank of the Valarpattanam (Beliapatam) river and can be reached by small river boats at
high tides. During the rains a great deal of timber and bamboos in rafts are floated down
to Valarpattanam and other places for sale and for the construction of small crafts.
Sirukkandhapuram, a Mappilla bazaar with a mosque, has a dense population in
its vicinity. It is on the right bank of the northern branch of the Valarpattanam river,
which is navigable as far as this for small boats. The bazaars or store-houses contain the
produce of the hill cultivation which is here collected and sent down by water to the
towns on the sea coast.
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Valarpattanam (Beliapatam, called, it

is said, after the Raja Valabham, who built
it), situated 5 miles north north-west of
Cannanore, is a small trading town
composed of a street of shops and large
houses. It is on the left bank of a
magnificent river which discharges itself
into the sea 4 miles to the south-west of it.
The banks are fringed with coconut and
other trees.
Chirakkal is famous as being the residence of the Raja of Chirakkal, who has a
Kovilakam or palace at this place on the south side of a reservoir of fresh water of
considerable dimensions, estimated to be 1,042 feet in length and 492 feet in breadth.
Half a mile on the west of the high road, a street is formed by weavers and other castes,
and on a height south-west of the palace are to be seen the remains of a redoubt.
Other places and religious institutions of minor importance are described in the
following table :—
Name of Name of religions Descriptive remarks.
amsam. or other
institutions for
which the place is
celebrated.
Chulali Vayital mala A very high hill. Previous to the invasion
ചുഴലി വയിതൽ മല of Tippu it appears that there was a
wealthy tribe of Kshetriyas called Vayital
Kovvanmar (െകാ ാർ) who owned
temples and property in the amsams of
Eramam, Chulali, Kuttur, Kuttiyeri, etc.,
below the ghat. In course of time they
found rivals in the influential Nambiyars
of Chulali, who waged war against and
exterminated them.
Kannileri Payyavur temple Image of Siva in the hunting costume of
ക ിെലരി പ ാവൂർ േ തം Kirathan—Tiled building. Tradition says
that Siva, in order to try the inflexibility
of Arjuna’s penance, attacked and threw
him away, but that from where he fell he
made the image of Siva and began to
worship, which greatly pleased the latter
deity.
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Pattuvam Pattuvatt temple Image of Bhagavati—Tiled roof. Cases
പ വം പ വ കാ in which parties agreed to abide by oaths
are sent here for the purpose of oaths
being taken.
Kunhimangalam Ramathali narayam Image of Shasthav—Thatched
കു ിമംഗലം. Kannur temple building—Is an old temple on the
രാമ ളി നരയം western slope of Mount Deli and close to
ക ർ േ തം. the sea. Contains Vatteluttu inscriptions
which have not yet been deciphered. Is
supposed to contain valuable medicinal
plants.
Cherukunnu Cherukunnu temple An important temple with tiled roof in
െചറുകു ു. െചറുകു ു North Malabar—Has an image of
േ തം. Bhagavati (Annapurneswari). Tradition says
that the temple was constructed by
Parasu Rama and that the deity came
from the north near Benares. There are
seven old temples here. On the west side
of the hill on which stands the temple of
Kunnur Matilakam is a rock-cut cave.
Moraya Katamperi temple Image of Chulali Bhagavati — Tiled.
െമാറായ. കടെ രി േ തം. Contains some carved figures. Has a fine
tank.
Kayaralam Velath temple Images of Vishnu, Ganapathi, and. Siva.
കയരളം. െവള േ തം. There are two srikovils of which one is
tiled and the other thatched. There is an
inscribed slab broken, in the temple, said
to be in Devanagari character.
Kuttiyattur Kuttiyattur temple Image ot Siva. Srikovil is tiled and rest
കു ിയാ ർ കു ിയാ ർ thatched. In the gate of the temple is a
േ തം. stone bearing an inscription not as yet
read—in characters stated to be
unknown
1. Maniyur temple Image of Subramaniyan. Srikovil tiled and
മണിയൂർ േ തം. the rest thatched. On the north side of
the trench surrounding the temple is a
stone having an inscription "in unknown
Maniyur character" on its four sides.
മണിയൂർ. 2.Kanhirattu Jamath Tiled—believed to be once a Hindu
mosque temple and converted into a mosque.
കാ ിരാ
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Malabar
ജമാ പ ി.
Chirakkal Kalarivathukkal Image of Bhagavathi—Tiled—supposed
ചി ൽ temple to be originally a Kalari (gymnasium) of
കളരിവാതു ൽ Patuvilayi Nayar, but subsequently fell
േ തം. into the possession of Chirakkal Raja.
Alikot Perinthra Kottaram. This is the residence of an agent of
അഴിേ ാ െപരി െകാവിൽ Taliparamba Devaswam and is noted for
െകാ ാരം. a peculiar custom locally observed. There
is a big tract of field known as "Olikot
vayal," the ownership of which is
supposed to vest in Perinthra Kovilappan.
There is no image of this god. At the
time of sowing and harvesting the crop
in that locality, the Devaswam agent goes
in procession and sows or cuts with his
own hand, and unless this is done, no
one can carry on any operation. A fixed
portion of the produce is also assigned to
the Devaswam, and this assignment is
known by the name of Kangani.
Etakad Oorpalechi temple Image of Siva in the hunting costume of
എട ാ ഊർ െഴ ി കാ Kirathan and of Vettakkorumakan. Srikovil
and surrounding buildings have copper
roof and the rest tiled. This is a very
important temple.
Makreri Peralasseri temple Image of Subramaniyan. Srikovil tiled and
മെ കരി. െപരളേ രി േ തം the rest thatched. Supposed to have great
power of curing poison.
Anicuts.—Canals.—Neither dams nor canals of irrigation are to be met with.

There is, however, one canal of communication usually known as the Sultan’s Canal
between the river of Palayangadi and a branch of another which runs north and joins the
Kavayi immediately to the south of the town of that name. It is 3 miles in length, out
through low paddy ground. It was executed at the expense of the Bibi of Cannanore
with the object, it would appear, of having a safe inland navigation from Nileshwaram in
South Kanara to Kakkad, 2 miles to the north-east of Cannanore. It is now shallow and
impassable during the dry season.
Minerals, Industries and Manufactures.—Laterite is met with in abundance.
Some coarse cotton cloths are made at a few places in the interior by rude appliances. At
Cannanore there is an excellent weaving establishment under the supervision of the
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William Logan
German Mission. In the Central Jail, Cannanore, carpentry and other works are carried
on.
Kunhimangalam is noted for its brass works, chiefly lamps.
Trigonometrical Station.--Mount Deli, in Kunhimangalam amsam, lies in
latitude 21° 01' 37.04'' and longitude 75° 14' 40.51" and belongs to Lambton’s series.
254
Malabar
ANJARAKANDI AMSAM.
By V. Chappu Menon, B.A.
Anjarakandi or Ancharahandi (literally 5½ sections or desams) is an interesting
amsam belonging to the Chirakkal taluk, and situated about 8 miles north north-east of
Tellicherry, and is administered in a peculiar manner. It has no paid adhikari or other
village officers, and is held by the family of Mr. Murdoch Brown on a lease of 99 years
granted by the Honourable Company on the 30th April 1817. The lease consequently
falls in on the 29th April 1916. The circumstances which led to the grant of this lease
were as follows:
In 1797 the Honourable East India Company opened out at this place, then
known as Randattara, a plantation of about 1,000 acres for the cultivation of special
products, such as coffee, pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, cassia, cotton, sugarcane and
sandalwood plants, and appointed Mr. Murdoch Brown, who had originated the scheme,
to be the overseer and manager of the estate. Mr. Brown was a merchant at Mahe, who,
on the fall of that Settlement in 1793, had entered the Company’s service. The terms of
agreement were that -
(1) The plantation was to be undertaken and carried on solely and entirely on
behalf of the Honourable Company.
(2) Any special products suggested by the Company’s agents were to be planted
in the manner desired, full accounts of receipts and expenditure being furnished.
(3) If the scheme sketched out for the carrying on and management of the
plantation were disapproved by the Court of Directors, then the concern was to be
undertaken by Mr. Brown on his own account, the Company being reimbursed within
three calendar months after such intention shall have been announced, the principal and
interest of money expended on the plantation provided, however, that the possession of
the ground occupied by the plantation be secured to him and to those concerned with
him at a reasonable rent to be rated according to the custom of the
(4) In the event of the contingency referred to in clause (3) occurring, that is, if
the plantation be carried on by Mr. Brown on his own private account, the whole
produce of pepper, coffee and cotton, and all such articles as shall be produced thereon,
shall be wholly and exclusively tendered in sale to the Honourable Company’s agents,
the Honourable Company paying for the same, viz., pepper at Rs. 50 per candy of 640
lb., coffee at Rs. 8 per bale of 20 lb. and other articles at such prices as Government may
deem their qualities and species entitled to. This agreement was signed by Mr. Murdoch
Brown on the 31st December 1797.
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William Logan
In 1799, the Court of Directors, who disapproved of the project, ordered the
transfer of the plantation to Mr. Brown in accordance with the terms of his agreement ;
but there was some difficulty in arranging the transfer which was effected by the
Principal Collector, Major William MacLeod, only in the year 1802. In 1803, the
plantation was almost wholly destroyed by the Palassi (Pychy) rebels, and this again
complicated matters. After some years of correspondence, it was settled in 1817 that a
lease of the estate for 99 years should be granted to Mr. Brown, and this was accordingly
done subject to the following terms :
(1) Mr. Murdoch Brown binds himself, his heirs and assigns to the payment of
an annual revenue amounting to Rs. 2,257-2-0 by such kists or instalments as the
Collector might from time to time direct.
2) When a new survey of the land revenue of Malabar shall take place, Mr.
Brown or his representatives shall pay the new revenue on the estate at the same rates as
the same species of land and productions of the district shall be assessed.
(3) It shall be lawful for Mr. Brown to purchase, with the consent of the
inhabitants who occupy and pay revenue on the 918 acres of land included within the
plantation estimated to comprise 2,000 acres of arable arable land, all or any part of the
said 918 acres, the purchases being duly registered in the Collector’s office or in the Zilla
Court.
(4) It shall be lawful for the Honourable Company to prohibit Mr. Brown from
purchasing occupied lands from the said inhabitants, but in that case he will be granted
an equal extent of unoccupied land (not exceeding 918 acres) in the vicinity at the time
of such prohibition being signified to him.
(5) At the expiration of the lease it shall remain, at the option of Government,
to resume the lands thus leased on repaying to the lawful owner the sums paid to the
natives for their janmam kudimanir rights and the products on them, when purchased.
(6) Whereas Mr. Brown did in 1802 offer and agree to pay for the purchase of
the said plantation the amount expended on it until then by the Company with certain
deductions agreed to by Government : and whereas the destruction of the buildings and
nearly all the productive vines and coffee trees in 1803 by the rebels from Cotiote put it
out of his power to fulfil his agreement and necessitated a reference to the Court of
Directors for their final decision as to the amount of remission to be granted to him, it is
further declared that Mr. Brown, who has already paid two instalments of Rs. 10,000
each, does bind himself, his heirs, executors and assigns to pay such further sum in final
discharge of his debt as the Court of Directors may determine, deducting therefrom the
value of the goods delivered to the Company’s Commercial Resident in Mahe agreeably
to the account furnished to the Principal Collector in 1802.
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Malabar
(7) Mr. Brown shall at all times conform to all lawful orders issued to him under
the authority of Government or its officers-
Agreeably to the above provision, clause (2) a survey took place in 1820-25 by
the Commissioner, Mr. Graeme, and the Collector, Mr. Vaughan, and this was followed
in 1833 by another under the Collector, Mr. Clementson. The assessment for Fasli 1294
(1884-85) was as follows :
Wet 781 10 10
Dry 1 10 3
Bhagayet 1,374 9 7
Inam Jodi 39 15 3
Total 2,197 13 11
Abkari revenue on Katti and Chatti 71 6 4
Local cess 292 9 6
Grand Total 2,561 13 9
The estate of Anjarakandi consists of five tarras or desams of —

1. Muringeri, 4. Anjarakandi,
2. Mamba, 5. Paleri,
3. Kamavatt,
together with a strip of land situated on the opposite side of the Anjarakandi
river in Kottayam taluk bounded by the dyke of ten feet in height constructed in the year
1800 for the defence of the plantation and containing about 40 acres of land. The total
area of the amsam is 3,382 acres, or a little more than 5¼ square miles, and it has a
population of 4,155 souls, of whom 2,064 are males and the rest females. The Hindus
number 3,609, Muhammadans 518, and Christians 28. The number of houses occupied
is 711 and unoccupied 93.
The collection of revenue is made by Mr. Brown, who also exercises petty
judicial powers usually inherent in the village head. The late Mr. F. C. Brown was
appointed by Government to be an Honorary Magistrate of the First Class, and the
High Court was also moved to issue in his name a Commission of the Peace. (Vide G.O.
No. 1315, dated 14th September 1865.)
Mr. Murdoch Brown, son of Mr. F. C. Brown, was appointed by Government,
in 1869, to be an Honorary Magistrate in the Chirakkal taluk with the powers of a
Subordinate Magistrate of the Second Class (G.O. No. 52, dated 12th January 1869). The
only paid public establishment at Anjarakandi is that of the Sub-Registrar of Assurances
at that station.
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William Logan
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Malabar
CANNANORE-KIRAR TERRITORY
This is a tract of land about 2,364 acres in extent in Cannanore belonging to the
Mappilla Raja of Cannanore and which is held by his family under an agreement entered
into with the British Government, as already described in Vol. I.
The judicial administration of the Kirar territory is conducted by the officers of
the British Government. The raja is merely permitted to collect rents on the lands
comprised within the Kirar limits, and has no power to interfere with the collection of
special rates chargeable under the municipal or fiscal law. His palace is situated in what is
called the old town of Cannanore, and is known as the Arakkal palace. A lamp is kept
burning throughout the day and night in one of the rooms in the palace, the belief being
that if extinguished the prosperity of the house would be destroyed.
The maladministration of the Laccadive Islands belonging to the raja led to
endless outbreaks and defiance of authority on the part of the islanders, and the revenue
due to him was threatened with extinction. The peishcush due to Government also fell
into arrears, and the Government of India therefore assumed the management of the
islands till such time as the arrears remained unpaid and a better system of
administration has been introduced into them. A detailed account of the islands is given
separately.
The temples and mosques within the Kirar territory are shown below :
1. Thayil temple Image of Vishnu. Srikovil roofed with copper plate.

ത ിൽ േ തം The rest tiled.
2. Jamath mosque A very important mosque roofed with copper plates.
ജമാ ് പ ി There are several small mosques within the town.
3. Thayil church Roman Catholic chapel—Tiled building.
ത ിൽ പ ി
4. Khajana Kotta These are names of certain forts that existed within
ഖജാന േകാ Kirar limits. All of these are now in ruins and have in
Chutikotta . . some cases been converted into lands for cultivation.
ചൂടി േകാ
Katalai Bjotta
കടലായി േകാ
Avera Kotta
അവര േകാ
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William Logan
The peishcush due by Sultan Ali Raja of Cannanore, according to the
engagement, dated 28th October 1796, is Rs. 15,000 per annum.
N.B.—The exact amount appearing in the Revenue accounts is Rs. 15,000-0-11,
payable in three equal instalments—the first on the 15th of Dhanu (8th December), the
second on the 15th of Medam (6th April), and the third at the end of Chingam (15th
September).
An abatement of 1,500 star pagodas, equivalent to Rs. 5,260, was allowed by the
Court of Directors in 1822 as compensation for the loss of the Amin Divi Islands
attached to the South Canara district.
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Malabar
THE LACCADIVE ISLANDS

Position and Extent.—The Laccadives {Laksha Dwipa — "The hundred
thousand islands,’’ also called the Divi or Amindivi Islands) consist of a group of islands
off the Malabar Coast lying between 8° and 12° N. lat. and between 72° and 74° E. long.
The northern portion of the group is attached to the Collectorate of South Canara, and
the southern portion, which is otherwise known as the Cannanore Islands, is attached to
the Malabar district. The approximate area, population, and other particulars regarding
the latter group are given below :—
Islands. Distance Area in Population. Number Dependent islets.

from Calicut. square of
Miles miles. houses.
Agatti 218 13/8 1,375 302 (1) Parali, (2) Bangara,
(3)Tinnakara, Kalpitty.
Kavaratti 195 11/3 2,129 314 (1) Pitti, (2) Seuhelipar,
consisting of Valiyakara
and Cheriyakara.
Androth 139 12/3 2,884 407 Nil
Kalpeni 149 1 1,222 213 (1) Cheriyam, (2) Thilakka,

(3) Pitti.
Minicoy 243 13/4 3,191 524 (1) Viringilli.
(Menakaya
t)
Total 71/8 10,801 1,760
All the dependent islets are uninhabited, with the exception of Viringilli, which
is used occasionally as a hospital for the small-pox patients of Minicoy.
Physical Aspects.—The topographical features of all the islands are very
simple and almost identical. Each is contained within a coral reef stretching in a general
direction from north to south and lies just within the eastern side of the reef, whilst on
the western side a more or less extensive lagoon intervenes between the shore and the
reef.
Androth is, however, an exception to this rule, in that it has no lagoon worthy
of the name and lies east and west instead of north and south. Outside the reef on one
261
William Logan
side the sea deepens abruptly beyond the reach of ordinary sounding tackle (on the east
side, save in the case of Androth where it is on the south), and on the other the coral
shoal slopes gradually away for some distance till a depth of about 20 fathoms is
attained, when ordinary soundings again suddenly cease and reveal the existence of a
stupendous submarine precipice.
The water in the lagoon is generally so still that in the worst weather coir or
coconut fibre may be soaked without danger of being washed away.
The surface of the islands is almost flat, the small inequalities that exist being
either of artificial origin as in Androth and Kalpeni, or in some few instances of the
nature of sand dunes. The elevation is nowhere more than a few feet above the level of
the sea. The crescent-shaped form of the body of the island is due to the more perfect
development of the eastern and protected side of the coral formation. The same feature
characterises all these shoals and leads to the theory1 that they rose to the surface in the
form of circular or oval shallow basins, and that, under the protection of the shoal, the
eastern rim gradually developed itself towards the centre and formed an island.
NOTEs.1—Mr. Darwin’s theory that the coral insect by its ceaseless labours slowly formed the
land as the island mountain tops as slowly sank in the ocean, is the one that best fits all the known facts. The
coral insect, it seems, cannot work at greater depths than between 20 to 30 fathoms. —W.L. END OF
NOTEs
This theory is strengthened by the fact that on some of the islands this gradual
increase towards the lagoon is still going on. The receding tide leaves the outer edge of
the reef nearly dry, and the tide water passes out of the lagoon by two or three breaches
in the outer rim, which are sufficiently large to admit the light native craft into the
natural harbour formed by the lagoon and varying in depth from a few inches to several
fathoms at low tide.
Soil and Products.—The soil is generally poor, consisting solely of white coral
sand and extending for the most part to a depth of only a few feet, at which depth a sub-
stratum of coral limestone is met with. In most of the islands also there are spots where
the soil is almost entirely composed of loose coral stones. Tlie islands are covered with
vegetation, the luxuriance of which under such unfavourable circumstances is apparently
due to the favourable climatic influences of their insular situation and to the fact that the
coral free stone substratum underlying the islands is porous. In all the islands fresh water
is to be found at a depth varying from 5 to 8 feet, but it is affected by the tide, rises and
falls several inches, and is not as a rule very wholesome. The chief products are
coconuts, limes, which grow luxuriantly in favourable situations, bread-fruit, dry grains
and vegetables—the latter two only to a very limited extent.
There are cattle and goats in some, and fowls in all, of the islands. Rats are
unfortunately numerous, and prove very destructive to the coconut plantations. Turtles,
both of the green and of the tortoise shell-bearing species, are common, particularly the
former, and fish, in great variety and of most astonishingly bright colours, are abundant.
262
Malabar
The sea slug (holothuria), which passes its time in taking in and discharging large
quantities of sand, is also plentiful. Shell fish too are abundant, particularly the cowry,
and conch shells are not uncommon.
In birds, the islands are singularly defective. The golden plover, the whimbrel,
and one or two varieties of cranes visit the islands during their migrations, and owls have
been imported to slay the rats.
People.—The people belong, without exception, to the Muhammadan faith,
but they are organised after the Hindu fashion into three simple classes or castes-
(1) Kamavar (doers, agents), consisting of the families of principal people who
monopolise the boat-owning.
(2) Malumis subdivided into—
(a) Malumis proper (pilots or sailors), and
(6) Urukars (boat people), employed formerly as common sailors, but now in
various avocations, and
(3) Melacheris (climbers), who are the tree-climbers and toddy-drawers and
universally dependants of the higher classes.
Notwithstanding their form of religion, monogamy is universal, and the women
appear in public freely with their heads uncovered, and in Minicoy take the lead1 in
almost everything, except navigation. Their language is Malayalam, which is usually
written in the Arabic character, except in Minicoy where Mahl2 with a mixture of corrupt
Malayalam is spoken. The inhabitants, more especially those of Minicoy, are bold
seamen and expert boat-builders. The condition of the various classes and their ordinary
avocations are described in the separate notices of the islands.
NOTEs: 1. Conf. Vol I, p. 287.
2. Conf., Appendix XI. END OF NOTEs
History of the islands.—The ancient history of the islands is involved in

obscurity. Tradition says that the principal islands were, settled about 1,000 years ago by
people from the coast. The first occupation is attributed to an accident, but considerable
voluntary immigration also appears to have taken place. The accident referred to was as
follows :—
"A tradition is preserved among them that their forefathers formed part of an
expedition from Malayala, which set out for Mecca in search3 of their apostate King,
Cheraman Perumal, and was wrecked on these islands. The inhabitants certainly
remained Hindus long after their first settlement and were probably converted to Islam
not more than 250 or 300 years1 back. They retain some of the general distinctions of
caste as well as the law of succession in the female line with certain local modifications.
This law is still adhered to on the island of Amindivi, where distinctions of caste and a
263
William Logan
more numerous population have been obstacles to the gradual change by which the
custom of regular parental descent is supplanting the local law of Malabar on the islands
of Kadamat, Kiltan and Chetlat of the Canara portion of the group ; in the southern
islands, still under native management, the old custom is more rigidly observed." -
(Robinson)
NOTEs: 3. Conf. Vol I, p. 241.
1. Note - The islanders probably became Muhammadans at a somewhat earlier period than this.
The change of faith was probably contemporaneous with the rise of the Mapilla house of
Cannanore (conf., Vol. I., p. 360 foot-note). END OF NOTEs
Some of the principal inhabitants claim descent from Nayars and even the
Nambutiris of Malabar. The Melacheris are apparently the descendants of Tiyyars and
Mukkuvars (fishermen) of the coast. The early administration of the islands appears to
have been of a purely patriarchal type, conducted by a Mundyal, Mudutal or chief
inhabitant, and the heads of the principal families. It continued till nearly the sixteenth
century, and in no way differed from that prevailing on the mainland.
Society was organised by castes having hereditary functions to perform in the
body politic, and indeed the archaic form of organisation appears to have been better
maintained in these isolated islands than on the mainland. The land in particular appears
to have formed a portion of the common stock of the community—and, at the present
time even, the idea of ownership of the soil has very imperfectly taken hold of the minds of
these islanders.
Minicoy, though the population is Mahl, is no exception to this rule, and so little
has the idea of property in the soil taken root, that it is customary even now for a man to plant
a coconut tree in his neighbour’s backyard if his neighbour neglects this duty and if
space is available. The trees growing on the soil are, however, strictly considered to be
private property, and the islanders have marks which enable them to distinguish one
man’s trees from those of another.
The islanders embraced Muhammadanism at some period subsequent to the
thirteenth century, owing, as is supposed, to the preaching of Mumba Mulyaka, an Arab
teacher who first appeared in the island of Ameni. He met with opposition at the outset,
which was, however, overcome by his demonstration of miracles and supernatural
powers. Androth, which was the scene of his first success, contains his grave and shrine
and has always been looked upon as a holy island. The islanders were probably always
more or less dependent on the princes of the Kolattiri family and the admirals of their
fleets, the progenitors of the Mappilla house2 of Cannanore.
NOTEs: 2. Conf., foot-note, Vol, I. p. 360. END OF NOTEs
The Portuguese made a settlement on the island of Ameni, but were shortly
afterwards (about A.D. 1545) exterminated by poison owing to the intrigues of the
Kolattiri princes. About 1550, the Kolattiri Raja, who no doubt found the islands to be,
after the advent of the Portuguese, an irksome possession, conferred them, it is said in
264
Malabar
Jagir, with the title of Ali Raja (Raja of the deep or sea), on the head of the Cannanore
family, the stipulated peishcush being either 6,000 or 12,000 fanams. It is said that this
tribute continued to be paid, but probably with more or less irregularity as the fortunes
of the two houses waxed or waned, by the house of Cannanore to the Kolattiri princes
till the middle of the eighteenth century. The Bednur invasion and subsequently that of
Hyder Ali led to the dismemberment of the Kolattiri kingdom and to the independence
of the Cannanore house, who retained the exclusive possession of the islands as allies of
Hyder Ali and Tippu Sultan.
The island of Minicoy appears to have been a more recent acquisition by the
Cannanore family from the Sultan of the Maldives and the people probably never
acknowledged fealty to the Kolattiri princes.
The islanders state that it was surrendered by them to the Cannanore house on
condition of protection being afforded to them against the Kottakkal1 Kunyali
Marakkars, the famous Malayali pirates, who used to harry the island periodically.
NOTEs: 1. Conf., Vol. I, p. 12 and p. 332 foot-note. END OF NOTEs
In 1786 the inhabitants of the group attached to the South Canara district
revolted, in consequence of the rigorous enforcement of the coir monopoly, and
transferred their allegiance from the Cannanore house to Tippu Sultan. In 1799, when
Canara fell to the East India Company, these islands, which had been attached by Tippu
Sultan to his Kacheri of Mangalore, were not restored to the Bibi of Cannanore, but a
remission of 1,500 pagodas, equivalent to Rs. 5,250, was conceded instead in 1822. The
Cannanore islands became at the disposal of the Company by the storming of
Cannanore towards the end of 1791, and were further ceded with Tippu’s entire
dependencies in Malabar by the Treaty of Seringapatam in 1792.
This southern or Malabar group of islands, along with Cannanore itself, are still
held by the Cannanore family at a peisheush of Rs. 15,000 (less the remission above
mentioned), alleged to be one-half of the profits derived from the trade with the islands
and from the lands at Cannanore—a tribute which, though adopted only provisionally at
the time of the first settlement, has remained unaltered to the present time. The Malabar
islands have, in recent years, been twice sequestrated for arrears of revenue, and at the
present time are under the direct management of the Collector of Malabar.
Fiscal administration.—The sources of the revenue derived from the islands
during their administration by the raja comprised —
(1) The monopolies of coir, coconuts, cowries, tortoise-shell, holothuria, and
ambergris.
(2) Confiscations, escheats, naziranas, pilot customs, and fines for criminal
offences and for evasions of fiscal restrictions.
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William Logan
Besides these, there were several other cesses levied by Mukhyastans, the
Pandaram or fiscal agents of the raja and the kazi, in matters falling within their
respective provinces. But these, which were for the most part discretionary and
unauthorised, have been given up or discontinued. The only monopolies now
recognised are those of coir, cowries, tortoise-shell, holothuria, and ambergris. The two
last named have almost died out, and yield no revenue to the Pandaram exchequer.
Coir monopoly.—By far the most important item of revenue is the monopoly
of island coir. The earliest form in which this assessment was collected was by the
exaction of a tithe of the produce on exportation from the islands as well as by the
collection of a tithe of rice brought in exchange. For two centuries this, with certain
royalties, constituted the whole revenue of the group. In 1765 the right of purchase of
coir by the Pandaram was first introduced, when the market value of that article was 60
to 70 rupees per candy, and the price to be paid by the Pandaram was fixed at Rs. 30 per
candy payable in rice at a fixed rate of Rs. 2¼ per muda, supposed to contain 50 Calicut
seers, whilst the average price of rice was Rs. 1—12—0 per muda. The tithe duty on coir
was transferred to Cannanore and charged as an import duty ; the tithe duty on rice
imported into the islands was also retained. From these sources the profits were for a
time enormous, and this system was pursued until 1826.
In 1827 the price of coir suddenly fell from Rs. 60 to Rs. 20 or less, but
considering the profits derived from the coir monopoly for so many years previously,
the Government held with regard to their Canara islands that they could not fairly call
on the islanders to share in the loss by low prices, and no change whatever took place in
the Government islands. In the Cannanore islands, on the other hand, the nominal price
payable to the islanders was reduced from Rs. 30 to Rs. 22 subject to the same
deductions as before (viz., 10 per cent, import duty on coir, 10 per cent, export duty on
rice and 1 per cent, on account of sundry expenses), and to further aggravate the evil,
the commutation price of Rs. 2¼ per muda of rice was maintained, notwithstanding the
fact that the market price at that time was only Rs. 1½.
In 1832 a further reduction was made in the rate of payment for coir which was
fixed, irrespective of the market or any other money rates, at 5¾ mudas of rice for a
candy of coir subject to the usual deductions of 21 per cent. The price obtained by the
islanders for their coir thus dwindled down to about Rs. 6-6-0 per candy. It was alleged
by some of the islanders, who represented their grievances to Government, that, besides
the starvation rate allowed to them on their coir, they were subjected to further and
considerable hardships and losses, because -
(a) Their coir was dried1 again and beaten in bundles at Cannanore with a view
to reduce its weight.
(b) Deductions were made on account of old debts which were never proved to
their satisfaction.
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Malabar
(c) The raja’s agents exacted presents.

(d) There was considerable delay in settling the accounts and allowing the
vessels to return to the islands.
NOTEs: The islanders, as recent experience shows, sometimes damp their coir to give it more
weight. The temptation to do this must have been irresistible, when their produce was being paid for at a
starvation rate. END OF NOTEs
All these charges were of course denied by the raja and his agents, but the fact
remained that the islanders were driven into open defiance of his authority and refused
to import any coir into Cannanore. These complaints, as well as the large arrears of
peishcush left unpaid by the Cannanore house, induced Government to interfere in the
interests alike of the raja and of the people, and the islands were on the last occasion
attached and brought under Government management on the 3rd April 1875. The
monopoly rates at which the islanders have been paid since 1st January 1878 for their
coir are as follows :—
(a) First sort coir per candy of 560 lb., Rs. 6 plus four sacks or eight mudas of
rice, nominally equivalent to Rs. 22 in all, but actually rising or falling above or below
that sum according as the price of a muda of rice rises above or falls below Rs. 2 per
muda.
(b) Second sort coir do., Rs.4 plus 3½ sacks or 7 mundas of rice, nominally
equivalent to Rs. 18 in all.
(c) Third sort coir do., Rs. 4 plus 2½ sacks of rice, nominally equivalent to Rs.
14 in all. Each sack contains 100 Calicut seers of 65 tolas of rice each. The rates are very
nearly the same as those prevailing on the Canara islands.
This arrangement is advantageous to the islanders because it secures to them
payment for their coir yarn in the article (rice) in which payments are made for its
manufacture at the islands, and the money payment in addition enables the islanders to
purchase other articles of consumption. The islanders are (as in justice they ought to be,
so long as such a faulty revenue system remains in force) protected against a falling
market for their produce and a rising market for rice ; and as matter of fact, the price of
rice having risen of recent years, the islanders have been receiving for their coir yarn
better prices than they could have obtained in the open market.
The following statement shows the revenue from the coir monopoly during five
years ending with fasli 1293. The figures represent actual sales, including in some cases
the balance of coir yarn of previous year. For convenience, fractions of candies and
rupees have been omitted.
267
William Logan
The revenue fluctuates with the season and with the varying conditions of the
coir market, and cannot be relied on. Sometimes the monopoly results in losses to the
island administration. The coir monopoly does not exist in the island of Minicoy. A sort
of Karayma or fixed rent, at the rate of 15 palams or 5 lb. of coir on each tree confiscated
and allowed to remain in the management of the family from whom the property was
seized, is exacted in some of the islands. The Kavaratti islanders chiefly noticed this as
one of their grievances.
Coconut monopoly.—In 1826 a coconut monopoly was established in the

islands according to the same system as existed in regard to the coir. It has, however,
since been abolished. During the continuance of the monopoly, people turned to the
manufacture of jaggery which was free ; but whereas in Agatti the toddy was not
plentiful, they betook themselves to the manufacture of oil Almost all the revenue
derived from coconuts is now obtained from Minicoy ; it amounted in fasli 1293
(1883—84) to Rs. 20,394. The produce, however, included a portion of the stock of the
previous year and was unusually large.
Cowry monopoly.—It is not known at what period this monopoly was

commenced. The fisheries were carefully preserved for the Pandaram and could not be
undertaken without permission. This permission is, however, not required now except
when people proceed to any part of the islands where there is danger of theft of
Pandaram coconuts. When fished, the whole must be delivered under heavy penalties to
the Pandaram. They were received originally by measure in exchange for rice, the earliest
rate being two seers of rice for one seer of cowry. In 1826, when the price of coir fell,
the cowry rate was reduced to one seer of rice for one seer of cowry When this change
tended to diminish the supply, the rice rate was raised from one to one and a half seers.
The present price is 4 annas a seer of cowries, which weighs nearly two pounds. The
monopoly is a failure. In fasli 1293 there were purchased 11 candies, 10 maunds, 27 lb.
of cowries at a cost of Rs. 871—5—1 and these realised on sale only Rs. 448-4-7.
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Malabar
Tortoise-shell.—Green turtles are found in considerable numbers on the

shoals and in the lagoons of the islands, and are valuable for their blubber. The tortoise-
shell yielding species is comparatively rare. Up to 1815 the rate was 10 to 15 seers of rice
for each tortoise-shell according to its size, and this was raised afterwards to Rs. 6 per lb.
with a view to hold out sufficient inducement to the people to prosecute the fishing.
The present rate is Rs. 2 per lb. In fasli 1291, 11½ lb. were purchsed from the islanders
at a cost of Rs. 23, and realised on sale Rs. 57—8—0. As cowries and tortoise-shell are
not important sources of income to the islanders, there were no serious complaints
about the inadequacy of the remuneration paid to them by the raja.
Holothuria (Beche-de-mer of commerce).—The manufacture of beche-de-mer appears

to be somewhat recent and to have given rise to some successful speculation. The
Pandaram claimed it as a royalty and preserved all holothuria, either manufacturing the
beche-de-mer on its own account or renting the fishing to coast merchants. Mr.
Underwood, in 1882, found that “the trade in the Atta or sea-leach (beche-de-mer) has not
quite died out. Men do not come over from the mainland as in former days and hire
labour to catch them. Some of the more industrious islanders go and pull them off the
rocks and out of the sand and cure them. They are sent to Mangalore in the odams and
thence shipped to China."
Ambergris.—Very little of this article is found on the islands, but when found it
is considered to be a royalty.
Morinda Citron and Lime Monopoly.—The Morinda citron of Androth and the
lime of Kavaratti were formerly articles of monopoly. The former used to be
monopolised at one-fourth of its value and the latter gathered by the Pandaram agents, a
good portion being taken as the Pandaram share and sent to Cannanore or made into
pickles. The tax was abolished with the sanction of Government, conveyed in their
order of 23rd February 1880.
Salt and Tobacco Monopoly.—On the introduction of salt and tobacco

monopoly on the coast they were imitated in the Cannanore islands. The raja made
considerable profit by this ; but of late it has fallen into disuse, and the people now
supply themselves. The free supply of salt to the islanders was recognised by
Government in February 1880.
Pilot Customs.—The people of the group are skilful pilots. They used to pilot
crafts from the coast till they cleared the group of islands, and also to Arabia. A nazirana
at the rate of Rs. 3—8—0 on a voyage of the former description and of Rs. 7 on the
latter, was exacted. This has now been given up.
Other naziranas used to be exacted as follows : —
269
William Logan
First.—Rs. 300 to 500 on
succession of the heir to the office of
kazi, which is hereditary.
Secondly.—Rs. 100 to 300 on

occasions of titles or dignities being
conferred on principal personages.
These titles had local privileges attached
to them and implied power to levy
certain contributions, such as pick of
fish, etc.
Thirdly.—Rs. 4 to 11 on
occasions of interviews or audiences of
the raja.
Fourthly.—Payments for permission to

wear ornaments. Formerly toddy-
drawers, too, had to pay cesses under
the name of naziranas towards the
support of the public servants, although
the trade in jaggery manufactured by
them was free. All these have since been given up.
Bread-fruit trees have been assessed with the sanction of Government,

conveyed in February 1880.
Waste land.—The raja claims all waste lands as Pandaram or crown property.
The claim has been acquiesced in to a large extent by the people. The ideas of the
islanders in regard to property in the soil have been only slowly developing in recent
years. Originally, the land was the common stock of the community and the
administration is now engaged in dividing it among the people. The waste lands claimed
by the raja are given on application to any one who will undertake under a cowle1 or
written agreement to cultivate them within a certain time, and all improvements made
become the sole property of the cultivator. When the land has been all thus settled, it
will probably become possible to abolish the trade monopolies with their irksome
restrictions, and to throw the island trade open.
NOTEs: 1
The form of cowle at present in use is as follows : —
Agreement between ___________ on behalf of the Collector of Malabar and ___________ of
___________.
I, ___________, hereby lease to you and I ___________hereby take on lease from you the
Pandaram land described at the foot of this document on the following terms :—
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Malabar
1. Whereas there are now standing on the said land the following trees :-
Coconuts Bread-fruits Limes
Tei
Kili
Maram
Phalam
Aphalam
I, ________, agree to pay rent for the same as specified below, viz. :—
(a) In ________ of coir of the best sort made in the island and at this rate each year till________.
(b) In ________ of coir of the sort above said and at this rate in each year till ________.
(c) In ________ of coir and at this rate in each year until the under-mentioned paimash is made.
2. I, ________, further agree that within three years from the date of this lease the said land shall
be cleared, and shall thenceforwards be kept clear, of jungle and planted up with cocoanuts, in such a
manner that there may be at no time less than one plant for every ________ perukams, exclusive of the land
occupied by buildings.
3. Paimashes shall hereafter be made at such intervals as may be fixed with the sanction in writing
of the Collector of Malabar, acting under the general or special orders of the Government of Madras, and at
each paimash the rent to be thenceforwards paid by me shall be calculated at the rate of ________ on each
tree found to be in bearing at the said paimash.
4. I further undertake that I will not erect any mosque or bury any human body in the said land.
5. I, ________, under the authority vested in me by Government through the Collector of
Malabar undertake that no rent shall be demanded from you, your heirs, representatives or assigns on
account of any trees hereafter planted by you or them on the said land until the expiration of ________
years from the date of this lease.
6. 1, ________, further undertake that (subject to your punctually paying the stipulated rent, and
otherwise complying with the terms of this agreement) you, your heirs, representatives or assigns shall not
be ousted until the expiration of forty years from the date of this lease, nor after the termination of the lease,
until you are paid the compensation provided for in the next succeeding paragraph. But with the sanction in
writing of the Collector acting under the general or special orders of the Government of Madras, this
contract may for any special reason be terminated after one year’s notice in writing has been given to you. In
this case you will be entitled to compensation as provided in paragraph 7 together with a further sum
amounting in all to 15 per cent, of such compensation.
7. I further undertake that if you, your heirs, representatives or assigns are ejected on the
expiration of your lease, or for non-payment of rent or for any other sufficient reason, you or they shall be
paid compensation for all valuable trees of whatever description you or they have planted during the lease at
rates to be fixed with the sanction in writing of the Collector of Malabar, acting under the general or special
orders of the Government of Madras, or by a person appointed by him as arbitrator.
8. You, your heirs, representatives and assigns are at liberty to dig wells and tanks, to erect
buildings (other than rhosques) and to dwell on the land.
9. On you, your heirs, representatives or assigns being ejected you shall be at liberty to remove the
said buildings, and shall be allowed one month so to do ; subject to a lien thereon for any rent which may be
due.
10. You shall not be entitled to receive any sum as compensation save and except in the manner
provided in paragraphs 6 and 7.
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William Logan
11 . Until the next paimash, the rent shown m paragraph 1 (a) and (b) as payable by you in coir
shall at your option be payable in money at the rate of _____ per _____.
12. You _____ shall be at liberty to relinquish the land after giving a year’s notice in writing to the
Collector of Malabar, but in this case you will not be entitled to any compensation for improvements.
13. If you, your heirs, representatives or assigns lease the land or any portion of it to a sub-tenant,
the sub-lease shall be in writing and registered, and such subtenant shall not during the remainder of the
currency of this lease, be ousted from possession of the land, except with the sanction in writing of the
Collector of Malabar acting under the general or special orders of the Government of Madras, and then,
only on compensation being paid to the sub-tenant at full market rates for all improvements made by him.
14. In the event of the rent being allowed by you to fall into arrears, it will be collected by the
attachment and sale of your movable property.
Name of No. of plot Measurement in 6 Area Boundaries
Island. on Survey feet Koles.
Map. N. & S. E. & W. N. E. S. W.
END OF NOTEs
General and Judicial Administration.— Very little is known about tbe

ancient administration of the islands. The administrative machinery of each island
consisted of a karyakar (raja’s agent), one accountant and three or four Nadapals (village
runners), the latter number having been subsequently reduced to two. These officers
were under the immediate orders of Cannanore, and were seldom controlled in their
work by the personal visits of either the raja or his principal karayakars. They were
entrusted with the administration of petty police and civil justice, the maintenance and
protection of the monopolies, the collection of revenue and the management of the
Pandaram property.
The karyakars were aided in their work by mukhyastans or principal men who sat
with them in committee in the adjudication of all matters. The mukhyastans were
invested with certain dignities and privileges and had their office hereditary in their
families. Their presence was necessary to constitute the kacheri for the transaction of
business and they exerted considerable influence over the islanders. This form of
patriarchal administration was suited to the rude state of society on the islands, but
corruption and its concomitant baneful influences were rampant, and goaded the
islanders into open rebellion and resistance of the Cannanore authority.
All cesses, customs and contributions due to the Pandaram and local servants,
judicial fines and penalties for breaches of fiscal rules, etc., were secured by attachment
and confiscation of the defaulter’s property and where they could not be fully recovered
they were carried into the accounts as debts against the family and realised whenever
opportunity offered. Evasions of payments were also punished by fines and
imprisonment. There were no prescribed rules of procedure in regard to trials or judicial
proceedings and matters of importance were referred to Cannanore for orders. It was
272
Malabar
supposed that records had been kept of all such proceedings, but they were stated to be
not forthcoming when demanded of the Raja by the Collector.
There was no distinction between criminal offences and those constituted by
commercial and fiscal arrangements, and the same summary proceedings were resorted
to in all matters.
It has been affirmed that offences of a heinous nature happily never occurred
on the islands, and it is possible that this might have been the case. Some years ago the
murder of a child alleged to have been committed with a view to obtain her jewels was
stated to have occurred in the island of Kavaratti, and it was believed that the
perpetrator’s house was "plundered” by the inhabitants in an organised body1, the jewels
and a boat were sold and the proceeds given to the victim’s family. A plantation of 8 or
10 trees was also carried to the Pandaram account.
NOTEs: 1. The Kuttam (see Glossary) was no doubt a rough but most effective instrument of
justice in such cases. The community simply rose and plundered (as in this instance) the guilty individual and
his family, reducing them to beggary. END OF NOTEs
It is curious that this form of rough and ready justice was most frequently
employed for the punishment of the offence of sorcery. In the adjudication of petty civil
disputes oath, arbitration and ordeal were freely employed, and oaths in the name of the
raja and on the Koran were considered peculiarly solemn. The kazi also exercised
jurisdiction over matters falling within his province.
The islands form one of the scheduled districts and no written law has yet been
extended to them. Nor is there, so long as the islands remain under the direct
administration of Government officers, much necessity for the introduction of written
laws, which in the case of such archaic forms of society only lead to the breaking up of
the bonds on which society rests, and to the consequent multiplication of chicanery,
fraud, and other too numerous evils. When society has become more complex, written
laws must of course follow ; but meanwhile the enlightened despotism of the officers of
Government, founded on justice and good conscience, is a form of administration
which the islanders thoroughly appreciate and which they have as yet shown no wish to
have changed.
Since the last sequestration of the islands, in April 1875, for arrears of peishcush
due by Sultan Ali Raja of Cannanore, the administration of the islands has been
improved in several ways. The islands have been periodically visited by Covenanted
European officers and a small staff of clerks, and the grievances of the people have been
fairly and equitably dealt with both on the spot as well as on the mainland.
One amin with a gumasta (clerk) to assist him, and paid fairly well, has been
appointed for each island, and has been authorised to try petty civil and criminal cases of
a nature which do not involve any intricate or nice questions beyond the keen and
intelligence of this class of officers. Their powers extend to a sentence of imprisonment
273
William Logan
not exceeding 15 days and of fine not exceeding Rs, 15, and the trial is conducted with
the aid of two or more assessors selected in turn from the list of chief men in each
island.
A number of volumes of the Registration Department usually in use on the
coast have been sent to the islands, and the amins have been directed to copy into them
walls and other documents relating to divorce and other important transactions in the
island. The present establishments on the islands are as follows :
The islands were attached on the first occasion for arrears of peishcush due to
Government under orders issued on the 7th September 1854, but from circumstances
beyond control there was some delay in carrying them into effect. The Islands of
Androth, Kalpeni, Kavaratti and Agatti were taken charge of on the 9th November 1854,
and the island of Minicoy on the 22nd March 1855, but there was resistance in the last-
named island owing to the intrigues of the house of Cannanore, and this was not finally
overcome till after the visit of Mr. Thomas in the early part of 1858. The islands were
released from attachment on liquidation of arrears in 1861. The attachment on the
second or last occasion took place on the 3rd April 1875.
The names of officers who have from time to time visited some or all of the
islands are as follows :-
Name of officer. Designati Date of Remarks.
on. visit.
Lieutenant Bentley. 1795 To institute enquiries as to

the condition and resources
of the islands.
Mr. (afterwards Sir) Head 1847 To afford relief to the
William Robinson Assistant islanders who were in
Collector. distressed circumstances after
the great storm of April 1847.
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Malabar
Special 1856 To inspect and report on the

Assistant islands after their
Collector. sequestration by Government
Mr. E. C. G. Thomas. for arrears of peisheush.
do. 1858 To investigate the cause of
the mutinous spirit exhibited
by the people of Minicoy and
to bring them to a sense of
allegiance to Government.
Mr. W. Logan Sub 1869 To report on the condition of
Collector the islands, their
administration and remedial
measures for establishing
order and good Government.
Mr. J. B. Spedding. do. February To ascertain whether the
1873 arrangements suggested in
Mr. Logan’s report had been
carried out by the raja and his
agents.
Special February To dispose of island matters
Assistant and on the spot and to submit
Collector March proposals for the
Mr. H. M. 1876 administration of the islands.
Winterbotham.
do. Decembe do.
r 1877
and
January
and
February
1878.
Mr. V. A. Brodie. Special January For disposal of ordinary
Assistant to March island matters.
Collector 1880.
Mr. W. G. Underwood. do. Novembe For disposal of ordinary
r 1881 to island matters.
February
1882.
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William Logan
Mr. A. C. Tate do. January For disposal of ordinary
to March island matters.
1884.
Head Decembe To appoint a competent amin
Assistant r 1884 at Minicoy.
Mr. G. W. Dance.
Collector.
do. January For disposal of ordinary
1885. island matters.
Mr. W. Logan. Collector. January do.
1887.
Mr. G. W. Dance. Head January do.
Assistant 1887.
Collector.
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Malabar
AGATTI ISLAND.
Position and Extent.—The island of Agatti, situated in Lat. 10° 51' 30" N. and
Long. 72° 28' E, and lying about 35 miles north-west of Kavaratti, is the most westerly
of the Laccadive group. In formation it somewhat resembles Kalpeni. Like that island, it
lies north-east and south-west, and has on its western side a fine lagoon. The coral shoal
upon which it stands is between 6 and 7 miles in length and from 3½ to 4 miles in
breadth. On the east, the reef is situated close to the beach and beyond it the water
deepens rapidly ; whilst on the west, the reef trends outwards so as to enclose the
lagoon, which at its broadest point is more than two miles wide, and in this direction
beyond the reef the slope of the coral shoal is very gradual.
Besides the main island, the reef also encloses the small uninhabited island of
Kalpitti situated to the south of Agatti proper and separated from it by a narrow and
shallow channel. The main island is long
and narrow, being nearly 5 miles in
length, whilst its greatest breadth is
under 1,000 yards.
The southern portion consists
of a long narrow strip averaging for
more than 2 miles of its length little
over 100 yards in width. The total area
of the two islands is 716 acres or nearly
11/8 square miles, Agatti comprising an
extent of 688½ acres and Kalpitti 27½
acres. At a distance of about 5 miles to the north lie the uninhabited islands of –
1. Bangara (115 acres),

2. Tinnakara (76¾ acres),
3. Parali (10 acres),
but these, though situated upon what is no doubt an extension of the Agatti coral shoal,
are enclosed by a separate range of reefs and the channel between is deep.
There are two entrances into the lagoon navigable by the island vessels, viz., one
situated close in shore at the north-western extremity of the island, and the other on the
west side of the lagoon. The former is the passage ordinarily used by the island vessels,
but the latter is the largest. At high water, there is in this passage about 7 feet of water
and inside the lagoon a depth of several fathoms is obtained. As the lagoon is fairly free
from coral rocks its navigation is easy.
277
William Logan
Soil and Products.—The soil is comparatively sterile. About two-thirds ofthe
island are under cocoanut cultivation and the rest is waste, but there are no large jungles.
The lands claimed by the Pandaram are of small extent and as the cultivation is very
imperfect and the quality of the soil poor, only a small revenue is obtained from them in
this island. Some attempts have been made to form a tottam (artificial low land) for the
cultivation of cereals, but the extent is trifling and the quality very poor. The only grain
raised is a sort of vetch (payar), but the quantity is small. The islanders also cultivate
sweet potatoes and plantains to a small extent, and there are a few bread-fruit trees, lime
trees, one areca palm and betel vines. A plant called Ittala grows in Bangara, from the
root of which a sort of tapioca is obtained and used as diet for invalids. The fauna and
flora of Agatti are the same as in the case of Kalpeni and Androth, save that in this
island and in Kavaratti there are no crows.
Animals.—The islanders possess 110 cattle and 46 goats and the usual
domestic fowls. One islander introduced a pair of rabbits from the coast a few years ago
and they seem to thrive well. The sea products are the same as those of Kalpeni. Fish of
many kinds is abundant and the inhabitants are very expert fishermen.
People, their Customs and Occupation.—This island is a melacheri or low
caste island, but the division of the people into castes according to occupations that exist
in the other islands is also found here, viz. ; —
(a) Karnavars (principal inhabitants),
(b) Urukars or sailors, and
(c) Melacheris or tree-climbers.
In disposition the inhabitants are the most enterprising and energetic, and are
also very hospitable and cheerful. Both in person and in their habits they are very
cleanly. The language differs slightly from that of the other northern islands and bears a
closer resemblance to Tamil in interrogative suffixes. Thus they use "a" for "o” as the
interrogative affix, e.g., "orangiya," did you sleep ?
Of the men belonging to the two lower classes only about half permanently
reside in the island. The others go and settle on the coast, either in Malabar or Canara, as
topee-makers (cap-makers), and as the price obtained for a topee varies from Rs. 5 to
Rs, 15, this is a pretty profitable employment. As this occupation deprives the karnavar
(or headmen) to a large extent of the personal services of their dependents, it is not very
popular amongst them. Besides topee-making those who settle on the coast are in the
habit of chanting the koran at private houses, for which they get their food and a small
present.
Population, Sanitary Condition and Medical Aspects.—The population of the island,
according to the census of 1881, was 1,375, of whom 672 were males and the rest
females. In 1848 the population numbered 1,545.
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Malabar
The houses are built much in the same style as those of Androth, but they differ
in two important respects. First, there is no central hall off which all the rooms open,
and, secondly, the back verandah is within and not outside the outer wall of the building.
As in Androth, the walls are built of quarried slabs of coral free stone, but these
are not kept in position by posts. As they whitewash the outer walls of their houses, they
have a cleaner and brighter appearance than in any of the other islands. The doors and
barred windows also are usually painted black or green, and in respect of ventilation they
are superior, as they are built with eaves, and the rooms have barred windows. The
people also pay more attention to conservancy than those of the other islands, and all
house-refuse is collected in one spot and either used for manuring the cocoanut trees or
burnt from time to time.
No epidemic has visited the island of late years, and the only prevailing
complaints are eye-diseases and skin-diseases.
Education.—Secular education is more neglected here by the people than in
Androth.
Out of 30 boys, with whom a school was established in 1878, only 11 appeared
for examination in 1880. There are four mosque schools, at which about 60 boys and
girls of the better classes are taught the Koran.
Religion and Mosques.—The people are, as in other islands, exclusively
Muhammadan. The number of mosques in 1880 was 27, of which 19 had cemeteries
attached to them. The number of mosques in 1848 was 35.
Manufactures and Trade.—The manufactures and trade of this island are the
same as in other islands and call for no special notice. The number of boats owned in
1876 was 121, of which 18 were large and the rest small. The total number prior to 1847
was 68.
Survey and Cowles.—The survey of the island has been completed and a
portion of the Pandaram lands has been granted on cowle or lease.
Subdivisions of the Island.—The island is divided into three cheries or
subdivisions, viz., 1. Edacheri, 2. Vadakancheri and 3. Tekkancheri.
General remarks.—In June 1880, a British steamer, named the "Mahableshwar,’"
was wrecked on the reefs of this group of islands.
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William Logan
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Malabar
KAVARATTI ISLAND
Position and Extent.—This island is situated in Lat. 10° 34' and Long. 72° 57'
E., and so is distant about 74 miles from Kalpeni and 35 from Agatti. The coral shoal is
the least extensive of any. The length of the island from north-east to south-west is
about 3½ miles and its greatest breadth about three-quarters of a mile. The area is 865-
1/5 acres or about 11/3 square miles.
As usual the island is situated just within the reef on the east, whilst on the west
there is a lagoon which at its widest part is about half a mile broad. At the southern end
it would appear that there was formerly a separate island, but it is now connected with
the main island by a narrow strip of land about 50 yards wide. The islets attached to
Kavaratti are –
1. Pitti.
2. Seuheli or Seuhelipar composed of : (a) Valiyakara
(b) Cheriyakara
The former, a mere sandbank on a coral limestone foundation, lies about 15

miles to the north-west of Kavaratti and is frequently visited by the people of that island
and by those of Agatti and Ameni for fishing purposes. A pile of stones with a stout
post in the centre has recently been put up as a landmark to attract the attention of
mariners. The tides here run strong and there is often great difficulty in landing owing to
the surf.
About 37 or 40 miles to the south-west of Kavaratti lies the coral shoal of
Seuheli or Seuhelipar. It is composed of Valiyakara (big shore) at the northern extremity
of the lagoon and of Cheriyakara (little shore) at its southern extremity. These two islets
were formerly the common property of the Kavaratti islanders, but were many years ago
confiscated by the Pandaram. As in Bangaram and Tinnakara the coral substratum is
imperfect in both islets so that no fresh water is procurable ; but for the same reason the
soil is exceptionally damp and fertile.
Valiyakara is completely overrun witn jungle, throughout which scattered
cocoanut trees occur. Unlike the jungle in the other islands it contains no screw-pine
whatever. In the centre there are large trees of various kinds, the most common being a
species of banian (Ficus Indica). At the eastern and western extremities, the jungle
becomes smaller and is composed of a species of shrub resembling the Rhododendron
called Kanni by the islanders. On the north the shore is composed of coral rock and the
vegetation overhangs the water. On the other shores the beach is sandy.
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William Logan
Cheriyakara lies east and west and has an extreme length of three-quarters of a
mile. Its breadth at the widest point does not exceed a quarter of a mile. The area is 81¾
acres. The beach is generally sandy and the lagoon in its immediate neighbourhood is
very shallow, especially on the south and east where large sand flats are left dry at low
tide.
Unlike Valiyakara it contains no jungle worthy of the name. The island is
covered with coarse long grass and a kind of small shrub. There is a well the water of
which though brackish is occasionally used for cooking and drinking purposes. Near the
centre and at about 100 yards from the eastern shore there is an extensive shallow pond
and marsh of stagnant water surrounded by a dense fringe of small shrubs. It serves no
useful purpose whatever and might be filled up.
Soil and Products.—The soil of Kavaratti is poor and is unsuited for the
cultivation of cereals or vegetables. Beans, plantains and brinjals and a few areca palms,
tamarind trees and betel vines are, however, grown ; but the extent ot cultivation is very
limited and is hardly worth the name. The people depend almost entirely upon their
cocoanut cultivation which covers nearly the entire island. A leaf disease formerly
affected many cocoanut trees. There are a considerable number of bread-fruit and lime
trees ; the timber of the former is used for shipbuilding and by the toddy-drawers for
making wooden vessels to hold toddy.
Animals.—The number of cattle and goats in 1880 was 137 and 193
respectively. The chief sea-products, besides fish, are cowries, tortoise and turtle. The
latter is captured chiefly for its oil. The lagoon adjacent to Souheli affords excellent
fishing. People, who visit Seuheli for fishing purposes, are allowed to pluck the
cocoanuts required for their use free of payment. This privilege has existed for a long
time.
People, their Customs and Occupation.—The same division of the inhabitants
into classes or castes exists here as in Androth, but all castes claim to be janmis. A few
who immigrated from other islands at the time of the great storm in 1847 are
dependents of the Koyas ; some of the lower classes are topee-makers like those of
Agatti. Melacheris are called Thandels at Kavaratti. The people are as a rule quarrelsome
and litigious ; the Malumis are more numerous and influential than the same class on
other islands.
Population, Sanitary Condition and Medical Aspects.—-The population of the
island, according to the census of 1881, was 2,129, of whom 1,030 were males and the
rest females. The number in 1848 was 2,060. The houses along the west coast of
Kawaratti are built in a row and in close proximity to each other. On the east and south
coasts they are scattered here and there and are built in the same fashion as those of
Androth. The health of the island has of late been good. In 1039 M.E. (1863-64 A.D.)
about 700 people are supposed to have died of cholera.
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Malabar
Education.- Malayalam school started at Kavaratti was closed for want of

pupils. The number shown in the census report of 1881 as "instructed” and under
“instruction’’ is 513.
Religion and Mosques.—The inhabitants are exclusively Muhammadans. The
number of mosques in 1848 was 51. At Seuheli there is a mosque of rude construction
and the tomb of a pious Tangal held in much veneration by the islanders. Many miracles
are ascribed to him, and it is especially common to invoke his aid in storms or when
distressed by adverse winds. The islanders say that when in a storm they make a vow to
visit the shrine of this saint the sea at once goes down and the winds become favourable.
Manufactures and Trade.—The manufactures of this island consist mainly of
coir-yarn. The number of boats owned bv the islanders in 1876 were 30 large and 126
small vessels.
Pandaram Lands and Income therefrom. - In this island as elsewhere the body
of the island is the common property of the people. Over a part, however, the Pandaram
asserts exclusive claims on the ground that it was formerly waste land and therefore the
property of the raja. The claims were resisted by the people and gave rise to great
discontentment and opposition on their part.
The Pandaram income is derived—
1st. From the trees on the Pandaram Pak (forbidden ground) to the south of the
island which comprises about one-fourth of the total area. It is cut off from the body of
the people’s plantation by an old wall probably thrown up while it was really waste, and
as such no entry could be made on this land without a pass from the raja’s agent.
2nd. From the trees on padipadi (half and half) lands, the produce of which is
equally divided between the Pandaram and the tenants.
3rd. From Nattagatta Karayma, a fixed rent on escheated trees in various parts
of the island.
4th. From Chuttu Karayma, a fixed rent arbitrarily assessed on all trees growing
with 40 koles (kole = 30 inches) of the seashore.
All these lands have been granted to tenants on cowle with the exception of
Chuttu Karayma lands, the rents of which were relinquished in favour of the occupants
of the adjacent holdings. The tax on lime trees was remitted, and the bread-fruit trees
were brought under assessment.
Subdivisions of the Island.—The inhabited portion of the islands is divided into
four cheris, viz.
1. Melacheri or Mecheri on the north-west coast.
2. Tekkecheri on the east coast.
3. Porakecheri to the south.
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William Logan
4. Pallicheri on the south-west shore.
Porakecheri is separated from Mecheri and Pallicheri by a small valley which
was apparently excavated formerly for grain cultivation.
284
Malabar
ANDROTH ISLAND
Position and Extent.—This island, which is the largest of the northern group of
the Cannanore Islands, is situated in Lat. 10° 48' N and Long, 73° 57' E. It is about 139
miles from Calicut and differs in its formation from all the other islands of the group in
that it lies east and west and has hardly any lagoon. The coral shoal upon which it is
situated is of considerable extent, but the coral crops up to the surface only in the
immediate neighbourhood of the land, the reef being hardly anywhere above sixty yards
from the beach, and on the east the beach and reef are coincident.
The greatest length of the island from south-east to north-west is about 3½
miles, and the greatest breadth, which is at about the centre of the island, is 1¼ miles.
The area is l,0672/3 acres or about 12/3 square miles. The coast line is scarcely at all
indented, so that the island forms a regular oval figure. The surface is generally a level
plain, elevated but a few feet above the sea, but here and there it is varied by mounds
formed mostly of the heaped-up material excavated in forming the "Tottam” or arable
land.
The highest mound is probably not 40 feet above the sea and the average
elevation not more than 7 or 8 feet.
Soil, Products.—The soil is comparatively superior to that of other islands save
perhaps parts of Kalpeni. It is richest in the centre and west parts and poorest on the
south-east, where it is largely mixed with coral stones varying in size from small pebbles
to considerable boulders. The Pandaram or crown lands comprise about one-fourth of
the area of the islands and are scattered throughout the holdings of the islanders. They
have been acquired by escheat or confiscation and contained, according to Sir William
Robinson’s report, about 20,000 coconut trees prior to the great storm of 1847.
The chief Pandaram possessions are the East and West Valiya Pandarams which
are comparatively in a neglected condition. The holdings of the islanders are well
stocked with coconut trees. The chief produce of the island is coconuts ; but dry grains,
such as raggi, varagu and millet, yams, sweet potatoes, bread-fruit trees, plantains, limes,
areca palms and betel vines are also grown to a limited extent.
Animals.—The number of cattle and goats is larger in this island than in any
other and amounted in 1880 to 208 cattle and 418 goats. The only other domestic
animals are fowls and cats. There are several species of rats which commit great injury to
coconut plantation. The crow is the only wild bird that breeds on the island, but it is
visited by various kinds of sea birds and also by migratory birds, such as the golden
plover, the smaller curlew and the cuckoo.
As there is no lagoon, the turtle and tortoise are very scarce, and from the
absence of extensive shallow coral banks, the same is the case with cowries and other
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William Logan
shells. Fish also are not plentiful, but there is a small species of octopus, called by the
islanders appallu, which when roasted is esteemed a great delicacy.
People, their Customs and Occupation.—The people of the island fall under
three main classes, viz. —
(1) Karnavar (doers, agents), subdivided into Karnavar proper and Thanakapirantha
Kudiyans.
(2) Malumis (pilots and sailors), subdivided into (a) Malumis proper, (b) Urukars.
(3) Melacheris (tree-climbers).
The first class of Karnavars is composed of the rich odam (vessel) owners and
Panchayatkars (arbitrators). The male members of this class are also distinguished by the
title of Koya—a religious dignity. The island Karnavans, Amin and Kazi, all belong to
this class. The Thanakapirantha Kudiyans are less wealthy and cultivators. The second
class or the Malumis are, as the name implies, sailors They are generally Patta Kudiyans,
i.e., partly independent and partly dependent on the higher classes The only difference
between the Malumis proper and the Urukars appears to be in the names. The third
class, Melacheris, are servants and toddy-drawers (the name signifies one who works
aloft).
These are generally Adima Kudiyans or serfs of the Karnavars, but they are at
liberty to change their employers. Inter-marriage between the two classes of Karnavars is
free and unrestrained, and lately it appears that the jusconnubrum (right of intermarriage
with Karnavars) has been accorded to the second class), but it is still withheld from the
third class or Melacheris, intermarriage with whom is punished by the exclusion of the
offender from his or her caste. The marriage is, however, deemed a valid one.
The islanders compare favourably in physique with the people of the coast and
in their customs and habits closely resemble the Mappilias of North Malabar. The men of
the upper classes wear jackets and head gear, but the Melacheris or lowest classes wear
neither the one nor the other. Contrary to what is the usage on the mainland, the
women do not cover their heads and are not kept in seclusion. The women are generally
very untidy and dirty.
The people are, as a rule, quiet in their disposition, but the complexities of the
Muhammadan rules of inheritance and marriage and the existence, side by side, of the
Makkatayam and Marumakkatayam rules give rise to frequent litigation. The men are
comparatively indolent, but the women are engaged from morning till dark in cooking,
pounding rice, beating, unravelling and twisting coir-fibre, carrying loads, boiling toddy
in order to make jaggery, etc.
It is somewhat difficult to define what is the occupation of the Karnavar class,
as they rarely do anything save bullying their dependents or quarrelling among
themselves ; occasionally they do a little cultivation and fishing, and those who have
286
Malabar
odams (vessels) superintend the repairs and accompany the odam on the voyage to the
coast where they do all the buying and selling, only rendering an account upon the
return of the odam to the island.
The dependents of the Karnavar caste serve for nothing in their master’s odam
(boat), or, when he has none, in the odam in which he sails or sends his goods. The
Kudiyan must also ship the produce of his trees, etc., in the master’s odam, or through
him in the odam in which the master ships his own goods, and 20 per cent of the goods
he so exports is appropriated by the master as freight. The tottam or arable land is
sometimes cultivated by the master, but most is given over to Kudiyans(dependents) on
the share-and-share-alike system.
The income of the Karnavar class, who are all landholders and many of them
odam-owners, is thus derived from the following sources :-
(1) From the produce of parambas retained in their own hands.
(2) From the export and sale of the goods worked up by the females of the family.
(3) From the freight paid them by their Kudiyans on the goods they export. Where the
Karnavan is also the odam-owner he gets the whole 20 per cent ; when he is not, he
usually gets freight for his own goods and those of his Kudiyans at the rate of 10 per
cent in the odam of another and the other 10 per cent of the exports of his Kudiyans is
alone appropriated by him.
(4) From the rent (half the produce) of their arable lands.
(5) Kudiyams are also bound to give the Karnavan a share of the fish they catch when
fishing in his boat and to make presents on the occasion of weddings and other
festivities in the Karnavan's family
(6) Some of this class also make tours on the mainland giving themselves out to be
priests and often return to the island with large sums collected from the faithful of the
places they visit.
The second class or Malumis are sailors and are engaged in exporting the
produce of the island to the mainland in the Karnavar's odams ; some of them also
possess fishing boats and small odams of their own, in which they make voyages to the
coast, and this has excited the jealousy of the Karnavar class, who look upon them as
interlopers and rebels. There is thus ill-feeling between the two classes.
The Melacheris or the third class are the hardest working population of the
island. They alone climb trees and so pluck the nuts and draw toddy from the trees in
the possession of the higher classes. For plucking nuts, a small percentage is given them
as hire, and the toddy which is drawn twice a day is given every other day to the
Karnavan, i.e., half goes to the Melacheri and half to the Karnavan. Besides their
profession of toddy-drawing, they have to do odam service for their lords and they also
work in the tottam and go fishing.
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William Logan
A few coast people who have settled in the island are silversmiths and jewellers.
Population, Sanitary Condition and Medical Aspects.—The population of the
island previous to the great storm of 1847 was 2,576 ; in 1876 it was 2,629. According to
the census of 1881 it numbered 2,884 souls, of whom 1,412 were males and 1,472 were
females. A large number of people perished during the storm of 1847, and it is believed
that the number that remained in the island, omitting those who emigrated to the other
islands, did not exceed 900. The island has now thoroughly recovered itself from the
disastrous effects of 1847.
The sanitary condition of the island, although more satisfactory than that of the
rest is, as might be expected very backward. There is no conservancy, and house-refuse
is allowed to accumulate in the house-yards until it becomes objectionable, when it is
collected and occasionally burnt. Rarely it is placed as manure in the pits in which young
coconut-plants are planted.
Water-supply is good, there being as a rule a well attached to each house. The
wells consist of a pit about 5 feet square and about 5 feet deep with steps leading down
one side to a similar pit at the bottom cut through the coral substratum. From these
wells, which are never dried up, excellent water is obtained. Some of the mosques and
better sort of houses have also small tanks similarly constructed attached to them. These
are used for bathing purposes only, but the sea is the chief resort for this purpose. There
are no wells for purely cultivation purposes.
The houses are built with thin slabs quarried from the coral freestone
substratum, the size of the blocks averaging about 5 to 6 feet in length, 2 feet in width
and 4 inches in thickness. These are placed lengthwise on their edges and the walls so
formed are plastered to give them stability. The houses are ill-ventilated and are in some
cases so dark that a stranger requires to be shown about with torch or other light. The
higher and lower classes are opposed to vaccination, but several children have been
operated on, and a beginning has been made. There are two native physicians in the
island. They purchase the necessary medicines from native physicians on the coast.
There is hardly any medicinal plant to be found there. The most prevalent diseases are
fever, rheumatism, consumption, dysentery, itch and ophthalmia.
Education.—The upper classes do not seem to be wanting in intelligence, but
they are very indifferent to education, whilst the lower classes from the state of the
subjection in which they are held are rude and ignorant. Most of the members of both
sexes belonging to the former class can read the Koran character, but the number that
can read Malayalam is comparatively limited. The number shown in the census return of
1881 is 89. A school was started by Mr. Winterbotham in 1878 with a nominal roll of 36
boys, but this number had dwindled away to 14 in 1880. The plan of combining mosque
schools and secular schools is being tried.
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Malabar
Religion arid Mosques.—All the people of the island profess Muhammadanism.

There were 30 mosques in 1880, of which 28 had grave yards attached.
Manufactures and Trade.—The only manufactures carried on in the sland are
the manufacture of coir-yarn and that of jaggery. Shark fin are cured for exportation in
small quantities, but the curing of holothuric has been entirely given up. Jaggery is
prepared from meerah (as the sweet toddy drawn from the coconut palm is called) by a
process of evaporation. In order to prevent fermentation, in place of rubbing the
collecting pots with chunam (lime water) as is done on the mainland, the Melacheris are
in the habit of putting in them small coral limestone pebbles which answer the same
purpose, and to this cause is attributed the peculiar sweet taste of the island toddy.
When the meerah has become semi-fluid, which it does after about two hours
boiling, various articles are usually mixed with it in order to flavour it, such as rice, ragi
flour and the scrapings of tender coconuts, etc. It is then taken off the fire and allowed
to cool, when it forms a solid but sticky mass. This the women mould into balls
(Pindika) of from 1 lb. to 2 lb. in weight, which they wrap up in bread-fruit tree leaves,
and in this form it is exported. At Calicut a price of about two annas per pound is
obtained. Jaggery is used by Mappillas in the preparation of the Calicut "alva", a very
popular sweetmeat amongst them. Ambergris, which was mentioned by Sir William
Robinson as a product of Androth, was found by Mr. Brodie only in the possession of
one islander.
The principal exports from the island are, as in all other islands, coir-yarn,
coconuts, with and without husk, jaggery and pindika (a kind of sweetmeat) and a little
vinegar, lime-pickle and shark fins. The imports are rice, salt, arecanuts, betel, curry-
stuffs, cooking utensils, both earthen and metal, implements of husbandry, clothes and
occasionally cattle and ornaments. Teak, mango-wood and bamboos are also imported
and used in repairing the odams and small boats.
As Androth is the nearest island to the coast, many odams from other islands call
there for water, etc, both on their way to the mainland and when returning. The usual
coast markets visited by the islanders are Calicut, where they sell their goods, and
Mangalore where they usually purchase their supplies. Occasionally they also call at
Tellicherry and Cannanore. The number of boats possessed by the islanders in 1880 as
contrasted with the numbers in 1876 and 1848 is given below :-
Year Large coast-going vessels Small boats and fishing crafts Total
1848 31 152 183

1876 32 130 162
1880 40 162 202
Survey and Cowles.—The demarcation and survey of the Pandaram lands in
Androth have been completed and most of the lands granted on cowle.
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William Logan
Subdivisions of the Island.—-The island is divided into four subdivisions or
cheris, viz.-
(a) Edacheri
(b) Mecheri
(c) Kicheri
(d) Chemacheri.
The last cheri is situated upon the southern shore and separated from Edacheri
by the tottam or garden. Formerly these cheris were political and revenue subdivisions, but
now that all matters are decided by the Amin with the assistance of the Karnavars,
regardless of the cheri to which the latter belong, and the Muppans and the Nadapals are
abolished and the revenue administration directly committed to the Amin, these
subdivisions have lost all importance. There are no islets attached to Androth for
administrative purposes.
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Malabar
KALPENI ISLAND.
Kalpeni 494½
Cheriyam 1291/8
Thilakka 123/4
Pitti 13½
Total 6497/8
Position and Extent.—The island of Kalpeni lies about 44 miles due south from
Androth In Lat. 10° 7' N. and Long. 73° 55' E., and is thus the most southerly of the
northern group or Laccadives proper. The coral shoal upon which it stands is very
extensive, being about 8 miles in length and 3½ to 4 in width. Besides the main island
(Kalpeni proper), which alone is inhabited, there are two small rocky islands to the
southwest, called respectively, Thilakka and Pitti, separated from the mainland and each
other by narrow channels and a long narrow island called Cheriyam, about 1½ miles to
the north of the main island. These four islands together form a figure resembling a
bottle with an elongated neck (Cheriyam and the north of Kalpeni) running from north
by east to south by west. The extreme length from the north point of Cheriyam to the
south point of Kalpeni is about 7 miles, and the greatest width about three-quarters of a
mile. The total area of the group is 650 acres or just over 1 square mile.
On the east, the reef forms the shore line of Kalpeni and Cheriyam and on the
south lies but a short distance from the beach. On the west it trends outward so as to
enclose a magnificent lagoon of still water over 7 miles in length and from 2 to 2½ miles
broad at its widest point. The entrance, distant some 4 miles from the landing place, is
good ; but although the lagoon attains a depth of over three fathoms in many places its
navigation is rendered very intricate and difficult by numerous coral rocks that rise in
many instances to within a foot or so of the surface at low-water.
As there are no waves, no breakers disclose their presence, but in daylight their
situation is easily discernible.
On the east the coral shoal slopes rapidly away. On the west beyond the reef,
the slope is so gradual that the bottom can be seen for a considerable distance. The
channels between the various islands are at low water very shallow, and the islanders can
easily pass on foot from one to another, and it was from these shoals (particularly that
between the main islands and Cheriyam) that cowries, of which this island used to export
the largest quantity, were usually gathered.
The main island is about 3 miles long. For the first two miles of its length from
the north it consists of a long strip increasing in width from about 50 yards at its
northern extremity to about 400 yards at the termination of the big north Pandaram,
after which it suddenly bulges out, attaining its greatest width in a few hundred yards.
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William Logan
Only this southern portion is inhabited, as it is only here that good drinkable water is
procurable. No drinkable water is found in the other small islands. All the uncultivated
portion of the main island and the attached islets are covered with a dense jungle of
screwpine, etc., in many parts of which scattered coconut trees occur.
Perhaps the most remarkable feature in the topography of the island, the
general level of which is very low, is the natural sea-bank of coral stones along the east
and south-east shore. This bank is supposed to have been cast up by the sea at the time
of the great storm in 1847. As it is about 12 feet high and 60 feet in width at the base, it
forms a grand natural barrier against the recurrence of such a disaster. It is a peculiarity
of this island that the coral substratum is wanting, or at least not so solidified into a layer
of limestone rock as in the other islands.
Soil and Products.—The soil appears to be very good in the central and
southern portions of the main island, but the smaller islands of the group are very rocky
and though covered with luxuriant vegetation, the coconut trees growing in them are not
very productive. Along the east shore of the main island also there is a long strip about
50 yards wide, so stony that its cultivation would be very difficult and probably
unproductive.
Besides land suited to the cultivation of the coconut palm, this island contains,
like Androth, a considerable plot of low arable land adapted to the cultivation of a few
coarse grains. In the tottam (as the arable ground is called) the same coarse grains are
cultivated as in Androth, but the area devoted to the cultivation of plantains is more
extensive than in the latter island. The plantains are very productive and are stated to
require no watering. The bread-fruit also appears to grow more luxuriantly in this island
than in any other, and whole groves of it occur everywhere throughout the inhabited
portion of the island. A few areca palms, one tamarind tree, lime bushes and betel vines
are also cultivated. The wild almond tree and punnan (a tree used for masts), found
occasionally in the jungle, furnish fairly good timber, but the islanders usually import
what they require.
On the whole, Kalpeni may be said to be one which nearly produces the food
supply necessary for the support of its inhabitants, and this is clearly shown by the fact
that they export a large quantity of the produce of the tottam (grain, plantains and sweet
potatoes), fish, oil and dried fish to the other islands (mainly Kavaratti) getting in
exchange coconuts, young plants, jaggery and coir.
The three islets mentioned above, as well as the greater portion of the main
island, which together comprise about three-fourths of the entire extent, are claimed by
the Pandaram. Cultivation is most backward in these parts. The inhabitants are
extremely lazy and a considerable portion of the islands is, therefore, covered with
jungle. The tottam alone is well cultivated.
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Malabar
Disaster of 1847.—On the 15th April 1847 a violent hurricane visited the island
of Kalpeni and caused most woeful injury to life and property. It commenced at about 8
P.M. at the season of spring tides and passed on to Androth which it reached between
12 and 2 A.M. of the 16th. It then arrived at Kiltan, one of the islands attached to the
South Canara district, and after that gradually subsided. The following extract taken
from the Proceedings of the Board of Revenue, dated 2nd August 1849, gives a clear idea
of the dreadful catastrophe : —
"The sea rose and flooded the whole but across the narrower part of the
mainland ; it seems to have had tremendous velocity. All the trees, with the very soil,
and between 60 and 60 houses, were washed into the ocean with upwards of 200
persons, while along the whole length of the shore a flood of loose coral has been
deposited over the island which will render a considerable tract quite unserviceable until
it has decomposed and become soil. Across the broader parts of the island, the water
was not so destructively rapid, but so complete was the inundation that the first
impression of the islanders was that the whole shoal was sunk. The water filled the tottam
with salt water, killing all vegetation and drowning many persons.
"It was, in consequence, last year quite waste. Over the eastern bank of the
tottam, a flood of loose coral stones was poured, which has filled up and destroyed a part
of this useful land. Many wells and tanks were filled with sand and stones, and fresh
water in all of them was spoilt. The inundation was probably more destructive than the
wind, and has shaken the confidence of the people in the stability of the island greatly.
The storm lasted for about an hour in all its violence.
"Then a sudden lull and the wind soon sprung up briskly from the westward
and the flood subsided, leaving the island in the most perfect state of desolation.
"Of the 348 houses standing before the storm, not one escaped. Many were so
entirely washed away as scarcely to leave vestiges of their foundation. All were unroofed
and otherwise damaged. All the mosques, 29 in number, were injured, and nearly the
whole of them at the time of Mr. Robinson’s visit were lying in a state of ruin.
"The population of Kalpeni, prior to the hurricane, is reckoned at 1,642 souls.
Of these, 246 were drowned or washed away during the storm, far the larger proportion
being women and children. One hundred and twelve perished in the ensuing five
months from famine or from the diseases engendered by unwholesome and insufficient
food, 376 escaped to the coast during the monsoon, thus leaving in the island 908, of
whom nearly four-fifths are women and children.
"The plantations in the island have been entirely destroyed ; out of upwards of
105,000 full-grown coconut trees, the number before the storm, 768 only are now
standing ; the total number of trees, young trees and plants which have survived,
scarcely exceeds 10,000. This is only the main island Kalpeni ; the state of the adjoining
islets, Thilakka Pitti and Cheriyam, is even more disastrous. The other trees—bread-fruit,
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William Logan
banana and betel-nut are likewise all lost. More than a third of the trees destroyed are
Pandaram or the Beebee’s property.
"The hurricane reached Androth between 12 and 2 A.M. of the 16th April, filve
or six hours later than at Kalpeni. The tide was then happily low, so that only a small
part of the island was inundated, and the results of the visitation, though sufficiently
deplorable, were less disastrous than those experienced in the latter islands."
Animals.—The domestic animals that existed in the island in 1880 consisted of
94 cattle and 64 goats and the usual fowls and cats. In sea products, Kalpeni is peculiarly
rich. The ayacura (seer fish), tarandi (skate), shark, appal (Bombay duck), flying fish
(paramin) of two sorts, sword-fish and many other large fish are caught in abundance.
The turtle, killed for oil but not for eating, is very common, and the tortoise pretty
frequent. As might be expected from the great extent of the coral shoals and of the
lagoon, shell-fish of many kinds are most abundant. One or two sorts are occasionally
gathered for food, but the cowries are what we chiefly gathered formerly for export and
are much more abundant in this island than in any other.
People, their Customs and Occupation.—In physique, the inhabitants of
Kalpeni appear decidedly inferior to those of the other islands. They are also the most
ignorant and superstitious, the most bigoted and the dirtiest, both in person and habits.
The men are the laziest, and it was with great difficulty that they were got to do some
cooly work during the periodical visits of the officers to the island. Nearly all the work is
done by the women, and, besides their usual work, the women of the Melacheri class
have, on the return of the odams from the coast to carry the bags of rice, etc., from the
vessels to the houses of the consignees receiving one seer per bag as cooly.
The sailor class arrogate to themselves the reputation of being the best malumis
(pilots), but this pretension is ridiculed by the other islanders.
The generality of the people are poor, all the wealth and influence being
confined to a few of Karanavar class who keep the others well under subjection. The
Karanavar class claim to have derived their descent from the Nambutiris or Brahmans
of Malabar, and their houses are generally distinguished by the word illam—the
appellation in Malabar peculiar to the houses of Nambutiris.
The other islanders are considered to be of Sudra or Nayar extraction and the
distinctions of caste still survive amongst them.
Every one, male or female, over about 10 years of age, carries a pouch
containing betel, tobacco, etc. The superstition of the islanders and their fear of ghosts is
such that they hardly venture out of their homes after dark.
Population, Sanitary Condition and Medical Aspects. - The population of the
island had been reduced by the storm of 1847 to about 450. In 1876, it numbered 1,029
and at the census of 1881 it amounted to 1,222, of whom 604 were males and the rest
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Malabar
females. The sanitary condition of the island is most defective. The bad smell emanating
from the accumulation of refuse matter is so powerful that no stranger can pass through
the house-yards of even the wealthiest without his olfactory nerves being grievously
offended.
The dwelling houses are constructed differently from those in other islands for
want of building stones. To form the walls, two parallel rows of stakes are driven into
the ground about 6 inches apart and the intervening space filled in with suitably sized
stones obtained from the beach. When this space has been well and tightly filled up, the
wall so formed is plastered on both sides, and when this plaster dries the stakes are
removed. A second and thicker layer of plaster is then applied which completes the
outside wall upon which the roof is placed.
As in Kavaratti, all the houses are enclosed with fences and the entrances
secured by tatty screens. In the yard of each, also, there is usually a small shed in which
the women, who are more secluded in this island than in the others, work. Some houses
have also two out-houses, used as kitchen and room for receiving visitors, attached to
them.
There is no native physician in the island, but the gumasta has the credit of being
the best. He only uses castor oil and some made-up medicines he gets from the coast,
and has never had any training.
Education.—A school was established in 1880 at the desire of the islanders. It is
hoped that it may improve. The number of persons capable of reading, according to the
census of 1881, is 221.
Religion and Mosques.—The people are exclusively Muhammadans. There are 16
mosques in all, of which 7 are supposed to belong to the Pandaram. The number of
mosques in 1847, according to Sir William Robinson, was 29.
Manufactures and Trade.—The coir-yarn is the chief manufacture of the Island. It
is generally of an inferior quality. The number of boats belonging to the islanders in
1880 was 16 large vessels and 70 small boats. The corresponding numbers in 1876 were
15 and 68.
Survey and Cowles.—The survey and demarcation of the island have been
completed. A portion of the Pandaram lands has also been granted on cowle.
Sub-divisions of the Island.—The island is divided into 4 sub-divisions or cheris,
viz., (1) Vadakkancheri, (2) Tekancheri, (3) Kicheri, (4) Mecheri. The islets attached to it
have already been mentioned above.
General Remarks.—There is not in this island the same amount of ill-feeling
between the Karnavan and the Kudiyan as exists to a greater or less extent in the other
islands. It appears that only 10 per cent of the Kudiyan's produce is deducted as freight.
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William Logan
Probably this explains the absence of disputes between Karnavar and Kudiyans. Eight
Ipecacuanha plants were planted by Mr. Tate during his visit in 1884.
A large English steamship, named the "Amelia" was wrecked upon the reef of
Kalpeni in April 1880.
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MINICOY ISLAND
Position and Extent.—The island of Minicoy is situated in Lat. 8° 17' N. and
Long. 73° 19' E, and is distant about 243 miles from Calicut. a dependency of the
Cannanore family and so classed with the Laccadive group, it is situated about midway
between the Laccadives proper and the Maldives, and the inhabitants belong to the latter
race and speak Mahl. Its extreme length from, north-west to south-east is 6 miles, 1
furlong, 56 yards, and its greatest breadth 4 furlongs, 12 yards. The area is 1,120 acres or
1¾ square miles. The island is long and narrow and in shape somewhat resembles a
crescent, the convex of which faces east, whilst on the west there is a magnificent
lagoon.
The northern portion of lagoon is deep and not very difficult to navigate. To
the south of the main island, and separated from it by a channel about one-fourth of a
mile wide, is a small island called Viringilli to which small-pox patients are transported to
prevent the epidemic from spreading in the village.
Soil and Products.—Though the soil has every appearance of being fertile, yet
the cultivation upon which the islanders almost entirely depend is that of the coconut
palm, with which the whole island is more or less planted up. In the Pandaram
plantations, there is a considerable amount of jungle interspersed with coconut trees.
The wealthier islanders possess gardens which are secured against depredators by strong
fences and locked gates.
The late Amin, Ali Malikhan, made a garden in which plantains, pumpkins,
brinjals, beans, chillies, cucumbers, limes and betel vines were found to thrive
excellently. There is also one small mango tree. No grain is cultivated, save a few plots
of cholum. The jungle contains many trees, of which the banian and wild almond are the
chief. The jungle products are much the same as in other islands. The Ittala plant, already
mentioned as found in Bangaram, is also very common. The only marine product which
calls for remark1 is the maas fish (Bonito), of which large quantities are annually cured
and exported chiefly to Ceylon.
NOTEs: Conf., Vol. I, footnote p. 286. END OF NOTEs
Animals.—The number of cattle and goats in the island is very small ; there
were only one of the former and ten of the latter in 1880. It is alleged that cattle cannot
be bred in the island, as they are killed by mosquitoes and a kind of poisonous grass.
The few to be found on the island are imported for slaughter at religious ceremonies.
People, their Customs and Occupation.—The inhabitants are divided into four
classes, viz.-
1. Malikhans, corresponding to the Karnavar of the other islands.
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William Logan
2. Malumis (pilots).
3. Takkara (sailors and boatmen).
4. Melacheris, or kohlus as they are called (tree-climbers).
The boat-owners and holders of valuable property from the Pandaram upon a
light quit-rent belong to the first class. The Malumis and Takkarus are sailors, and the
Kohlus tree-climbers and servants.
The late Amin, Ali Malikhan, was the most influential man in the island, and,
besides maintaining strict order, used to insist on a certain amount of respect being paid
to him by the other islanders. In the island, he and the gumasta alone wore jackets as a
mark of distinction, all others being prohibited from doing so whilst in the island,
though out of it, e.g., in Calicut, other Malikhans are in the habit of dressing somewhat
gaudily. Amongst the women also sumptuary distinctions prevail, the lowest class being
strictly prohibited from wearing silver or gold ornaments. In personal appearance and in
their dress, manners and customs they differ considerably from the inhabitants the other
islands. They are much smaller in stature, darker, and have very round faces. In
disposition they are quiet and obliging.
The customs of the islanders are in many respects remarkable and bear no trace
of having been introduced from Cannanore. One which is without parallel amongst any
society of Mussalmans is that the men are monogamous. The custom forbidding men to
have more than one wife at a time is so strong that even the late Amin, influential as he
was, dared not break through it when he wanted a second wife.
Some of the men appear to be anxious that this custom should be abrogated by
Government interference ; but the women, in spite of the number of spinsters amongst
them, will not hear of it. The women appear in public freely with their heads uncovered
and take the lead in almost every thing except navigation. In fact they seem to have as
much freedom as there is in European countries. Enquiry into their civil condition (e.g.,
whether they are married or unmarried) is regarded as an unpardonable affront.
Unmarried men may converse with maidens, and courtship is a recognised preliminary
to marriage. The girl's consent is in all cases necessary, and the Kazi will not perform the
ceremony unless he has sent two mukris to ascertain that she is willing. After marriage
the wife remains in her mother’s house, a very convenient custom where the men are
mostly sailors absent from the island a great part of the year.
Three or four couples find accommodation in the same chamber, each
enveloped in long cloth mosquito curtains. If the daughters are numerous they leave the
parental roof in order of seniority, and the houses erected for them become their
property. The men have no right of ownership over houses. Every woman in the island
is dressed in silk. Their gowns fit closely round the neck and reach to the ankles. The
upper classes wear red silk and earrings of peculiar fashion.
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Malabar
The Melacheri women are restricted to the use of a dark striped silk of a coarser
quality. Every husband must allow his wife at least one candy of rice, two silk gowns and
two under-cloths a year. He also presents her on manage with a fine brass betel pouch
(brought from Galle) and a silver ornament containing receptacles for lime and tobacco
and instruments of strange forms intended for cleaning the ears and teeth.
The husband retains the power of divorce, and it is not the custom of the island
to pay dower. Bathing tanks are set apart for the use of the women, and men are not
allowed to intrude on that part of the island behind the village where the women
congregate of a morning to prepare the coconut husks for the manufacture of coir.
Population, Sanitary Condition and Medical Aspects.—The population,
according to the census of 1881, numbered 3,191, of whom 1,412 were males and the
remaining, 1,779, were females. In 1867, three vessels were lost in a cyclone at Calcutta,
and it is estimated that the number of men that perished then was 120.
The sanitation of the island is excellent. The houses of the people are built close
to each other in rows. The rows run parallel to each other from the beach inland or east
and west and are eight in number, each of which has a distinct name. One long cross
road and several smaller lanes intersect the village. The walls of the houses are of
undressed stone and plastered as in Kalpeni, but the style of architecture is quite
different. Each has a long verandah running throughout its whole length off which the
various rooms open. In front is a small yard which is fenced or wailed off from the
street and the entrance protected by a neat tatty screen.
The houses of the wealthy have kitchens and store-houses attached to them,
and also wells inside their yard. The poorer classes get their water from public wells in
the streets or from the well of the nearest wealthy man. Some wells have also been sunk
in the uninhabited parts of the island for public convenience, to each of which there
belongs a long stick with a coconut shell cup at the end to draw water with. The wells
are all square in shape and the sides built up and plastered ; the water obtained from
them is excellent. There are also six large built tanks with parapets and steps used for
bathing purposes. The village is in good order as regards conservancy and the streets are
daily swept.
The custom of the islanders in regard to sanitation and the interment of the
dead is valuable and most beneficial. There are three separate burying grounds in remote
parts of the island for persons who die of small-pox, cholera and leprosy. The
precaution of separating lepers is maintained ; on the appearance of the disease, the
sufferer is called before the Kazi, and if the leprosy is pronounced to be contagious, he
is expelled to the north of the island where a place is set apart for the purpose. A hut is
built for him and he exists on supplies of food and water which his relatives bring at
intervals and leave on the ground at a safe distance. There is a boundary line beyond
which lepers are not permitted to proceed.
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William Logan
The islanders have a horrible superstition that in the night time goblins may be
seen clawing at the leprous parts, and the leper habitation seems to be generally regarded
with dread. The poor patients receive only occasional treatment during the visits of the
European officers ; small-pox patients are invariably transported to the island of
Viringilli to prevent the disease spreading in the village, but if it becomes epidemic,
those attacked are allowed to remain and be treated in their own houses. The health of
the island is fairly good, but there is a very unwholesome practice among the people
who, in order to protect themselves from mosquitoes, sleep on cots surrounded by thick
linen curtains, thus inhaling accumulated foul air. In the evening swingcots are used to
keep off the mosquitoes.
Education.—There are hardly more than three individuals in the island who can
speak or read Malayalam. The language spoken is Mahl, and there is therefore great
difficulty in communicating with the islanders. The majority of the upper classes and a
few of the Melacheris have learnt the Koran character in the mosque schools, and many
of the men of the upper classes have picked up a knowledge of Hindustani and Tamil in
the course of their voyages to Ceylon and the Bay of Bengal.
Religion, Mosques and Cemeteries.—The inhabitants are exclusively
Muhammadans. There are about 20 mosques and 26 cemeteries. The cemetery at
Viringilli is used for small-pox patients die there and for those who perish at sea,
whatever be the cause of death. The reason given in the latter case is that the disease
being unknown, it is safer to bury the bodies at a distance. There is also a small ground
to the south on the main island in which are buried those who die on the maas-boats, as
also Kohlus who, taking up a temporary residence in the big south Pandaram to draw
toddy, die there.
Near here is the grave of a holy man to whom prayers are offered to quell the
raging of the sea. Deceased violent lunatics are buried to the north at a place called
Runnagatta. The lepers have their own cemetery within the limits of their holding. In all
cases the Mukri and sextons of the Jamath mosque go and perform the prescribed rites
and give decent sepulture.
Manufactures and Trade.—The manufactures of Minicoy are the same as those
of other islands. The coir is a little dark in colour but much finer in quality than that
produced in the other islands. This is due to the coconut husk being allowed to grow
hard and woody before being soaked for fire.
The nuts are not gathered from trees but are allowed to ripen and fall on the
ground. Maas-fish is cured and exported largely to Ceylon. In 1876 there were 8 large
and 33 small vessels. The former increased to 9 in 1882. Of these, two go to the coast,
the Maldives and Ceylon, and the others to the Bengal side.
There are 11 maas-boats, to one of which every one in the island belongs. Men
get a share of the fish in addition to their wages. The maas-boats are excellently built,
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with deep keels, fine lines, and a large allowance of beam. They carry a large square mat
sail with a linen try-sail behind it. They are nicely finished off and painted and go very
fast under sail. The islanders are skilful sailors.
The sides of the boats are of coconut and probably do not last long. The
islanders have a very good assortment of ship-building tools and are very well skilled in
their use. The Pandaram had three vessels, of which one, which could not be repaired
except at an enormous cost, was sold by public auction at Beypore in 1883. The other
two vessels are still in the island. The customary rates of payment to the crew of the
Panadaram vessel are as follows : —
In the case of small vessels each sailor gets on the day of embarkation 60
coconuts, 4 lbs. of jaggery and 4 lbs. of rice. This is about the equivalent of Rs. 1-8-0.
During the voyage he gets 1 lb. of rice and two coconuts a day. The tindal gets twice and
the malumi four times the allowance of a sailor. When the larger vessel sails, each sailor
receives 100 coconuts, 28 lbs. of jaggery and 22 lbs. of rice on embarking and rations as
above.
Pandaram lands, their Tenure and General Remarks.—The land is the property
of the community, and is managed by the Pandaram, i.e., the Government. Private
property in the soil is unknown, but improvements, such as houses, coconut and other
trees, etc., belong to the persons who make them.
The Malikhans or chief men state that their forefathers voluntarily surrendered
the island to the Cannanore Raja on his undertaking to protect them against pirates. Every
tree in the inhabited part of the island has the mark of its owner cut upon it, so that
disputes respecting the ownership of trees have been very rare.
The principal sources of revenue are—
(1) Valiyapattam or pattam payable by certain Malikhans.
(2) Attiri-pattam or sea-shore pattam.
(3) Pattam on tottam or garden.
(4) Poll-tax at the rate of 20 lbs. of coir per male and 6 lbs. per female. The
families of Malikhans, one married female in each house, all unmarried adults and toddy-
drawers are exempt from this tax.
(5) Sugar-tax in the nature of a poll-tax on toddy-drawers.
(6) Cowrie monopoly.
(7) Produce of the Pandaram trees.
(8) Tax (in rice) on large vessels trading with Bengal.
(9) Tax (in maas-fish) on fishing boats.
(10) Hire of Pandaram boat at 14 per cent on fish taken.
There is no coir monopoly in this island, and this fact explains chiefly the
absence of disaffection towards the raja.
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William Logan
Divisions.—The island is demarcated into nine large blocks—
(A) The great north Pandaram.
(B) North Moiluth grant.
(C) Leper settlement.
(D) South Moiluth land.
(E) Malikhan land.
(F) Central Pandaram.
(G) Attiri Pandaram (containing most of the village site).
(H) Eastern block (containing rest of the village tottams and Pandaram plots).
(I) Great southern Pandaram.
NOTE.- The village (blocks G and H) is divided for purposes of administration into
attiris (sea-shore or male assemblies) and varangis (female assemblies). Of the latter, there
are ten, which lie in order from north to south, thus : —
1. Bodu, 2. Kudahe, 3. Punghilolu, 4. Aludi, 5. Setivalu, 6. Kandamatu, 7. Hanimagu, 8.
Olikolu, 9. Digu, 10. Kolu. The attiris correspond in name to the varangis except that No.
7 lies inland from No. 6, and the head-man of No. 6 having charge of the attiri, that is,
sea-shore, is head-man of both Nos. 6 and 7. To each varangi there is a head-woman.
The Malumi (pilot) and Malikhan (chief men) castes are independent of these attiri and
varangi organisations, which are formed exclusively of the two lower castes, viz.,
Takkarus (sailors) and Melacheris (tree-climbers), and which exist for the public services
(male and female) of the community. Each attiri and varangi has a special place of
meeting, and the sexes being told off to certain well-defined services, there is no clashing
of authority. The head-men control all the men and youths of their attiris. The head-
women exercise authority over all females and over boys until the latter are old enough
to join in the services performed by the males of the attiris, that is, till they are about 7
years of age. The different castes are located in the village thus :
Households of
Name of Melacheris Takkarus Malumis Malikhans Total
Varangi (tree- (sailors) (pilots) (chief
climbers) men)
1. Bodu 96 96
2. Kudahe 54 6 1 61
3. Punghilolu 60 3 63
4. Aludi 29 6 4 39
5. Setivalu 43 5 4 52
6. Kandamatu 15 2 2 19
7. Hanimagu 30 3 2 35
8. Olikolu 45 8 1 54
9. Dugu 47 10 4 61
10. Kolu 64 16 2 82
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Total 207 302 36 17 562
Each attiri has a number of maas-fishing boats. The owner of the boat gets 14
per cent of the catch of fish, the rest is divided equitably among the attiri.
Lighthouse.— A fine lighthouse, constructed by the Trinity House has been
recently erected at the south end of the island in block I. The light was first exhibited on
the 2nd February 1885.
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William Logan
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KOTTAYAM TALUK.
Boundaries, Position and Area.—The Kottayam taluk, which comprises the old
taluks of Kottayam and Tellicherry, is bounded on the north by Chirakkal, on the east by
Coorg and Wynad, on the south by Wynad and Kurumbranad, and on the west by the
sea. It lies immediately to the south of the Chirakkal taluk and resembles the latter in its
general features.
Area.—462 square miles, of which 80 square miles may be said to be under
cultivation.
Population.— The population, according to the census of 1871, was 143,761,
which in 1881 rose to 165,775, showing an increase of about 15 per cent. The males
were to the females as 81,345 to 84,430.
The Hindus numbered 124,099,
Muhammadans 39,825, Christians
1,842, and other classes 9. The
population is most dense towards the
coast.
The number of houses
occupied in 1881 was 25,646 and of
those unoccupied 6,200.
Sub-division of the Taluk for
Administrative Purposes.—The taluk is
divided into 28 amsams of which 16 are
under the charge of the Tahsildar for magisterial purposes and the remaining 12 under
the Deputy Tahsildar, Kuttuparamba. The taluk headquarters are at Tellicherry.
Public Establishments.—The various public establishments existing in the taluk
are specified below :
1. District Court, North Malabar, Tellicherry.
2. Sub-Collector and Joint Magistrate’s Court, Tellicherry.
3. Civil Surgeon, Tellicherry.
4. Assistant Superintendent of Police, Tellicherry.
5. Sub-Court, North Malabar, Tellicherry.
6. District Munsif’s Court, Tellicherry.
7. Tahsildar and his establishment, Tellicherry.
8. Deputy Tahsildar, Kuttuparamba.
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William Logan
9. Sea Customs Superintendent and Port Conservator, Tellicherry.
10, District Registrar, Tellicherry, and Sub-Registrars of Kuttuparamba and Panur.
11. Police Inspectors, Tellicherry and Kuttuparamba, with station-houses at Kallai,
Chavasseri, Iritti, Kannavam, Kuttuparamba, Kasba, Nagaram and Panur.
12. Postal and Telegraph ofiices at Tellicherry.
13. Inspector of Salt and Abkari Revenue, North Malabar.
14. Teachers of the Brennen High School and other educational institutions.
15. Local Fund Supervisor, Tellicherry sub-division.
16. Deputy Inspector of Vaccination, North Malabar.
17. Municipal establishments.
Towns.—Tellicherry (Lat. 11° 44' 53" N., Long. 75° 31' 38" E.), which is the
headquarters of the taluk, was constituted a municipal town under Act X of 1865 with
effect from 1st November 1866 (vide notification of Government, dated 13th September
1866, and G.O., dated 13th September 1866, No. 925).
The boundaries of the town are —
North— Eranjoli river as far as the old bridge on the Coorg road.
East and South —The Eranjoli old road as far as the Tiruvangad kovil large tank, and
the cross road thence to Kodapalli kunnu on the sea-shore.
West—The sea.
The town extends from the Koduvalli bridge on the north to the small hill in
the Mailanjanmam amsam on the south ; from the sea-shore on the west to the river on
the east. The distance north to south is 3 miles and east to west 1¾ miles. The area is
about 4 square miles and the population, according to the census of 1881, was 26,410, of
whom 15,488 were Hindus, 9,149 were Muhammadans, 1,765 were Christians, and 8
belonged to other classes. The males were to the females as 12,939 to 13,471. The
number of houses occupied was 3,426. and of those unoccupied 2,118.
The municipal town
comprises at present the whole of the
Tellicherry amsam and portions of
Tiruvangad and Mailanjanmam
amsams. In 1880 a portion of the
Nittur amsam was added to the
municipality, but was excluded in
1884 as it did not derive much benefit
from the municipal administration.
In March 1884, proposals for
the incorporation of the remaining
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Malabar
portions of the Tiruvangad and Mailanjanmam amsams were sanctioned by

Government, but the order was subsequently cancelled on the representations of the
inhabitants of the locality. The receipts and charges on account of the Tellioherry
Municipality for the year 1884-85 are subjoined :
TELLICHERRY MUNICIPALITY
1884-85.
Receipts Rs.
Opening balance 179
Rates on houses and lands 11,419
Taxes on arts 4,057
Taxes on vehicles and animals 793
Registration of carts . 46
Tolls 2,183
Licences 100
Licence tax
Assignments by Government 200
Contribution from local funds 1,050
Fees and fines 190
Endowment, etc. 1,200
Miscellaneous 6,407
Advances recovered
Total 27,884
Charges
Grant I 1884-85.
Rs.
New works - Communications
Buildings
Sanitary and miscellaneous
Repairs—communications 2,182
Buildings 123
Sanitary and miscellaneous. 67
Establishment 608
Tools and plant
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William Logan
Grant II 1884-85.
Rs.
Municipal schools 6,163
Results grants 543
Schools on the combined system 448
Inspection 150
Miscellaneous
Grant III 1884-85.

Rs.
Hospitals and dispensaries 4,437
Medical college
Sanitary inspection
Vaccination. 584
Registration of births and deaths 344
Conservancy 5,585
Grant IV 1884-85.
Rs.
Lighting 1,488
Choultries 123
Travellers’ bungalow
Miscellaneous 576
Licence tax
Police
Grant V 1884-85.
Rs.
Supervision and management 3,050
Advances recoverable 50
Refunds 152
Balances 1,211
Grants 1884-85.
Rs.
308
Malabar
Total 27,884
Tellicherry is a healthy and picturesque town, situated upon a group of wooded

hills running down to the sea, and protected by a natural breakwater of rock.
The citadel or fort, still in excellent preservation, stands to the north of the
town and was used as a district jail till the latter was abolished on 1st June 1885. The
buildings in the fort are now intended for public offices. The fort is built of laterite in
the form of a square with flanking bastions on the south-east and north-west corners.
The south-east bastion has also a cavalier bastion above it. On the north is another
bastion situated on a cliff overhanging the sea, and separated from the main work by a
space of about 150 yards. The immediate precincts of the fort were further protected by
a strong wall of which portions still remain loop-holed for musketry and with flanking
towers at intervals.
The native town lies to the south ; the principal street runs parallel to the coast,
and is a mile in length. A white dioptric light, exhibited from a small masonry tower on
the fort wall, 70 feet above high water, marks the harbour. The East India Company
established a factory at Tellicherry in 1683 to secure the pepper and cardamom trade ;
and on several occasions, between 1708 and 1761, the Company obtained from the
chiefs of the Kolattiri family and other local chiefs, not only grants of land in and near
Tellicherry, but some important privileges, such as the right to collect customs,
administer justice, etc., within the lands so granted.
Hyder’s invasion of Malabar narrowed the Company's operations for a time,
and in 1766 the factory was reduced to a residency. From 1779 to 1782 the town
withstood a seige by Hyder’s General, Sirdar Khan ; on the arrival of relief from
Bombay under Major Abington, the enemy was severely handled in a sortie and the siege
was raised. In the subsequent wars with Mysore, Tellicherry was the base of operations
for the ascent of the ghats from the west coast. After the peace, the town became the
seat of the Superintendent of North Malabar and of the Provincial Court of Circuit.
The various public offices existing in the taluk have been already noticed. The
following edifices which exist in the town deserve mention. They are –
(1) The civil dispensary built partly with subscriptions raised by Dr. Ross, a former
Civil Surgeon of the station, and partly with funds supplied by Government.
(2) A Protestant church (the foundation of which was laid by Lord Napier in 1869),
raised with funds left by the late Master Attendant, Edward Brennen, Esq.
(3) A church of the German Mission.
(4) A Roman Catholic church over a century old.
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(5) A large Mappilla mosque called Orta (in Portuguese, garden) Pally
(ഓട ിൽപ ി) built by a very opulent Mappilla, Chovakkaran Mussa, the site
being the Government garden, hence the name.
(6) Another mosque of some note, that of the Cutch Muhammadans, built by the late
Ali Haji Sett, a rich merchant of this town, whose descendants are still trading here.
(7) A Hindu pagoda in Tiruvangad dedicated to Sri Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu,
and commonly called "Brass Pagoda’’ owing to its being covered with brass sheeting
instead of tiles, and of which the walls and gopurams are in a state of disrepair.
(8) A high school, also built with funds left by Mr. Brennen and known as the
Brennen High school.
(9) Another school in charge of German Missionaries built with money provided by
a Parsee by name Kasroo—a grandson of Darashoo Cursetjee, an old Parsee
merchant of this place. (10) A terrace made by the late Vice-President, Mr. Overbury,
with municipal fund and which presents an agreeable appearance commanding an
excellent view of the sea, and is now much resorted to by town people, especially in
the evening. There are also a travellers’ bungalow and two chattrams, one of which
was built by the Municipality and the other by the Government. There is also another
chattram, built and endowed, by Moyan Kunhi Raman Nayar, who was once a ward
under Government, and intended for Hindu travellers.
Of the private dwelling houses which are of some note, there are only two
deserving mention here. One of these at Morakkunnu was built by Mr. James Stevens,
and the other at Pallikkunnu by Mr. Thomas Harvey Baber, both first Judges of the late
Western Provincial Court.
There are two large tanks within the town, the largest at Tiruvangad, measuring
250 feet by 340, belongs to the Tiruvangad temple, and the other measuring 150 feet by
150, near the High school, was sunk by the late Mr. Baber, and goes by his name. There
is no hotel here, but there is a club for Europeans situated close to the fort.
Other institutions of minor importance in the town are noted below :—
1. Liekshmi Narasimham temple (ല ്മിനരസിംഹ േ തം) roofed partly
with copper and partly with tiles belonging to the Konkani Brahmins.
2. Old Jamath mosque പെഴ ജമാ പ ി.
3. Mattamprath mosque മ ാ പ ി.
4. Lower bazaar mosque താെഴ അ ാടി പ ി.
5. Trikkayil temple dedicated to Siva തൃ യിൽ േ തം.
6. Ayyalath palli അ ല പളളി.
7. Seydarpalli െസ താർ പ ി.
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Nos. 1 to 4 are in Tellicherry amsam, and Nos. 5 and 6 in Tiruvangad amsam,

and No. 7 in Mailamjanmam amsam.
Kutali amsam—about 12 miles north north-west of Tellicherry, contains a
bungalow known as Chalot Bungalow and a potty bazaar. It is on the high road from
Cannanore to the Pudiachuram pass into Coorg.
Pattanur amsam—has nothing worthy of note, except perhaps a Vishnu temple
called Nayikkali നാ ാലി.
Chavasseri amsam—about 4 miles north north-east of Palassi, has a Mappilla

bazaar and a palace to the north of it. It contains the Kallur temple and Palot mosque,
and also a small bungalow and chattram.
Veliyambra amsam—contains the village of Iritti, which has a bridge of that
name in course of construction. It contains Kuyimbil (കുയി ിൽ) temple and Uliyll
(ഉളിയിൽ) mosque.
Mulakunnu amsam—contains a fort called Harischandra Kotta on the Purali
mala hill, near this is a rock-cut cell. There are two temples known as Mulakunnu
(മുഴ ു ്) and Tillangiri (തിലെ രി) and a mosque called Palayil (പാലയിൽ).
Gannamm amsam—is a hilly tract containing an area of 41,440 acres, or about
65 square miles. It has a travellers’ bungalow and a mussaferkhana and two religious
institutions, one (Muntemparamba temple (മുെ ംപറ ു േ തം) belonging to the
Hindus, and the other (Aralathpalli ആറള പളളി) belonging to the Mappiilas. The
Iritti bridge is on the boundary of Gannavam and Veliyambra amsams.
Manattana amsam—about 28 miles from Tellicherry and 8 from Kannoth, was
once a military post. There is a redoubt on the summit of a low hill in good order but
overrun with trees and shrubs. It is the largest and most hilly tract in the taluk, and has,
according to the census of 1881, an area of 106,000 acres, or about 165 square miles,
and a population of 4,365 souls. There is a temple of great celebrity called
Tricharumanna at Kottiyur (തൃ രുമ അെല ിൽ െകാ ിയൂർ േ തം) dedicated to
Siva, and although situated in a wild woody tract, it has an annual festival in April-May
attended by about 50,000 people. The nearest inhabited place to Kottiyur is Manattana,
about 8 miles distant from it. The road from Manattana to Wynad passes through this
village. At Nitumpoyil, there exists a chattram for the use of travellers. There is also a
mosque called Kolayat (െകാളയാടു പ ി).
Kannavam amsam—is a largo hilly tract about 14 miles north-east of
Tellicherry, and was formerly a military post. Here is a small redoubt on a hill in ruins.
There a good bungalow for travellers and a sudstantial stone bridge thrown over a small
river by a battalion of pioneers employed in Wynad, in 1822-23.
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There is a celebrated pagoda known as Totikalam (െതാടി ളം) temple about
one mile northwest of Kannoth, where, in the month of Vrischigam, Tiyyars bring
tender coconuts as offerings to the deity. There are three rock-out caves in Totikalam,
said to be paved with bricks.
There is also a mosque in the amsam known as the Kannoth mosque. At
Kannoth there was a rich janmi knowm as Kannoth Nambiyar, who joined the
rebellious Palassi (Pyche) Raja of Kottayam, and who disturbed the peace of the taluk
for a series of years. He eventually fell into the hands of the authorities and was hanged
on the hill near the bungalow,- his estate being declared escheated to Government in
1805. The property known as Kannoth escheat is of large extent and lies in Kannoth
and Manattana amsam. It has mostly been dealt with by the escheat department, and,
has a portion of it planted up with teak trees. The area of the tract is variously estimated.
The Tahsildar of Kottayam once put the area at 375 square miles, but forty square miles
is a very moderate estimate not taking into consideration the increased superficial area
caused by the mountainous character of the locality. The forests are peopled by
Kurichiyars—a class of Jungle tribes who raise various products in them. The forest has
been notified for reservation under the Madras Forest Act V of 1882.
Palassi amsam— the seat of the Raja known in Malabar history as the Pychy
(Palassi) Raja of Kottayam who carried on warfare against the East India Company for a
long time, and who was finally killed in 1805, his whole estate being confiscated to
Government. There is a small fort which is now in ruins.
The two temples in this amsam are Perincheri (െപരിേ രി) and Mattanur
(മ ൂർ). Mattanur is painfully interesting as being the scene of the terrible tragedy
enacted there in 1852, wherein a whole family of Brahmans, consisting of 18 souls, were
most cruelly butchered by Mappilla fanatics.
Kandamkunnu amsam—is the seat of the Kuttuparamba Deputy Tahsildar’s
office, and contains also a Sub-Registrar’s office, a Police station, a Mission school,
public bungalow and an old fort now in ruins. There is also a large maidan in the
possession of Government and a street inhabited by buffalo-herdsmen. It lies on the
high road to the Periah pass. The Merumpoya bridge, over the river of that name, is
situated in this amsam. There are also the (1) Nirveli (നിർെ ലി), (2) Mananteri
(മാനെ രി) and (3) Ramapuram (രാമപുരം) temples, and (4) Merumpoya
(െമരു ായി) mosque and (5) Muriyat (മൂർ ാേ ) mosque. Patuvilai amsam—contains
two Hindu temples known as Kallay (കലായി) and Patuvilai (പടുവിലായി) and two
mosques called Kallai and Vengatti.
Dharmatam amsam.—Dharmatam (literally a place of charity) is a small island
close to Tellicherry and contains a redoubt on the top of an elevated place and also an
old rock-cut cave. There was here one of the earliest Muhammadan mosques now
demolished. The place was ceded to the Honourable East India Company in 1734, was
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seized by Ravi Rarma, Raja of Chirakkal, in 1788, but was retaken in 1789, There are two
Hindu temples called Melur (േമലൂർ േ തം) and Andalur (അ ലൂർ കാ ), a
Christian church and a Jamath mosque. There is also a Trigonometrical survey station
here.
Pinarayi amsam—contains an old palace belonging to the Raja of Kottayam and
the Paraprath (പാറ പ ്) mosque.
Mailanjanmam amsam—contains a mosque called Seydarpalli and two small

rock-cut sepulchral caves like those at Taliparamba.
Katirur amsam—about 4 miles north-east of Tellicherry, was formerly the seat
of the Tahsildar and subsequently of the District Munsif. It had a palace built by the
Pychy (Palassi) Raja. There are (1 ) Katirur temple (കതിരൂർ േ തം) with a nice tank
attached to it, (2) Chirumpa kavu temple (ചിരു കാ ), (3) Talath (താഴ ) mosque,
(4) Telayilat (െതലയിലാ ) mosque, and (5) two rock-cut caves.
Kottayam—also called Kottayakam and Kottangadi, is a large village about 7
miles north-east of Tellieherry, and contains the palaces of the Kottayam Rajas and the
houses of several wealthy Mappillas. It is celebrated for a fine temple known as
Trikayikunnu (തൃ യി ു ു) and a big tank close to it. The rebel Pychy (Palassi) Raja
belonged to one of the branches of the Kottayam family. There are three mosques called
(1 ) Kottayath Jamath mosque (െകാ യ ് ജമാ പ ി), (2) Mutiyanga Jamath
mosque (മുതിയ ജമാ പ ി) (3) Cheruvancheri mosque (െചരുവാംേ രി
പളളി).
Panur amsam.—Panur, about 7 miles from Tellicherry, was formerly the seat of
a District Munsif and has now a Police station and a Sub Registrar’s office. It is a
populous Mappilla village and contains a bazaar. There are the ruins of an old fort and a
rook-cut sepulchral grave, the latter in Kannampalli desam. The chief religious
institutions are Kutteri temple (കുെ രി അ ലം) and Panur mosque (പാനൂർപ ി).
Puttur amsam—is a jungly tract and contains Pullanhot പുലാേഞാ ) temple
and Kallil (കലിെലപ ി) mosque ; also two rock-cut caves in Kolavallur desam.
Triprangottur amsam—is a jungly tract and contains the Vishnu temple known
as Kotantram velli temple (െകാട ംെവ ി േ തം) and the Katavattur mosque
(കടവ ൂർ പ ി). Both have thatched roofs.
Panniyanur amsam—contains the temples known as Kottarattil Ampalam
(െകാ ാര ിൽ അ ലം) and Kilaketath Ampalam (കിഴെ ട ലം).
Peringalam amsam—about 8 miles from Tellicherry, contains a rock-cut cave

on the top of a hill. There are also a rock-out cave with two pillars and four caves in the
amsam. The Menapratt (െമന പ ്) and Anniyarath (അണിയാര ്) temples and
Peringalathur (പരി ള ൂർ പ ി) mosque are the only religious institutions of
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note. At Kanakamala there is a small spring which is considered sacred, and in which
people bathe on certain days in the year.
Olavilam amsam—contains Olavilath Tadathil (ഒളവില ് തട ിൽ) temple
and Tottathil (േതാ ിൽ) mosque.
Kallayi amsam—contains two caves cut out of laterite, also Parimatam temple
(പരിമഠം) and Kallai mosque.
Karyad amsam—contains Pallikunil temple (പ ികുനിൽ അ ലം) dedicated
to Vettakorumakan.
Mountains, Hills and Forests.—The line of ghats to the eastward, the crest of
which forms the boundary dividing Kottayam from Coorg and Wynad, are lofty, some
of the peaks being about 4,000 feet above the level of the sea. The valleys formed by the
slopes are extensive and covered with dense forests. The Kanaka mala is a lofty ridge
stretching west from the ghats, the slopes from it approaching within 10 miles of the
coast due east of Tellicherry. Purali (പുരളി) mala, situated centrically, is a long ridge
about 6 miles in length east and west unconnected with the ghats. It is covered with
wood and bamboos to the summit. In the north-east portion several table-lands covered
with wood, apparently flat, rise abruptly from the cultivated valleys.
The country, 8 miles in a parallel with the coast, is composed of open ridges
between the cultivated valleys. A few of the eminences are wooded. There is very little
fiat land in the district beyond a belt along the coast about Tellicherry and the cultivated
valleys. The whole of the eastern portion is one dense wood with a few cultivated spots
to the foot of the ghats.
In the small island of Dharmapatam the only flat ground is that under wet
cultivation and marsh ; the rest is undulating ground falling in cliffs towards the sea.
Opposite to it is a rocky island called Grove Island with some wood surrounded by
rocks.
About half a mile to the west of Tellicherry is a ridge of rocks which affords
some shelter for craft. The description of the Kannoth forest belonging to Government
will be found in the Notice of the Wynad Forests.
Soil and Productions.—The soil in some parts towards the coast is brown and
sandy ; on the rising grounds in the interior it is rich and gravelly ; the cultivated valleys a
brown loam , towards the mountains and in the forests it is rich and black.
The productions are rice of different kinds, coconut, betel, areca-nut,
cardamom, pepper in great quantities and dry grains of sorts. Kottayam is celebrated for
its pepper crops.
Minerals.—Iron is to be found in some parts, but it is not worked.
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Manufactures.—Cloths of an inferior sort are made in several amsams. In

Nittur, a suburb of Tellicherry, weaving is carried on by the Basel Mission weaving
establishment. Arrack, jaggery, oil from copra and other nuts are manufactured. Copper
vessels are manufactured at Tellicherry and at Mattanur in Palassi amsam.
Fairs and Markets.—Fairs are held at almost all the temples where people resort
for public festivals or worship. Kottiyur is one of the most important of the pagodas in
this respect. A festival is held there in April-May every year which attracts thither great
trade.
Bungalows and other Public Buildings.—There are three travellers’ bungalows
in the taluk at—
1. Kannoth in Kannavan amsam,
2. Gannoth in Gannavam amsam, and
3. Kuthuparamba.
Mussaferkhanas are provided at—
1. Nedumpoyil in Manattana amsam.
2. Chalot in Kudali amsam.
3. Chavasseri.
4. Iritti in Veliyampra amsam.
5. Gannoth in Gannavam amsam.
Trigonometrical Station.—At Dharmapattanam.
° ‘ “
Lat. 11 45 59.76
Long. 75 30 09.82
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William Logan
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Malabar
KURUMBRANAD TALUK
By C. Kunhi Kannan
Position, Boundaries, Soil and Area.—The Kurumbranad taluk is bounded on
the North by the Kottayam taluk, on the east by the Wynad taluk, on the south by the
Calicut taluk, and on the west by the Arabian Sea. The soil of the interior is generally red
and much impregnated with laterite, which gradually assumes a rich loam in parts
cultivated with paddy, whilst towards the coast it is brown loose earth.
The Kurumbranad taluk comprises the old taluks of Kadattanad and
Kurumbranad.
The area of the taluk, according to the census returns of 1881, is 538 square
miles. This is only an approximate calculation as accurate figures are not available, the
district not having been surveyed. Of this extent about 175,613 acres or about 274
square miles, are under cultivation. The demand of land revenue for fasli 1295 (1885-86)
was Rs. 2,13,565, giving an average of Rs. 1¼ nearly per acre of cultivated area.
Population.—The population of the taluk, inclusive of floating population as
ascertained by the census of 1881, was, 261,024, being 129,394 males and 131,630
females. The population returned by the census of 1871 was 244,166. The population of
1881 may be classified as follows :-
Hindus 196,383
Muhammadans 64,245
Christians 394
Others 2
Total 261,024
which give an average of 485 persons per square mile.
Education is backward in the taluk as will appear from the fact that under the
head of “instruction" the census returned 7,944, ‘‘instructed’’ 20,206, and “illiterate
including not stated" 232,874 persons.
There were 56,471 houses (48,440 occupied and 8,031 unoccupied) in 1881
against 45,597 houses in 1871. The average number of persons per occupied house in
1881 was 5.4.
Division of Taluk for Administrative Purposes.— The taluk comprises 57
amsams each with an adhikari on Rs. 5¼, a menon on Rs. 6 and two peons on Rs. 3 each
per mensem.
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Prior to 1866 there were 63 amsams in the taluk, but in that year 6 amsams were
transferred to the Calicut taluk. The names of these amsams will be found in the Note
on the Calicut taluk.
The old Kadattanad taluk comprised 21 hobalis and the old Kurumbranad 10
hobalis. As already observed, these two taluks were amalgamated into the present
Kurumbranad taluk.
Government Establishments of different kinds maintained in the taluks and
where located.—The taluk kacheri of Kurumbranad, including the Sub-jail and Police
station, is at Badagara, where there is also a District Munsif’s Court and a Sub-Registrar’s
office. The District Board maintain a middle school, a dispensary on a small scale, a
travellers' bungalow and mussafer khana at Badagara.
There are two other District Munsifs’ Courts in the taluk, one at Nadapuram in
Kummangod amsam, 9 miles north-east of Badagara, and the other at Payanad in
Quilandi, 14 miles south of Badagara. There is a Deputy Tahsildar’s kacheri at Quilandi.
There are Sub-Registrars at Nadapuram, Payoli, Quilandi, Naduvannur and Kuttiyadi.
There are combined Post and Telegraph offices and Sea Customs offices at Badagara
and Quilandi. There are Police stations at Chombal in Aliyur amsam, Nadapuram in
Kummangod amsam, Badagara, Payoli in Iringatt amsam, Quilandi in Viyur amsam,
Tiruvallur, Kuttiyadi, Perambra, Naduvannur and lyad.
Short Descriptive Notices of Towns, etc.—There are no Municipal towns in
Kurumbranad. Kadattanad is one of the ancient chieftainships (nads) into which Malabar
was formerly divided. It stretches from the sea coast up the western declivity of the
Western Ghats. The level tracts near the sea are very fertile. The eastern hilly parts are
well wooded and contain indigenous cardamom plants. The petty State is said to have
been founded in 1664 by a Nayar chief who inherited it in the male line from the
Tekkelankur (southern regent) of the Kolattiri kingdom.
Badagara (Vadakkekara = the north bank) is the chief town in the taluk.
According to the census of 1871, there were 1,037 houses with a population of 7,718
souls in Badagara amsam. At the census of 1881, there were 1,643 houses and a
population of 8,336 persons. Of these 3,849 are Mappillas. Badagara is situated on the
sea coast at the northern extremity of the Elattur-Badagara backwater and on the trunk
road from Calicut to Cannanore, 30 miles from the former and 12 miles south of
Telhcherry.
There is a fort at Badagara which originally belonged to the Kolattiri Rajas, and
it is said to have been acquired by the Kadattanad Raja in 1564. On passing into the
possession of the Mysoreans it was made the chief export customs station on the coast.
In 1790 it was taken from Tippu by the English, and having been restored to the
Kadattanad Raja, it was converted by him into a Brahman feeding-house, which was
afterwards transferred to the Paravantala temple in Badagara amsam. The raja has since
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Malabar
built a thatched house in the fort. The fort is 246 feet square with bastions at each
corner, and immediately west of it is a tank 168 feet long and 144 feet broad.
Badagara is a straggling but busy Mappilla town with several irregular streets or
lanes. On the beach there are several substantial storehouses. There is a Jamatt mosque
here as well as minor mosques. The Jamatt mosque is 114 by 42 feet.
In Paravantala desam in Badagara amsam is a well 66 feet in circumference and
42 feet deep. This well is said to have been jumped across by Tachcholi Odenan, the
hero of a folk song noted in North Malabar.
In Badagara amsam, Paravantala desam, there is a temple dedicated to
Subramanyan. It is 76 feet long and 66 feet broad. Attached to the temple is a tank 73
feet square. The temple, said to be an ancient institution, was renewed by the
Kadattanad Raja about the year 1864, The roof of the shrine is covered with copper
plates. The raja maintains a Brahman feeding-house here.
In Kuttipuram amsam, 10 miles to the north-east of Badagara, is the fortified
palace of the Kadattanad Porlatiri Valiya Raja, and in Purameri amsam, 8 miles from
Badagara, is the Porlatiri Ilaya Raja's house. The remaining two branches of the raja’s
family live in Ayancheri Kovilakam and Edavalatt Kovilakam in the same amsam.
Kottakkal, 3 miles south of Badagara, is a sea customs sub-port subordinate to
Badagara. It was once a large town inhabited by Mappillas. There is a mosque of some
note on the southern bank of the river at Kottakkal. Kottakkal was formerly the
stronghold of a Mappilla pirate called Kunhali Marakkar, who committed depredations
in the surrounding country which are described in a folk song. Hardly any vestige of the
stronghold now remains.
The Sacrifice Rock is opposite the Kottakkal sub-port in Lat. 11° 29' 45" N.,
Long. 75° 31½ E., bears S. ½ E. from Tellicherry 5¼ leagues, and is distant 4¾ miles
from the land opposite ; it has a white aspect, 40 feet in height, and is discernible 3 and
3½ leagues from a large ship, the deck being elevated 15 or 20 feet above water. It is
called Velliyankallu or the white or silvery stone by the natives of Malabar. This rock or
island is steep all round, having 12 and 13 fathoms close to it, 16 fathoms 2¾ miles
outside, 10 fathoms within it, to 7 fathoms about midway between it and the mainland
in a very good channel. Ships passing through the inside channel ought to give the point
a berth of 3 miles by borrowing towards the rock ; and in working should heave the lead
quick, if they come under 6 fathoms standing in shore. Passing outside Sacrifice Rock in
the night, ships should not come under 16 or 17 fathoms water.
Nadapuram is a rising Mappilla town in Kummangod amsam 9 miles from
Badagara. The amsam has a population of 5,328 souls. The recent establishment of a
Munsif's Court has increased the importance of this place. There is a Jamatt mosque
here, which is 104 by 33 feet in size.
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At Kuttiyadi, which was once a strong military post, 17 miles from Badagara,
there is an old redoubt as well as a small Mappilla village. The Kuttiyadi Ghat begins
here. There is a Sub-Registrar's office and a Police station here. There is also a Jamatt
mosque, 53 by 27 feet.
The Kuttiyadi Pass, in the Western Ghats, leads from Kurumbranad taluk into
Wynad. It is steep and only practicable for foot-passengers and beasts of burden. The
Kuttiyadi river is navigable from Badagara up to 30 miles. Large quantities of timber are
floated down the river to Elattur in Calicut, and to Badagara.
In Ponmeri amsam, 5 miles from Badagara, is a Siva temple which is 124½ feet
by 87 feet. It is sculptured. The roof of the shrine is covered with copper. There is a
granite slab at the eastern entrance with an inscription in unknown characters. The
temple is very old and was destroyed by Tippu's soldiers.
In Edacheri amsam, 5 miles from Badagara, is Vengoli temple in which
Ganapati is worshipped. It is 70 by 53½ feet. The Kadattanad Raja mamtains a Brahman
feeding-house here. Not far from the temple to the north there is a Bhagavati temple
called Kaliyampalli temple. It is 97 feet long and 86 feet broad. There is an inscription
on a slab in unknown characters.
In Muttungal amsam, Vellikulangara desam, 4 miles north of Badagara, there is
a Siva temple, 54 by 41 feet. Outside the temple, there is a slab with inscription in an
unknown language. At Karshkad in this amsam, there is a Muhammadan mausoleum
over the grave of one Siti Koya, who is alleged to have migrated to Malabar from Arabia
about 200 years ago. The mausoleum is held in great veneration by Mappillas, who flock
to it in large numbers from different parts and make offerings.
In Velam amsam, 12 miles south-east of Badagara, there is a reservoir of fresh
water locally known as Tura, which is 1,080 feet long by 218 feet wide. There is a similar
Tura in Kuttiyadi amsam, which is 684 feet by 72 feet with a depth averaging 22 feet.
These are fabled to have been excavated by the Pandus in pre-historic period.
Chombala in Aliyur amsam is a Basel Evangelical station. The mission was
started there in 1849, and the number of church members in the colony on the 1st
January 1885 were 309. There is a girls’ orphanage here, which was transferred from
Cannanore in 1872. A branch weaving establishment has existed here since 1883. There
are three schools for boys and girls with an average attendance of about 200 pupils. The
Chombala Mission has an out-station at Badagara and Muvaratt. The station at Quilandi,
opened in 1857, is subordinate to the mission at Calicut. The congregation at Quilandi
numbers 68.
In Melati amsam, 10 miles from Quilandi, there is a Siva temple known as
Kilur, which has its shrine roofed with copper. The temple is 93 by 70 feet. In the
month of Vrischikam (November-December), a festival is celebrated here with great
pomp. During the festival an important cattle market is held close to the temple over a
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large area. Divers other articles also find ready sale here on the occasion. More than
60,000 head of cattle are brought here from different parts of the district and
Coimbatore, etc., and more than 10,000 people assemble during the festival.
Quilandi, the headquarters of the Deputy Tahsildar, is in Viyyur amsam. There
are besides a District Munsif’s Court, Sub-Registrar’s office, Sea Customs office, a
combined Post and Telegraph office, Police station, Subsidiary jail, travellers’ bungalow
and mussaferkhana at Quilandi. The population of the amsam in 1871 was 10,367 and in
1881, 10,259. In 1881 there were 2,095 houses against 1,757 in 1871. Of the former,
1,752 were occupied and the rest unoccupied.
Quilandi was a large flourishing port and town, of which many substantial
buildings remain. It had also the advantage of being in the neighbourhood of the Kollam
mud bank resembling those at Alleppey and Narakkal. Towards the close of the last
century, the port was suddenly destroyed by a cyclone.
It was close to Quilandi (Capocate) that Vasco da Gama’s fleet first cast anchor
in 1498. Close to the seaport on the north is one of the nine original Muhammadan
mosques established on the Malabar Coast by Malik Ibn Dinar. The mosque (recently
renewed) is at Kollam, sometimes called northern or Pantalayini Kollam. This mosque
appears to have been built in imitation of one at Mecca. The dome is covered with
sheets of copper which Arab vessels passing down the coast never failed in former days
to salute, and all Muhammadan seamen offered prayers on coming abreast of it. Three
festivals are annually celebrated in the mosque. In Kollam, there is a Jamatt mosque in
which there are three granite slabs containing inscriptions.
In the town of Quilandi there is an old mosque 130 by 70 feet. It is very high,
having three storeys. The Government have granted lands yielding annually Rs. 1,800 for
the support of this mosque. A brief account of the circumstances of this endowment
will not be uninteresting.
The mosque appears to have been founded in 1779 by Saiyid Abdulla Bin Saiyid
Ahamad Hadi. In 1780 voluntary engagements were entered into by the Muhammadan
and Hindu merchants of different villages in Tinnevelly, by which they bound
themselves to pay for the mosque a trilling fee upon each man’s load or bullock load of
merchandise which passed through their respective villages. A payment analogous to this
was also in due course secured in Malabar in behalf of this mosque. The above
collection was continued until 1803 when Regulation XII of that year put a stop to the
practice.
In 1810, Saiyid Ali Hadi, the founder’s son, brought to the notice of
Government the difficulties experienced in regard to the up-keep of the mosque by the
enforcement of Regulation XII. An enquiry was instituted into the matter in 1826 which
eventully resulted in the grant of an allowance of Rs. 1,800 per annum, payable by
monthly instalments, for the support of the mosque and establishment, and an
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additional payment down of Rs. 2,000 for repairing the mosque (G.O., dated 29th
February 1828).
The mosque was described by the Sub-Collector, Mr. Wheatley, to be a
magnificent structure affording accommodation to travellers and to a largely attended
school where instruction was imparted to Muhammadan youths. It was also stated that
pilgrims to Mecca and visitors from Arabia were entertained here. The Government
consequently directed the allowance to be continued as long as the institution was kept
up on a proper footing and found to be beneficial to that portion of the public which
had been accustomed to resort to it for lodging, entertainment or religious purposes.
In their despatch of 15th June 1831, the Court of Directors approved the grant
and the proviso laid down for its continuance, and observed that what was intended was
a degree of utility not altogether disproportionate to the allowance made. The Inam deed
pertaining to this confirmed the grant to the present Inamdar for the purpose of the
Inam as long as he continues to be loyal.
In 1841 Government withdrew from all connection with religious institutions,
and in 1846 the Government accepted the Collector’s proposal to make over to the
Quilandi mosque as Sarvamanyam certain escheated farms in Ernad producing a net
revenue of Rs. 1,800 per annum. In 1848, 199 pieces of paddy fields and nursery plots
and 16 gardens measuring in all 306 cawnies, 828 koles, and assessed at Rupees 1,176-
10-1 with proprietor’s share of Rs. 623-5—11 aggregating Rs. 1,800 were made over to
the Inamdar. These lands lie in the amsams of Manjeri, Karakunnu, and Trikalangod in
Ernad taluk. The Inamdar now squeezes from his tenants more than Rs. 3,200 per annum.
A festival is annually performed in the month of Ramullan on Mayath Kunnu
(grave-yard hill) in Kollam. There are several ancient tombs on the hill, some of them
with inscriptions.
In Kollam desam is the Vishari Kavu temple, dedicated to Bhagavati and Siva.
The roof of the Bhagavati shrine is covered with copper. The temple is 93 by 84 feet.
The Dasra festival is celebrated here with pomp in Kanni (September-October), and in
the month of Minam (March-April), a festival takes place for 8 days which attracts many
pilgrims and calls into being in its neighbourhood at Kannadikkal a fair for diverse
articles aggregating in value about Rs, 10,000.
The temple possesses inam lands in the amsams of Viyur, Mudadi Tiruvangur,
Arikkulam, Kilariyur and Melur, the revenue of which amounts to Rs. 343.
There is a tank 920 feet by 502 feet at Kollam.
There are inscriptions in illegible characters in the minor temples of Maralur,
Pantalayini and Taliyil in Viyur.
In Edakkara amsam, 10 miles from Quilandi, there is a hill called Vallikkat-
Mittal Kunnu crowned by a small shrine. There is a perennial flow of water from the top
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of the hill which is considered to be tirtham or holy water and to which a large number of
pilgrims flock in the month of Tulam (October-November). In Velur desam,
Manikottaparamba, there is a hat-stone 36 feet in circumference on an upright stone
about 3 feet high and 4 feet thick. There was a similar circular stone in the same
compound which has fallen from its prop.
In the neighbourhood of these hat-stones there is a stone-cut cave with a
central column and raised platforms on sides similar to those found elsewhere in the
district.
Naduvannur is an important village and was the headquarters of the old
Kurumbranad taluk. It has a population of 3,386 souls, of whom 2,616 are Hindus and
770 Muhammadans. There is a Sub-Registrar’s office here as well as a Police station.
There is also a travellers’ bungalow. A market is held every Saturday.
In Karayad amsam, Tiruvangur desam, 6 miles from Quilandi, there is a Siva
temple called Tiruvangur perched on a rock-hill called Kappa mala. There are sculptures
in the temple. It is 109 feet by 63 feet. The Sivaratri festival is celebrated here annually in
the month of Kumbham (February-March). On the north and south of the temple as
well as within the precincts of the temple, there are as many as nine quasi tanks varying
from 6 to 60 feet in circumference, excavated on the top of the rocky hill which are
never dried up. They are esteemed for ablutions. On a granite rock at the temple there is
an inscription in unknown characters.
In Meppayur amsam, Eravattur desam, there are two ponds known as
Narikkilapula and Tiyarapula. The former is 600 feet long and 90 feet broad and the
latter is almost as broad. They are used for washing. A local legend imputes their
excavation to the Pandavas.
In Pompiri desam of the same amsam is a garden called Kudakottiparamba, in
which there is a hat-stone 30 feet in circumference supported by an upright column
about 3 feet high and about 5 feet thick. The circular stone is a little damaged on one
side. This is 9 miles north-east of Quilandi.
Payoli in Iringatt amsam is a rising town. The population of the amsam is 3,408,
being 2,508 Hindus, 892 Muhammadans and 8 Christians. There is a Sub-Registrar’s
office at Payoli and a Police station as well as a travellers’ bungalow on an eminence
overlooking the river. A weekly market on every Monday is held here. There is a lock at
Payoli on the canal which connects the Akalapula backwater with the Kuttiyadi river,
and thus provides an uninterrupted line of inland navigation from Elattur in Calicut to
Badagara. Fees are levied on boats passing the lock. Payoli is 10 miles from Badagara
and 11 from Quilandi.
The rivers of the taluk are—
1 . The Kottakkal or Kuttiyadi river
2. The Mahe or Mondole river.
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3. The Naduvannur river.
A list of ferries in the taluk is subjoined:-
Second Class
1. Murat kadavu.
Third Class
2. Kanayankod kadavu. 3. Puramannadi kadavu. 4- Nirattukuli kadavu,
5. Chittani kadavu, 6. Kuniyott kadavu. 7. Muttunkal kadavu.
8. Kayippratt kadavu. 9. Puliyapula kadavu. 10. Perincheri kadavu
11. Maniyan kadavu. 12. Pulakandi kadavu. 13. Idinja kadavu.
14. Kotta kadavu. 15. Chenthodi kadavu. 16 Thorasheri kadavu.
17. Akalapula kadavu. 18. Nelliyadi kadavu. 19. Naderi kadavu.
20 Annala kadavu 21. Ollur kadavu. 22. Thoraya kadavu.
23. Chattanatt kadavu. 24 Kuniyil kadavu.
Fairs and Markets — A weekly market is held at Badagara every Tuesday, at

Nadapuram every Thursday, at Payoli every Monday, at Kokkallur, close to Iyad Police
station, every Wednesday, at Naduvannur every Saturday.
Trigonometrical Survey Station — There is a Trigonometrical survey station
on Nadapuram hill in Kunnummal amsam, 16 miles from Badagara, as well as one on
Puramala hill in Mutadi amsam, 5 miles from Quilandi.
Dams and Anicuts.—There is a dam at Palayad for the exclusion of salt water
from the paddy cultivation lying above the dam. There is also a dam at Kattampalli in
Panangad amsam.
Ayyanikkad dam is an old one between Ulliyeri and Arikkulam amsams. These
dams are intended for the protection of cultivation and revenue.
Archaeology.-— Reference has already been made to the rock-out cave and hat-
stones in Edakkara amsam, and a hat-stone in Meppayur amsam.
In Muttadi amsam, Muchukunnu desam, in the valley of Valiyamala hill, there
are two caves. One is large, being 66 feet long and 36 feet wide. At the western end of
the cave is a circular pit 9½ koles in circumference and 1½ koles deep.
In Mullipad desam, Cheruvannur amsam, 9 miles south-east of Badagara, there
is a small rock-cut cave not yet excavated.
On the eastern side of the temple in Kaliyamvelli, in Edacheri amsam, 6 miles
north north-east of Badagara, there are some inscriptions.
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On the eastern side of the temple in Vellikulangara in Muttungal amsam, 4 miles

north of Badagara, there are some inscriptions. There is an old fort in Eramala amsam.
An old Siva temple in Iringannnr, 8 miles north-east of Badagara, is fabled to
have been founded by a rishi.
There is a small rock-cut cave in Kolukkallur desam of Karayad amsam, 18
miles south-east of Badagara. There is an inscription on a granite rock at the temple of
Tiruvangara.
Kavuntara, 12½ miles south-east of Badagara, 3 miles west of the bungalow at
Naduvannur, there is a deserted ruined temple. Close to the temple in the yard of a
house is a stone with an inscription said to be illegible, and there is another on one of
the steps of the tank belonging to the temple.
Kilariyur is 15 miles south south-east of Badagara. There are two rock-cut caves
here.
In the mosque at Kollam on the edge of the bath is a granite slab, broken,
bearing an inscription in Vatteluttu characters. It is dated K.A. 684 (1508 A.D ).
Meppayur, 10 miles east south-east of Badagara. In the grove attached to the
Elavattara temple of Durga are some "sculptured images.’’ A channel on the south side
of the Malamangalam temple is fabled to have been excavated by the Pandavas and is
said to contain treasure. In Kayalat are to be seen a dolmen and two menhirs, and in
Kilapaliyur are a dolmen and five menhirs. In Pampiri desam are two stone circles
already referred to. Funeral urns of pottery have been found here.
Panangod, 18½ miles east south-east of Badagara. A ruined and deserted
temple, on the eastern wall of the porch of which is an inscription in unknown
characters. There is an old ruined fort here.
Ponmeri, 5 miles north-east of Badagara. In the Siva temple is an ancient
inscription on a broken slab in unknown characters. The temple is very old. It was
destroyed by Tippu’s soldiers.
Viyyur, 10 miles south of Badagara. In the Maralur temple there is an
inscription. There is another in the Pantalayini temple and one in the deserted temple of
Talayil.
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MAHE AND THE ADJOINING

ALDEES
The French settlement of Mahe is situated in Lat, 11° 41' 50" N., and Long. 75°
34' 25" E. to the south of the mouth of the river Mahe with a roomy harbour whose
rocky bar admits vessels up to 70 tons. Vessels may anchor off Mahe in 5 fathoms, with
the flag-staff east-north-east and 2 miles from shore.
Mahe consists of two portions, the one lying on the left bank of the river at its
junction with the sea, the other lies inland on the opposite side of the river, and is a
narrow strip of land touching at one point the small river which debouches at
Tellicherry.
The population in 1871 was 8,492. The present population is 8,383, of whom
191 are Christians, 6,340 Hindus, and 1,852 Mappillas, The superficial area of Mahe
proper restored to the French on the 23rd February 1817 was 1,445 acres, being 1,329
acres of lands under cultivation and 116 acres of public lands. It is about 4 miles to the
south of Tellicherry. The restitution of the outlying aldees (villages) of (1) Chalakkara, (
(2) Pallur, (3) Chembra and (4) Pandakkal, or what is collectively called Nalutara, on 14th
November 1853, enlarged the possession to 5 square miles in extent.
The desama constituting the settlement are –
1) Valiyangadi. (8) Mattammal.

(2) Parakkal (9) Odattinakam.
(3) Mundokkil. (10) Valappinakam.
(4) Manchakkal. (11) Chalakkara.
(5) Chudikkotta. (12) Pallur.
(6) Valavil. (13) Chembra.
(7) Puliyil. (14) Pandakkal.
Mahe was at first a place of considerable importance and trade, but after wards,
having fallen so frequently into the hands of the English, the settlement and its trade
suffered ; and in 1782 its fortifications were not only razed to the ground, but the town
was almost entirely burnt.
Most of the chief buildings in Mahe are picturesquely situated on the bank close
to the river mouth. The site is hilly, but densely covered with coconut trees. Mahe
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is celebrated for the fertility of its soil
and the salubrity of its climate. It is in
charge of a Chief de Service
subordinate to Pondicherry.
There is a Roman Catholic
chapel to which a large number of
devotees are annually attracted from
different and distant parts on the
occasion of a festival on the 15th of
October every year.
There are three boys’ schools and one girls’ school. There is also a British Post
office and a long wooden bridge maintained by the Malabar District Board across the
Mahe river. The coast road from Beypore to Tellicherry and Cannanore passes through
Mahe.
There is a temple called Kilakke Puttalatt Bhagavati temple of note in Mahe.
Here a festival takes place every year in Kumbham (February- March), when more than
5,000 people assemble from different places on North Malabar.
Close to Mahe, at Kallayi in British territory, there is a British Sea Customs
Superintendent. Round Mahe there are four land customs chowkies with a preventive
police establishment for guarding the frontier against the smuggling of dutiable goods,
such as liquor, arms, ammunition, and military stores, opium and salt.
Of the four outlying aldees or villages restored to the French, Chalakkara, Pallur
and Chembra formed the demesne of the Nambiyar's of Iruvalinad and Pandakkal of
Kurungott Nayar, and the four villages together constituted the amsam of Nalutara in
Kottayam taluk.
In obedience to Extract from Minutes of Consultation, the Board of Revenue,
in their Proceedings, dated 28th September 1846, directed the delivery to the French
Government of the villages of Chalakkara, Pallur, Chembra, Pandakkal, as also the three
detached points called Fort St. George and the great and small Kallayi. These were
accordingly handed over by Mr. J.D. Robinson, Head Assistant Collector, to Monsieur
Hayes, Chief of Mahe, on the 14th November 1853. The boundaries of the four villages
were —
East.—Part of Panniyanur, Peringalam, Olavilam and Kallayi amsams.
West.—Tiruvangad and Kallayi amsams.
North.—-Poniyam river and part of Panniyanur amsam.
South.—Part of Olavilam and Kallayi amsams.
Of the three detached points which communicate with each other—
North.—The strip of Kallayi lying between them and Vera Kunnu.
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South and south-west.— A strip of Kallayi amsam intervening between them

and Mahe river, and a portion of Tellicherry.
East.—A mosque and precipice.
West.—A portion of Tellicherry road and a strip of Kallayi amsam intervening
between them and Kanien Kunnu.
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Malabar
WYNAD TALUK
Boundaries Area and Population.—The Wynad taluk which forms part of the
table-land of Mysore originally consisted of three divisions known as North Wynad,
South Wynad and South-East Wynad, comprising seven, six and three amsams
respectively. The North and South Wynad divisions still appertain to the Malabar
district, but the south-east portion, consisting of the amsams of Nambalakod,
Munnanad and Cherankod, was transferred to the Nilgiri district with effect from 31st
March 1877 (Fort St. George Gazette, dated 13th March 1877).
This article is confined to the notice of the Malabar-Wynad, Mr. A. E. C. Stuart who has
been engaged for some time in the settlement of forests and of escheat claims in Wynad
having, with the sanction of Government, undertaken the preparation of a special
manual for the entire tracts known at present as the Nilgiri-Wynad and the Malabar-
Wynad.
The Malabar-Wynad is bounded on the north by Kottayam and Coorg, on the
east by Mysore, on the south by the Nilgiri district and Ernad, and on the west by
Calicut and Kurumbranad.
Area.—999 square miles, of which 80 square miles may be said to be under
cultivation.
Population.—According to the census of 1881, the population numbered
88,091 souls, of whom 76,898 were Hindus, 9,056 were Muhammadans, 1,983 were
Christians and 154 belonged to other classes. The males were to the females as 49,661 to
38,430. The number of houses occupied was 8,666 and of those unoccupied 3,982.
Physical Aspects.—Wynad is an elevated and exceedingly picturesque
mountainous plateau. It is generally rugged and broken and has some of the largest
mountain peaks in the district. The central portions consist of ranges of low hills of easy
slopes, covered with grass and low bamboo jungle, while the eastern parts are fairly open
and flat and merge insensibly into the table-land of Mysore. The Nilgiri-Kunda range
abuts on the south-east corner of the taluk, while the Bramagiri hills on the north
separate it from Coorg. The average height of the plateau above sea-level is 3,000 feet,
though many of the mountain peaks are over 5,000 feet, e.g., Vavul mala (Camel’s
Hump), the highest peak in the taluk, is 7,677 feet ; Vellera mala, 7,364 feet ; Banasur,
6,762 feet ; and Bramagiri peak, 5,276 feet.
Mountains and Forests.—The table-land of Wynad is composed of low ridges
with innumerable valleys running in all directions ; the only space which is of a more
level surface is about Porakudi, Panamaram and Ganapativattam, in the south-east. The
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William Logan
eastern portion is under heavy forest
and few hills appear. The whole of it
is undulating. The ghats from the
Periah pass towards the Tamarasseri
pass and 11 miles to the east are lofty
consisting of immense peaks, from
5,000 to 6,000 feet and occupy a
large surface.
To the north of Manantoddy
(5 miles) is a lofty ridge branching off
from the ghats and north of it (4
miles) is the famous mountain of
Bramagiri. This ridge forms the limit
common to Coorg and Wynad and
between these two ridges lies the
valley of Tirunelli. In the interior are
several detached hills of considerable
elevation. The following are the
principal mountains —
(1) The Balasur or Banasuran mala (ബാണാസരൻ), called after the giant
Banasuran who is supposed to have built a fort on its summit.
(2) Bramagiri, supposed to be the abode of the god Brahma, and which would
make a splendid sanatorium.
(3) Chambra mala (ച മല)
(4) Tala mala (തലമല).
(5) Tariyott or Terriote mala (നരിേയാ ്മല).
(6) Vavul mala (Camel’s Hump).

(7) Elampileri mala (എള ിേലരിമല).
The forests in Wynad are very valuable. A note on them prepared by the
District Forest Officer, Mr Rhodes Morgan, will be found at the end of this paper.
Rivers .—The important rivers in the taluk are —
(1) The Kabbani which has its principal sources in the Western Ghats. They
take their rise in the valley of the high mountains northwest and north-east above the
Tamarasseri pass. Several streams, such as the Kalpetta, the Manantoddy and the Bavalli
join this river, which when united drains nearly the whole of North and South Wynad.
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(2) The Chola or Solayar, one of

the main tributaries of the
Beypore river which leaps down
in a magnificent cataract from
the crest of the hills close to the
Choladi pass into the Nilambur
valley.
(3) The Manantoddy
pula which has its sources in the
mountains between Banasur
peak and the summit of the
Kuttiyadi and Periah passes and
joins the Kabbani near the
famous Fish Pagoda.
(4) The Panamaram pula.
(5) The Kunattu pula (കു ു) in Vayitiri amsam.
(6) The Putusseri pula in Kurumbala amsam.
(7) The Kanayamcheri pula (കണയേ രി) in Etannatassakur amsam.
(8) The Alatur pula (ആല ൂർ) in Ganapathi Vattam amsam.
Nos. (4) to (8) united join the Manantoddy river near the Fish Pagoda and form
the upper waters of the Kabbani.
The Rampur and the Moyar rivers chiefly drain the South-East Wynad.
Passes— main passes uniting the low country with the taluk are —
(1) The Smugglers’ pass from Dindimal to Manatana.
(2) The Periah pass descending on Kannavam in Kottayam taluk.
(3) The Ellacherum pass (Cardamom Mountain pass) leading to Kuttiyadi in
Kurumbranad taluk.
(4) The Kuttiyadi pass also descending on Kuttiyadi.
(5) The Tariyott pass likewise leading to Kuttiyadi.
(6) The Tamarasseri pass into Calicut taluk.
(7) The Choladi pass leading into the Nilambur valley.
(8) The Karkur pass into the Ernad taluk.
Nos. (2), (6) and (8) are broad roads open for cart traffic. No, (3) is only
available for horse or pack-bullocks. The remaining are minor passes, used only by foot-
passengers.
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History.— The traditionary history of Wynad is very obscure, but the following
account of it has the merit of having been in vogue in the early years of British rule.
The country was formerly held by a line of Vedar Rajas ruling the Vedars (wild
hunters), and thus much is probably correct, for Wynad has been the last refuge and is
still the home of many aboriginal tribes, Kurumbars, Kurichiyars, Panniyars, etc., driven
up probably from the low country of Malabar.
In the times of the Vedar Rajas, a man of the Kshatriya caste called the
“Cumbala Raja” (? Kumbla) came to Wynad from the north with a view to visit the
Tirunelli shrine. He was taken prisoner and carried before the Vedar Raja, who insisted,
before permitting him to depart, on his marrying one of the daughters of the kingly
Vedar line.
Being a Kshatriya he would not consent to marry into the Vedar tribe, but as
the Raja was inexorable he at last agreed on the condition that the ceremony should be
carried out in accordance with Kshatriya customs. This was allowed and a delay
occurred while marriage pandals and other preparations were being made. Taking
advantage of this delay, the imprisoned Raja communicated with the Kshatriya Rajas of
Kottayam and Kurumbranad in the low country, and these princes, with their forces, put
in an appearance on the wedding day. The Vedar Raja was besieged in his fort ; the fort
was taken, and the Vedar Raja and most of his people were slain.
The intended bride of the "Cumbala Raja” was given, it is said, in marriage to
one of the Nambiar caste who was entrusted by the Kottayam and Kurumbranad Rajas
with the government of the country.
The allied Rajas next consulted, it is said, how to divide the country so as to
avoid disputes. To this end they set out in different directions and agreed to make the
place where they should meet the boundary. This plan failed, as may well be conceived
by any one who has even now-a-days tried to find his way through the elephant grass
and tangled swamps with which Wynad abounds.
The Kottayam Raja then generously gave up all his claims to the country to the
Kurumbranad Raja, stipulating only that if posterity failed the latter country should
come to him and his posterity.
An ascetic with matted hair, who had been one of the attendants of the
Cumbala Raja, settled down, it is said, in Wynad, and his daughter was afterwards
married to a Kottayam Raja. It is not said what became of the other attendant who is
described as a Sudra Vellalan. Subsequently the Kottayam and Kurumbranad families
fell out, and by the time the British raj was established, the Kottayam family was
supreme in the taluk.
It is unnecessary to detail here the events of the Palassi (Pychy) Raja’s rebellion
and death, as these have been treated fully in Volume I.
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The attainder passed on him and his heirs in Wynad deserves, however, a few
remarks.
On the 16th June 1805, Lieut.-Colonel MacLeod offered rewards for the
apprehension of the Palassi (Pychy) Raja and eleven of his principal adherents, and “also
made known that all the estates and property belonging to the described rebels is
confiscated from this date”. The rebel leader and five of his followers were killed on the
30th November 1805. The sentence of forfeiture pronounced on the 16th June 1805 has
never been effectively carried out, though from time to time attempts have been made
to ascertain the exact limits of the "Pychy escheats” with a view to the assertion of the
rights of the State therein. The consequence has been that many of the lands in
Wynad—the janmam property of the Pychy rebels and therefore the property of the
State by forfeiture—have been usurped by fictitious janmis, whose claims are now being
investigated. The decisions arrived at in the various claims preferred and investigated will
be carried out at the new revenue settlement of the tract about to be commenced.
Subdivisions of the Taluk for Administrative Purposes.—Wynad originally
comprised eleven hoblis consisting of thirteen amsams, the latter being subsequently
increased to 16 by the creation of Peria, Vayitiri and Cherankod amsams. The names of
the hoblis and of the ancient and modem amsams are shown below : —
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Pulpalli desam which formed part of the Kuppatod amsam was transferred to
Puthadi amsam in 1884 under Board’s Proceedings, dated 9th Angust 1884, No. 2754.
The taluk was formerly under the Sub-Collector, Tellicherry, who was replaced
by the Deputy Collector on the creation of that class of officers on the 12th August
1859. Its civil jurisdiction vested in the Deputy Tahsildar, Vayitiri, and the Deputy
Collector, Manantoddy, until 1879, when a separate Munsif’s Court was established at
Vayitiri for the entire tract (vide notification in the Fort St. George Gazette, dated 28th
January 1879, page 112).
The seven amsams of North Wynad forming the Tahsildar-Magistrate’s
jurisdiction are subordinate to the District and Sessions Court, Tellicherry, for judicial
purposes ; whilst those of the South Wynad forming the Deputy Tahsildar’s charge are
subordinate to the District and Sessions Court, Calicut (vide notifications in the Fort St.
George Gazette, dated 2nd January 1863, 3rd March, and 15th October 1886). Until
recently, the District Munsif, Vayitiri, was subordinate only to the District Court,
Calicut, but in the Govemment notifications, dated 3rd March and 15th October 1886,
already quoted, he was placed in subordination to both the North Malabar and South
Malabar District Courts. The District Munsif is generally invested with first-class
magisterial powers with a view to presiding at the Bench of Honorary Magistrates for
South Wynad.
The following are the principal public offices :—
(1) The Deputy Collector and Magistrate located at Manantoddy.
(2) The Tahsildar and Sub-Magistrate located at Manantoddy.
(3) The Police Inspector located at Manantoddy.
(4) The Deputy Tahsildar and Sub-Magistrate located at Vayitiri.
(6) The Police Inspector located at Vayitiri.
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(6) The District Munsif located at Vayitiri.

(7) The Sub-Registrar, Manantoddy, under the District Registrar. Tellicherry.
(8) The Sub-Registrar, Vayitiri, under the District Registrar, Calicut.
(9) Combined Postal and Telegraph office at Vayitiri.
(10) Other Post offices at Manantoddy, Kalpetta. Tariyott, Sultan’s Battery and
Mepadi.
(11) Police stations at Manantoddy, Oliyot, Koroth, Panamaram, Kalpetta, Vayitiri,
Mepadi, Tariyott, Sultan’s Battery and Periah.
(12) Sub-Assistant Conservator at Manantoddy and his subordinates,
(13) Local Fund Supervisors and Sub-Overseers at Vayitiri and Manantoddy.
(14) Local Fund Middle School at Manantoddy.
(15) Vaccine staff for North and South Wynad under the control of the Deputy
Inspectors of Tellicherry and Calicut circles respectively.
(16) Hospitals at Vayitiri and Manantoddy in charge of Apothecaries ; the latter being
supervised till August 1886 by a European medical officer, who drew a special allowance
of Rs. 150 per mensem from Government.
(17) Bench of Magistrates, North Wynad.
(18) Do. South Wynad.
Manantoddy.—In Vemom desam of Ellurnad amsam, is the headquarters of
the Deputy Collector and of the Tahsildar of Wynad. It contains, in addition to public
offices, a hospital, a travellers’ bungalow, a chattram in Buffalo street and another at
Bavalli and a middle school, and is the centre of some trade. A weekly market is held
here on Sundays.
There was formerly a cantonment at this place on a low flat hill, consisting of a
small redoubt, an artillery shed, a range of officers’ quarters, place-of-arms, hospital, etc.
The important religious institutions in the Ellurnad amsam are—(1) Tirunelli temple
(തിരുെനലി േ തം) (2) Trichaleri temple (തൃ െലരി േ തം), (3) Valliyurkava
(വ ിയൂർ ാ ), the famous Fish Pagoda (VoL I., p. 537), (4) the Roman Catholic
church. There is a Protestant cemetery at Manantoddy and another at Vayitiri. Tirunelli
and Trichaleri are considered most
sacred places, and a short account of
the origin of the temple at the former
locality is given below.
Tirunelli temple (literally the
temple having the sacred nelli tree) lies
in a valley of the mountains to the
south of the Bramagiri peak. It is
known by three different names, viz.,
(1) Tirunelli temple (തിരുെനലി
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William Logan
േ തം) (2) Amalaka temple (ആമലകേ തം) and (3) Sidha temple (സി േ തം).
It is believed to have been dedicated by Brahma to Vishnu known as Deva Devesan

(േദവേദേവശൻ) and Tirunelli Perumal (തിരുെനലി െപരുമാൾ). The mythological
origin of the temple is as follows.
Once upon a time when Brahma was enjoying one of his periodical
peregrinations, he happened to be delighted beyond measure with this place with a grove
of most beautiful trees and plants, of flowers and foliage among which stood a nelli tree
(Phyllanthus emblica), on which was seen the image of Vishnu with four hands bedecked
with numerous fine jewels.
The image immediately vanished from sight. Being overtaken with grief and
surprise at this sudden disappearance, Brahma engaged himself in deep contemplation,
when the image reappeared and he heard the following words uttered by an invisible
being : “The image that thou hast seen is that of Vishnu, the excellence of this place
draws and keeps him here". Convinced of these divine utterances Brahma made a
temple, consecrated Vishnu therein and entrusted its keeping to two pious Brahmins of
the Amalaka village.
The Brahma ordained that visits to, and prayers at, the temple would remove
the sins committed though they were for generations, and secure paradise, and that the
performance of prayers and ceremonies would lead to the translation of the spirits of the
departed, who have not obtained salvation, to the "Pithurloka" (regions of blissful spirits)
wherein to enjoy eternal happiness. This blessing, pronounced by the Brahma, is
believed in by Hindus, and pilgrimages are therefore undertaken to the shrine.
In connection with the temple there are seven holy water fountains, which are:
(1) Papa-nasini (പാപനാശിനി), literally extinguisher of sins, (2) Panchathirtham
(പ തീർ ം), (3) Irnamochini-thirtham (ഋണേമാചിനിതീർ ം), (4) Gunnika-thirtham
(ഗു ികതീർ ം) (5) Sata-vinnu (ശതവി ു), (6) Sahasravinnu (സഹ സവി ു), (7)
Varaham (വരാഹം).
There is a rock called Pinnapara (പി ാറ) where offerings to the spirits of
the departed are made, and this rock is supposed to be the bone of an asuran (demon)
named Palana-bhedi (പാഴാണേഭദി), who was killed by Vishnu and who at the time of
his death prayed to that deity that his body might be converted into a rock extending
from Tirunelli to Gaya and divided into three parts fit for the performance of offerings
for the departed, viz., at (1) Tirunelli representing his foot, (2) Godaveri representing the
middle part, and (3) Gaya representing the head.
Offerings at any of these three places are supposed to have special benefits in
producing happiness and in the propitiation of the spirits. For the safeguarding of the
temple four shrines have been created, viz., the shrine (1) of Durga at the east, (2) of
Siva at the south, and (3) at the west and (4) of Subramaniam at the north. These four
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shrines are supposed to represent (1) Valliyurkava temple (വ ിയൂർ ാവ), (2)
Trichaleri temple (തൃ െളരി) (3) Tricharakuimu temple (തൃ റകു ു), and (4) a temple
said to exist in the Brahmagiri mountains.
There are some old copper plate grants in this temple in the Vatteluthu
(വെ ഴു ു) character which have not yet been deciphered.
In the desam of Arattuthara (literally a place of bathing the idol), in Ellurnad

amsam, is situated the Valliyurkava temple, at which a festival takes place annually, when
an immense concourse of people assemble and live in small booths built from materials
obtained on the spot. Feeding the mahseer and other carp which abound in the pool of
the river lying close to this shrine is considered meritorious, and hence the popular name
of the “Fish Pagoda” by which it is generally known to Europeans.
Vayitiri.—In the amsam of the same name, is the seat of the District Munsif
and of the Deputy Tahsildar. It contains likewise the offices of the Sub-Registrar and the
Police Inspector and is a place of some importance. The Bench of Magistrates for South
Wynad meets at Vayitiri. There is a Hindu temple known as Kunnath ampalam now in
ruins. There is also a Roman Catholic chapel in fair condition and a chattram.
About a mile to the south-west of the village lies the Pukkote lake, a natural
sheet of water among hills, the only thing of the kind of which the district can boast. On
the picturesque bank of the lake the European planters of the district have built a club,
and there is a large store adjoining it.
Lackadi—in the same amsam, lies at the head of the Tamarasseri ghat pass and
contains a bungalow, a chattram and the ruins of the old Mysorean stockade (Lekkiti-
kotta), from which it derives its name.
Periah—in the amsam of the same name, is about 19 miles from Manantoddy
and lies on the road to Tellicherry. It is celebrated for its cardamom cultivation, and has
a travellers' bungalow, a chattram and a Police station.
Nallurnad.—Payingatiri, in Nallurnad amsam, is a Brahman village ot some
note, and is about two miles from Manantoddy. The amsam contains a mosque known
as Pallikkal Angadiyil palli (പ ി ൽ അ ാടിയിൽ പ ി) and a bazaar.
Kupputot.—Panapuram or Panamaram (literally the place of palms) in
Kuppatot amsam was once a strong military post consisting of an extensive square mud
fort with a sepoy place-of-arms and other buildings ; but the whole of it is now in ruins.
In contains now a Mappilla bazaar and a Police station.
Putati.—Putati and Purakati in Putati amsam, are places of note. At the former
is a temple known as Arimula Ayyappan temple, on the east wall of the mandapam of
which is an inscription, dated K.A. 922 (A.D. 1746), in a mixture of four languages.
There is a Canarese inscription on a stone which belonged to the Patiri temple, but is
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William Logan
now in the possession of Patiri Manjaya Gavundan. In the hamlet of Pakkam is a free
Standing stone.
At Kaniyampatta, in the Putati amsam, there is a bungalow belonging to the
District Board.
Porunnanur amsam contains the bazaar known as (1) Kellurangadi palli () and
also three mosques called (1) Kellurangadi palli (െചാല ർ അ ാടി പ ി), (2)
Palanchana angadi palli (പഴ ന അ ാടി പ ി) and (3) Kandattvayal palli
(ക വയൽ പ ി).
Tondarnad.—Korom or Koroth in Tondarnad amsam is a place of considerable

trade chiefly in the hands of the Mappillas. It contains a travellers' bungalow, a Police
station, two Hindu temples known as Tondarakotta (െതാ രേ ാ േ തം) and
Bhagavati Kavu (ഭഗവതികാ ) and two mosques called Koroth angadi palli
(െകാെറാ അ ാടി പ ി) and Koroth putiya palli (െകാെറാ പുതിയ പ ി).
Etannatassakur.—Kalpatta alias Kalpatti, in Etannatassakur amsam is a place of

some note from its being the residence of some Brahmans and Chettis. It is on the high
road from the Tamarasseri pass, and contains a bungalow and a chattram.
Tariyott—is another place in the same amsam of some note, and contains a
chattram.
Ganapativattam— (literally the circle or range of the god Ganapati) otherwise
known as Sultan's Battery from the fact that Tippu Sultan had a fort here, is a village of
little importance. There was a British regiment stationed here in the early part of the
present century. On the hill known as Nalapat chala kunnu is a stone having an
inscription in old Tamil on two sides. It has not yet been read. There is another on the
Dipastambha (lamp post) at the Ganapati temple, and a third on a stone standing in the
north court of the Mariyamma temple. In the hamlet of Kitanganat are twelve dolmens,
a menhir and three carved stones.
Muppainad—contains a small fort and a pagoda of some importance dedicated
to Vettakorumakan. The Devaswam is usually known as the Muttil Devaswam. In the
hamlet of Muttil are 22 dolmens, and in Chingeri 2.
Christian Churches and Cemeteries.—There are two Roman Catholic chapels in
the taluk, one at Manantoddy and the other at Vayitiri, also a Protestant chapel at
Chundale and a temporary edifice at Vayitiri used for divine service by the Protestant
community. At Vayitiri the service is performed by the Chaplain of Calicut, and at
Manantoddy by the Chaplain of Cannanore.
At the latter station there is no separate building, the service being performed in
the Local Fund school-house. There are two Protestant cemeteries, one at Manantoddy
and the other at Vayitiri, which are in good condition. The Roman Catholic cemeteries
are not secured by proper walls.
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Bungalows and Chattrams.—There are bungalows at (1) Periah, (2) Koroth, (3)
Manantoddy, (4) Lakkidi, and (5) Sultan’s Battery, and chattrams at (1) Periah, (2)
Manantoddy, (3) Bavalli, (4) Kalpetta, (5) Tariyott, (6) Lakkidi, (7) Vayritri and (8)
Sultan’s Battery.
Mines, Minerals and Manufactures.—Iron ore may be obtained in several parts,
but none of it is manufactured. The principal rocks, which are gneisses, granites, etc., are
traversed by quartz reefs, which are frequently auriferous, but they are found chiefly in
South-east Wynad.
The favourable, reports on the auriferous character of the Wynad fields led to
several companies being formed for working gold, and although several blocks of estates
were purchased for this purpose, no operations are now being carried on in Malabar-
Wynad. The collapse of the mining industry, which at one time promised to be so
important, told seriously on the other, and ordinary pursuits, such as the planting of
coffee and other products. The jungle tribes from a remote period used to work gold
from the sands of rivers which are sometimes mixed with gold particles. This practice
has now fallen into desuetude.
Soil and Productions.—The soil in the cultivated valleys is a fine rich brown, on
the heights it is mostly red mixed with gravel. Towards the east and the woody tract it is
almost black and rich from the accumulation of dry leaves and other matter. The
productions are generally different kinds of rice, horse-gram and other dry grains, castor
and other oil seeds and sugarcane, from which latter, jaggery to a very limited extent is
manufactured.
Since 1840, the cultivation of coffee has occupied the attention of European
planters and proved for a long time highly remunerative. Owing, however, to leaf-
disease and other causes, the industry began to languish, and hopes are now centered in
tea and cinchona plantations as well as in coffee.
The taluk produces very little pepper and no coconuts nor arecanuts, though a
few trees of each may be seen. Cardamoms are produced in great plenty between the
Periah and Kuttiyadi passes, and are considered to be of a superior quality. Small
quantities are also obtained on the slopes of the mountains forming the Tamarasseri
valley above the pass. Large quantities oi honey and bees' wax are obtained from the
forests and rocks among the mountains. These useful articles find a ready sale in the
seaport towns, from whence they are exported. Some tobacco is produced, but only in
small quantities and for private consumption.
Inams.—The inams granted in the Wynad taluk are the following:
(1) Pumalathalachil Bharadevata (goddess) temple in Kuppattot amsam, Rs. 96-10—
4.
(2) Pallimalamma Bhagavati (goddess) temple in Tondernad amsam, Rs. 11-6-0.
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The inams granted in the above amsams are intended to defray the expenses
attending the usual ceremonies in the temples.
Cattle and other Animals.—Cattle and buffaloes are numerous and are
sometimes a source of mischief to planters. Sheep and goats are almost unknown except
such as are imported for food. The taluk abounds with deer (sambur) and wild pigs.
Elephants and bison are also to be found in the ghat forests. Tigers are fairly numerous,
and panthers abound to such an extent as to be an intolerable nuisance to any one with
pet dogs.
A peculiar practice of spearing tigers and panthers obtains among the Chettis in
Ganapativattam, Muppainad and Putati amsams. When a kill takes place, the beast of
prey is quietly allowed to gorge itself with beef, and under such circumstances it lies up
in the first favourable sheltering cover it finds. Word is sent round the country and the
people bearing nets and spears quietly assemble at the spot. If the patch of jungle in
which the animal has lain up is of small extent, the nets are immediately run up round it
and fastened to stout stakes driven into the ground. The nets are of ordinary thin rope,
and, when stretched, are about 5 feet high.
Ordinarily, however, the matter is not so easily arranged, but the probable
course of the animal after it is roused is usually well known, a piece of likely jungle is
selected and three sides of it are beforehand netted in. Scouts are posted, the animal is
then disturbed, and as soon as it enters the netted space, the fourth side is immediately
closed with nets, the workers being protected by the spearmen while this ticklish
operation is in hand. The animal thus netted rarely escapes, the netted space is gradually
reduced in size by clearing away brushwood and eventually the animal is confined in a
space measuring some 18 or 20 yards in diameter.
The aid of the village deity is invoked, and the huntsmen armed with spears
challenge the animal to combat at the time pronounced by the oracle to be favourable
for action. The ground where the so-called combat is fought is called Narikandi (tiger-
ground), and people sometimes have to await the oracular revelations for four or five
days. At the hour appointed, the animal is enraged by every sort of device : when its first
low muttered growls are heard, the spearmen surrounding the net in an unbroken
phalanx shout in response ; the growls gradually become louder and more continuous,
until at last breaking into short and sharp savage grunts, the maddened animal delivers a
charge full at the net when the spearmen half mad themselves from arrack and
excitement receive it on their spear points. Several such charges are usually delivered
before the animal receives its death thrust.
The skin of a tiger or panther thus slain is never removed either for obtaining
rewards from Government, or for sale, but the carcass is hung, on a horizontal bar and
there allowed to rot.
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Fairs and Markets.—Weekly markets are held on Sundays at Vayitiri and

Manantoddy. A large fair is held for five days at Valliyur Kavu (fish pagoda) during the
annual festival ; markets are also held at Kalpetta, Tariyott, Mepadi and Sultan’s Battery.
Climate.—The climate of Wynad is much cooler than the low country, being
about 3,000 to 4,000 feet above the level of the sea. The thermometer during the cool
weather is as low as 60°, but during the months of March, April and May, it rises to 84°
and sometimes higher. On the whole, it is considered unhealthy, owing chiefly to
defective water-supply and the prevalence of malaria.
Manantoddy is, from a climatic point of view, better than Vayitiri, and has
comparatively an open country around it. From October to January the climate may be
said to be fairly dry, cool and salubrious ; from February to May hot land-winds blow
and fever is prevalent ; from June to October rain falls with short intermissions, and
though the temperature is lower and fever less general than in the preceding months,
dysentery, diarrhoea and rheumatism are common. The average rainfall of the taluk for
three years is given below :
Trigonometrical Stations.—There is but one survey station to be preserved and

annually reported on (Board’s Proceedings, dated 28th July 1886, No. 1706).
Name of Situation. Series Modern values
G.T.S Latitude. Longitude.
Station.
Narikod Vayitiri Modern 11°32' 26" 88 76° 01' 21" 07
amsam.
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Traffic Registry Stations.—Two stations for registering the traffic with Mysore
were opened in December 1880 at Bavalli and Sultan’s Battery. The statistics of trade for
1885-86 are given below:-
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Imports into Malabar from

Mysore
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Exports from Malabar to Mysore
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WYNAD FORESTS
By Rhodes Morgan, Esq., District Forest Officer.
General Description.—The whole of the Wynad plateau must have been
covered at no very remote period with dense forest, the greater portion of which, more
especially in the centre of the taluk, has been swept away by the system of cultivation
known as "Tuckle" or punam in Malabar, leaving a fringe of deciduous teak forest all
along the eastern frontier, from whence it extends into the province of Mysore. On the
north and west, the steep declivities of the Western Ghats, covered with a primeval
growth of evergreen forest also escaped destruction.
The deciduous forests occupy a zone extending from 11° 58' Lat. on the north
to 11° 35' Lat. on the south, and between 75° 59' and 76° 33' East Long. The evergreen
forests clothe the slopes of the Western Grhats on the west, and of the Dindimal and
Bramagiri ranges on the north. These ranges run out at right angles to the Western
Ghats and form buttresses of that great chain of mountains.
The deciduous forests contain the most valuable timber trees, such as teak,
rosewood, iynee (Artocarpus hirsuta), venghay (Pterocarpus marsupium), ven-teak
(Lagerstraemia microcarpa) and a host of others, and produce many valuable articles of
commerce, of which wax, honey, resin, turmeric, zedoary and myrabolans are the
principal.
They are more or less open, and there is little undergrowth, except in one or
two tracts where fire has been artificially excluded . Thousands of acres are covered with
a growth of coarse grass from 4' to 8' high. Where the soil is richer, and the growth of
trees denser, there is an undergrowth of low scrub, consisting of Lea-Helicteres,
curcuma, etc. Many trees grow to a great size, yielding as much as 300 cubic feet of
timber occasionally ; but the average contents of the trees are about 40 cubic feet.
In the evergreen forests, the trees are lofty, and the growth very dense. There is
little or no undergrowth, except in patches, where a dwarf Pandanus is common. These
forests have a gloomy aspect, and the sun rarely penetrates them except where some tree
has fallen from old age, or has been up-rooted by some storm.
The most valuable trees are the red and white cedars, the wild jack, the
poonspar, and the ironwood. Cardamoms are the principal product ; they are extensively
cultivated, and also grow spontaneously. Bees’ wax, dammer, rattans and pepper are the
only other products much collected at present, though resins, kino, gamboge, etc.,
abound, but have no market value.
Past History.—When Wynad was taken from Tippu Sultan by the British, the
Palassi (Pychy) Raja, a petty chieftain in possession, rebelled against the British, was
conquered and shot. His forests and other possessions were then escheated. For years
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William Logan
no real effect was given to the order of escheat, and many forests were usurped
possession of by various persons.
In the year 1859, a Forest Department was formed and an officer, Mr. Hunter,
sent down to work the Wynad. At that period, the Collector administered the forests
and sold timber, on what is known as the stump-fee system, i.e., any person paying a
certain sum per tree was allowed to cut it down and remove it. In the case of teak, this
stump-fee was Re. 1 per tree.
The forests were worked on the native system for many years, no efforts were
made to improve them, and trees were indiscriminately felled where found, whatever
their age might be. In 1878, all felling of living teak was stopped, and the Forest
Department turned its attention to the utilisation of the wind-fallen and dead trees
which were being annually destroyed by fire. In 1882, the Forest Act was introduced,
and immense progress has been made in the scientific treatment of the forests.
Present Condition of Forests—The deciduous forests have been divided into 14
blocks, of which six are reserved forests, two are under reservation, and six blocks are
reserved lands.
The evergreen forests have been divided into three blocks ; all at present are
under reservation. The annexed statement gives particulars of all these blocks, and their
areas.
Of the reserved forests, three—Begur, Kurchiyat, and Rampur—have been
demarcated with posts and cairns, and two others will be demarcated before this year
has ended.
They are all under special fire protection under rule 8 of the rules under section
26 of the Forest Act ; but only one (Begur, area 15,366 acres) is fire-traced, and
systematically patrolled in the fire season. Gradually complete protection will be
extended to all the others.
The Begur Forest has been divided into 8 compartments, and a working scheme
will be prepared for it shortly. At present, as already stated, only dead wood is being
removed.
All the forests have been roaded, and about 80 miles of such roads exist at
present ; but these roads are all more or less primitive.
The timber in the forests is squared, with much skill, by aboriginal tribes, on
contract. They are paid three-fourths of an anna per cubic toot ; when felled, the logs are
hauled by elephants into depots, and are from thence carted to the banks of the Kabbani
river and floated to Mysore. In the dry weather, logs are carted the whole way to Mysore
; but such transport is so costly as to be almost prohibitive. There are eight elephants
and ten buffaloes altogether maintained for the haulage of timber in the forests.
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Numerous buildings have been erected, and still more will shortly be erected for
the establishment employed to work the forests, which consists of —
1 District Forest Officer. 1 Sub-Assistant Conservator.
1 Ranger. 3 Foresters.
20 Forest Guards.
The members of the establishment are constantly being changed, owing to the
excessive malariousness of the forests in the dry weather, which wrecks the very strongest
constitutions in a few months.
List of Reserved Forests and

Reserved Lands with their areas,
etc., in Wynad
District: Malabar. Taluk: Wynad
No Amsams Name of Area in acres
forest
1 Ganapathi vattam Kuppadi 7,337.44
2 Do Kurichiyat 18,053
3 Do Rampur 18,854
4 Do Nulpoya 3,613
5 Do Mavanhalla 12,576
6 Ellurnad Begur 15,365
Total 75,801.81
List of Reserved Forests and Reserved Lands with their areas, etc., in Wynad.
(Continued)
District: Malabar. Taluk: Wynad
No Amsams Name of forest Area in acres
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Reserved Lands
1 Ellurnad Kudrakote 43,764

2 Putati Padri 34,385
3 Tondernad Periah cardamom forest 13,440
4 Periah Chapparam 112
5 do Panniyatta 150
6 Ganapathivattam Palapattur 1,538
do Vengur 3,013
do Chedleth (excluded 960
portions in)
do Karapur 1,825
do Kallur 5,280
do Excluded portions of 7,459
Trans-Beni
Ellurnad Botanical Garden, 21
Manantoddy.
Total 111,897
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KANOTH FOREST
Attached to the Wynad subdivision there is an extensive tract of forest known
as the Kanoth forests. It is situated in the Kottayam taluk, at the base, and partly on the
western slopes of the Western Ghats. The area of these escheat forests has been
approximately computed at 375 square miles. Of this enormous tract, a very small
portion (some 40 square miles) is in the hands of the Forest Department, the rest has
not been settled yet.
These forests were escheated from the Kanoth (Kannavath) Nambiar, one of the
principal adherents of the rebel Palassi (Pychy) Raja. In 1883, the management of the
tract was transferred to the Forest Department, and immediate steps were taken for its
conservation and improvement.
It is inhabited by an aboriginal tribe known as Kurichiyars, who had for years
previously carried on the destructive system of "Punam" cultivation (known in Wynad as
"Tuckle”). The whole forest, with the exception of a few patches near the crest of the
ghats (3,500' elevation), had been ruthlessly hacked to pieces. The present growth is
from 3 to 7 years of age, and consists principally of a multitude of worthless pollards
and crooked coppice shoots.
It has been demarcated and surveyed, and 31 miles of the northern boundary
have posts and cairns erected as well. It is now under reservation. At the conclusion of
the settlement, the aboriginal inhabitants will be removed, and settled elsewhere, and
works started for the improvement of the growth.
Nurseries have been established, and large quantities of ficus elastica seed
obtained from Assam and planted, and numerous seedlings raised. Mahogany and
bamboo seedlings are also being raised to plant out clearings.
There are four small experimental teak plantations made in 1876—78, which,
however, are not so forward as could be wished, having been seriously injured, when
young, by an attack of borer. Teak is, however, indigenous and promises yet to be a
success.
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CALICUT TALUK
By C. Kunhi Kannan.
Position, Boundaries, Soil and Area. -—The Calicut taluk occupies a central
position in the district. It is situated in Lat. 11° 15' N., and Long. 75° 50' E. It is
bounded on the north by the Kurumbranad and Wynaad taluks, on the east by the
Wynaad and Ernad taluks, on the south by the Ernad taluk, and on the west by the
Arabian Sea. The soil about the seaboard is brown or white sand ; in the interior it is red
with gravel approaching in certain parts to a mixture of red and brown.
The approximate area of the taluk, according to the census report of 1881, is
339 square miles. Of this about 68,057 acres or 106 square miles are cultivated.
The demand on account of land revenue in the fasli year 1295 (1885—86) was
Rs. 1,29,814 giving an average of Rs. 17/8 per acre of cultivated area.
Population.—The population of the taluk, including floating population,
according to the census of 1881, is 205,962 (103,669 males and 102,293 females) against
189,734 as ascertained by the census of 1871. Of the former, which gives an average of
456 persons per square mile, 149,843 are Hindus, 52,942 Muhammadans, 3,126
Chiistians and 51 “others.'’
Under the head of education, the census of 1881 returned 6,384 persons as
‘'under instruction,” 18,721 as "instructed” and 180,857 as "illiterate including not
stated”—a state of things which shows that education has not reached the masses. There
were in the taluk 39,450 houses in 1881 against 36,479 in 1871. Of the former, 34,751
houses were occupied and 4,699 unoccupied. The average number of persons per
occupied house is 5.7.
Division of the Taluk for Administrative Purposes.—The taluk comprises 41
amsams, each having an adhikari on a salary of Rs. 5½ per mensem, a menon on Rs. 6,
and two peons on Rs. 3 each.. But in the Nagaram amsam, in which the capital of the
district stands, there are two menons on Rs. 6 each and four peons on Rs. 3 each, whilst
in the Panniyankara amsam, which has the largest revenue in the taluk, there are 3
peons.
In 1860, when the taluks of the district were reorganised, there were only 35
amsams allotted to Calicut taluk. But in 1866 six amsams in the Kurumbranad taluk,
namely:-
1. Nodiyanad, 4. Annasseri,
2. Kilakkott, 5. Natuvallur,
3. Matavur, 6. Nanminda,
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which were nearer to Calicut than the headquarters of Kurumbranad, were transferred
to the Calicut taluk under the orders of Government, dated 5th September 1866, No.
2362.
Government Establishments maintained in the Taluk.—As the capital of
the district all the important offices are located in the town of Calicut. They are- (1) the
Collector's office including the District Board’s office. Assistant or Temporary Deputy
Collector’s office, the Treasury Deputy Collector’s office, the Currency office, the
Treasury and Press, the District Forest office and the District Board District Engineer’s
office ; (2) the District and Sessions Court1 of South Malabar including the Sub-Court
and the District Munsif’s Court ; (3) the office of the District Superintendent of Police ;
(4) the office of the District Medical and Sanitary Officer ; (5) the office of the
Executive Engineer, West Coast division ; (6) the Deputy Tahsildar's and Town
Magistrate’s Court including the Sub-Jail ; (7) the Telegraph office ; (8) the Post office;
(9; the Port office; (10) the office of the Superintendent of Customs; (11) the Police
station; (12) the District Jail; (13) the Government College ; (14) the District Registrar’s
office ; (15) the Branch Bank of Madras and (16) the office of the Assistant
Commissioner of Salt and Abkari Revenue.
NOTEs: 1. The Zilla Court at Calicut was established in 1803. It was abolished in 1843 to make
room for a Civil Court for which was substituted a District Court under Act III of 1873. END OF
NOTEs
The Tahsildar’s office including the Sub-Jail is on a hill at Chevayur about four
miles east of the town of Calicut. There is a Sub-Registrar’s office at Chevayur as well as
at Tamarasseri in Kedavur amsam, about 19 miles from Calicut on the road to Vayittiri.
There are Police stations at Ellatur, Naduvattam (Beypore), Kunnamangalam and
Tamarasseri, Kanniparamba, Chevayur and Putupadi.
Short Description of the Town.—The Towns Improvement Act X of 1865 was
extended to Calicut on the 3rd July 1866. The limits of the town for the purposes of the
Act were —
West.—Sea, ;
North.—Road from the sea north of the barracks, past Rock Hall and East Hill,
to the Conoily Canal at Karaparamba ; East.—Road from Karaparamba to Kakodi
bridge to intersection of the road running south near Florican Hill, and on to its
intersection with the Calicut to Tamarasseri road—thence by said road to the canal —
thence the canal to its intersection with the watercourse dividing the Komeri desam
from the Valayanad desam of the Valayanad amsam — thence eastward along the line of
the said watercourse and the northern boundary of the Valayanad desam to the foot of
the Pokkunnu Hill - thence south-east along the foot of the hill, and from the hill along
the eastern boundary of the Valayanad desam to the backwater at Attupurathu
paramba—hence returning by the backwater to the Mangavu bridge, and from the
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bridge along the canal leading to the Beypore river to the portion of it called Kotta Pota,
where the canal turns eastward ;
South.—Thence turning to the west along a foot-path leading to the Mammalli
road, and from the road to the Tiruvachira or tank, and thence to the sea, keeping along
the southern boundary of the Panniyankara desam of the Panniyankara amsam; including
within those limits houses and premises wholly or in part within 100 yards of the outside
of any boundary road –
1. Panniyankara (portion). 2. Nagaram (all).
3. Kasaba (all). 4. Kachcheri (all).
5. Valayanad (portion). 6. Edakkad (portion).
7. Kottuli (portion).
Act X of 1865 (Municipal) was in force until 1871 when it was repealed by Act
III of 1871, which again was replaced by Act IV of 1884. The extent of the municipal
town is approximately 13 square miles.
The sources from which the municipal income is derived are —
(a) an annual tax on arts, professions, trades and callings, and on offices and
appointments at the rates specified in the Act ;
(b) an annual tax on lands and buildings not exceeding 7½ per cent on the
annual value of such lands and buildings ;
(c) a half-yearly tax on vehicles with springs, palanquins and animals at rates not
exceeding those specified in the Act ;
(d) a half-yearly tax on carts and other vehicles without springs at a rate not
exceeding Rs. 2 for each half year in respect of every such vehicle ; and
(e) tolls on vehicles and animals entering the municipal limits at rates not
exceeding those prescribed in the Act.
The purposes to which the funds raised under the Act are applied are —
(a) the construction, repair and maintenance of streets and bridges and other
means of communication ;
(b) the construction and repair of hospitals, dispensaries, lunatic asylums,
choultries, markets, drains, sewers, tanks and wells, the payment of all charges connected
with the objects for which such buildings have been constructed, the training and
employment of medical practitioners, vaccinators, the sanitary inspection of towns and
villages, the registration of births and deaths, the lighting of the streets, the cleaning of
streets, tanks and wells, and other works of a similar nature ;
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William Logan
(c) the diffusion of education, and with this view - the construction and repair
of school-houses, the establishment and maintenance of schools either wholly or by
means of grants-in-aid, the inspection of schools and the training of teachers ;
(d) other measures of public utility calculated to promote the safety, health,
comfort or convenience of the people ;
(e) the payment of salaries, leave allowances, pensions, gratuities and
compassionate allowances to servants employed by the Municipal Council ; and
(f) the payment of all expenses specially provided for by the Act, but not
included under preceding clauses (a) to (e).
The revenue of the Calicut Municipality during the official year ending 31st
March 1886 was Rs. 56,925 and expenditure during the period was Rs. 48,294.
The population of the municipal town of Calicut, according to the census of
1881, was 57,085 (30,009 males and 27,076 females) against 48,338 returned by the
census of 1871. The latter figure cannot be considered as accurate, inasmuch as it
embraced the population of the amsams of Nagaram, Kasaba and Kachcheri only, which
are wholly included within the Municipality. The census of 1881 includes the population
of the above three amsams, as well as of such parts of Edakkad, Panniyankara,
Valayanad and Kottuli amsams as are within the Municipality.
The population of the town is classified as follows : —
Hindus 33,875
Muhammadan 20,257
Christians 2,909
Others 44
There are 10,152 houses in the town, being 8,540 occupied and 1,512
unoccupied. The average number of persons per occupied house is 6.7. The density of
population is 4,391 per square mile.
There is a Protestant church called the St. Mary’s Church at Calicut, which was
built in June 1863. Before its erection the Anglican community held Sunday service in a
portion of the Collector’s office. There is an old European cemetery close to the beach
and not far from the new Custom house, where there are several graves and tombs—the
earliest inscription goes back to the seventeenth century. The tomb built by the friends
of Mr. Conolly, the Collector of Malabar, who was assassinated by Mappillas, is in this
cemetery.
The history of the Roman Catholic Church, Calicut, which is interesting, is
briefly as follows : —
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Malabar
In 1513 A.D., a treaty was concluded between the Portuguese and the Zamorin,
in which the latter allowed the former to erect a factory at Calicut to which was attached
a chapel.
On the 4th of March 1724 a Portuguese man-of-war, called Mater de Deos,
anchored in the Calicut roads, and its commander, Pedro Guedes de Magalhaens, effected a
treaty on behalf of Pedro Mascurenhas, Coude de Somdomil, the Portuguese Viceroy and
Captain General of India, with the Zamorin in the presence of Mons. Andre Molandin,
chief of Moye (Mahe), who became surety for the execution of the treaty. By this the
Zamorin undertook, inter alia, the erection of ‘‘a church of stone and mortar with a
parochial house, vestry, porch and a belfry having a bell weighing 150 lb.” This treaty
was, it appears, engrossed on a copper plate, which, it is said, remains in the possession
of the Portuguese Government at Goa to this day.
Towards the close of the year 1724, Mons. Molandin named above informed
the authorities at Goa that the Zamorin had deposited 17,000 fanams as the price of a
bell to be cast at Goa, that the building of the church had been commenced and that the
Zamorin had in the presence of the Vicar, Bernado da Sa, given a moor merchant,
Bamacheri Isumali, as surety to pay all further expenses for the completion of the work.
About 1725, the church was completed, dedicated to “Mater de Deos”, and the
Zamorin granted a garden in perpetuity for the support of the church.
The church management went on smoothly till the invasion of Malabar by
Hyder Ali in 1766. In that year the Portuguese Vicar and Factor waited on Hyder Ali
and obtained an order to Madye, Raja of Coimbatore and Governor of Calicut, for the
payment of 2,420 fanams annually to the Vicar of the church. Hyder All also ordered
that the rent and revenue or benefits of the landed property should not be appropriated.
In 1775 the church, which was then under the immediate Jurisdiction of the
Archbishop of Cranganore and Cochin, was repaired.
The Mysorean Government continued its payment to church till 1781, when
Sirdar Khan, Tippu’s fouzdar, stopped the allowance. But the Vicar raised the revenue
from the glebe lands till 1788, when a Brahman named Daxapaya came as Tippu's
Revenue Collector of Calicut, and demanded from the Vicar, Gabriel Gonsalves, the
church revenues and imprisoned him ; but the Vicar effected his escape with the
connivance of Arshed Beg Klhan, Tippu’s fouzdar, and fled to Tellicherry.
The Vicar returned to Calicut and resumed possession of the church lands in
1792, when Malabar came under the East India Company. But the Company "had
caused 500 coconut trees belonging to the church to be cut down” as they had rendered
"the English Factory close and unhealthy and impeded also the sight of the flagstaff.”
The Vicar therefore applied in March 1793 to the Malabar Commissioners for "a just
indemnification and for permission to collect the rent on houses built on church ground
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agreeably to immemorial custom and privileges as per the Zamorin’s grant, engraved on
copper plate still preserved at Goa.”
The Vicar’s petition was repeated to Mr. Farmer, the Supravisor of Malabar,
who wrote to the Bombay Government showing an account of the annual rents of the
church lands and allowances made by the former Governments and stating that he has
since October 1793 paid Rs. 50 per mensem to the Vicar, and adding "that the
collections formerly made by the Padre will now be made by the Company, in which by
the increasing number who flock to our Government there will be a progressive
increase."
On the 24th December 1793, the Bombay Government agreed to allow the
Padre Rs. 50 "for his own maintenance expenses, for the servants and repairs of the
church ’’—-an allowance which has been continued to this day.
Although it would appear that the rents of all the glebe lands were to be
collected by the East India Company as proposed by Mr. Farmer in 1793, yet it is said
that the church records up to 1825 show that a large extent of lands obtained by
endowments and legacies remained with the church and was leased by the Vicars. In
1835, Vicar Leonard Areline de Casta stated that "on the acquisition of the country by
the English a part of the land was taken possession of by them with the view of
answering certain public ends, and a commutation in money at the rate of Rs. 50 per
month was granted for the support of the curate as well as other expenses of the
church."
In 1838, by the Bull of Pope Gregory XVI, this church, along with other
churches on the Malabar Coast, was placed under the jurisdiction of the Archbishop of
Verapoly. In 1850 this church, with other churches in Malabar and Canara, was placed
under the Carmelites.
In 1862 an orphanage and asylum was started. For completing the building the
Madras Government paid Rs. 2,000 in 1875 and Rs, 1,500 in 1882.
The Carmelite Mission established a convent and girls’ school and a school for
boys in lieu of the old parochial school. These schools are now in a thriving condition.
The boys' school was up to the end of 1884—85 aided from Municipal funds, but in
1885-86 it was recognised as a poor European school for which grant-in-aid is paid from
Provincial funds. The strength of the boys’ school on the 31st March 1886 was 172,
whilst that of the girls' school was 94.
In December 1878 the Malabar and Canara Portuguese Missions were, by the
Bull of Pope Pius IX, placed under the Jurisdiction of the Jesuits, under whom it
remains.
In 1878 another charitable institution was attached to the Roman Catholic
Mission at Calicut, denominated the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. It has since been
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Malabar
divided into two branches—St. Mary’s

conference and St. Francis Xavier’s
conference. The poor and helpless of
every creed are here assisted in their
temporal necessities.
There is a small Roman
Catholic chapel called the Chapel of
the Holy Cross at Calicut on the road
to Wynad about two furlongs north of
the Mananchira tank. It was a
thatched chapel until last year, when it
was substantially built by a member of the Roman Catholic congregation.
There is also a Basel Mission Church at Calicut, The history of the Mission is
briefly noted below : —
In May 1842 the Mission was established by the Rev. J. M. Fritz. In the same
year, two Malayalam schools and a Tamil school were opened. One of the former was
raised to the standard of a high school in 1879.
In 1845 a girls’ orphanage was opened, and in connection with it female
education commenced. This institution existed until 1882, when it was amalgamated
with that at Chombala in Kurumbranad taluk.
In 1854 the erection of the Basel Mission Church at Calicut was commenced,
and it was on 20th December 1855 used for the first time.
The Basel Mission cemetery is about a mile to the north of the church in a
compound which lies between the trunk and the Wynaad road.
In 1855 a carpenter’s workshop and a weaving establishment with six looms
were opened. In the former, Christians and Heathens are employed, and in the latter the
number of workmen exceed 100.
In 1868 a mercantile mission shop was opened. It is the only shop at Calicut,
which fully meets the demand of the public. In 1874 the Mission started the works. Here
machines of German make are used for manufacturing tiles after the European fashion,
for which there is an ever-increasing demand. The tile works furnish employment for
more than 150 persons both Christians and Heathens. Here it must be noted that these
industrial establishments are entirely of a charitable character.
In 1876 a caste girls’ school was opened in Calicut, and in 1883 a congregation
girls’ school with nearly 100 pupils was also started.
There are seven Hindu temples of note in the town of Calicut. They are-
1. The Talli temple. 5. Arikkodu Kavu.
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William Logan
2. Tiruvannur temple. 6. Kokkolikott temple.
3. Varakkal temple. 7. Bhairagimadham temple.
4. Bilattikulam temple.
The Talli temple is in kasaba amsam in a locality of same name in the heart of
the Calicut town close to the Zamorin’s old palace. The temple is a very ancient one, and
is 218 feet long from east to west and 270 feet broad from north to south. It is dedicated
principally to Siva, though Vishnu, Bhagavati, Ganapati and Ayyappan fim also
worshipped. The temple contains suptures of a high order as well as paintings intended
to perpetuate Hindu religious legends. Attached to the temple is a tank in pretty good
preservation with laterite steps. The tank is 240 feet long from east to west and 349 feet
broad from north to south, and is used for bathing purposes. Close to this is a tank
known as Kandamkulam, also used for washing. It is 349 by 140 feet. Talli is densely
populated by Brahmans, Nayars and others. A festival is celebrated for a week annually
in the month of Medam (March-
April) at the Talli temple.
The Tiruvannur temple is in
Panniyankara amsam, 2½ miles from
the town in a desam (hamlet), from
which the temple derives its name.
Originally the name appears to have
been Tirumunnur (the holy three
hundred). The Zamorin lives near
the temple. His Putiya (new)
Kovilakam (palace) branch is also
located at Tiruvannur, another
branch called the Padinhare Kovilakam is in Valayanad amsam, Mankavil desam, and a
third one, called the Ambadi Kovilakam, is in kasaba amsam. The chief object of
worship m this temple is Siva, though Vishnu, Ganapati and Ayyappan are also
collaterally worshipped. This temple is a very ancient one, is elaborately sculptured, and
contains paintings. The newly erected gateway is interesting, being in style precisely
similar to the bastis at Mudabidri in South Kanara erected by the Jains. The temple is 246
feet long from east to west and 198 feet wide from north to south. The Zamorin
maintains a Brahman feeding house at Tiruvannur.
The Varakkal temple is in Edakkad amsam and is 96 feet long from east to west
and 66 feet broad from north to south. It is on an eminence, and is dedicated to
Bhagavati, Ganapati, Ayyappan and Dakshinamurthi. It is fabled that the image in this
temple was placed by Parasu Rama with his own hands. The temple contains sculptures.
The dasra festival is celebrated annually with great eclat in this temple. Thousands of
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Malabar
people congregate here for the performance of ancestral obsequies on the occasion of
new moon in the month of Tulam (October-November).
On this day all married men among the native community in Calicut are, by
custom, expected to go to their wives’ houses with presents in the shape of sweetmeats,
plantains, etc., on pain formerly of having their marriages dissolved, a custom
perpetuated in a couplet which runs when translated as follows : —
“Failure to visit on the occasion of Varakkal new moon, entails forfeiture of
relationship.” വര ൽ വാവി ു വ ിെല ിൽ, ബ ംമുറി ത അടയാളം.
There is a tank attached to the temple for washing purposes which is 228 feet
long from east to west and 390 feet broad from north to south.
Bilattikulam temple is in kacheri amsam, in which Vettakarumakan is
worshipped. It is 24½ feet long from east to west and 19½ feet broad from north to
south. A festival is celebrated here for forty days in December and January.
The tank attached to the Bilattikulam temple is 378 feet from east to west and
160 feet from north to south, and is used for washing purposes.
The Arikkodikavu temple is in kasaba amsam in which Bhagavati, Ayyappan
and Andimahakalan are worshipped. The temple is 120 feet long from north to south
and 108 feet broad from east to west. In the month of Kanni (September-October) a
festival lasting for 10 days is celebrated here.
The Kokkolikott temple is also in Kasaba amsam dedicated to Siva. It is 120
feet long and 84 feet broad.
The Bhairagimadham temple is in nagaram amsam in which Siva, Parvati,
Ganapati and Hanuman are worshipped. It is in the very heart of the Calicut town
behind the southern row of the main big bazaar. It is in the possession of the Bhairagis,
a sot of ascetic gowda Brahmans who emigrated from Northern India. It is a small
temple being only 20 by 12 feet.
There are no less than 40 mosques in the town of Calicut. The most important
of them are the two Jamatt mosques, Shekkinde Palli and Palaya Palli. Besides these
there are several other suburban mosques.
The two Jamatt mosques lie on either side of the big tank known as Kuttichira
in the middle of the Mappilla quarters in Calicut. The one on the south of the tank is
144 by 114 feet, and the other on the north is 115½ by 64½ feet. The Kuttichira tank is
410 feet long, north to south and 210 feet wide, east to west. It is built in laterite and is
used for washing purposes.
Shekkinde Palli (mosque) is 48 by 32 feet and is looked upon with much
reverence by Mappillas. It is said to have been built over the grave of a Mappilla named
Suppikkavittil Shaikh Mamu Koya, who by his piety approached in sanctity in the
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opinion of Mappillas to that of a Saiyid. He is said to have died more than 300 years ago.
This mosque is constantly resorted to by Mappillas for the adjustment of civil and other
disputes by the test of oath.
Palaya Palii which is 56 by 30 feet is looked upon as an ancient institution as its
name indicates.
The West Hill barracks, built on an eminence commanding a good view of the
sea and the surrounding country, lie in Edakkad amsam within the Municipality. A
detachment of European soldiers is garrisoned here. The detachment was first stationed
at Calicut in 1849 owing to frequent Mappilla outrages. It was removed to Malapuram in
1851, but again brought back on the assassination of Mr. Conolly, the Collector of
Malabar, on the 12th September 1855 in his bungalow on the West Hill.
The Lighthouse at Calicut was built in February 1847. It is a column of laterite
in chunam, 102½ feet high, and the white dioptric fourth order light is visible in clear
weather at 14 miles. The Calicut port bears from Sacrifice Rock south-east distant 20
miles. Vessels should anchor in 5 fathoms mud. The merchants find it more convenient,
when the sea breezes are strong, to load from the beach 1 or 2 miles to the north of the
lighthouse, where there is always less surf than opposites the town. Large Kotiyas and
Pattimars are built on the beach 1½ miles south of the lighthouse, by the entrance of the
Kallai river or creek, where the shore is also smooth, being partially protected by the
Coote reef. There is a patch of rocky ground with 4 fathoms least water, having 6
fathoms mud, all around it, bearing west north-west distant 3¾ miles from the
lighthouse. This is supposed to be the shoal discovered by Captain Hogg of the
"Juliana.’’
Calicut reef, on which the sea breaks in one part almost always where there is
only two feet at low water, is of irregular outline. This shoal-patch of two feet is in its
centre, and bears from the lighthouse south south-west ½, west 1½ miles, and is distant
6 cables’ lengths from the nearest shore abreast. The southern extremity of this reef
(which is generally called the Coote reef after the late East India Company sloop-of-war
Coote which was lost there) lies 2 cables’ lengths to the south of the centre breakers. To
the south and east of the reef, the bottom is soft mud. There is a considerable extent of
anchoring ground for small coasting craft in 2 and 2½ fathoms at low water, partially
protected from north-west winds by the reef. A red buoy to mark the western extreme
of this reef, as a guide to small coasting vessels, was moored two cables’ lengths west by
north from the most shallow part.
Seaward of the reef are numerous dangerous rocky patches, but none have less
than two fathoms on them. This foul ground extends more than two miles off shore.
One patch of 13 feet at low water bears southwest ¾, west 1¾ miles from the
lighthouse, and another with a similar depth south south-west ½, west rather more than
two miles. It is high water on full and change at Calicut and Beypore at 12 hours 15
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Malabar
minutes ; springs rise little more than 4 feet, but extraordinary tides as much as 5 feet ;
neaps rise 2½ feet.
Calicut south-west shoal bears from the lighthouse about south-west by west
2½ miles. On the northern extremity of this shoal, with the lighthouse bearing east
north-east, are rocks in 4 fathoms, and on its western edge rocks in 4½ fathoms. Over
the centre of the shoals are numerous rocky heads, with 3 fathoms on them, and 3¾ to
4½ fathoms between them. These are the rocks on which the “Juliana” first struck when
Captain Hogg anchored in 5 fathoms, lighthouse bearing east north-east. On the inner
or eastern side of the shoal was 4 fathoms clear ground, with the water decreasing
gradually towards the shore. When there is any sea on, it breaks, and may generally be
seen. On the outer edge are rocks in 3½ fathoms with 2 and 2½. The remains of the
“Juliana” lay in 3½ fathoms south-west, ¾ south, about 1¾ miles from the lighthouse.
There is said to be another dangerous ledge, bearing west from the lighthouse,
from 1½ to 3¾ miles distant On the northern side of this shoal, with the lighthouse east
¾ south are 4 fathoms, and on the southern side with lighthouse east ¾ north 4
fathoms ; on the western extremity 4¾ fathoms. Ships approaching from either the
south or the north intending to anchor, ought not to come inside of 8 fathoms till the
lighthouse bears east by south, then steer for the anchorage.
The best anchorage in Calicut roads is, during the north-east monsoon, in 5½
fathoms, with the lighthouse about east by south. This is a convenient berth for the new
screw-pile. The best distinguishing mark for Calicut in the morning is the house amongst
trees on the hill more than 2 miles north of the lighthouse ; in the afternoon, the white
column of the light-house shows well 10 miles off. The Camel’s Hump, or Wavulmullay,
over 7,000 feet above the sea level (the culminating peak of the Wynad mountains which
stand 20 miles west of the Nilgiri range) bears from Calicut lighthouse north-east by east
½, east 23½ miles. It may be seen in clear weather, as soon as a vessel is on the bank of
soundings. In the hazy weather of March and April, it is frequently indistinct from the
anchorage off Calicut. The southern extremity of the mountain range is rather abrupt,
the mountains thence receding far to the east.
The District Jail at Calicut was formerly situated close to the French Loge at
Calicut. The jail was removed to a hill about two miles from the beach to the east on
17th November 1869, when buildings were erected at a cost of Rs. 92,393. On the 3Ist
December 1885, there were 200 prisoners in the jail.
The pier at Calicut was built in 1871 at a cost of Rs. 64,000. It is close to the
new customs office, about half a mile north of the lighthouse. The pier is 400 feet long,
and barges drawing from 3 to 6 of water are employed at the T end for the importation
and exportation of goods. The pier went out of order in 1883, when, with the
permission of Government, a company of local merchants, designated the Calicut Pier
and Warehouse Company Limited, to carry on the business of warehousemen and to
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William Logan
levy cranage and other dues and tolls, was started with a capital of Rs. 5,000, which was
utilised for repairing the pier.
A Telegraph office was opened at Calicut in September 1856. It is now held in a
rented building adjoining the Captain's tank to the south of the Roman Catholic church
in close proximity to the District Court premises.
The Post office at Calicut is also held in a private building rented for the
purpose. It is not far from the Telegraph office.
There is a club for Europeans on the beach which was started on the 8th
February 1864. Connected with the club is a station library maintained by subscriptions.
The hospital and dispensary at Calicut was opened in October 1845, under the
auspices of Government. It was transferred to the Municipality when it was instituted at
Calicut. It is now kept up at Municipal expense supplemented by a grant from the
District Board. The dispensary has an endowment of Rs. 13,000 collected by private
subscriptions and invested in Government securities yielding Rs. 520 per annum as
interest.
The lunatic asylum at Calicut was established on 20th May 1872 at a cost of Rs.
39,250. It is about 2½ miles east of Calicut on the road to Chevayur. It is built on a hill
called Kutiravattam. On the 31st March 1885, there were 149 lunatics in the asylum.
The Municipality maintains a public bungalow and a mussaferkhana in the
town. These are in the neighbourhood of the Mananchira tank, which is a reservoir of
excellent drinking water. It has laterite steps on four sides. It is 420 feet east to west, and
488 feet north to south.
A few yards to the south-east of this tank is another called Mutalakulam. It was
originally octagonal in shape, but has by time become dilapidated resulting in the change
of its original form. It was included in the premises of the Zamorin's old palace which
lay contiguous to it. The compound on which the Zamorin's old residence stood, called
the Kottaparamba, immediately adjoins the tank on the south. The installation of the
Zamorin takes place to this day in this Kottaparamba, divided by the Beypore road into
the eastern and western portion. The spot where the ceremony takes place is marked by
an upright granite pillar in the eastern portion.
Two newspapers are published in Calicut town. One in English, entitled the
Malabar and Travaucore Spectator, and the other the Kerala Patrika in Malayalam. A
monthly Malayalam periodical called Paropakari, edited by a Muhammadan, is also
published at Calicut.
There are at present three registered public presses at Calicut in addition to the
Government Press. They are the Spectator Press, Vidya Vilasam Press and James’ Press.
A press is also maintained at Karaparamba by a European firm which is used more by
the firm than by the general public.
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In 1885 the European and Eurasian inhabitants of Calicut organised themselves

into two companies of Volunteer Rifles. These companies and others located at
Tellicherry, Wynad and Cochin, with a section at Palghat and numbering altogether
about 300 men, were amalgamated into the “Malabar Volunteer Rifles” under a Major
Commandant with headquarters at Calicut.
The French have a Loge1 in Calicut "Occupee par un gardien." The Loge consists of
6 acres on the sea-shore about half a mile north of the Calicut Light-house and adjoins
the old district jail site. The exact facts connected with the foundation of the French
factory are involved in doubt. It was apparently obtained by the French from the
Zamorin, but there is nothing to lead to the supposition that the Zamorin had ever
conceded to them anything more than mere commercial privileges within the limits of
the Loge. The Zamorin appeared to have exercised fiscal and judicial authority within its
limits—an authority which neither Hyder Ali nor Tippu Sultan ever bestowed on the
French after the Zamorin’s power ceased.
NOTEs: 1. The name of "loge” or "comptoir" is given to factories or isolated establishments
comprehending one house with the adjacent grounds where France had the right to have her flag flying and
to form factories, &c. (Pharoah and Co.’s Gazetteer of 1855.) END OF NOTEs
Beyond the fact that the landed property and houses are untaxed, there is
nothing to distinguish the Loge from the rest of Calicut. It is doubtful what rights the
French Government has in it. As it has been altogether omitted from the treaty of
Versailles, dated the 3rd September 1783, it has been held that the French had no
sovereign rights in it. The Loge was restored to the French on 1st February 1819.
In the first capitulation of Mahe made by Monsieur Louet, Commander-in-Chief
of the French garrison at Mahe, and signed on the 10th February 1761, it was agreed in
article 9 that "the French factory at Calicut shall be suffered quietly to enjoy the
privileges of neutrality observed there.”
Industries and Manufactures.—In the town of Calicut a weaving establishment
and tile works are maintained by the Basel Mission. Soda water machines are worked by
two Parsi merchants. Coffee and ginger curing is undertaken by several European and
Native firms and traders. A Bombay merchant has opened a large coir manufactory
close to the south beach road, about a mile south of the old Custom house, at which
more than 100 persons are daily at work in dressing fibre and twisting coir.
The Malabar Spinning and Weaving Company, Limited, was started in
November 1883, with a capital of Rs. 6,00,000. The buildings are in course of
construction, and the Company have not started business yet. The premises are in
Panniyankara amsam.
Railway Stations, Roads, Bridges, Canals, etc.—The Madras Railway,
which had its terminus at Beypore, will shortly be extended to Calicut. The line has been
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William Logan
formed and rails laid and the station is in
course of construction in the heart of the
town. The line, it is expected, will be
open for traffic in the course of a year.
The aggregate length of roads
maintained by the Municipality is 52
miles.
There is a very extensive street
of bazaars known as the big bazaar
extending inland from the beach in an
unbroken line about a mile in length. Several narrow cross-streets lead from the main
one.
There is a temporary wooden bridge over the Kallai river. It will be replaced by
the railway iron bridge which is so designed as to suit the local traffic as well. Near this
bridge is a Government timber depot, where teak and saplings, from the Nilambur
plantations, are floated down and stored.
The Conolly canal connects the Kallai with the Ellatur river and thus provides
an uninterrupted line of water communication from Beypore to Badagara, a distance of
37 miles. A list of ferries in the taluk is given below :
First Class. Fourth Class.
1. Mammallikadavu. 20. Pulikkalkadavu.
2. Chaliampula (Beypore ferry). 21. Purakatirikadavu.
3. Korapulakadavu. 22. Putukkatkadavu.
Second Class. 23. Putiyottilkadavu.
4. Elamaramkadavu. 24. Parambilkadavu.
5. Urakadavu. 25. Cheruvattakadavu.
6. Arapulakadavu. 26. Mavalikadavu.
7. Olasherikadavu. 27. Chettukadavu.
Third Class. 28. Kurungotkadavu.
8. Chakkumkadavu. 29. Kudattayikadavu.
9. Irupulinyikadavu. 30. Kakkodikadavu.
10. Kulumadamuku alias Puttanangadikadavu 31. Tottattilkadavu.
11. Irupulinyi Mokkakadavu. 32. Tondinmelkadavu.
12. Teyyattinkadavu. 33. Attiyanmolikadavu.
13. Kuliyatamokkakadavu. 34. Kannanchinnanpalam.
14. Manakadavu alias Kuttankadavu. 35. Kunnattukaduvu.
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15. Puttekadavu.
16. Pallikadavu.
17. Parayangotkadavu.
18. Manantalakadavu.
19. Mukkuvarkandikadavu.
In Edakkad amsam is a small Mappilla village known as Putiyangadi (new

bazaar), about three miles from Calicut town. Here lives the Mappilla priest, called
Putiyangadi Tangal of pure Arab extraction. There is a Jamatt mosque here said to be
more than 130 years old, 72 by 30 feet in size. A festival is celebrated here annually.
Though a small Mappilla hamlet, Putiyangadi possesses eight mosques.
In Panniyankara amsam there is a locality called Gomukham (cow's face) on the
sea-shore where Hindus resort for ablutions as a place of sanctity on occasions of new
moon and eclipse.
In Cheruvannur amsam at Mammalli, about 7 miles from Calicut, there is a
coffee-curing establishment under European management.
There is in this amsam an important Hindu temple called the Cheruvannur
temple dedicated to Siva, Subramanyan, Ayyappan, Ganapati and Dakshinamurtti. The
roof of the shrine is copper plated. The temple is sculptured. On a beam is a
comparatively recent Malayalam writing that the temple was built by the Uralars. The
temple is 99 by 44 feet in size, and a festival is celebrated annually for 41 days called
Mandala Vilakku in December and January.
In this amsam are the Marakkat works once noted for its iron manufacturies.
Beypore is a mall town in an amsam of the same name. It was formerly known
as Vaypura and Vada Parapanad. Tippu Sultan named the town “Sultan patnam’’. It lies
between Lat. 11° 10' N., and Long. 75° 60' 30" E. According to the census of 1871,
there were 1,102 houses ; the population was 6,214. In the census of 1881 there were
1,119 houses with a population of 6,739 souls.
Though many attempts have been made to utilise the great natural advantages
of its position, it was not until 1858, when Challiyam Island, on the opposite bank of the
river, was made a terminus of the Madras Railway, that the town became of importance.
Tippu selected it as the site of the capital of Malabar, but hardly a vestige of its short-
lived importance has survived.
In 1797 sawmills, in 1805 a canvas factory, in 1848 iron works and, later still,
ship-building works were started here, but all from one cause or another have failed. In
1858 the railway created the present town, and Beypore is every year becoming busier.
But the extension of the railway to Calicut is likely to result in the reversion of Beypore
to its old state of a fishing village.
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William Logan
The Beypore bar admits crafts of 300 tons to the river, and at low spring-tides,
gives soundings of 12 to 14 feet and at high tides from 16 to 18 feet.
In Beypore amsam there are four Kovilakams called —
1. Manayatt kovilakam, | 3. Pudia kovilakam,
2. Nediyal kovilakam, | 4. Panangat kovilakam,
belonging to the family of the Beypore branch of the Parappanad family. There is also a
Hindu temple containing sculptures and dedicated to Siva, Ganapati and Bhagavati with
a laterite built tank and a Brahman feeding-house. The temple is 180 by 138 feet. There
is a travellers’ bungalow as well as a Sea Customs office here.
There is a place of sanctity for Hindus on the sea-shore in this amsam, called
Kotesvaram for purposes of ablution on occasions of new moon or eclipse.
In Valayanad amsam there is an ancient temple called Srivalayanad temple. The
roof of the shrine is copper plated. It is 192 feet long by 144 feet broad. There are
elaborate sculptures on the gopuram. The temple belongs to the Zamorin. An annual
festival lasting for 8 days is celebrated in this temple in the month of Makaram
(December-January), when the image of Bhagavati worshipped in the temple is taken in
procession round the temple on an elephant’s back with great pomp.
At Tamarasseri, in Kedavur amsam, there is a palace belonging to the Kottayam
Raja. Close to it is a tank which is 240 by 144 feet. It is not in a state of preservation, but
there are indications of its having been built in laterite. As stated elsewhere, there is a
Sub-Registrar’s office here as well as a chattram maintained by the District Board. At
Putupadi, in this amsam, there is a chattram kept up by a native landlord. There is also a
comfortable little hotel for Europeans travelling to and from the Wynad planting
districts. Tamarasseri ghaut is much used for the export of coffee from Wynad.
In Kanniparamba amsam, there is a temple dedicated to Siva, Vishnu, Ganapati,
Ayyappan and Dakshinamurtti. It is 132 feet square. It is a very ancient temple so much
so that it is fabled to have been founded by Kannwa Rishi commemorated in the Maha
Bharata.
In Kanniparamba amsam, there is on the rocky pinnacle of a hill a pit which is
four koles square and half a kole deep, from which, according to native popular belief,
holy water gushes out daily in the morning in the month of Edavam (April-May) for a
nalika (20 minutes) when it miraculously becomes dry. It is also said that the holy water
begins to flow on the occasion of Sivaratri festival in Kumbham (February- March).
Pilgrims aggregating 3,000 in number assemble on this hill on such occasions. This hill
has been noticed in Ward and Connor’s memoir.
Fairs and Markets.—At Karamparamba, in Kacheri amsam, a weekly fair is held
on every Monday, when more than 1,000 persons resort to it from rural parts. A weekly
fair on every Sunday is held in Manasseri amsam and at Kedayur every Tuesday. In the
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town of Calicut, the Municipality maintains two important markets There are also
several petty markets in the town licensed by the Municipality.
Archœology.—Kaulanur desam in Annasseri amsam, 8 miles north of Calicut,
there are two rock-cut caves. In Kannankara desam there are three menhirs and a stone
circle.
In Nagaram amsam, in Machchinde mosque, is a slab let into the wall, having an
inscription in Arabic, Canarese and an unknown language. It is much injured by time
and weather.
In Chevayur, 3 miles north-east of Calicut, exists a sepulchral rock-cut cave ; an
erect pillar stands in the middle of the main chamber. The hole at the top of the cave
was covered by a block of stone which hid it from sight. Several pots and parts of a
sword were found in it.
In Iringallur amsam, 3 miles east of Calicut, there is a dolmen. In the desam of
Kottul, there are four such dolmens, and in Kayilamatham one. They are all surrounded
by stone circles.
In Kanniparamba, 11 miles east of Calicut in the hamlet of Kalpalli, there is a
toppikal or hat-stone. In Atuvatu and Mavur, there is a menhir in each, and in Palangat,
a rock-cut cave.
In Karipuram temple, in Payipalasseri desam, Kilakkott amsam, 15 miles north-
east of Calicut, there is an inscription in old Tamil on a slab.
In Koduvalli amsam, 16 miles north-east of Calicut in Chorgotur desam in the
temple, is a granite slab with an inscription in old Tamil. There is also a menhir here as
well as in Manapuram desam. In the temple at the latter desam, there is an inscription in
old Tamil on a granite slab.
In Kovur amsam, 5 miles from Calicut, in Velliparamba desam, a cave was
discovered in the backyard of a private honse. It was opened and closed again by the
house-owner.
In Padinhattummuri amsam, 6½ miles north of Calicut, a number of very
interesting rock-cut caves were excavated, from which a quantity of pottery was
unearthed. An account, of the place with two plates of engravings was published in Vol.
VIII of the Indian Antiquary. The articles found in the cells were sent to the Madras
Museum.
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William Logan
In Puttur amsam, 12½ miles east
north-east of Calicut, in the temple in the
Chokur desam, there is an inscribed
granite slab with an old Tamil inscription.
In the desam of Ketayantur is a dolmen
and a rock-cut cave, and in Chokur desam
there is a menhir. Picture source:
pazhayathu.blogspot.in
In Talakulattur amsam, 8 miles
north of Calicut, there is an old temple
with an illegible inscription on a stone.
In Valayanad amsam, 2 miles east south-east of Calicut, in Konneri desam, there
is a rock-cut cave now filled up.
Trigonometrical Survey Station—Pokkunnu in Valayanad amsam is the only
Trigonometrical Survey station in the Calicut taluk.
Dams and Anicuts.—In Karannur amsam, there is a dam known as the Muliyar
nada, which is constructed for the protection of cultivation.
At Putiyachira on the road to Chevayur, there was some time back a lock in the
Conolly canal for the protection of cultivation from the influx of salt water. It is not
now repaired as the water traffic is of more importance. The Conolly canal passes
through the amsams of Kasaba, Kottuli, Kachcheri, Edakkad, Karannur, Makkada and
Elattur, and connects the Kallayi with the Elattur river.
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ERNAD TALUK
Boundaries.—This taluk comprises the two old taluks of Ernad and Cheranad.
It is bounded on the north by Calicut and Wynad, on the east by the Nilgiri district, on
the south by Walluvanad and Ponnani, on the west by the sea.
Area. — Eight himdred and eleven square miles, of which 140 square miles, or
about one-sixth of the whole extent, may be said to be under cultivation. The remainder
consists of waste lands and hilly tracts.
Population.—The total population, according to the census of 1881, was
296,143, of whom 148,521 were males and 147,622 females. Distributed according to
sects, the population stands as follows:-
Hindus 145,451
Muhammadans 149,987
Christians 699
Other classes 6
This taluk contains the largest number of Muhammadans usually denominated

Mappillas, comprising, as it does, a ratio of 23 per cent of the entire Mappilla population
in the district.
The total number of houses in the taluk in 1881 was 60,596, of which 54,415, or
about 90 per cent, were occupied and the rest unoccupied.
Physical Aspects. —The country is overrun with woods, hills and mountains.
The eastern portion comprehending the Nilambur valley formed by the ghats and the
Kunda mountains and the Wavul range extending to Chekkunnanmalai (െച ു ൻമല),
a high saddle-hill north-east of Ariakode contains teak and other timber in almost
inexhaustible quantities and it is mostly from this valley that the largest timber is
obtained. The central portion is here and there flat with mountain ridges running in
different directions. The western portion, with the exception of a few miles from the
coast, which is flat, is undulating intersected in all directions by extensive valleys of wet
cultivation.
Mountains and Hills.—The most remarkable hills are—
(1) The Wavul range.
(2) The Chekkumalai or Chekkunnan hill, containing a Trigonometrical Survey
station.
(3) The Pantalur hill whose ridge separates the Ernad from Walluvanad taluk.
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William Logan
(4) The Urothmala hill which formed the boundary of the old Cheranad taluk
and which contains likewise a Trigonometrical station.
Forests.— Ernad taluk furnishes most valuable timber trees. Various exotics,
such as mahogany and rubber trees, castilloa, hevea and ipecacuanha, are being planted and
experimented with, and some of them have thoroughly been acclimatised and
established there. At Nilambur, these experiments and plantations are under the
management of the District Forest Officer located at that station. The following is a list
of forests which are under the control of this officer :
No Name of forest Situation Area in Whether Government or leased
square forest, and if leased from whom.
Taluk Amsam
miles
1 Karimpoya Reserve Ernad Nilambur 6.18 Government forest

2 Amarapolam do Do Do 0.77 Do
3 Chathamborai do Do Do 1.09 Leased from Naduvatti or
Wandur Nambudiripad.
4 Nellikutta do. Do Do 2.99 Leased from the Zamorin of
Calicut.
5 Valluvasheri block comprising –
(1) Pokode Ernad Nilambur 1.18 Leased from Trikkallur
Devasam.
(2) Panangode Do Do 1.41 Do
(3) Valluvasheri Do Do 1.45 Do
6 Nilambur block comprising -
(1) Trevalikava Ernad Nilambur

(2) Anwakod Do Do
(3) Edakod Do Mambat
(4) Ellanjeri Do Nilambur 8.37 Leased from Trikkallur
Devasam.
(5) Ramalur Do Do
(6) Mulataranna Do Do
7 Erambadom Do Do .90 Leased
8 Kanakut Do Do 1.04 Leased from Trikkalur
Devasam.
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9 Muriat Do Do 2.75 Do
10 Karien Do Do 1.48 Do
11 Mangalasseri Calicut Manasheri .01 Do
12 Ambalakandy Do Pannikod .001 Do
13 Arimbracutta Ernad Urangattiri .50 Do
14 Puthalatha and Calicut Manasheri .01 Do
Chittarikkal
Total 30.13
The Nilambur teak plantations were first suggested in 1840 by Mr.

Conolly, Collector of Malabar, who described their object as being “to replace those
forests which had vanished from private carelessness and rapacity—a work too now, too
extensive, and too barren of early return to be ever taken up by the native proprietor."
Great difficulty was at first encountered in getting the seed to germinate and
many expedients were resorted to. These proved entirely unsuccessful. In 1843, Dr.
Roxburgh suggested the method of sowing the seed at the beginning of the rains in
shaded beds lightly covered with earth and rotten straw, and this system, which proved a
success is now pursued with slight modifications suggested by experience.
The first attempt at planting was made in 1842 and was followed in regular
succession under the able management, first of Chathu Menon, the native conservator,
who for 20 years carried on the operations, and of Mr. Ferguson, whose skilled and
unremitting attention during the long tenure of his office from 1863 to 1883 had
brought the plantations to their present pitch.
The “Memorandum on the Conolly Teak Plantations’’, prepared by Mr. Atholl
McGregor in 1877 (printed at the Travancore Government Press), and Lieut.Col.
Beddome’s "Report upon the Nilambur Teak Plantations”, printed at the Government
Press, Madras, in 1878, contain most valuable information in regard to the Nilambur
forests. An extract from the former publication is printed at the end of this paper.
Rivers.—The following are the principal rivers in the taluk :
1. The Beypore river (also called the Ponpula or Gold river) which rises in the
mountains south of the Naduvattam pass, and after meandering through Wynad, rushes
down the ghats into the Nilambur valley, receiving in its devious windings, before
reaching Nilambur (a) the Kalakkampula, (b) the Karkurpula, (c) the Sholayar or
Cholayar on its right bank and (d) the Karimpula on its left bank. The last named is a
formidable river fed by numerous streams rushing down from the crest of the Nilgiri
and Kunda mountains. The union of these streams now forms one considerable river,
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William Logan
which runs north of Nilambur, and after receiving in its serpentine windings and course
several streams, such as the Kurampula and the Kudirapula, discharges itself finally into
the sea at Beypore. The river is navigable all the year round up to Ariakode, but boats go
up with ease to Nilambur during the monsoon, and smaller boats proceed even further
up to Edakara, about 8 miles north-east of Nilambur. The distance from Calicut to
Ariakode by land, according to the Route-book, is 27 miles ; from Ariakode to Edavanna
8 miles, from Edavanna to Nilambur 8 miles ; from Nilambur to Edakkara 8 miles ; and
from Edakkara to Nadagani 10 miles.
2. The Kadalhundi (Kadal-tundi) river rises in the southern slopes of the Kunda
mountains, enters the taluk near Chappanangadi, meanders westerly with many
serpentine windings, and after flowing via Tirurangadi empties itself into the sea at
Kadalhundi. One branch of the stream joins the Beypore river opposite to the place of
that name and forms the island of Chaliyam.
Like other rivers in Malabar, the Kadalhundi river is known by different names
in the different parts of its course, eg., at Malapuram, it is called the Anakayam river ; at
Tirurangadi, the Tirurangadi river, etc. The bed of the river is exceedingly narrow and
rocky with high banks fringed with wood and groves of areca, and other palms at
intervals. Teak and other timber, also rafts of bamboos are floated down to the coast to
the depots at Beypore and Kallai near Calicut.
Subdivisions of the Taluk for Administrative Purposes —The taluk is divided
into 52 amsams, of which 35 are under the magisterial jurisdiction of the Tahsildar-
Magistrate and 17 under the Sub-Magistrate of Tirurangadi.
Previous to the revision1 of the taluk establishments by Mr. Pelly there were 2
taluks, designated Ernad and Cheranad, but in the year 1860 they were amalgamated, a
Deputy Tahsildar being appointed for the Cheranad division.
NOTEs: 1. G.Os., dated1st October 1860, No. 1751 and 3rd November 1860, No. 2038. END
OF NOTEs
The taluk of Ernad was along with Walluvanad and the magisterial charge of
Cheranad entrusted to Mr. Collett, the Assistant Collector and Magistrate, under
Collector's proclamation, dated 12th November 1849. He remained in charge till April
1854, when he was appointed Special Assistant Collector and Magistrate and latterly
Sub-Judge, Calicut.
In 1856, Mr. E. C. G. Thomas was appointed Special Assistant and was
succeeded by Mr. A. MacGregor under the orders of Government, communicated in
G.O , dated 20th October 1863, No. 1902. The Special Assistant was transferred to
Coimbatore for employment on the Nilgiris and the office was revived, on the
recommendation of Mr. MacGregor after the Kolattur outbreak, by G.O, dated 11th
October 1873, No. 1629. A further reconstitution took place in 1886, whereby the
Special Assistant, was placed in the revenue charge of Ernad and Calicut taluks and in
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the magisterial charge of Ernad and portion of Walluvanad (vide G. O., dated 15th
February 1886, No. 126). The Divisional Magistrate's headquarter are at Malapuram in
Ernad taluk.
Public Establishments.—The various offices located in the taluk are the
following :
(1) The Special Assistant Collector and Magistrate ar Malapuram.
(2) The Tahsildar and his establishment at Manjeri.
(3) The Deputy Tahsildar and his establishment at Tirurangadi.
(4) The District Munsif of Ernad at Manjeri and of Cheranad at Parappanangadi.
(5) Assistant Superintendent of Police at Malapuram.
(6) Inspector, Special Police force at Malapuram.
(7) Inspectors of Police at Manjeri, Malapuram and Tirurangadi and Police stations at
–
Manjeri. Edavanna.
Nilambur. Wandur.
Pandikad. Malapuram
Kottakal. Kondotti.
Ariakode. Tirurangadi.
Parappanangadi Chaliyam.
Feroke.
(8) District Forest Officer and his establishment at Nilambur.

(9) Sub-Registrars of Manjeri, Malapuram, Wandur, Kondotti and Tirurangadi.
(10) Government Telegraph office at Malapuram and the Railway Telegraph offices
at Beypore and Parappanangadi.
(11) Post offices at Manjeri, Malapuram, Nilambur, Kondotti, Parappanangadi and
Beypore
(I2) Local Fund middle school at Manjerj.
(13) Local Fund hospitals at Manjeri and Nilambur.
(14) Local Fund Supervisor and Overseers.
(15) Vaccine staff.
(I6) Military detachment at Malapuram.
(17) Marine office at Beypore (Chaliyam) under the charge of the Port Officer,
Calicut.
Towns and other places of importance.—There are no municipal towns
constituted under the Act in the taluk. The places of importance are described below: —
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William Logan
Manjeri—in the amsam of the same name, is the headquarters of the taluk and
is the seat of the Tahsildar, the District Munsif and the Sub-Registrar of Assurances.
There are a Local Fund hospital, a public bungalow, a middle school and a chattram at
this station. A weekly market is held which is generally-well-attended.
About a quarter of a mile to the south-east of the taluk is a pagoda called
Srimuttra Kunnu alias Kunnath Ampalam, dedicated to Durga and situated on a low hill,
and immediately below it is the residence of the Manjeri Karnamalpad. In the east wall
of the temple is an inscription, dated K.A 827 (A. D. 1651), stating that Mana Vikrama
built a matam. There is another near to the well to the north, dated K.A. 833 (A.D.
1657), by the same man.
It was this temple that was seized by the gang of Mappilla fanatics under Attan
Kurikal in 1849, and Ensign Wyse, who lies buried on the taluk cutchery hill, was killed
in an attempt to take the temple from the fanatics. There are several large dolmens,
menhirs and rock-cut caves in this amsam.
Nilambur—which is about 16 miles from Manjeri, is an important station for
timber traffic. It is the seat of the District Forest Officer who has charge of the
extensive Government teak plantations, and contains a hospital, a Police station, a public
bungalow and a Post office. The District Forest Officer is also a Special Magistrate for
the trial of offences under the conservancy clauses of the Police Act.
The Nilambur and Amarampalam Tirumalpads who own extensive forests
reside in the Nilambur amsam. There are two temples, one dedicated to
Vettakkorumakan and the other to Siva. There is an inscription on a block of gneiss rock
in the Cherupula river about 1½ miles below the junction with the Karimpula, known as
"Eltu Kallu" or Eluttu Kalla, and used to determine the boundary between two janmis.
The stone is in the middle of a forest far from any habitation, and the inscription is only
visible in extremely dry weather, being below the ordinary low water level. There are
numerous dolmens and menhirs and rock-cut caves in the amsam. Gold washing was
carried on formerly at Nilambur and the gold so obtained was called channam.
Etakkara—on the river side 8 miles to the east of Nilambur on the road to
Nilgiris, is an extensive plain of black rich soil, supposed to be once thickly populated
judging from the remains, which are still visible, of ruined temples, houses, tanks, wells,
etc. It is now covered with dense jungle, which is well stocked with game. The place is
feverish at certain times of the year. There is a public bungalow for the accommodation
of travellers going by the Karkur pass.
Wandur—in the amsam of the same name, is 12 miles from Manjeri, and is the
seat of a Sub-Registrar of Assurances, who is also a Special Magistrate. There is a Police
station, also a good public bungalow which was once largely used by passengers
travelling by the Sispara or Chichchippara route to the Nilgiris. The road has fallen into
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Malabar
disuse and is not now properly maintained. There is a mosque at this place ; also a Siva
temple.
Pandikad—in the amsam of the same name, is 8 miles from Manjeri, and has a
Police station, a small public bungalow and a weekly market. Iron ore is obtained to
some extent in these parts.
Mambat—in the amsam of the same name, contains a Mappilla bazaar and is a
place of timber trade.
Edavanna—in Tiruvali amsam, is a rising Mappilla town on the Nilambur river
about 8 miles from Manjeri and has considerable timber trade. There is a mosque at this
station, also a temple at Tiruvali about 2 miles from the Edavanna bazaar.
Ariakode—in Iruvetti amsam and about 11 miles from Manjeri, is a small
Mappilla town pleasantly situated on the south bank of the Beypore river, and has
considerable timber trade. There is a Police station and a good bungalow built on a hill
about half a mile from the village for the accommodation of travellers going to Nilgiris
via the Karkur pass. The scenery about the place is charming and plenty of easy shooting
is available in the neighbourhood. There is a mosque at this station.
Trikkallur or Trikkalliyur—In Urangattiri amsam, is celebrated for a Siva temple
standing on elevated ground. It was in this temple that Kutti Assan and eleven other
Mappillas made a detenmned stand against the Police and the Military from the 27th to
29th December 1884. The temple was captured and the fanatics slain after breaking open
the loopholed barricaded doors with dynamite. The temple owns large property
managed by Kirrangat Ashtamurti Nambudiripad of Vallappula amsam, in Walluvanad
taluk. Opposite the temple stands the Churoth mosque, in which the fanatics prayed
before taking post in the pagoda. The Mappilla inhabitants of the amsams of Urangattiri,
Mappram, Chikod, Iruvetti and Tiruvali were fined for this outrage under the provisions
of the Mappilla Outrages Act XX of 1859.
Chembrasseri amsam.—Iron ore is found in this amsam, which is one of the
biggest in the taluk.
Kottakal—in the amsam of the same name is 14 miles from Manjeri, and is the
seat of the Kilakke Kovilakam Rajas, one of the three branches of the Zamorin's family.
There are here the old fort, called Venkatakotta and a small bungalow built by the Raja
for the accommodation of visitors. A weekly fair is held, at which areca-nut, arrow-root
flour and ginger form the principal articles of trade. The Military camping ground at
Klari is only 2 miles from this place.
Malapuram—-(literally mountainous place) in Kilumiri amsam, is a healthy
military station about 7 miles from Manjeri and 31 miles from Calicut. It is the seat of
the Special Assistant Collector, of the Assistant Superintendent of Police and the Special
Police force and of the Sub-Registrar of Assurances. It contains, likewise, Post and
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William Logan
Telegraph offices, a public bungalow, a D.P.W. halting shed, barracks for European
troops, a Chapel, two Christian cemeteries, a small bazaar, and a weekly market well-
attended.
Tippu had a fort here, which is now in ruins. Near the barracks there are good
recreation and camping grounds for the troops. Malapuram is the centre of the country
which has been fruitful in Maippilla fanatical outbreaks, and in consequence of two
risings in 1841 and 1843, native troops were sent here; but as they proved useless during
the outbreaks of 1849 and 1851, a detachment of European troops has been stationed
here since 1852.
A description of the boundaries of the Military Cantonment for the European
barracks at Malapuram will be found printed at page 172 of the Fort Saint George
Gazette, dated 22nd February 1853.
The detachment was augmented and officers' quarters built since the Kolattur
outrage of 1873. On more than one occasion, special Police corps1 were raised in
Malapuram to deal with local outrages, but in the lull which followed the passing of the
Mappilla Outrages Act, the work was transferred to the regular constabulary2. A special
Police force has again been posted here since 1885.
NOTEs: 1. Vide extracts from Minutes of Consultation, dated 16th May 1854, No. 352.
2. G.O., dated 4th May 1860, published in the Fort Saint George Gazette of the same date. END OF
NOTEs
At a short distance from the Malapuram barracks is the Malapuram mosque,

which is a tiled building and is of some importance. An annual festival, called Nerchcha is
held here usually in the month of Kumbham, supposed to be in commemoration of the
death of 40 Mappillas who fell in an encounter with the neighbouring Hindu landlord,
Para Nambi’s followers.
There are three Hindu temples in the amsam, known as (1) the Tripuranthakan
temple near the barracks, (2) the Mannur Siva temple and (3) the Channath Siva temple.
The sacred places of Muhammadans, in addition to the Malapuram mosque, are (1) the
Hajiyar Palli and (2) Sayyid’s Jarum (െസ ത ാരുെട ജാരം).
Kondotti—in Kolattur amsam (17 miles from Calicut), is an important Mappilla

town on the road to Calicut and contains the office of the Sub-Registrar who is also a
Special Magistrate. There are besides a Police station, a Post office, and a public
bungalow.
It is the residence of the Kondotti Tangal who is the Muhammadan high priest
of the section of Mappillas known locally as Kondotti Kayikkars. There is a shrine here
called Kondotti-thakkiya, which is supposed to have been built in 948 M. E. (A.D. 1773)
by the then Tangal, named Muhammad Shaha and in which lie interred his remains. A
Nerchcha is performed here annually in the month of Minam. The Tangals have been
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Malabar
loyal to the British Government and their loyalty has been rewarded by the grant of a
personal inam to the extent of Rs. 2,734 per year (vide G.O., dated 12th October 1865,
No. 2474), and by permission to keep seven pieces of cannon (vide licence granted by
the Government of India, under date the 15th September 1885, No 43, forwarded with
Madras Government G.O., dated 29th September 1885, No. 2617, Mis.).
There are two mosques at this station which are largely attended.
Urakam-Melmuri contains the Uroth hill which was used as a heliographic
station in February 1885 during the disarming operations then in progress. On the top
of the hill stands the Tiruvarchchanam Kunnu temple dedicated to god Sankara
Narayanan. The Ponmundam fanatics in May 1885 tried to occupy this hill after the
murder of Cheruman Kutti Kariyan and his family on the 1st May 1885, but had to leave
it for want of water.
The celebrated Mattattur mosque is situated in this amsam.
Tirurangadi (literally Tiru == sacred, ur = village, angadi = bazaar or the place
of bazaar in the sacred country of Cheranad) in Trikkulam amsam, is the seat of the
Deputy Tahsildar, of the Sub-Registrar of Assurances and of the Police Inspector of that
division, and contains a Post office, a bazaar and a well-attended weekly market. The
town, which consists of long and crooked streets, lies on the south bank of the river and
has nothing remarkable about it, save that there are a jamath mosque which is attended
by a large congregation and a Hindu temple dedicated to Siva. There are the remains of a
fort dismantled several years ago. In the vicinity of this fort, a decided victory was gained
by General Hartley over Tippu’s troops in 1790 (Vol. I, p. 470).
And it was in the same neighbourhood that Colonel Humberstone defeated and
slew Mukhdam Ali, one of Hyder Ali’s Generals on 8th April 1782 (Vol I, p. 433). It is
curious that the only two pitched battles fought in Malabar between the Mysoreans and
the British took place on the same battlefield.
Mampram lies directly opposite to Tirurangadi, on the north bank of the river,
in Kotuyayur amsam, and contains the mukham or tomb of a great Tangal buried there.
It is on this account a place of considerable pilgrimage. The history of the Tangal who
lies interred there is as follows : —
In the early part of the 18th century a Tangal named Sayyid Hussain Ibn Alabi
Jiffiri Tangal, who is supposed to have come from Arabia settled at the place called
Mampram or Mampuram which was then an extensive waste. It was reclaimed and
planted with coconut trees for the growth of which the soil appears to be admirably
adapted. He lived in a house called Taramal, and died in the month of Shaban in the
Hejira 1169, leaving a daughter named Fattima.
In the fifth year after his death, there arrived at Mampram his nephew (sister’s
son) and son-in-law (Fattima’s husband) named Sayyid Alabi Ibn Muhammad, whom in
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his lifetime the Mappillas served with the utmost devotion and whom after his death
they have deified. His first marriage with Fattima was not fruitful, and he married, as his
second wife, a woman from the Putiamaliakal house in Calicut.
His next marriage was with a woman of Quilandi, by whom he had, among
others, Sayyid Fazl usually known as Pukkoya who was banished with his relatives
beyond India on the 19th March 1852.
Sayyid Alabi’s fourth wife was a woman of Ponmundam m Ponnani taluk, who
bore him a daughter.
The mukham or shrine intended and used primarily as a receptacle for the dead
bodies of the principal Tangals is a rectangular building constructed on very solid
foundations, and divided into large hall-like rooms. The building has upper storeys, in
one portion there are three and in the other two storeys. The second floor of one of the
rooms stands on a higher elevation than that of the other, and over it an upper floor
stands, the circular wall of which is capped by the dome. On the foundation floor of the
domed hall are laid 9 coffins, including in them those of Sayyid Alabi who died in 1019
M E (Hejira 1260), and his uncle and those of their nearest deceased relatives. The other
hall is the place where verses from the Koran are read for the salvation of the souls of
the deceased persons.
The shrine was built over the grave of his uncle by Sayyid Alabi in the third year
after his arrival at Mampram or in the 8th year after the uncle’s death. The space in the
interior which was originally of lesser dimensions than the foundation, was found not
sufficient to allow of walking on it after the nine bodies had been buried there.
A certain Karachi merchant out of gratitude to Sayyid Alabi for his having been
miraculously saved by the latter in a shipwreck at sea, had the room extended at his own
expense so as to cover the entire space on the foundation. The dome having gone out of
repair in recent years, it is now being put up anew and furnished by Putiyamaligayil
Sayyid Abdulla Koya of Calicut, out of contributions for the purpose made by his co-
religionists. This shrine has been frequently visited by Mappilla fanatics for the purpose
of invoking the Varkkaths (blessings or aid) of the great Tangal buried there, previously
to the execution of their designs. And it is also largely resorted to by other
Muhammadans and by Hindus to invoke the great Tangal's aid in any enterprises in
which they are interested.
Parappanangadi (literally the bazaar place in the Parappanad raj) is a small
Mappilla village about 4 miles from Tirurangadi and is the seat of the Cheranad Munsif’s
Court. It contains likewise a post office, a Police station and the Railway station of the
same name. The palace of the Kshatriya family of Parappanad Rajas is situated at a short
distance from the Railway station. It is from this family that the consorts of the Ranis of
the Travancore family are usually selected.
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Malabar
Pepper, ginger, salted fish and areca-nut form the chief articles of trade and are
exported in large quantities. The Munsif’s Court-house and the Railway station though
usually known by the name of "Parappanangadi" are really located within the limits of the
Netuva amsam.
Ferokh or (as Malayalis write it) Paramukka (written also Ferokabad in military
department Route book), in Nallur amsam, contains a Police station and an important
weekly market to which people from Calicut resort for the purchase of poultry,
provisions, etc. Half a mile south west of it on an elevated spot are the rains of
Ferokabad commanding two beautiful reaches of the Beypore river which flows
immediately to the north of the fortress. It was planned by Tippu whose intention it was
to make it the capital of Malabar, but his troops were driven out of it in 1790 before the
design was fully carried out. He compelled a large portion of the inhabitants of Calicut
to settle here, but on the departure of his troops they returned to their former abode.
The ferry at Ferokh is called the Mammalli ferry. The railway now in course of
extension to Calicut passes through this place. An iron bridge on cylinders is being
carried across the Mammalli (Beypore) river, and the bridge is to carry ordinary traffic as
well as the railway. A railway station is also proposed at this locality. Two miles above
the Mammalli ferry on the Ernad or south bank of the river lies Chattamparamba, a
laterite hill containing numerous tombs of a long forgotten generation, some of them
excavated from the laterite rock and others in the shape of huge earthen pots buried
beneath the surface. From some of these, the interesting beads depicted in the
illustrations at pages 180-81 of Volume I have been taken. Some of the beads are of
agate with designs on them which take one back to the times of the Buddhists. The
pottery, which is found in abundance in these tombs, is of a very varied character and
quite different to anything manufactured in recent times.
Chaliyam in Palanchannur amsam (erroneously called Beypore, which is a
contiguous amsam on the north bank of the river in the Calicut taluk) is an island
formed by the Kadalhundi and Beypore rivers, and by the sea on the west. It is about
ten miles in circumference. It is the present western terminus of the Madras Railway and
contains a hotel, two public chattrams, a Police station, Post office, Marine flagstaff, a
Protestant chapel and cemetery, a mosque and a petty bazaar. The travellers' bungalow
and the Beypore Sea Customs office lie on the northern side of the Beypore ferry in the
Calicut taluk. The Railway station has a flower garden and a small park kept in neat
order by the railway company.
There is a rocky islet lying to the southward of the entrance to the Beypore river
and connected with the mainland by a groyne. This islet contains two mounds, a
northern and a southern one, and the Port Officer, Calicut, made excavations round the
base of the former and discovered the remains of what appeared to be the remains of a
fortress. Captain Gillham states as follows : —
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William Logan
"There is now no question or doubt but that the masonry was the
commencement of foundations for a very formidable fortress for the protection of the
entrance to Beypore river. The walls being the strongest on the west and north-west and
north angles where the foundations were 13 feet across and from 2 to 3 feet deep,
commencing on coarse sand and shelly bottom. The portion comprised between the
south-west angle of the mound round by east to the north angle is of cut laterite stone
built in chunam, and from the north angle to the south-east angle round by east, the
foundations are cuttings and levellings on the upper surface of the laterite rock, with
small portions of concrete and. masonry levellings in places. From the fact of the
foundation having been commenced on a sandy soil, together with the fact that when
excavations were being made into the base of the north mound, a considerable quantity
of red soil was found, has led me to the opinion that the mounds on the islet are not
natural, but artificially made from soil carried to the islet from the mainland.”
The Port officer also dug three wells with the object of ascertaining whether
fresh water was obtainable on the isle. Of these three, two yield perfectly pure water, but
the third proved brackish. It is likely that the foundations of the fortress discovered
formed part of Tippu Sultan’s project for protecting his projected city at Ferokh.
Kadalhundi and Nirumkayitha kotta in Vallikunnu amsam are small hamlets of
some note. The former contains a Mappilla bazaar and the latter the important temple
known as Nirumkayitha kotta dedicated to god Ayyappan. The temple has a copper sheet
roof and stands on the slope of an elevated hill. On the top of the hill called Melkotta,
there is a deity which persons proceeding to the Nirumkayitha kotta temple go up to
worship. The place is infested by monkeys, supposed to be a portion of the army with which
Rama conquered Ceylon, left here by him on his return from his expedition.
The following temples and mosques which are not described above deserve
notice :—
(1) Manjeri Amsam —(1) Arizhayi Siva temple, (2) Pantalur temple, (3) Manjeri
mosque.
(2) Trikkalangot Amsam—contains the Trikkalangot temple dedicated to
Vettakorumakan and certain inscriptions in Vatteluthu and five dolmens. The celebrated
Karikkatt temple, dedicated to Subramania, also exists here.
(3) Ponmala Amsam—contains the important Ponmala temple and the Ponmala
mosque.
(4) Intiannur Amsam—contains a temple, dedicated to Ganapathi and Siva.
(5) Kottakkel Amsam—contains (1), Kotlakkel Siva temple, (2) Pandamangalam
Vishnu temple, (3) Vettakkorumakan temple.
(6) Netiyiruppu Arnsam—contains Pulikkad Bhagavathi temple.
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(7) Alinjilam Amsam—contains (1) Pariapuram temple, dedicated to Subramania, (2)

Palakkel Bhagavathi temple, (3) Karumaken kavu temple, (4) Ariyil Siva temple. (8)
Nallur Amsam—contains the Nallur Siva temple which is of some importance.
(9) Chelembra Amsam—contains (1) Vennayur Vishnu temple, (2) Itavalikkel
Ganapathi temple, (3) Tiruvangat Siva temple.
(10) Karat Amsam—contains Virali kavu temple.
(11) Puthur Amsam—contains Cherukunnath Bhagavathi temple, the deity of which is
supposed to have come from the temple of that name in North Malabar.
(12) Valluvambram Amsam—contains Pullanur mosque.
(13) Netuva Amsam—contains Pisharikkel kavu temple alias Puthiarayara Nallur
temple, dedicated to goddess Mukambika.
Christian Churches, and Cemeteries and scattered Tombs.—There are Roman
Catholic and Protestant chapels at Malapuram and at Chaliyam (Beypore). There are also
cemeteries at each of these stations. The scattered tombs in the taluk are the following.-
(1) Tomb near the District Forest office at Nilambur bearing fhe following
inscription—“To the memory of Samuel Robert Clogstoun, Lieutenant in the 23rd
Regiment, M.N.I. He was born on the 26th January 1824 and drowned in the
Chellambore river (Nilambur) near this spot on the 13th August 1843. Generous, high
spirited and of great promise ; he died deeply regretted. His brother officers, in
testimony of esteem for his worth and sorrow for his early death, have erected this
tomb”.
(2) Tomb of Ensign Wyse, who died at the hands ot Mappiila fanatics in 1849 in
Manjeri amsam close to the District Munsif’s Court, bears no inscription.
(3) Tomb of Mary Elliot in the Valakkat coffee estate, in the jungly wilds of the
Silent Valley in Chembrasseri amsam.
Soil and Productions.—The soil of the western portion of Ernad and on the
heights, is red laterite intermixed with gravel ; in the valleys of cultivation, it is a rich
brown free from gravel, so also in the cultivated tract in the interior. The dense coconut
belt usually not more than 4 miles wide extending along the coast, runs up for 12 or 15
miles into very nearly the heart of the taluk about Malapuram, and the soil in these parts
seems to be singularly well adapted to this tree and to other vegetable productions,
among others, the pineapple which nowhere flourishes better than in these richly
cultivated low-lying valleys in Ernad.
In the forests and mountains, the soil is a rich black mould owing to the
constant falling of decayed leaves and rotten wood. Granitic gneiss is conspicuous on
the face of the ghats and the mountains, to the east where it is seen to form a perfect
barrier. The productions generally are rice of various sorts, and several species of dry
grain and pulses ; pepper is produced but not in such abundance as in the tracts along
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William Logan
the coast. The areca palm is cultivated extensively about the central parts and grows
luxuriantly on the banks of all the rivers ; it is, however, scarce to the east of Nilambur.
Timber of many descriptions, also bamboos, honey and bees' wax are obtained
from the forests.
Inams.—A list of inams of various descriptions granted in the taluk is appended.
No. Name of Inam holder Amsam in Amount Remarks
which Inam
Devadayam Rs A P
lands are
(or inams granted for Temples).
situate.
1 Kapilkarimkali kshetrom. Nilambur 1 3 3

2 Chementala Bhagavati Do 18 8 5
kshetrom
For the
3 Wandur Siva kshetrom Wandur 7 10 3 expenses
attending the
4 Punapalei Siva kshetrom Do 6 0 11
usual
5 Chatengam Kulangara Vishnu Do 3 11 9 ceremonies in
kshetrom the temple.
6 Karikat kshetrom Do 20 0 0
7 Do Irimpuli 28 13 3
8 Irimbuli Vishnu kshetrom Do 5 7 9
9 Mutrakunnu kshetrom Irimpuli 32 2 6 For the
expenses
attending the
usual
ceremonies in
the temple
and for
entertainment
s given to
Brahmins.
10 Karikat kshetrom Trikalangode 19 1 1 For the
expenses
11 Meladatha kshetrom Do 33 4 0
attending the
usual
ceremonies in
the temple
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12 Mutrakunnu kshetrom Manjeri 1,112 7 10 Do and for

entertainment
s given to
Brahmins.
13 Arupiraya Siva kshetrom Do 28 12 3 For the
expenses
14 Vakethodi Karinkali Do 35 8 5
attending the
kshetrom
usual
15 Tiruvidaikal kshetrom Do 14 2 4 ceremonies in
16 Orinadatha Siva kshetrom Do 14 11 2 the temple.
17 Pantalur Bhagavati kshetrom Do 63 3 8
18 Potiyatu kshetrom Melmuri 13 4 8 Do and for
entertainment
s given to
Brahmins.
19 Kurumangote Iyyappan Pandikad 2 6 6
kshetrom
20 Naduvatha kshetrom Do 9 3 6
21 Nechiparambeth Kilmuri 31 4 8
Tripurandakan kshetrom
22 Ulanam Siva kshetrom Neduva 19 1 9
For the
23 Chiramangalath Do 19 12 0 expenses
Vettakkorumakan kshetrom attending the
24 Tirumandhan kunnu Porur 7 1 5 usual
Bhagavathi kshetrom ceremonies in
the temple.
25 Palaparamben kshetrom Kotuvayur 12 5 6
26 Mutuvelur Bhagavati Kulimanna 7 11 6
kshetrom
27 Mannur kshetrom Vallikunnu 98 13 4
28 Nerumkaithakotta temple Do 311 6 4
29 Do Palenchennur 9 6 10
30 Trikkolam kshetrom Trikkolam 13 1 2
Total 2029 12 0
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William Logan
No. Name of Inam holder Amsam in Amount Remarks
which Inam
Devadayam Rs A P
lands are
(or inams granted for charitable
purposes). situate.
31 Cherukuticheri karapram Mapprom 2 9 6

chattram.
32 Do Chikod 18 6 2 For the
33 Keraladhiswarapuram Neduva 125 0 5 expenses
attending the
34 Do Nannembra 5 1 0
entertainment
35 Do Valakulam 18 8 8 s given to
Brahmins.
36 Trikandiyur chattram Do 2 11 5
Total 172 5 2
Name of Inam holder Amsam in Amount Remarks

which Inam
Religious Institutions (or Rs A P
lands are
inams granted for mosques).
situate.
Malapratha Ajiyara Palli Kilmuri 0 10 9

mosque.
Malapratha Ajiyara Palli Mampad 7 5 10 For defraying
mosque.
the expenses
Mampad Cheria Jamath Palli Do 14 13 2 for lights.
mosque
Ariakode mosque Iruvetti 6 15 1 For the
expenses
Tannur Daraka Palli mosque Nannembra 109 12 10
attending the
Vilakkatiyantr
am festival.
Quilandi mosque Trikkalangode 191 14 11
Do Manjeri 745 13 2 For the
support of
Do Karakunnu 862 3 11
the Quilandi
Palli mosque.
Mampratha Palli mosque Kotuvayur 2 0 4 For defraying
the expense
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for lights.
Total 1,941 10 0
Name of Inam holder Amsam in Amount Remarks
which Inam
Personal (or inams granted for Rs A P
lands are
special services)
situate.
Kondotti Tangal. Kulimanna 143 5 3

Do Chikod 1,125 2 3
Do Kolattur 318 7 3
Do Karipur 263 3 11
Do Olakara 35 8 7 These inams
were
Do Kavannur 58 13 9
confirmed in
Do Chirukavu 13 3 2 1865 to
Ishtiyak Shah,
Do Nediruppu 32 0 3
the Kondotti
Do Urangattiri 73 13 1 Tangal, so
long as he
Do Iruvetti 251 14 8
continues
Do Chengara 135 15 3 true and loyal
to the
Do Arimbra 283 1 2
government.
Total 2,734 8 7
Amount Remarks
Rs A P
Grand Total 6,878 3 9
Mines, Minerals and Manufactures.—Iron ore is found in different parts of the

taluk, chiefly in Chembrasseri and Pandikad amsams, but very little of it is actually
worked. Gold ore is found in the beds of the rivers and streams running down from the
ghats into the Nilambur valley. One of the principal branches of the Beypore river is
called the Ponpula or gold river from an idea that a large portion of that mineral is
washed down the stream during the rains. The manufactures in the taluk are of little
moment and consist of some cloth of an inferior quality. The cloths formerly famous as
shaleeats appear to have derived their name from Chaliyam, the present terminus of the
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William Logan
Madras Railway, but the art of weaving them appears to have been lost. Oils from
coconut and castor, coir on the sea coast, jaggery and arrack from toddy are
manufactured almost everywhere.
Bungalows and Chattrams.—There are bungalows at (1) Kondotti, (2) Ariakod,
(3) Etavanna, (4) Nilambur, (5) Etakkara, (6) Wandur, (7) Malapuram, (8) Pandikad (9)
Manjeri ; and chattrams at (1) Manjeri and (2) Karimpula.
The bungalows at Pandikad and Manjeri are under the supervision of local fund
overseers.
Railway Stations.—In the Ernad taluk there are railway stations at Chaliyam
(erroneously called Beypore) and Parappanangadi and one proposed to be built in
connection with the extension to Calicut at Ferokh.
Fairs.-There are fairs at –
(1) Manjeri, (2) Malapuram,

(3) Kottakal, (4) Wandur,
5) Vatapuram, (6) Pandikad, and
(7) Ferokh.
Trigonometrical Stations.— The survey stations to be preserved and annually

reported on are named below (Board’s Proceedings, dated 28th July 1886, No 1706):-
Name of G.T. Situation Series Modern values
Station Latitude Longitude
Chekkunnu Urangattiri Modern 11°15' 27.71" 70° 08' 22.58"
Urot mala Urakam Melmuri. Do 11° 05' 15.73" 76° 03' 05.60"
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MEMORANDUM ON THE
CONOLLY TEAK PLANTATIONS
AT NILAMBUR, ERNAD TALUK,
MALABAR DISTRICT
By Atholl MacGregor, M.C.S., late
Collector of Malabar.
The Nilambur Teak Plantations
were first suggested in 1840 by Mr.
Conolly, Collector of Malabar, who
described their object as being to "replace
those Forests which have vanished from private
carelessness and rapacity—a work too new, too
extensive, and too barren of early return to be
ever taken up by the native proprietor.’’
Great difficulty was at first
encountered in getting the seed to
germinate, and many expedients were
resorted to. It was argued that in the
natural forest the hard outer covering of
the seed was destroyed by the annual
fires, and it was sought to effect the same
object by covering the seed with a light
coating of dry grass and setting fire to it.
Soaking in water was also tried. In the one
case the heat destroyed the vitality of the
seed, and in the other the seed rotted.
Removing the husk by hand was also tried, it being suggested that it was only the seeds
in the forest which happened to be cleaned by white-ants that geminated.
The transplantation of self-sown teak saplings had been simultaneously tried,
but whether from injury to the trees in removal, or from attempting to grow too much
under shade, or too near mature teak that had already exhausted the surface soil so far as
regarded the constituents of teak, this also proved a failure, and Mr. Conolly, in a letter
of 4th August 1842 reported that of 30,000 seeds sown none had come up, and that of
10,000, saplings transplanted more than half had died. Recourse was next had to a Mr.
Perrotet, a French gentleman, Superintendent, Botanical Gardens at Pondicherry. His
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William Logan
advice was to plunge the seed in water nearly boiling, and to uncover the roots of old
stumps and cut them in places in order to cause the development of shoots ; this
experiment came no nearer success.
The true method appears to have been first suggested by Dr. Roxburgh at the
end of 1843. He advised sowing the seed at the beginning of the rains in shaded beds
lightly covered with earth and rotten straw. The present method is given in an appendix,
and it will be seen that 30 years have added little to the knowledge acquired in 1844—for
except that the seed is sown 2 months before the rains, and artificially irrigated so as to
give it an additional start the method is substantially the same.
Writing in 1845, Mr. Conolly described the experiment as at an end, and success
achieved owing to the extraordinary healthy appearance of the young seedlings, 50,000
of which were raised in May, June, and July 1844.
The marginal statement gives the area planted annually arranged in periods of
10 years.
Years. Acres. Years. Acres. Years. Acres.
1844 31 1853 55 1863 81
1844 63 1864 92 1864 121
1845 61 1865 100 1865 56
1848 100 1866 79 1866 128
1847 118 1857 36 1867 118
1848 182 1858 42 1868 145
1848 134 1859 39 1869 53
1850 132 1860 39 1872 235
1851 147 1861 86 1873 86
1852 38 1862 50 1874 84
10 years. 1,006 10 years. 617 10 years. 1,107
Yearly 100 61 110
average:
The years 1870 and 1871 are not represented, operations having been carried on
elsewhere. The statement shows that up to 1874 the area planted in this section
aggregates 2,730 acres, or an average of 91 acres per annum for the 30 years.
The Nilambur valley is of the shape of a horse shoe, and is elevated about 400
feet above sea level. The hills surrounding it on three sides rise in the direction of
Sissapara on the S.E., and the Camel's Hump on the N.W. to 8,000 feet, while to the
N.E, the plateau of S.E. Wynad, which closes it in on that side, does not attain an
average elevation of more than 3,000 feet.
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Malabar
The semi-circle of hills overhangs one vast amphitheatre of valleys of

denudation converging on Nilambur, and a great part of the Valley, including almost
always the river bank to a distance of several hundred yards, is an alluvial deposit of
enormous depth ; the rocks are described by Mr. King as gneiss of quartzo-felspathic or
quartzo-horn-blendic variety.
The rainfall is about 120 inches, falling chiefly between June 1st and November
1st. The temperature in shade ranges from 80 to 90 throughout the year, and there is a
singular absence of high wind all the year round.
NOTEs: Rainfall on slopes of surrounding ghats is probably over 200. END OF NOTEs
The rivers are navigable by rafts up to January, and below Mambat, the most
westerly point of the Plantation, the navigation is so easy that the largest rafts can be
managed by one man. The river which, drains the valley empties itself into the sea at
Beypore, and 4 miles from the mouth of the river a navigable canal communicates with
another river which traverses the heart of the Calicut Bazaar, the best timber market on
the west coast. This river is connected with the Calicut roadstead by a bar always open,
so that the cost of conveying timber from the Plantations alongside ship may be
regarded as at a minimum.
A good cart road is carried from Calicut through Nilambur up the Karkur Ghat
to S.E. Wynad, whence the main line is carried on to Mysore, with branches on the
north to the Devala gold fields and South Wynad, and on the south to the Ouchterlony
Valley and to Ootacamund. The road skirts the plantations for 6 miles, having bridges
over the two large rivers.
The climate of Nilambur is tolerably healthy throughout the year. The months
of March, April and May are the fever months, but with due precaution fever is seldom1
contracted at Nilambur itself.
NOTEs: 1. The whole establishment has suffered badly in the current season. END OF NOTEs
Forests in Malabar are chiefly private property and the great bulk of the land in
the Nilambur valley is the property of the Nilambur Tirumulpad, a wealthy landowner
not likely under any circumstances to sell land, still less for the purpose of instituting a
local industry of a character to compete with his own agricultural and timber operations
for the limited supply of local labour. The plantations owed their existence to the
accident that one of the many religious bodies holding temple lands happened to be in
want of funds and to own blocks of land scattered here and there in this valley, many of
which constituted the very best sites for planting that could have been selected had the
whole area been available to choose from.
In considering, however, the difficulties which had to be contended with, it is
necessary to regard as occupying a prominent position, the jealousy of a local Janmi of
overpowering influence whose house and pagoda formed the only point of social
attraction in what was otherwise a jungle.
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William Logan
At first, operations were confined to the narrow strips of river bank west of
Nilambur, and when in 1853 these appeared to be exhausted, a point to the east, further
up the river was selected, and became the scene of the operations of that year as well as
of 1855 and 1856. The mistake was, however, made of including in the planted area
several laterite hills over which the trees signally failed.
Accordingly attention was again turned to the lands down stream, and in the
vicinity of the earlier plantations on the north bank land was found yielding sites for
1857-1862 inclusive, of fair quality, some being very good. In 1860, however,
exploration had been set on foot further up stream than had hitherto been attempted,
i.e., above the junction of the Shurly river with the Karimpula or main stream. Here
there were found several pieces of land included in the Government Estate, with first-
class soil and water carriage which formed a compact block adapted for further
extension on a larger scale.
In 1863 Mr. Ferguson arrived bringing the knowledge of a forester trained in
the extensive plantations of Perthshire, and operations were vigorously prosecuted for
the ensuing 7 years, i.e., from 1863-1869, by which time 619 acres had been planted in
this quarter. The area of suitable land here having been exhausted, the experiment was
made of further extending at Nellikutta, 10 miles up stream and near the base of the hills
in 1870 and 1871 rather more than 100 acres were planted.
The site, however, proved so unhealthy that it was abandoned owing to loss of
life and invaliding among the establishment. Fortunately at this time an opportunity
presented itself of acquiring by purchase a block of land containing some superior
planting sites, and almost surrounded by Government land planted or in forest. Here
operations have been carried on since. In order to make up for the break of continuity
caused by the plantings of 1870 and 1871 having been carried out at a site that had to be
abandoned, 235 acres were planted in 1872 so as to bring up the average to 80 acres for
the 3 years, which average was maintained during 1873 and 1874.
During these last two years operations had been carried on simultaneously at
the newly-acquired site at Amarapalam, so as to open up a different source of labour-
supply through the village of Vandur, and create a basis of operations for further
extension at the Karimpula site. It is, however, not advisable to go further into these
particulars, but to confine observations to the area already described, amounting to
2,730 acres, the object of this paper being to investigate the actual position of the
undertaking, with reference to the ascertained survey areas.
To determine the success of the enterprise the questions to be asked are : What
have the plantations cost ? What do they now return ? What are they likely hereafter to
return ?
Taking as a basis the calculations made in 1872 at the suggestion of Major
Pearson, and adding the subsequent cost, the total outlay on the plantations is Rs.
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2,29,0001, of which since 1863 a sum of Rs. 1,01,000 has been recouped by thinnings,
leaving the net cost Rs. 1,28,000. The opponents of planting, however, maintain that up
to the period when interest is returned the cost must include compound interest at 4 per
cent on the original outlay.
As a matter of pure calculation of financial results this must be conceded,
without, however, admitting that on the showing of absolute profit thus computed is to
depend the question of whether a certain portion of the Forest Revenue is to be
returned to the land in view to reproduction of timber.
NOTEs: 1. Labour has cost 4 annas a day for many years. In the earlier years the cost was less. It
may be roughly estimated that at present rates planting costs Ra. 30 an acre—felling, burning, pitting,
planting, and once weeding, nurseries and establishment being included. END OF NOTEs
If the net expenditure of each year is taken and calculated up to 1874, at

compound interest, the debt against the plantations amounts to Rs. 2,35,000.
NOTEs: This includes payments for land, viz., in 1840 for lease from Pagoda Committee Rs.
9,000 and in 1871 for Chetumboria planting site Rs. 5,000. END OF NOTEs
To estimate fairly the position, annual extensions must be kept out of sight, and
the capital account closed. In 2 or 3 years there would be no very young plantations
unable to take care of themselves and entailing, therefore, heavy expenditure. The future
outlay will then be restricted to fire-tracing, clearing parasites, watching and thinning out
of saplings.
A third of the existing establishment might be debited to the plantations,
leaving the remainder to be divided between the natural forest operations, and
extensions of plantations on new site.
Altogether an annual expenditure of Rs. 5,000 would probably suffice.
An annual revenue from thinnings of Rs. 10,000 would thus cover the upkeep,
and pay 4 per cent current interest on the actual outlay ; and the question is, do the facts
lead to anticipate a steady income of this amount ? The actuals derived from the sale of
thinnings have been as under:
1863 12,044 1870 4,173
1864 1,216 1871 5,583
1865 16,776 1872 843
1866 9,307 1873 7,378
1867 15,647 1874 11,162
1868 500 12 years 94,144
1869 9,515 Per year 7,845
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William Logan
The period from 1868 to 1872, inclusive, shows a falling off. This may be partly
accounted for by the fact that in the first year or two, owing to previous neglect of
thinning, the return may have been abnormally large.
A further explanation will be found in the fact that at about 10 years of age a
plantation begins to yield profitable thinnings, and that if the old years' figures be
scrutinised, it will be observed that the years that supplied annually to each of these 6
years a plantation for the first time yielding profitable thinnings were those in which a
marked diminution in the average area of extension is apparent. Thus the acreage
planted, 1858—1862 inclusive, was only 256 acres, or an average of about 50 acres
compared to an average of 100 in the earlier period.
During the next 10 years, on the other hand, the annual acreage that will come
under thinning each year is 110, and when in addition to this, allowance is made for
older plantations requiring thinning for a 2nd and 3rd time, there seems a fair ground for
anticipating a gradual increase of income from this source.
The following table shows the classification of thinnings for the market :-
Class Average diameter Average length Estimated yield
Inch Feet Rs. A to Rs. A
Superior 3½ to 4 30 to 40 1 0 to 4 0
1 2½ to 3 30 to 45 1 0 to 2 0
2 2 to 3 30 to 40 0 12 to 1 4
3 1½ to 2 20 to 35 0 6 to 0 12
4 1 to 1½ 15 to 30 0 1 to 0 8
During the last few years some saplings have been annually brought to market
realising from Rs. 5 to 10 each. This class must undoubtedly increase in number rapidly,
as the plantations increase in age ; and here a few remarks may be appropriately
introduced as to the system that has hitherto guided the selection of trees for thinning.
The idea of revenue has been entirely and most wisely ignored, the number removed
being decided solely with reference to requirements of space and light, inferior trees
being invariably, if possible, removed in preference to superior.
The original planting may be reckoned as giving 1,100 trees to the acre, of
which a considerable number never make any show, being dwarfed in the first 3 or 4
years by exceptionally vigorous neighbours, or perishing from other causes.
The first thinnings are not worth removal. The trees remaining per acre at 10,
20 and 30 years may be roughly stated at 750, 500 and 150 respectively.
Thus each tree in a 30 years’ old plantation represents a selection, partly natural,
partly in accordance with principles of forestry of 1 in 7.
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The farther reduction that will ensue is a matter of somewhat uncertain

conjecture ; but, if a final crop is taken at 80 years old, a clean cut being then made,
block by block, it is estimated that the trees would be of a size to admit of not more
than 50 to the acre, so that 100 trees per acre would be obtained from a 30 years’ old
plantation before the final crop was taken—timber that would be suitable for minor
building purposes, for sleepers and for bridge work of a certain class.
The finding of a market for the ordinary thinnings of the classes before noted is
an important consideration, and on the success with which the thinnings are brought to
market at the right period and judiciously disposed of, the income from this source
greatly depends.
There is a limit to the extent to which this class of materials can command a
local market, and it is only the exceptional demand at Calicut that has hitherto admitted
of so large an income being obtained. Calicut is a great enterpot for the trade of the
Persian Gulf and Arabian Ports, and a demand for poles and minor building materials is
naturally great from these rainless regions, not to mention the demand for materials so
suitable as these are for the rigging of Native craft.
As years advanced, of course, the numbers of the thinnings of the smaller
classes would decrease ; but, on the whole, it is probable that taking into consideration
the increase in the larger timber annually removed, the revenue would at least maintain
itself at 10,000, and thus simple interest and working expenses be secured till the final
crop was realised. It is even likely that this amount may be largely exceeded, and any
excess will be so much towards extinguishing the debt.
Captain Seaton, whose estimate is the most careful and business-like of any I
have yet seen, calculated the final crop at 100 acres a year, of 50 trees to the acre and 50
cub. ft, to the tree, and taking the rates realised at Rs. 1, 1½ and 2 a cub. ft. he shewed a
profit of Rs. 40 per tree, or 2 lakhs annually.
The figures given in this report show that the average area planted annually for
the 30 years has been 91 acres, and from this a deduction is necessary to cover spaces,
where from some cause or another there has been failure, or where hereafter failure may
occur. Looking at the long period of time that is to elapse, the area may, from this cause,
bo reduced yearly 25 per cent, say to 70 acres. The yield per tree of 50 cub. ft. seems a
moderate estimate, considering that exceptionally fine trees might now be pointed out in
parts of the older plantations containing more than half that quantity1.
NOTEs: 1. Mr. Stanbrough, Assistant Conservator, took measurements in 1874, and calculated
on them an average of 1,500 cub. ft. per acre of timber in the plantations of 1844-1863, inclusive—the
maximum of a year being 2,500 and minimum 1,350. Further measurements and calculations are desirable.
END OF NOTEs
Supposing the average price to be 1 - 8, a net profit of Rs. 40 leaves Rs. 35 for
expenses, or 11 annas a cub. ft. This, if applying merely to felling and floating, is
excessive, as it is well known that inferior woods, fetching no more than 4 and 5 annas a
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William Logan
cub. ft. in the Calicut market, are profitably removed from forests further up the same
rivers, and consequently more expensive to work.
Establishment charge, too, would dwindle to a very small figure per cub. ft. over
such extensive operations.
It is doubtless safe to allow a wide margin in such calculations, but here there is
sufficient to cover not only large excess in cost of operations but also a falling off in the
number of trees per acre or in the price realised.
Regarding this last it seems very improbable that at such a distant date, when it
may be presumed the natural supply of timber in the market will have so much
diminished, an average rate of Rs. 1½ per cub. ft. will not be realised by teak of the
clean, straight, sound growth, for which the Nilambur Valley teak is celebrated, a
character which in the plantations promises to be fully maintained.
Colonel Beddome's apprehension that the quality of the timber will be found in
a considerable degree inferior in the market to Anamala teak does not seem well
grounded2, especially when the absence of heartshake and the economy of working
secured by straight growth is considered. A comparison of the conditions under which
the two classes of timber can be brought to market shows what a hopeless disadvantage
the Anamala teak labours under.
NOTEs: 2. Here and there natural teak trees have been left standing, to the great detriment of
saplings planted near them. They are from time to time felled, and a batch of such logs was seen by Colonel
Morgan, Conservator of the Mudamala Teak Forest, and Mr. Douglas, Conservator of the Anamalas, while
inspecting in 1872. A fair sample of the batch was judged by these two competent authorities to be some 60
years old and to contain 50 cub. ft. of timber worth, from its even growth and quality, Rs. 2 a cub. ft. in the
market depot, to which Rs. 5 or 6 would suffice to transport it. END OF NOTEs
Speaking of the latter, in a letter, dated 14th May 1875, No. 128 (G.O., Madras
Government, Public Works Department, 6th July 1877), Captain Campbell Walker
observes that he doubts whether Rs. 1½ a cub. ft. for timber delivered in Coimbatore
leaves any profit to the department, and Colonel Beddome, under date 19th April 1876
(vide same proceedings), wrote that it was very evident that those rates could not be
remunerative or even cover working expenses.
In other words, the Anamala teak, despite its excellent quality, can scarcely be
brought to market for the market value owing to the absence of perfect water
communication between the forests and market depot. Hitherto the use of teak generally
for bridge work has been on the west coast greatly discouraged by the difficulty of
securing with certainty and with no very long notice a large number of beams of the
necessary scantling, and hence either inferior sorts of timber are used or iron girders
imported.
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Malabar
With these compact areas to work on, and the great number and uniformity of
growth of the trees, it may be fairly expected that teak for bridge work will be much
more extensively used when the plantations begin to mature their crop.
It must be freely admitted that all calculations of this nature are liable to error,
but making all allowances, it seems impossible to resist the conclusion that eventually
the result of the plantations must be to contribute to the wants of the country an
immense stock of useful material, realising such a revenue as fully to reimburse the State
for their outlay even after compound interest for the unproductive period is allowed.
This result must be deemed a satisfactory outcome of the exertions of Mr. Conolly, the
zealous pioneer of the enterprise, of the late Chattu Menon, the native Conservator, who
for 20 years carried on the operations, and of Mr. Ferguson, whose skilled and
unremitting attention during the last 14 years has brought the plantations to their
present pitch.
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William Logan
APPENDIX.
A.—MEMORANDUM ON
GROWING SEEDLINGS FROM
TEAK SEED, PLANTING OUT, Etc
By Mr. J. Ferguson, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Nilambur.
1. Collect seed from trees with a clear stem free from decay and of vigorous
growth ; February, the best month to collect in.
2. Preparation of Nursery Beds.—-Select good free soil, dig 12 inches deep,
removing weeds, roots and stones. When caked, the soil should be reduced to a fine
mould, and the nursery levelled ; line off beds, 3½ feet wide and one foot space betwixt
each bed and its fellow, then raise an outer edging round each bed, 3 to 4 inches high ;
beds when thus finished will be about 2½ feet wide between the edgings, and 120 seers
of seed will suffice for 150 feet in length of the above-sized beds ; sow from 10th to 15th
April, before sowing steep the seed forty-eight hours in water, then sow and cover with
a thin covering of fine soil, nearly ¾ inch, then cover with straw to retain the moisture ;
betwixt the soil and straw a few very small twigs without leaves to prevent the straw
from being washed into the soil by water ; which, if allowed, is apt to destroy the young
seedlings on its (the straw's) removal.
Water daily copiously, say a common earthen pot of water to each two running
feet in length of bed, less or more, according to free soil or otherwise. ln this way the
seed will germinate in from 10 to 15 or 20 days or more according to freeness of soil,
waterless as the plant strengthens, but keeping up sufficient moisture till the monsoon
sets in from the 1st to the 3rd week in June, when the plants will be from 4 to 8 inches
high and ready for planting out permanently.
3. The site for planting should be selected and felled in December, allowed to
dry till March, fired, then cross cut, piled, and burned off, and after the soil is softened
by the rains, line and mark off the pits the required distance apart ; from 6 to 7 feet
answers well, the pits dug from 10 to 12 inches square, and equal depth and filled in as
dug with earth slightly raised around tops.
4. Planting.—The seedling should be put well down in the pit, taking care the
tap root is not twisted and turned up (to prevent which the tap root is shortened to 6
inches as lifted from the bed) ; . when planting the cooly inserts his hand the required
depth perpendicularly, taking out the soil and putting the seedlings with the other hand
(as above without twisting or turning up the root), putting back the removed soil and
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Malabar
pressing it firmly round (without damaging) the plant, and this prevents its being wind
waved before taking root.
5. Planting should take place after the soil is well saturated with rain ; from the
10th to 30th June and 8th July is the best season, as afterwards the seedling’s tap root
rapidly swells like a carrot and does not throw out fibrous roots, nor establish itself
either so quickly or so well as before that state of growth.
When the planting cannot be finished by the 8th of July, the small vigorous
seedlings, which continue to germinate up till August and will even germinate after
twelve and fourteen months in the beds, should be selected in preference to the larger
and more robust with the carroty roots.
Note by the Officiating Inspector
I am informed by the Conservator of Forests, Southern Division, Bombay, that
he has tried transplanting Teak Seedlings in the nursery before planting out, with the
best results, and as this plan mitigates the difficulty to which Mr. Ferguson refers with
regard to the long carroty-roots, it appears worthy of trial where circumstances admit.
The Conservator of Forests, Southern Division, Bombay, has promised a memorandum
on the subject which will be circulated on receipt.
OOTACAMUND, (Signed) C. WALKER, Capt.,
26th March 1874. Offg. Inspector of Forests
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William Logan
B. MEMORANDUM on PLANTING
EXPENSES
By Mr. J. Ferguson, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Nilambur,
Cost per acre of planting natural forest.
Rs. A. P.
Weeding undergrowth preparatory to felling 2 0 0
Felling 5 0 0
Firing the jungle as first felled 0 4 0
Cross cutting remains of first burn 3 8 0
Piling and burning off clear 10 0 0
Lining, marking, pitting and planting out 3 8 0
Weeding and hoeing round the plants 2 8 0
Second weeding 1 4 0
Third weeding 1 4 0
Fourth weeding 1 4 0
Teak seeds 2 parrahs 0 8 0
Preparing, sowing and watering nursery beds 3 0 0
Contingencies 2 0 0
Total 36 0 0
Cost per acre of subsequent Maintenance.

2nd year 3rd year 4th year 5th year 6th year
Rs. A. P Rs. A. P Rs. A. P Rs. A. P Rs. A. P
First weeding 2 8 0 1 8 0 1 0 0 0 12 0 0 12 0
Second do 2 8 0 2 4 0 1 12 0 1 4 0 1 4 0
Third do 2 8 0 2 0 0 1 4 0 1 0 0
Fourth do 2 8 0
Pruning 0 4 0 0 8 0 0 8 0 0 12 0 0 12 0
Total 10 4 0 6 4 0 4 8 0 3 12 0 2 12 0
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The above rates are for plantations formed from old natural forests, and should
meet all charges on ordinary soil exclusive of superintendence.
If the soil is very fine, and has been previously cropped more than once, the
coat of felling and burning will be reduced, but the cost of weeding will be increased for
the 1st, 2nd and 3rd years, but as the plants begin to cover the ground the undergrowth
decreases considerably. If the plantations are intended for first-class timber the thinning
should begin from the 6th or 7th year.
NOTES
The memorandum on the Conolly Teak Plantations at Nilambur, by Mr. Atholl
MacGregor, the late Collector of Malabar, in 1874, does not seem to have included the
operations carried out at Nellikutta, Amarapalam, etc., which lie at some distance from
Nilambur itself. Of course, at the period, viz., 1874, when the memorandum was drawn
up, about three-fourths of the existing acreage of plantations had been finished, and
almost all of this acreage was confined to the Nilambur, Valluvasheri and Chatamborai
blocks all situated close to Nilambur.
The account of expenditure and revenue of these selected areas only has been
given in the memorandum, whilst that recorded below treats of the whole plantation.
The system worked out and the figures adopted in the report No. 104 of 20th
April 1878, by Colonel Beddome in reference to G.O. No. 2846, dated 24th September
1877, differ greatly from those adopted in Mr. MacGregor’s memorandum, and they
embrace the whole plantation.
Colonel Baddome's system has accordingly been adopted and the annual figures
are recorded below up to date in the forms therein prescribed.
401
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402
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403
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404
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405
William Logan
For the purpose of showing the valuation of plantations in the annual Code
form No. 60, the total of column 7 in statement A above, viz., Rs. 2,14,786, has been
adopted at the suggestion of the Conservator of Forests, as charges debited under A-
VIII (d) in accordance with the Code para, 239. The amount, viz., Rs. 3,78,121 of the
corresponding column 6 in statement B above, is the total revenue realised up to date
from the thinnings, and this deducting the actual cost, viz., Rs. 2,14,786, shows a surplus
revenue of Rs. 1,63,335 in favour of the plantations.
In the absence of any record of the revenue and expenditure under ‘‘Plantation
proper” with 4 per cent compound interest up to date, it had to be worked out from the
very beginning, and the following are the results obtained. In making the calculations to
avoid tedious multiplication figures, fractions of 100 above 50 have been treated as 100,
and fractions of 100 amounting to 50 or less have been omitted.
I Rs.
Plantation outlay from commencement up to date calculated at 4 per 4,11,28
cent compound interest is
Plantation revenue from commencement up to date calculated at- 4 per 5,20,734

cent compound interest
Surplus revenue in favour of plantation 1,09,440
II Rs.
Grand total of the expenditure as per column 10 of the statement A 7,28,19*
above
Grand total of receipts as per column 9 of the statement B above 7,31,222

Surplus revenue in favour of division 3,023
III Rs.
Grand total of expenditure with 4 per cent compound interest 12,86,640
recorded up to date
Grand total of revenue with 4 per cent compound interest recorded up 10,66,253
to date
Balance against the division 2,20,387
It will be advantageous here to quote paragraph 58 of Colonel Beddome’s

report above referred to.
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"The two following statements show all expenditure (establishment and

working charges) and all receipts up to date. Mr. MacGregor, in his report which is only
down to 1874, estimates all charges and receipts on the surrounding forests which are
really part and parcel of the land handed over for planting, and he excludes the sale-
proceeds on timber cut in these tracts and on timber cut on the tracts actually planted ;
he also only debits a certain portion of the establishment charges (i.e., one-third) against
the plantations. This does not appear to me the proper way to treat the question.
“Certain tracts of forests are taken up by Government for planting, and the
felling and sale of the timber removed from the portions planted and the treatment as
forest of such portions not adapted for planting are all necessarily part of the same
transaction and cannot be treated separately. By the terms of the agreements we pay 30
per cent on the net proceeds of all jungle timber cut off plantation sites, and 50 per cent
on the same cut in the "natural forests,” and a stump fee of one rupees on all teak and
blackwood trees cut in the natural forest, so that to these operations two-thirds of the
pay of establishment are also debited ; there is a loss instead of a profit ; so that Mr.
MacGregor’s plan is a little in favour of the plantations although there is not much
difference, but it leads to complication.”
The two statements referred to by Colonel Beddome in the above-quoted
paragraph of his report are in much the same forms in which the statements A and B
above given have been prepared, the only difference being that in A and B revenues and
charges debitable respectively to “natural forests” and "plantations” have been at the
suggestion of the Conservator of Forests more clearly brought out.
The following table shows the present classification of thinnings for the market
with their estimated yield shown against each item :-
Classification Quarter Average Average Estimated Remarks
girth on diameter at length yield
centre butt end
INCHES INCHES FEET Rs.
Superior 5 and .. 30 5
large saplings more
Do small 7 30 3
1st class 6 27 2 Dry saplings.
2nd class 5 25 1 Crooked do.
3rd class 4 20 Butt ends of

¾
broken saplings
4th class 3 15 ½ of the first four
desriptIons.
5th class 2½ 12 ⅛
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William Logan
6th class ⅜
1/16
7th class
8th class ⅛
The following tabular statements C to E are in connection with the preliminary

working scheme for five years' thinning of the teak plantations, framed by the
Conservator of Forests when he inspected the division in October 1885. This has been
recorded in detail in his inspection report embodied in Board’s Proceedings, No. 3263,
F-659, dated 30th November 1885. The system has been adopted during the year and the
result is yet to be decided.
C. — Statement showing approximately the number of trees which should be removed and left
standing in the Teak Plantations during quinquennial periods from the 11th to 61st year of growth.
Age Number Number to be removed
remaining at during each period.
each period.
1 to 11 years *1,100 300

End of 11th year 800 200
Do. 16th do. 600 200
Do. 21st do. 400 160
Do. 26th do. 250 130
Do. 31st do. 120 10
Do. 36th do. 110 10
Do. 41st do. 100 10
Do. 46th do. 90 10
Do. 51st do. 80 10
Do. 56th do. 70 10
Do. 61st do. 60 10
*N.B.—Trees planted per acre (allowing for casualties unreplaced, roads, and other unplanted spaces).
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411
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APPENDIX XXI
WALLUVANAD TALUK
By P. Karunakara Menon.
Boundaries.—The Taluk is bounded on the north by Ernad Taluk and a portion

of Nilgiris district, on the east by Coimbatore district, on the south by Palghat Taluk,
Cochin State and Ponnani Taluk, and on the west by the Ponnani and Ernad Taluks.
Area. —According to the figures adopted for the census of 1881, the total area
of the Taluk is 963 square miles ; 137,417 acres or about 214 square miles of which are
under cultivation, and 273,454 acres cultivable, while 3,000 acres represent the extent of
hills and forest and other lands not
cultivable.
Soil—The soil is chiefly red
loam, except where black alluvial
clay is found in the valleys.
Topography.-—The Taluk
extends along the foot the Western
Ghauts, many spurs of which run
into it, e.g. in the amsams of Tuvur,
Tiruvalamkunnu, Kottopadam,
Arakurushi, Tenkara,
Kumaramputtur, Kalladikkod, etc.
A part of the Arakurushi amsam lies
east of the ghaut and is known as
the Attappadi valley which contains the head waters of the Baavani river. The area of the
valley is estimated at about 200 square miles. The whole of it as well as the spurs and
slopes of the ghaut are covered with valuable timber and other trees, and abound in
elephants, bison, tigers, sambur, etc.
There are also several detached hills in the Taluk, such as Panakkodan mala, the
Avunhikkadan mala, the Chirattamanna mala, the Anangan mala1, etc. The whole Taluk
may be said to be one series of hills and dales, the latter being cultivable with paddy,
while the borders of the former are covered with gardens containing jack, areca, and
various other trees, in the midst of which stand the houses of the people.
NOTEs: 11. The origin of this word Anangan is interpreted in two ways—(1) picturesque (the Sanskrit
word Anangan being a synonym for cupid), (2) without limbs (the Sankrit word signifying അൻ =
without, and അംഗം = limbs) meaning that the hill is one single elevation without arms. END OF
NOTEs
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William Logan
These hills are covered with scrub jungle or grass, and afford pasturage for
cattle and thatching material for the houses of the poorer classes2. The principal rivers
are the Ponnani or Walayar river which forms2 the southern boundary of the Taluk, the
Malappuram or Anakkayam river which forms the northern boundary and the
Mannarghat or Thutha river, a tributary of the Ponnani river. All those streams are
perennial and are largely used for floating timber in rafts from the hills to the coast
during the rainy season and are also passable for small boats for several miles except in
the hot season.
NOTEs: 2. In the Nenmani hills experimental coffee cultivation is carried on. END OF NOTEs
The subjoined table gives the rainfall of the Taluk for a series of years.-
From all these it may easily be concluded that the climate is not very healthy, fever is
present more or less throughout the year and is the chief prevailing disease. In the
months of January, February and March generally a sort of malarious fever prevails
throughout the Taluk, sometimes, attended with serious results.
Population.—The total population, as per last census is 308,102 against 292,482 in 1871.
Of this number 153,236 are males and 154,866 females. Hindus number 225,075,
Muhammadans 82,883, Christians 142 and "Others" 2. The average population per
square mile is 320, but in reality it is far greater, inasmuch as Attappadi valley in
Arakurushi amsam and the portion of the Taluk along the foot of the ghauts is very
thinly peopled ; while a great part of the Taluk is not at all inhabited.
The total number of houses in 1881 was 57,220, of which 52,644 were occupied and
4,576 unoccupied. There were 55 occupied and 5 unoccupied houses in every square
mile, and on an average 5.9 persons in every occupied house. As elsewhere in the
district, all houses stand in detached "compounds,” except in the case of towns and
bazaars, where they are built in the form of streets. The bulk of the people are occupied
in cultivating the soil.
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The figures in the above table against “agricultural” shows the largest number as
compared with the other Taluks of the district.
The language spoken is Malayalam, except in the case of foreigners. In the
Attappadi valley, however, the inhabitants, who are quite ignorant and without any
education, speak a form, of Canarese.
Administrative Divisions.—For purposes of administration the Taluk is divided
into 64 amsams, each having an Adhikari who collects the tax and is also Village
Magistrate and Munsif, and who has under him an accountant (menon) and a couple of
peons, except in one instance (Arakurishj amsam) in which the number of peons is four.
There is of course a Tahsildar with the powers of a Magistrate of the 2nd class, whose
headquarters are at Perintalmanna and who is assisted in his revenue work by a Deputy
Tahsildar stationed at Cherupulasseri and usually invested with 2nd-class magisterial
powders
Cultivation, etc. —The staple produce is rice, though arcea, jack, and plantains
are also grown largely and coconuts on a small scale The areas under the several crops
arc returned as follows —
Nanja 78,815
Gardens 23,116
Punja 35,486
"Punja" represents upland cultivation, such as modan, punam, gingelly, etc. The
areas under each crop vary considerably from year to year, according to the nature of the
season and other circumstances.
Particulars of Revenue —The subjoined statement shows the Revenue of the
Taluk from various sources for a series of years.-
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William Logan
Roads.—The Taluk is intersected by 17 main roads :
The most important of these is road No. 7 from Palghat (via Parli), Pattambi,
etc., to Ponnani, which enters the Taluk at the south-eastern corner and traverses its
whole length along the southern boundary, a distance of 24 miles. Next in order comes
road No. 6 from Calicut to Palghat via Kondotti and Malapuram ; the total length of it
in this Taluk is 39 miles.
The Madras Railway passes through the Taluk nearly parallel to road No. 7.
Pattambi, Shorannur, Ottappalam and Lakkidi are Railway stations in the Taluk.
Pattambi is the nearest station to the headquarters of the Taluk from which it is distant
14 miles. The Deputy Tahsildar's station (Cheruplasseri) is about 13 and about 12 miles
respectively by road from Pattambi and Ottappalam, while Shorannur and Lakkidi are
farther off.
The subjoined list gives information regarding the principal festivals in the
Taluk:-
No Name of festival Probable Durati Locality.
number on.
of
persons
attending
.
Hindus Days
1 Tirumandha Kunnath Puram 8000 15 Angadipuram
2 Cheruplasseri Utsavam 2000 8 Cheruplasseri
3 Mulayankavil Baghavati temple Kutu Puram 2000 45 Kulukalur
4 Muthassiarkavil Talappoli 1000 23
5 Mundakot Kurusi Cheriya Mulankutkavil 1000 23 Mundakot
Kutu Puram Kurusi
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6 Mullanhur Kavil Bharni Vela 1000 1 Mulanhur

7 Tinakaturkavil Talappoli Puram 2500 2 Do
8 Ariankovil Kuttu Puram 3000 21 Kunattara.
9 Srikurumbakavil Uchcharal Vela 1500 1 Kulappalli
10 Mannarkatt Puram 4000 8 Arakurussi
11 Parianpatty do 3000 7 Mutedath
Madamba
12 Panankumsikavil do 2500 8 Chettallur
13 Karimpuzha Utsavam 1000 7 Karimbuzha
14 Tiruvallayanatt Baghavati do 1000 7 Do
15 Nalussiri Baghavatikavil Puram 1200 7 Ellampulasseri
16 Tiruvegapuram Sivaratri 2,000 14 Naduvattom
17 Tutakkal Puram 2000 25 Do
18 Cherambatta Puram 1000 7 Chalavara
Mussulman
1 Vettattur Kappil Nercha 2500 8 Vettattur
The following statement gives the particulars of weekly fairs or markets held in
the Taluk :-
No Name of fair Amsom in Day of the Distance Number of Principal articles
which held week from taluk people brought for sale
headquarters assembling
in miles
1 Mangata Mangata Sunday 6 100 Betel lead and nuts,
2 Kulattur Kulattur Friday 8 200 curry stuffs and
3 Tiruvegapuram Naduvattam Monday 14 400 sundry
4 Cherupulasserai Cherupulasserai Wednesday 10 500 miscellaneous
article.
5 Vaniamkulam Kunattara Thursday 20 5,000 Betel lead and nuts,
curry stuffs and
sundry
miscellaneous
article and cattle,
ginger (dried), etc.
6 Ottapalam Chunangad Saturday 21 400 Miscellaneous do.
7 Pattambi Netrimangalam Tuesday 14 600 Do
8 Pattirippala Perur Sunday 30 500 Do
9 Srikrishnapuram Srikrishnapuram Tuesday 16 200 Do
10 Mannarkad Arakurussi Saturday 18 500 Do
11 Alallur Arakparamba Thursday 10 200 Do
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William Logan
12 Angadipuram Perintalmanna Sunday Headquarters 1500 Do. and iron,
cloths, oils,
coconuts, etc., etc.
CHIEF TOWNS OR VILLAGES

Perintalmanna.—Chiefly inhabited by Mappillas is the headquarters of the
Taluk. There is also a Munsif Court, Sub-Registrar’s office, Post office and a school ; six
miles from Perintalmanna is Mankata, the seat of the Walluvanad Raja, who enjoys a
Malikhana of Rs. 13,400 from Government.
Angadipuram.—Has a beautiful temple called Tirumandhan kunnu situated on
the top of a hill. In the well-known Mappilla outrage of 1849, the insurgents occupied
this temple and were shot in the vicinity. In memory of two privates of H.M.’s 94th
Regiment who fell in the action, the Walluvanad Raja, the owner of the temple, has
caused a tomb to be erected over their graves in the compound of the public bungalow.
The tomb bears the inscription shown in the margin (below).
Within this tomb rest the remains of James Hart and Thomas Blake,
late privates in the Grenadier Company H. M.'s 94th Kegimont. They
fell in action on the 4th September 1849 while gallantly contesting with
a band of fanatic Mappillas at a temple near Angadipuram, the property
of Raja of Walluvanad who has caused this tomb to be erected in
memory of the departed and as a small return for the services rendered
him on that day by their surviving comrade of the Grenadiers.
The following tradition is told of the origin of this temple.

The site of the temple was originally a forest. A female of the Cheruma caste
while lopping the branches of a tree happened to sharpen her knife on a stone close by.
Whereupon the stone began to bleed. This news was carried to one Kattilamittath
Nambudiri, who believing in the sanctity of the stone, cleared the jungle around, while
another (Chenamkandath) Nambudiri cleared the ground and a third, Pandalakkott
Nambudiri, erected a pandal over the stone and commenced to make pujas and
eventually a temple was erected at the spot.
There is an important mosque also in the place known by the name of
Puthanangadi Palli about 3 miles west of the Taluk cutcheri. The mosque has an
inscription in Arabic engraved on planks and set up in the walls explaining the benefits
of erecting a mosque. This Palli consists of two separate buildings close to each other.
Originally there was only a single building, but another was built close by subsequently
for the following reasons given by tradition.
Karuvayur Mussad, the prime minister of the Walluvanad Raja, took oath to
pull down the original mosque. On the other hand one Murikunnan Pokar Muppan also
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took oath that he would take off the head of the Mussad if he were to pull down the
mosque, and exhibit the same for public view on the spot as a sign of revenge
(െവ ലകു ുക) and also that two mosques shall be erected in the place of one. The
Mussad and both accomplished their respective aims. Hence the presence of two
mosques now in the same compound adjoining each other.
Mannarkatt.—This is a jungly place. Horns, honey and wax are obtained
abundantly and cheap. This place took its importance as the centre of commerce in
olden times. The different products of the Attappadi valley are brought down here and
taken to various places
Karimpozha.—This is the seat of the Eralppad or second Raja of the Zamorin
family. The celebrated Hindu author, Thunchath Ezhuthassan, lived here. There are a
number of families of Chettis who manufacture thin cloths of the patterns peculiar to
natives (male and female) of Malabar and similar in kind, though inferior in quality, to
those manufactured in Tinnevelly. The cloth is known by the name of "Karimpula
Pavu.’’
Cherupulasseri.—There are the Deputy Tahsildar’s office. Sub-registry office, a
school and a Post office here. There is also a temple called "Ayyappan Kavu."’
Vaniamkulam.—Has the most important fair in the district. Cattle, grains, nuts, fish
(dried), cloths of various sorts and curry stuffs are obtainable at the fair. Elephants and
horses are also brought here for sale at times.
Police.—The following is the list of Police stations in the taluk:-
Name of station Amsam in which Remarks.
situated.
1. Angatipuram Perintalmanna Headquarters of the taluk
2. Kutattur Kulattur 8 miles from do.
3. Malattur Melattur 10 miles from do.
4. Allallur Arakparamba 12 miles from do.
5. Mannarkatt Arakurushi 18 miles from do.
6. Cherupulasseri Cherupulasseri Headquarters of the Deputy
Tahsildar Magistrate.
7. Srikrishnapuram Srikrishnapuram 8 miles from do.
8. Koppam Vilayur 7 miles from do.
9. Pattambi Netrimangalam 10 miles from do.
10. Cheruvannur Mundamuka 14 miles from do.
11. Ottapalam Chunangad 11 miles from do.
Religious Institutions.—-The following is the list of religious institutions in the

Taluk :—
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William Logan
Name of institution. Amount of Amsam in which
Inam grant situated.
from the
government
Rs. A. P.
1. Tirumandhankunnu temple 222 6 11 Angatipuram.
2. Andimahakalan do. 9 0 0 Kalladipatta.
3. Kallaribhagavati do. 5 8 0 Vilayur.
4. Chunangad do. 10 0 0 Chanangad
5. Tekkekavil Gurutiraman do. 2 0 0 Do.
6. Panamanna Sankaranarayana do. 17 0 0 Do.
7. Vettekorumakan do. 1 0 0 Srikrishnapuram.
8. Pariyanampatta Bhagavati do. 6 8 0 Mutedath
Madamb.
9. Kodarmanna do. 2 0 0 Srikrishnapuram.
10. Vettekorumakan do. 0 8 0 Eledath Madamb.
11. Parizhakatt do. 0 8 0 Do.
12. Cherukettpulam Siva do. 1 8 0 Kuattara.
Total 277 14 11
Sattram
Chunangatt sattram 516 2 8 Immovable
property paying
the revenue is
granted.
Trigonometrical Survey Stations.
Name of G.T.S Series. Modern values Remarks

stations. Latitude Longitude
1. Pranakod H.S Modern 10° 58' 46.65" 76° 20' 01.31" In Chettallur
amsam about 7
miles from
headquarters.
2. Anangamalei Do. 10° 49' 10.90" 76° 25' 49.66" In Chunangad
H.S. amsam about
16 miles from
headquarters.
List of Charitable Institutions in the Taluk.
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Name of institution. No. of Amount of

persons Inam
fed daily. grant, if
any.
1. Angadipuram sattram 60 Rs. A. P.
2. Pattambi do. 15
3. Mannarkkatt do. 15
4. Srikrishnapuram do. 25
5. Karimpuzha do. 50
6. Cherupulasseri do. 35
7. Chunangad do. 30 516 2 8
8. Ottapalam do. 35
9. Andimahakalan do. 20
10.Tutakkal do. 20
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William Logan
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PALGHAT TALUK
By P. Karunakara Menon.
Position.—This is the easternmost Taluk of the District and lies between 10°
25' and 10° 55' N. Lat. and between 76° 27' and 76° 55' E. Long. It formerly comprised
the Taluks of Palghat and Temmalapuram which were amalgamated into one in 1861.
Boundaries.—North, Walluvanad Taluk; east, Coimbatore and Pollachi Taluks
in the Coimbatore District and Cochin State ; south, the Native State of Cochin ; west,
the Cochin State and Walluvanad Taluk.
Area.—The Taluk not having been yet fully surveyed the exact area is not
known ; but, for the purposes of the census of 1881, it was taken to be 613 square miles.
Soil—Topography.—The District not having been surveyed the true nature of
the soil too is not known, but speaking in general terms it may be described as black
loam. This Taluk is singularly diversified and interesting in its physical aspect, especially
towards the hilly tracts along the Coimbatore and Cochin frontiers.
The most striking feature in its configuration is the extensive gap historically
known by the name of the “Palghat Gap” in the otherwise unbroken great range of the
Western Ghauts, about 25 miles across and more than 6,000 feet lower than the hills on
its north and south and lying on the meridian of 76° 45' E and between the parallels of
10° 33' N. and 10° 52' N. This remarkable opening with the lofty Nilgiri Hills and the
Anamalas on either side, overtopping the ranges by several thousand feet, the numerous
projecting off-shoots of the main chain separating the Taluk from the neighbouring
Coimbatore District with their heavy forests, extensive ravines and jungles stretching
westwards the forest-clad uplands and the gradually succeeding flat rice fields fringed
with high palmyra groves and the numerous mountain torrents and small rivers : all
combined give an enchantment to the scenery.
Almost all these extensive and valuable forests are private property, except the
two Government forests known by the names of the "Chenat Nayar” and the "Walayar”
Reserves.
The former of these two reserve forests is a block of hill forest which originally
formed portion of the Chenat Nayar escheat, while the latter comprises the "Varalapadi”
and "Pulampara” forests which were purchased by Government some years ago with the
special object of supplying the Madras Railway Company with wood-fuel. The Chenat
Nayar and the private heavy forests in the Taluk, all contain more or less valuable trees,
among others, teak and blackwood ; while cardamom, honey, gum, &c., constitute the
chief minor produce which is collected in the case of the private forests by the resident
jungle tribes and generally bartered in the plains for the necessaries of life.
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William Logan
The Government forests are under the charge of a Ranger stationed at Palghat,
who is assisted in his work by 7 forest guards. Of the rivers intersecting the Taluk the
most important are the Kalpathi (locally called the Nelanadi) the Kannadi and the
Kollangod (locally designated the Gayathrinadi) rivers.
The first two rivers uniting near Parali take the name of the Ponnani river or
Bharathapula and the last, viz., the Kollangod river, joins the Ponnani river a little
farther on. The Kalpathi river has its source at a place called Chentamarakulam in the
hills north of Walayar where the stream forms the boundary between the Malabar and
Coimbatore Districts, while the other two are said to rise in the Kollangod bluff or the
Malaya mountaim being the north-western extremities of the Anamalas.
Climate, Health and Meteorology.—During the dry season the climate is very
hot, but during the rains it is pleasant and healthy. From November to February a strong
east or land-wind blows almost incessantly through the Palghat Gap which makes the
weather very trying. The water supply generally is satisfactory and the health of the
people, as a rule, good. The prevailing diseases in the Taluk may be said to be smallpox
and fever. The Walayar and other forests are malarious. Cholera makes its appearance
occasionally.
Population.—The census of 1881 revealed a total of 342,454 inhabitants
distributed over 56 amsams and dwelling in 60,351 houses. Classified according to
religion, there were 306,662 Hindus, 32,330 Muhammadans and 3,462 Christians. The
density of the population was per square mile 559 per amsam 6,115 and per house 5—7.
The number of houses returned as unoccupied was 12,234. Of the total population the
number of males was 165,311 and of females 177,143. The percentage of increase in
population, as compared with 1871, was in respect of males 3.82 and in that of females
6.31 or 5.09, of both sexes. The appended statement shows the classification of the
people according to their various occupations:-
Professional 5,090
Domestic 1,526
Commercial 7,097
Agricultural 93,841
Industrial 51,477
Independent 183,423
Total 342,454
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SUB-DIVISIONS OF THE TALUK

FOR ADMINISTRATIVE
PURPOSES
Revenue and Magisterial.—The unit of administration is as elsewhere the
amsam, of which there are 56 in the Taluk, each being under an Adhikari assisted by a
Menon and, except in one or two instances, by two peons. The Adikaris exercise also, as
elsewhere, civil powers in respect of petty suits for sums of money not exceeding Rs. 20
and criminal powers in respect of petty cases of theft and assault, arising in their
respective amsams.
The Tahsildar, assisted by a Deputy Tahsildar to whom are assigned certain
specified amsams, has the general revenue charge of the Taluk. The two officers likewise
exercise magisterial powers, the Deputy Tahsildar over the area constituting his division
and the Tahsildar specially over the remaining portion of the Taluk. The former has his
headquarters at Alathur and the latter at Palghat. This Taluk with its adjoining
Walluvanad Taluk, forms a separate revenue division designated the "Head Assistant’s
Division” placed under the charge of a Head Assistant Collector and Magistrate, whose
headquarters are at Palghat.
Judicial, Civil.—There are two Munsifs’ Courts in the taluk located at Palghat
and Alathur respectively, and also a Sub-Judge’s Court which is stationed at the former
place.
Registration.-- For registration purposes the Taluk is divided into 4 sub-districts
designated the Palghat, Alathur, Koduvayur and Mankara sub-districts, the Sub-
Registrars’ offices being located at Palghat, Alathur, Pudunagaram and Parali
respectively. The Koduvayur Sub-Registrar exercise also magisterial powers in respect of
nuisance cases arising within the Pudunagaram town.
Police.- For Police administration, the Taluk is divided into two divisions each
placed under an Inspector whose headquarters are at Palghat and Alathur respectively.
Railway Stations.—The Madras Railway enters the Taluk at Walayar through the
remarkable Palghat Gap df the Western Ghauts. Its length in the Taluk is about 30
miles. The stations are as follow:-
1. Walayar— 15½ miles east of Palghat
2. Congecode— 8½ miles do. do.
3. Palghat.—This place is specially noted for trade in timber which from the
Mannarghat forests, the Chenat Nayar, Government Reserve and the adjoining private
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forests, is largely brought to the depots belonging to Government and private merchants
and then exported by rail to various parts of the other districts in the Presidency, and
also to other places.
4. Parali.—5¾ miles west of Palghat. There is a Sub-Registrar’s office and a distillery
here, and about 3 miles from the place there is a Police station and also an estate, called
the Mankara Nayar estate under the Court of Wards, which was assumed charge of on
3rd December 1877.
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IMPORTANT TOWNS AND

VILLAGES
Palghat.—[Pala + kadu, a jungle of pala (echites scholaris) trees] — is the chief
inland town in the District and a Municipality, and in respect of population stands next
to the Calicut town in the district and 14th out of a total number of 227 towns as defined
by the last census in the Madras Presidency. The business part of the town lies about 3
miles south of the Olavakod or Palghat-Railway Station and this, with its suburbs
comprising the Municipality, covers an area of more than 9 miles and includes portions
of Koppam, Puthur, Yakkara, Akathethara, Kavalpad, Vadakunthara and Kannadi
amsams.
According to the last census, the total population of the place is 36,339
classified into 30,424 Hindus, 4,854 Muhammadans and 1,061 Christians. The male
population returned is 17,673 and the female 18,666. The following statement compares
houses, population and municipal revenue of the place during the 10 years previous to
the last census : -
Houses Population Revenue
1871 5,561 30,752 17,507
1881 6,081 36,339 15,725
Increase or decrease 520 5,587 1,782
On the whole the town has an interesting appearance. Next to the big bazaar
(also called Chethurangapetta) referred to, the most busy division of the place is
Sultanpetta. Through this passes the main thoroughfare, by the side or in the vicinity of
which are situated the chief public buildings of the place, viz., the Municipal school, the
District Munsif's Court, the Head Assistant Collector’s dwelling house and his office, the
Sub-Judge’s Court, tixe Municipal and Post office, the Roman Catholic Church; the
Municipal hospital with its beautifully
laid out garden, and the Protestant
Church.
Here is also situated an old
massive fort built of granite slabs and
laterite pieces wherein are located the
Taluk Cutcheri, the Sub Registrar’s
office and the Police station. In-
patients as well as outpatients are
largely treated in the hospital referred
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William Logan
to, the total number of beds available for in-patients being 16; 8 for males and 8 for
females.
There is also an Assistant Police Superintendent’s office here. The trade is
chiefly in tobacco, foodgrains, particularly, the dry grains, oil of all sorts, and various
kinds of cloths. Timber is largely exported by rail. The place is specially famous for trade
in Pullupaya (grass mats), generally known by the name of Palghat mats and may also be
said to be the centre of tobacco trade in the District.
The Brahman community called Pattars almost all belong to this Taluk. There
are no less than 19 separate settlements or gramams of this community within the
Municipal limits. They are as follow:-
1. Kalpathi. 11. Sekaripuram.
2. Palaya Kalpathi. 12. Ramanadhapuram.
3. Chathapuram 13. Tarakad.
4. Govindarajapuram. 14. Vatakkumthara
5. Vaidyanadhapuram. 15. Nurni
6. Komarapuram. 16. Nellisheri.
7. Lakshminarayanapuram. 17. Thondikulam.
8. Mukka 18. Pallipram.
9. Chokkanadhapuram. 19. Tirunilayi.
10.Puttamkurshi.
Of the numerous Hindu temples attached to these gramams, the most

important is the Kalpathi Siva temple. A car festival lasting, for three days, is annually
celebrated here in November, which gathers together a large crowd of people belonging
not only to the various parts of this District but also to the neighbouring Cochin State
and Coimbatore District.
Besides this, there are also two places deserving notice, one within the
municipal limits and the other in the neighbouring Elappalli amsam, both of which are
held in high estimation and largely resorted to by the people. The so-called holy places
are respectively named Mukkai and Ramasara thirdham. The former is the place where
the three mountain streams called the Palayar, Malayar and Walayar unite and take the
name of the Kalpathi river ; while the latter is popularly believed to have been created by
Rama, the hero of Ramayana, at the instance of his brother Lakshmanan in the days of
their temporary retirement to the jungle for the purpose of bathing in the Ganges water.
Alathur—[alam + oor, meaning the city of alam trees, (െവഴ) Dalbergia used to
make mortar], the headquarters of the Deputy Tahsildar of Alathur, is an important
village situated in Kattusseri amsam about 13 miles from Palghat on the road from there
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to the Cochin frontier via Vadakkancheri. The place contains a District Munsif’s Court,
a Sub- Registrar’s office, a Police station, a Post office, and a Middle class school.
There is also a small bazaar and a travellers’ bungalow here. In the vicinity of
the place lies the “Alathur” Hill or "Velumalai,” one of the Trigonometrical Survey
stations in the District, it contains a somewhat large cave and a natural spring higher up,
which is never dry. There is also a ruined Hindu temple here. It is popularly believed
that the cave was formerly inhabited. The existence of portions of walls dividing the
cave into compartments of hearths and a small mill, all seem to support this tradition.
There is a mosque and a Roman Catholic Church here. They are tiled buildings
and 140 and 107 feet in extent respectively. In the adjoining Vatakkethara amsam there
is a Syrian Christian Church known by the name of the Melarkott Palli. This too is a
tiled building about 210 feet in extent. The total population of the amsam is 3,517 of
whom no less than 2,883 are Hindus. Of the remainder, 556 are Muhammadans and the
rest Christians.
Vadakkancheri—[vadakku+cheri, means the northern village that is on the
northern side of the hill-ranges separating the Taluk from the adjoining Cochin State]—
is one of the chief Muhammadan villages in the Taluk, situated in the amsam of the
same name about 7 miles south-west of Alathur. The amsam is hill-bound on its south
and west. There is a travellers’ bungalow and a Police station here.
There is also a small bazaar which is chiefly inhabited by Muhammadans who
have a mosque about 102 feet in extent. The building is tiled. The place contains also a
small Roman Catholic church. This and the adjoining Kannanur pattola amsam are
noted for the manufacture of coarse cloths of various kinds. Trade in the minor produce
of the hills and also in timber is largely carried on here.
An important Hindu temple named "Tirunara” is situated in the vicinity. This is
held to be of great antiquity, and the tank or spring popularly known by the name of
Brahmakundam attached to the temple is held in great reverence by the people, believing
it to be as the name implies, a place where “Brahma” performed yagam or sacrifice. A
handful of earth taken from the bed of this sacred tank is believed to be essential to the
performance of sacrifices by Nambutiri Brahmans.
The total population of the amsam is 11,496, classified into 9,141 Hindus, 1,611
Muhammadans and 744 Christians.
Kollangod—is an important village in Padinharathara amsam, situated about 12
miles south of Palghat. Hindus are the predominating race in the amsam, who represent
3,978 or 97 per cent out of a total population of 4,104 ; of the remaining 125 are
Muhammadans and 1 Christian. The place contains a Police station and a travellers’
bungalow and was formerly noted as being the seat of a petty chieftain named the
Venganatt Nambidi, who reigned in these parts of the Taluk before the administration of
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William Logan
the district passed into British hands. The present representatives of this ancient family
have their residence here.
There is an important Hindu temple named the Kachankurushi Temple here,
dedicated to Vishnu. It is 264 feet in length and 180 in breadth. The Srikovil and the
Nalambalam are both tiled, and the mandapam and the surrounding wall of the Srikovil
painted all over with figures representing the various incarnations of Vishnu. As a
preliminary stop to the performance of a yagam or sacrifice by any Nambutiri Brahman
in the district, it is said that the intended sacrificer ought to come first to this temple and
receive from the hands of the Venganatt Namhidi, the moon-plant (cynanchum acidum),
the black wood (mimosa catechu) and the skin of a black antelope all of which are required
for the purpose.
Six and three miles respectively from this temple on the hills (Tenmala),
separating the Taluk from the neighbouring Cochin State, there are two natural springs
called the Govindathirdham and the Sithakundu. Both of these are held in veneration and
resorted to by the people. The origin of the former sacred spring is popularly ascribed to
Devendra while in respect of the latter the tradition current is that it was created by Sita,
wife of Rama, the hero of Ramayana, for the purpose of her bathing in Ganga, the water
of the Ganges, during the time of their sojourn in those parts in the days of their
retirement to the jungle for holy purposes.
Pudunagaram—[Pudu+nagaram, means new town]—is the most important and
thickly inhabited Muhammadan village in the Taluk, It is situated in Koduvayur amsam
about 6 miles south of Palghat. In respect of total population this amsam stands next to
only the Palghat municipality while in that of Muhammadan population alone it ranks
first in the Taluk. The total population is 14,030, classified as follows :—Hindus 8,855,
Muhammadans 5,149 and Christians 26. The place contains a Police station and also a
Jamath mosque (Jama musjed). It is a tiled building 240 feet in length and 180 in
breadth. The Koduvayur Sub-Registrar’s office is located here. He is invested with
magisterial powers to try petty cases of nuisance occurring in the village.
Palathulli—is a village in the amsam of the same name, situated about 8 miles
south-east of Palghat. It is chiefly inhabited by Chettis. The place is one of the chief
centres of cattle trade in the District. The cattle are exported from the adjoining
Coimbatore District, especially from the Pollachi weekly market. The amsam contains a
total of 5,861 inhabitants, of whom 5,293 are Hindus, 561 Muhammadans and 7
Christians.
Hindu temples.—The most important Hindu temples in the Taluk are —
1. Kallekkulam alias Emur Bhagavathi temple.—In Akathethara amsam. Dedicated to
Jaladurgha. The roof of the Srikovil is covered with copper sheeting. The other portions
are tiled. The temple is 132 X 114 feet in extent.
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2. Kalpathi.—In Puthur amsam. Dedicated to Siva. The Srikovil is covered with

copper sheeting. The other buildings are tiled. The temple is 288 x 120 feet in extent.
3. Madappallikavu .—In Yakkara amsam. Dedicated to Vanadurga. Tiled. 156 x 138
feet in extent.
4. Kachamkurussi.—In Padinharathara amsam. Dedicated to Vishnu. Tiled. 264 x 180
feet in extent.
5. Pallavur or Tripallavur.—In Pallavur amsam. Dedicated to Siva. Tiled. 500 feet in
extent.
6. Tripalur.—In Vateketara amsam. Dedicated to Siva. Tiled. 532 feet in extent.
7. Kongad.—In Kongad amsam. Dedicated to Bhagavathi. Tiled. 192 X 150 feet in
extent.
8. Tirunara.—In Vadakkancheri amsam. Dedicated to Siva and Vishnu. Partly tiled
and partly thatched. 250 feet in extent.
9. Tiruvalathur.—In Tiruvalathur amsam. Dedicated to Durgha. The Srikovil is
covered with copper sheeting. The other buildings are tiled. 366 X 330 feet in extent.
10. Kotamba.—In Tiruvalathur amsam. Dedicated to Subramaniyan. Terraced roof. 132
x 126 feet in extent.
Fairs and Festivals.—Some of the most important festivals celebrated and the
fairs held on such occasions in the Taluk are shown below:-
Names of fairs and festivals. Month held Number Number of
of days persons
lasting. attending
1. Kalpathi car festival November 3
2. Tiruvalathur utsavam November and December 9
3. Kotamba car festival. January and February 3
4. Kongad puram festival. March and April 8
5. Thachamkurushi utsavam. April and May 10
6. Koduvayur car festival. December and January 2
7. Pudukulangara kavu vela. March and April 1 About 7,000
8. Parakkatt kavu alia Kavasseripuram Do 1 About 12,000
9. Tripalur navarathri utsavam September and October 9
Travellers' Bungalows.—There are four travellers' bungalows in the Taluk

which are named below : —
1. Palghat, 3 miles from the Olavakod Railway Station.
2. Alathur, 13 miles from Palghat.
3. Vadakkancheri, 20 miles from Palghat.
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William Logan
4. Kollangod, 12 miles from Palghat.
Weekly Markets.—The trade of the Taluk is carried on by means of permanent
markets in the Palghat town and a few other places and of weekly markets, the most
important of which are as follow : —
1. Palathulli in Palathulli amsam held on Sundays.
2. Kongad in Kongad do. Mondays
3. Alathur in Kattisseri do. Wednesdays.
4. Vadakkancheri in Vaddakkancheri Thursdays.
5. Para Thursdays.
6. Palghat Fridays.
The chief articles of export are the various kinds of foodgrains, tobacco, Palghat
mats and various kinds of coarse cloths manufactured in Vadakkancheri and certain
other parts of the Taluk, while the chief articles of import are tobacco and various kinds
of cloths, spices and cattle. The Palathulli market may be said to be the chief centre of
cattle trade in the District, while the Kongad market is also noted for the same.
Trigonometrical Survey Station.—There are two Trigonometrical Survey
stations in the taluk. They are –
Name Latitude Longitude
1. Kurachimala S. 10° 47' 10.15" 76° 39' 29.61"
2. Alathur H.S. 10° 37' 30.07" 76° 34' 26.80"
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PALGHAT FOREST
By Rhodes Morgan, District Forest Officer.
There are four tracts of forests which have been under the management of the
Forest Department in the Palghat Range since 1883. The most important of these is the
Chenat Nayar forest, which escheated in the early years of the century to Government.
The area of this forest is 15,206 acres, of, which 12,263 acres are forest, and the balance,
2,962 acres, grass land and sheet-rock. These forests are situated in a rooky range of hills
connected with the Western Ghats, which rise to a height of 5,000 feet (Elival peak). On
the lower slopes, i.e., up to 1,000 feet elevation, the forests are deciduous, above that,
evergreen. The principal trees in the lower zone of deciduous forest are teak (almost
exterminated), rosewood, venghay, venteak, irul, etc. The evergreen forests (contain white
and red cedar, iynee, poonspar, ironwood, etc.
The lower slopes are very malarious, but the open grass lands higher up are
above fever range.
There is a forest rest-house on Karimala, at an elevation of about 4.000 feet and
another, at the base, near Dhoni. The forests are worked on the "Jardinage" or selection-
felling system, the only one feasible in a forest where any felling "of blocks might result
in various landslips, and would end in the ruin of the forest. There is very little soil on
these hills , which are composed of solid gneiss.
A small quantity of timber is now removed annually, not exceeding 15,000 cubic
feet, the forest having been very recklessly worked in former years, and the more
valuable trees almost exterminated. This forest has been surveyed and demarcated with
cairns of stones, and posts.
The second forest is situated at Walayar on the line of rail. The area of this
forest is 3,017 acres, of which 2,600 acres is productive, the rest being barren rock. The
forest has been divided into two blocks and ten compartments, and each compartment
further sub-divided into sub-compartments. It is worked for fuel for the supply of the
railway, and teak poles.
The ‘‘coupes" are worked on a rotation of ten years, the produce being sold to
contractors. A working scheme of this forest has been prepared. It is fenced in, and fire
protected annually, and cattle are rigidly excluded. There is a special forest pound for
stray cattle.
The remaining two forests are situated in the Walluvanad taluk. They are known
as the Panakadan forest in the Tiruvalam desam and the Silent valley. The first of these
is situated on a small rocky hill of about 1,000 acres in extent. The trees in it are
deciduous and **** growth average, the villagers in the neighbourhood having been in
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William Logan
the habit of pollarding the trees for manure for their paddy. In 1883, this was put a stop
to and a forest guard appointed to look after this forest, which is very isolated. These are
a few small hills in the neighbourhood and a considerable tract on the slopes of the
ghats, the ownership of which has not been determined yet.
Panakadan hill is Reserved Land, and is under special fire protection. It is
intended shortly to notify it as a reserved forest.
The Silent Valley is an enormous tract of mountain forest and grass land
situated on the western slopes of the Khoondahs, and is most inaccessible. It is roughly
supposed to cover an area of over 70 square miles. The forest on it is all evergreen, and
the principal trees the same as those usually found in such forests in Malabar, viz,
poonspar, iynee, ironwood, red and white cedar, wild jack, etc. These forests yield
cardamoms, dammer, rattans, etc. The timber is not worked on account of the
inaccessible nature of the locality. This forest will shortly be notified for reservation.
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PONNANI TALUK
By P. Karunakara Menon
Position and Boundaries.-—-This is the southernmost taluk of the district

proper. It formerly comprised the three taluks of Betatnad, Kutnad, and Chavakkad,
which were amalgamated into one in 1861. The boundaries are north, Ernad taluk ; east,
Walluvanad taluk and the native State of Cochin; south, the native State of Cochin ;
west, the Arabian sea.
Area.—The district not having been surveyed, the exact area is not known. The
approximate area, according to the census of 1881, is 258,154 acres or nearly 404 square
miles. The extreme length of the taluk from north to south along the coast is 64 miles,
while its width ranges from 3 to 20 miles in different parts.
Soils and Topography.—The scenery in comparison with that of the two
neighbouring taluks of Ernad and Walluvanad, is flat and uninteresting, especially along
the coast, while inland, low hills clothed sometimes with scrub jungle, but generally with
grass and flat rice-fields interspersed with groves of coconut, areca-nut, jack and various
other trees surrounding the dwelling houses of the inhabitants, constitute the principal
varieties of the landscape.
The soil along the coast is poor and sandy, the only redeeming feature being
that this open seaboard is fringed with groves of coconut trees. There is no granite in
these parts, but in the interior parts the formation seems to be gneissic, traversed by
granite veins, which generally prevails in the two adjoining taluks referred to.
Inland Water Communication.—The most striking feature of the taluk is
perhaps the series of lagoons or — backwaters lying in a zigzag direction along the coast
and affording, with the connecting artificial canals, an easy inland water communication.
It extends southwards from the Tirur Railway station to Ponnani, Chavakkad and
Cochin and thence into the Cochin and Travanoore States. The total length of this
system of inland water navigation from the Tirur Railway station to Cochin is 93 miles
(of which 77 lie in the taluk) as detailed below : Tirur to Ponnani section 16 miles ;
Ponnani to Chavakkad section 17 miles ; Chavakkad to Cochin section 60 miles.
The boats in general use both for cargo and for passengers are the common
country (dug-out) boats and they are manned generally by two men and will hold from 5
to 20 persons. The maximum charge per mile for a boat is 2 annas, and the average
speed attainable 2½ miles an hour. Transit can be effected by day and by night. No
cabin boats are available in the taluk. Now and then, one of them passes through it from
Cochin to Tirur. Its average speed is 5 miles an hour, the charge for a boat varying from
3 to 5 and more annas per mile according to size. Owing to want of sufficient water in
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William Logan
some parts of the canals connecting
the backwaters, the speed in the
case of the country boats is
diminished, while that in the case of
large cabin boats is entirely
obstructed during the hot season in
certain parts of them.
Rivers: In addition to the
aforesaid chain of backwaters, the
taluk is intersected by the Ponnani
river and a few other minor
streams. Timber from the Anamalas
and the Mannarghat forests is largely floated down the river during the rainy season to
the timber depots at Ponnani, belonging to local merchants as well as to the Cochin
sirkar, for export to foreign places.
Lakes: There are also two large shallow lakes in the taluk. One of them the
"Viyyattil" lake is situated about 3 miles east of Ponnani and the other familiarly known
as the “Trichur" lake is about the same distance east of Chetwai and 8 miles from
Chavakkad. They are respectively connected with the backwaters communicating with
the sea at Veliyangod and Chetwai. Protected by strong artificial dams from tidal
influence the beds of both the lakes are to a considerable extent cultivated with paddy
after the monsoon. The "Viyyattil" lake lies entirely in this taluk, while the greater
portion of the “Trichur" lake belongs to the Cochin State. The average extent of such
cultivation and the amount of the revenue derived in the former are acres 7,920 and Rs.
10,865, respectively, and in that of the portion of the latter belonging to this taluk, acres,
2,292 and Rs. 2,960.
Climate.—The climate along the coast, generally, is temperate more or less
throughout the year, while in the interior parts adjoining the taluks of Emad and
Walluvanad, it is very hot in the of April and May.
Meteorology.—The subjoined statement shows the rainfall in the taluk in inches
for eight years (1878—85).
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The Health Water Supply. The health of the people, as a rule, is good. The
water supply is also good, especially towards the interior parts, but it is unsatisfactory in
the towns of Ponnani and Tanur.
Sanitation. The conservancy of the chief towns is looked after by a staff

consisting of 1 Sanitary Inspector, 1 maistry, 13 sweepers and 1 totti, paid from Local
Funds. The Inspector, with his headquarters at Ponnani, supervises the work of the
whole staff which is distributed as follows :—Ponnani, 4 sweepers and 1 totti ;
Betatpudiyangadi, 3 sweepers ; Tanur, 1 maistry and 3 sweepers ; the remaining 3
sweepers being attached respectively to the three fish curing yards situated at Ponnani,
Veliyangod and Tanur.
Population.—In the matter of population this taluk ranks first in the district.
The total population (inclusive of the floating population) was, according to the census
of 1881, 392,654, of whom 194,150 were males and 198,504 females. Classified
according to race, Hindus predominated ; next came the Muhammadans and lastly the
Christians, the number returned under each class being 231,402, 146,868 and 14,363
respectively, or 59, 37, and 4 per cent of the total population. The number of persons
shown as belonging to other classes was 21.
Increase when compared with that returned by the census of 1871: The
percentage of increase in the population as compared with that returned by the previous
census of 1871 was 4.77 in respect of males and 4.78 in that of females ; the total
increase in both the sexes being nearly 4.78. The average density of population to the
square mile was nearly 972, and in this matter this taluk ranked second in the district, the
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William Logan
first being Cochin. The proportion of males to females was in the ratio of 496.5 to 503.5
in every 1,000.
Houses.—There were 78,148 houses in all. Of these 70,625 were occupied and
the remainder 7,523 unoccupied, the average number of persons per house amounted to
about 5.6.
General Condition of the People.—The people generally are poor. There are a
few rich and many indifferently off. The subjoined statement shows the number of
persons following the various occupations as returned by the last census (1881) :
Classified according to occupation.
Professional 5,750
Domestic 1,306
Commercial 8,696
Agricultural 88,509
Industrial 65,652
Indefinite 222,741
Total 392,654
Incidence of the Imperial Licence Tax.—The incidence of the Imperial Licence

Tax for the past official year 1885-86 was as follows :—
Trade Dealing, No. of persons Amount of
Industry charged. assessment
Money lending 103 1,520
Cloth bazaar 6 90
In paddy 5 90
In coconuts 5 60
In coconut oil 5 60
In rice 2 20
In fish 2 20
In salt 2 20
In tobacco 2 20
In timber 2 20
Boat rent 1 10
Miscellaneous 3 30
Total 138 1,940
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Sub-divisions of the Taluk for

Administrative Purposes.—
Amsams: For executive purposes this taluk is split up into 73 amsams. As
Amsams elsewhere, the revenue work of each amsam is carried on by the Adhikari
assisted by the Menon and a couple of peons. The Adhikaries likewise exercise civil and
criminal jurisdiction, their civil powers extending to suits for money not exceeding Rs.
20 in amount, and the criminal to petty cases of assault and theft arising in their
respective amsams.
General Revenue charge: The Tahsildar, whose headquarters are at Ponnani, has
the general revenue charge of the taluk. He is assisted in his work by two Deputy
Tahsildars stationed at Betatpudiyangadi and Kuttingal, to whom are assigned 21 and 28
amsams respectively.
Over these amsams they also exercise criminal jurisdiction, while the Tahsildar
has the special magisterial charge of the remaining portion of the taluk. The taluk forms
a separate revenue charge, designated the "Southern Division” under a General Duty
Deputy Collector exercising also magisterial powers who has his head-quarters at
Ponnani.
Agriculture.—The staple produce of the taluk is coconuts, though paddy is also
largely cultivated. The subjoined statement gives the acreage under each head in fasli
1295. Average under each head.
Wet lands ACRES ACRES
Nanja 71,137 3,625
Punja 13,782 21
Garden 57,872 1,881
Total 142,791 5,527
Thus the total area under cultivation is 148,318 or 232 square miles, or a little
more than 57 per cent of the total area of the taluk (taking it to be about 404 square
miles)—the extent under garden being 40 per cent the total area under cultivation.
The following table shows the demand roll of assessment for the same fasli :
Amount of Patta No. of Assessments.
holdings. Rs. A. P.
Under Rs 10 31,076 82,263 8 2
Rs. 10 under Rs. 50 5,240 1,07,195 10 7
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Rs. 50 under Rs. 100 684 47,105 5 0
Rs. 100 under Rs. 250 316 45,461 14 2
Rs. 260 under Rs. 500 52 16,553 14 1
Rs. 500 and more 15 12,236 2 11
Total 37,383 3,10,816 6 11
Revenue.—The subjoined statement shows the revenue of the taluk derived

from different sources for a series of the 8 Fasli years, 1288-95 :
IMPORTANT TOWNS or VILLAGES WITH SHORT NOTICES OF TEMPLES,

MOSQUES, CHURCHES, ETC., SITUATED IN or ABOUT SUCH PLACES.
Tannur—(a corrupted form of Thanniyur or Thanni + ur, meaning the village
of Thanni trees, Terminalia bellerica, which are still very common here)—is a small town
largely inhabited by Mappillas in Rayirimangalam amsam, situated about a mile west of
the Tannur Railway station.
The streets and the lanes are narrow and generally in a dirty state. It is a seaport,
and contains a Travellers’ bungalow, a Sea Customs office, a Police station, a Sub-
Registrar’s office, a Post office and a chattram or mussaferkhana, the last three being
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situated close to one another, a quarter of a mile west of the Railway station, while all
the rest lie in different parts of the town.
There are four mosques here, of which one is a jamath mosque (juma musjid). It
is a tiled building, 186 feet in length and 93 in breadth, having the gate or gopuram
covered with copper sheeting.
In the same (Rayirimangalam) amsam, about two miles to the south of the
town, there is a famous Hindu temple known by the name of Keleswaram or
Keraladhiswaram temple dedicated to Vishnu. As its name (Kerala + adhiswaran, the
governing deity of Keralam or Malabar) implies, it is one of the most ancient Hindu
temples in the district. It is about 50 feet in length and 35 in breadth, the Srikovil or
shrine and the Vatilmadam or hall being tiled, and the nalambalam or the four wings of the
temple thatched.
The total number of inhabitants in the amsam is 11,344, no less than 7,037 or
62 per cent of whom are Muhammadans, while Hindus and Christians number 4,305
and 2 respectively. In the matter of population this amsam stands next to Ponnani. In
the adjoining Pariyapuram amsam, about 2 miles to the north of Tannur, there is
another temple deserving notice This is called the Trikkayikkatt temple. The deities
worshipped here are Siva, Bhagavati and Ayyappan. It is a tiled building and is about 33
feet in length and 28 in breadth. The figures of Siva, Brahma, Vishnu and
Narusimhamurthi are painted on the wall of the Srikovil and two sculptures,
representing the figures of Dowasthans (or door-keepers), are placed in front of the
Srikovil.
Bettatpudiyangadi.—[Bettat + Pudiya + Angadi, means the New Town in
Vettam. which name was given to the place in former days, for, here was the seat of the
Raja of Betatnad. This family became extinct and the estate escheated in 1793.] The
head-quarters of the Bettatpudiyangadi Deputy Tahsildar is a village in Talakkad amsam,
situated about 3 miles from the Tirur Railway station along the road from there to
Ponnani.
Muhammadans are the most numerous in the village, the Hindu and
Muhammadan population being respectively, 3,156 and 3,179 total 6,335.
Besides the Deputy Tahsildar’s head-quarters, the place contains a Sub-
Registrar’s office, a Police station and a chattram or mussaferkhana (now used as a
Travellers’ bungalow). There is a Post office near the Railway station and a District
Munsif’s Court and a Local Fund second class middle school about two miles from
there on the road to Ponnani.
There are two jamath mosques (or jama masjid) and a minor mosque in the
village, the most important of these being the Pudiyangadi jamath mosque, situated in the
vicinity of the Deputy Tahsildar’s office. This is a grand building about 116 feet in
length and 70 in breadth, the roof being tiled and the gopuram (the main entrance) being
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covered with copper sheeting. A granite slab on one of the steps of the northern gate
bears an inscription. The writing has not yet been read.
At the Vellamasseri desam in the amsam there is a Hindu temple called the
Garudan Kavu chiefly dedicated to Garudan (Vishnu’s Bird) and such dedications being
rare, the temple is regarded with considerable reverence and is also largely resorted to by
Hindu population for protection from any surpapida (visitations of serpentine displeasure
in the form it is believed of various diseases), the deity being believed according to
Hindu puranas to be the natural enemy of serpents.
In the adjoining Trikkandiyur amsam there is another ancient and famous
temple called Trikkandiyur temple. It is dedicated to Siva, and is believed to have been
founded by Parasu Rama. This temple is about 95 feet square. The Srikovil is a tiled
building, the nalambalam being only thatched There is a big tank attached to the temple
lying close to it.
Paronna—[a corrupted form of Paravannur, so called as being the place of
residence in former days of Paravanur Panikkar, a desavali]— is a small Mappilla village
lying by the side of the sea in Pachattri amsam about 3 miles to the west of
Bettatpudiyangadi There is a jamath mosque (jama musjid) here. This is a tiled building,
140 feet in length and 58 in breadth. The total number of inhabitants in the amsam is
4,243, of whom 1,764 are Hindus, the remainder 2,479 being Muhammadans.
Kodakkal —[Koda + kal or kallu, meaning umbrella-stone. The place seems
probably to have been so called because of the existence of several umbrella-stones in
the neighbourhood.] It is a Basel Mission station situated in Triprangod amsam about 2
miles to the south-east of Bettatpudiyangadi. There is a church, a combined industrial
and girls’ school and a weaving establishment here. The total population of the amsam
numbers 5,393 divided into 2,724 Hindus, 2,398 Muhammadans and 271 Christians.
In the neighbourhood of this place are situated some of the most ancient Hindu
temples in the district, viz., (1) the Triprangod Siva temple ; (2) the Hanuman Kavu ; (3) the
Tirunavayi Vishnu temple and (4) the Chamravattatt Ayyappan Kavu. Of these the first two
are situated in Triprangod amsam, while the last two lie in the neighbouring Atavanad
and Pallipurani amsams, respectively.
All the temples are considered to be of great antiquity. (I) The Triprangod
(called in Sanscrit Sri + vara + crod) temple is dedicated to Siva and lies about 2 miles to
the south of Bettattpudiyangadi. The Srikovil is a tiled building about 105 feet in length
and 75 in breadth. The raised stone foundation of a pillar of the building consecrated to
Krishna here bears a long inscription. The writing cannot be deciphered locally.
The ceremony of Sanghabhishekam (pouring water on the head of the idol by
means of a conch shell), is supposed to be the most acceptable offering to the presiding
deity (Siva), and this is performed largely by the people under the honest belief that
thereby their life will be prolonged.
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(2) The Hanuman Kavu, as its name indicates, is dedicated to Hanuman (the
monkey chief, deified). The rareness, comparatively, of dedications of temples to this
deity, seems to enhance the value of this temple in the estimation of the people. The
Srikovil and the mandapam are small tiled buildings, the surrounding wall of the former
all over containing paintings of the devas and of vyalam, and it has also two statues of
Dwasthanmar (door-keepers), placed one on each side of the entrance.
(3) The Thirunavayi (or Shri + naa + yogi + puram) Siva temple seems to have
been so called on account of its having been, it is believed, founded by the 9 famous
saints. The temple is situated on the northern bank of the Ponnani river on the road
from Bettatpudiyangadi to Trittala. The place was in former days noted as being the
locality where the Mahamakha Vela or ceremony was celebrated every 12th year. During
the 28 days the festival lasted, the throne of the Zamorin was declared vacant, when a
selected number out of the followers of this potentate, and also of the Walluvanad
Rajah, being the rival claimant for the throne (all being well trained for the purpose),
fought1 against each other for it in the interests of their respective masters. The
ceremony is said to have been last performed in 1743.
NOTEs: 1. See pp. 162-69, Vol I END OF NOTEs
The Srikovil is a massive tiled building and has two big statues of Dwasthanmar
as in the case of the Hanuman Kavu, one on each side of the entrance into it. This place
is further famous as containing an institution founded and amply endowed by the
Zamorin, where Hindu theology is extensively taught to the Nambutiri Brahman
students. This instruction is imparted in a spacious building, called the Oththanmar
madham, situated on the opposite side of the river, under the supervision of Tirunavayi
Vadhyan, the Zamorin’s hereditary family priest.
Another point deserving notice in connection with this place is the existence of
a small temple dedicated to Brahma, which is of very rare occurrence.
(4) The Chamravattam Ayyappan kavu, dedicated to Ayyappan, is situated on a
small island near the Chamravattam ferry on the road from Tirur to Ponnani. The
Srikovil is a small tiled building, but badly in want of repairs. This deity is supposed to
possess a specially controlling power over rain, and people hence frequently make small
offerings on behalf of this temple for rain when it is wanted and also to stop it when it is
not required.
Kuttayi.—[Kutt + ali, meaning a junction and a bar, respectively.) It is said that
there was here formerly a bar, where the backwaters lying along the coast from Tirur
and Ponnani united and communicated with the sea. Hence the designation of the place
as Kuttayi. It is a large Muhammadan village, situated by the side of the sea in Mangalam
amsam about 4 miles to the south-west of Bettatpudiyangadi. Of the inhabitants,
Muhammadans are the most numerous numbering 3,186 out of a population of 5,069,
the remainder, viz., 1,883 being Hindus. There is a famous jamath mosque (or jama
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musjid) in the village which is a tiled building, being 105 feet in length and 48 in breadth.
There is also a Jaram or mausoleum attached to it called the Nechchikkat Jaram, so named
on account of its being surrounded by nechchi bushes. It is not known whose remains lie
burried here, but it is held in considerable reverence, and is largely resorted to by
Muhammadans, especially on the occasion of the annual Nercha festival, when the
approximate attendance of pilgrims is estimated to be no less than 2,000.
Ponnani.— [The place is said to have been designated Ponnani, which is a
corrupted form of "Ponnani" "Ponnanayam,'' meaning gold coin, as being the place where
the gold coin, called the Arabikasu was first circulated in these parts of the district by the
Arab and Persian merchants who possessed the trade between India and the west before
the discovery of the sea route to India round the Cape of Good Hope by the
Portuguese.] This town, the divisional and taluk headquarters, is large and populous,
situated on the Ponnani river at its entrance into the sea. It contains also, the Kutnad
District Munsif's Court, the Ponnani Sub-Registrar's office, a combined Post and
Telegraph office, a Local Fund third-class middle school and a hospital and dispensary.
The amsam of Ponnani of which the town forms a part, contains 12,421
inhabitants, of whom no less than 86 per cent are Mappillas. The spiritual head, called
the Makkadum of the Muhammadan population throughout the district, resides here.
There are 27 mosques in the town, of which one is a jamath mosque (or jama musjid),
deserving special notice as being also a place where Muhammadan theology is largely
taught. The average daily attendance of students, belonging not only to all parts of the
district but also to the native states of Cochin and Travancore and even South Canara,
who receive instruction in the mosque, is about 400. The mosque is spacious four-
storeyed building,90 feet in length and 60 in breadth, said to have been build in Hejira
925 (A.D). 1510), by Said-ud-din Makkadum, and stands close to the jaram or mausoleum,
which contains his own and his successors’ remains. Such of the students as attain
proficiency in the Muhammadan religion here are called Musaliyars, the Makkadum
alone having the privilege to confer that title. This jaram is held in great reverence and
largely resorted to by the Muhammadan population all over the district. Ponnani is also
aseaport. The principal articles of export are timber, bamboos, coconuts and coir, and
thechief imports are salt and rice. Half a mile to the south of the bazaar there is a
travellers’bungalow, while a mile and a half to the east of the town there is a
chattram ormusaferkhana. The hospital and dispensary is under the charge of a civil
apothecary and has accommodation for 10 in-patients (6 males and 4 females).
About half a mile to the south-east of the town, at Trikkavu in the adjoining
Pallapram amsam, there is an ancient Hindu temple of considerable historical
importance. It is dedicated to "Durgha Bhagavathi" and is believed to have been founded
by Parasu Rama, the demi-god and hero, and made over by him to the Brahman colony
at this place, being a sub-division of Sukapuram gramam, one of his 64 colonies.
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Tippu is said to have plundered the temple during his invasion of the country,
broken the idol into pieces, and used the Srikovil as his powder magazine while halting
at this place. On the restoration of peace and order in the country, a few of the former
owners of the temple who had taken refuge in Travancore on Tippu’s approach,
returned and discovering in the temple well the broken pieces of the original idol,
repaired and repurified it ; but later on, being unable to repair all the damages caused to
the temple by Tippu, made it over to the Zamorin of Calicut, who seems to have carried
out all the necessary repairs in M.E. 1037 (1861 A.D.).
Within the precincts of this temple there is another Srikovil, consecrated to
Vishnu. The history of its foundation is interesting. Tradition has it that in olden days,
while a Chetti and a Muhammadan were sailing in their ship laden with merchandise, a
violent storm occurred, that they being apprehensive of the loss of their lives, took vows
to build a temple and a mosque respectively, in the event of their being able to land
safely and that they having so landed at this place, in fulfilment of their vows, founded
this Vishnu temple and the present jamath mosque in the town. The temple is 112 feet
in length and 72 in breadth. Both the Srikovil and the Nalambalam of Dhurga
Bhagavathi have tiled roofs. The temple has also a high double-storeyed and tiled
gopuram. There is a large public tank here about 400 feet in length and 300 in breadth.
It was in a ruined state formerly, but has now laterite steps all round, these
improvements having been carried out by Rama Kini, a late Tahsildar of this taluk.
Edappal, five miles east of Ponnani, is a large village, situated in the amsam of
the same name on the main road from Ponnani to Palghat via Trittala. It is chiefly
inhabited by Mappillas. The total population of the amsam is 6,595. Of this, 4,874 are
Hindus, and the reminder Muhammadans. In the neighbouring Vattamkulam amsam,
there is an important Hindu temple called the Sukapuram1 temple. It is believed to be of
great antiquity and also to have been founded by the hero and demi-god Parasu Rama, It
is dedicated to Dakshinamurthi or Siva, and is said originally to have been attached
specially to the Nambutiri Brahmans of Sukapuram, which was one of the 64 gramams
or settlements founded by Parasu Rama. Even to this day offerings are invariably made
by the Nambutiris belonging to this gramam on occasions of marriage or other
ceremonies among them, and none who have performed yagama or sacrifices are
recognized as such until they are registered at this pagoda. This registration takes place
once in 12 years. The Srikovil or Garbagraham (shrine) of the temple, is a massive laterite
structure, 50 feet in length, 45 in breadth and 40 in height, the roof being covered with
copper sheeting.
NOTEs: 1. Conf. pp. 120.21, Vol. I END OF NOTEs
About 6 miles to the north-east of Edappal village and about the same distance
in the same direction from the Sukapuram temple, there is another famous ancient
Hindu temple. It is situated in Chekod amsam. This also is believed to have been
founded by the same hero and demi-god, Parasu Rama, being specially attached to the
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Nambutiri Brahman colony of Panniyur1 (another of the 64 settlements referred to).
This temple is a small tiled building, the presiding deity being Varahamurthi (according to
the Hindu puranas the 3rd incarnation of Vishnu). This is the chief temple of the
Nambutiris, designated the Panniyur Gramakkar of the present day. They are said not to
possess the prerogative of studying the Vedas, having, it is said, been deprived of the
same owing to some of their ancestors in ancient days having placed a red hot vessel on
the head of the idol of the presiding deity of the temple. In front of the temple there are
some granite sculptures and also a slab of the same material bearing an inscription in
Vattezuthu characters, some of which having now become indistinct, the writing has not
been deciphered.
Trittala.—It is a small village in Kodanad amsam, situated by the side of the
Ponnani river on the road from Ponnani to Palghat about 17 miles to the east of
Ponnani. The total population of Kodanad amsam is 5,840. of whom 4,877 are Hindus
and the remainder Muhammadans. There is a traveller’s bungalow and a chattram or
musaferkhana here. It is also the station of a Sub-Registrar. A weekly market is held
here. About four miles south of this place are the ruins of a mud fort, 200 yards in
length and 176 in breadth. This fort appears to have been at one time the principal place
in this tract of country for it has given a name—Kutnad—to the nad lying south of the
Ponnani river, which prior to the reorganisation of taluks in 1861 formed the Kutnad
taluk.
About three miles to the north-east of these ruins and by the side of the road
from Padinharangadi to Shoranore, is a small building called Kattilmadam or
Kaittalimadam, built entirely of granite slabs, and in the form of the Hindu shrine. It is
ten feet square and of the same height, having a round dome formed of a single slab.
Tradition ascribes its construction to supernatural agency. One popularly received
account is that it was intended as the second storey to a pagoda about 4 miles off in
Netirimangalam amsam of Walluvanad taluk on the other side of the river, and a
comparison of the shape and size of the existing shrine at the pagoda with those of this
curious structure certainly favours this theory.
There is another place in the neighbourhood of Trittala deserving notice. It is
called Velliyamkallu and Is situated about a mile down the river from there and on the
opposite side of it. It is considered by Hindus as a sacred place as being the spot where
the Nambutiri Brahmin named the Melathur Akkithripad is believed to have performed a
number of yagams or sacrifices and is hence largely resorted to by them for the
performance of the anniversaries of their ancestors on Vavu (new moon) days occurring
in the Malayalam months of Tulam and Karkitagam.
Chalisseri is a small village and a bazaar situated on the borders of Kappur and
Kottachira amsams about 6 miles to the south of Trittala. It is chiefly inhabited by
Syrian Christians. This community has a small church here. The place is noted for trade
in arecanuts.
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Veliyangod is a village chiefly inhabited by Mappillas, situated in the amsam of

the same name, about 4 miles to the south of Ponnani. There is a Police station here and
also a Sub-Registrar's office at Andathod in the adjoining Ayyur amsam. The total
population of Veliyangod amsam is 6,826 of whom the majority are Muhammadans,
numbering 3,771, the remainder being Hindus.
Kottapadi.—[Kotta or fort and padi or gate. The place seems to have been so
designated on account of its being situated close to the seat, named the Punnathur Kotta
of one of the feudatory chieftains of the Zamorin in ancient days, known by the name of
the Punathur Raja.] It is a small village about 3 miles to the north-east of Kuttingal. It is
chiefly inhabited by Syrian Christians who have a church here. The place is noted for
trade in coconut oil and the rearing of country pigs by the Christians. These animals are
generally transported to the Nilgiri hills and other distant places for sale. The present
representatives of the above-mentioned chieftain's family still reside here.
Kuttingal, the Chavakkad Deputy Tahsildar’s headquarters, is a village in Palayur
amsam lying by the side of the canal from Ponnani to Cochin, about 17 miles to the
south of the former place. The total population of the amsam is 6,296 of whom 3,482
are Hindus, 2,456 Muhammadans and the rest 308 Christians (Syrian). The village also
contains a District Munsif’s Court, a Sub-Registrar’s office, and a Post office. Half a mile
north of the place there is a Local Fund 2nd-class middle school, and half a mile east of
Kuttingal, there is a Syro-Roman Catholic church, called the Palayur church, which is
noted as being one of the seven original churches of Malabar.
The congregation believe that St. Thomas the Apostle preached at the place, and it
is noteworthy in connection with the suggestion made at p. 202 of Volume I, that in
immediate proximity to the existing modern church there is a mound with small debris
strewn about it, which is still known as the site of the "Jews’ church," and which was
evidently occupied by a building of some kind in former times. The only relics of any
age about the place now are some carved stones, including part of a Siva lingam stone
and a worn-out Vatteluttu inscription, the spoils of a Siva shrine also in the
neighbourhood. The modem church is a tiled building, 86 feet in length and 34 in
breadth. It is under the See of the Patriarch of Babylon.
In the Palayur and the adjoining Chavakkad amsams there are also two mosques
called after the respective amsams. The former is about quarter of a mile to the east of
Kuttingal, while the latter is about a mile to the west of it. They are tiled buildings, 40
and 50 feet in length and 21 and 15 in breadth, respectively. There is also a jaram or
mausoleum in Palayur amsam of some importance containing the remains of one
Hydros Kutti1 who was, it is said, the Commissioner appointed by Hyder Ali, on his
conquest of the district, to collect the revenue in these parts of the taluk, but who having
subsequently espoused the cause of the people against his masters’ tyrannies, seems to
have incurred that tyrant’s displeasure and fallen in battle with the forces sent against
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him oh the spot where the building now stands. It is held in reverence, and is also
resorted to by the Muhammadan population in these parts of the taluk.
NOTEs: See Vol. I, p. 662. END OF NOTEs
Guruvayur.—[So designated after the famous temple of Krishna located there,

which is believed to have been founded, as its name indicates, by Guru and Vayu, being,
according to the Hindu Puranas, the preceptor of the Devas and the god of wind,
respectively. ] It is an important Hindu village, situated in the amsam of the same name,
about 2 miles to the north-east of Kuttingal. The amsam has a total population of 6,686
inhabitanta, of whom Hindus are the most numerous, amounting to 4,946, the
remainder being divided into 527 Muhammadans and 1,206 Christians. The residents
about the Guruvayur temple are chiefly the higher classes of Hindus, viz.. Brahmans and
Nayars.
It is one of the most important Hindu temples in the district, and is held in
great reverence, and also largely resorted to by the Hindu population (especially by the
sick) throughout the district, as well as of the neighbouring native States of Cochin and
Travancore. It is surrounded by a high laterite wall and has two lofty gopurams or
entrances, one in the east and the other in the west. On the granite door-frame of the
western one there is an inscription which indicates that it was built in 922 M.E. by one
Panikkavittil Ittiraricha Menon Kariyakkar. A granite slab in the front part of the eastern
entrance, too, contains an inscription in Sanskrit verse as noted in the margin. [Given
here below]:
ഭൂപാൈലർെ നജാൈദ : കലിമലാഹി ൈതരാർ ിതാൻ പുണ െലാകാൻ
ആെരാഢ നി പയാസം നിജസുകൃതജിതാൻ ദിവ െസാപാനമാർ ം
തുംഗംഹൃെ തരമ ം ഗുരുപവനപുെരശാ ഗെതാ െഗാപുരാ ഗ വ ാെജനാെധാ ം
ജാെ ഘൗകൃതമതിരകെരാൈഛലാവാരാർ ിധീശ:
Both the srikovil (shrine) and the mandapam have roofs covered with copper
sheetings, while the Nalambalam has tiled roofs. The temple flagstaff deserves special
notice. It is 110 fleet in height. having a bell metal covering throughout, save about 9
feet from the top, which has a gold covering. The surrounding wall of the shrine is
elaborately painted all over, in illustration of the various adventures of Vishnu as
recorded in the Bhagavathapurana.
Chittatkara—is a small village chiefly inhabited by Syrian Christians, situated in
Brahmakulam amsam about 4 miles to the south-east of Kuttingal. There is a small
church belonging to this community here. The total population of the amsam is 4,179,
of whom 2,256 are Hindus. Of the remainder, 1,582 are Christians and the rest
Muhammadans. The chief articles of trade here, are coconut and coconut oil.
Enamakkal—is another village mainly inhabited by Syrian Christians in
Venkitanga anisam, about 8 miles to the south-east of Kuttingal and 4 in the same
direction from Chittatkara. Here, there is an important ancient Syrio Roman Catholic
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church. It is a tiled building, about 93 feet in length and 35 in breadth. The total
population of the amsam is 6,416, of whom 1,770 are Syrian Christians, the rest being
divided into 3,686 Hindus and 960 Muhammadans. The chief articles of trade here, too,
are coconut and coconut oil.
Velappad—.is a village chiefly inhabited by Syrian Christians, situated in
Pallipuram amsam about 17 miles to the south-west of Kuttingal. It contains a Police
station and a Sub-Registrar's office. About a mile to the north of the place at Triprayar, in
Nattika amsam, there is a famous ancient Hindu temple. It lies by the side of the inland
water communication to Cochin and belongs to the Cochin State. The presiding deity
here is Sri Rama. The temple is 342 feet square, and the roof of the shrine is covered
with copper sheeting, the nalambalam being tiled. On a granite slab of the wall of the
srikovil there an inscription, but it is very difficult to decipher the writing. A granite slab
by the side of the eastern entrance, also, bears an inscription in Malayalam. The total
number of inhabitants in Pallippuram amsam is 4,563, of whom 3,513 are Hindus ; of
the remainder, 655 are Muhammadans and 395 Christians.
പഴെ രിപനടനായരും - തൃ രയാ േദശ ും - െപരിെ ാ േദശ ും -
ആരിയെപാ ിേദശ ും ഊരാളരും കാരാളരും െനടുംെകാ വരും
കടിഇരി ാടതിരി.
Edathiruthi—is another Syrian Christian settlement situated in the amsam of

the same name about 4 miles south of Valappad. The amsam has a population of 8,886
inhabitants, classified into 6,548 Hindus, 1,293 Muhammadans and 748 Syrian
Christians. There is a small church belonging to Syrian Christians here.
Madilagam.—[The place is so called after the name of the temple, called the
Trikkanna or Trikkata Madilagam temple, which existed there in ancient days and is
believed to have been founded by Parasu Rama for the use of Trikkannapuram gramam,
being one of the 64 Nambutiri Brahman settlements founded by him. It is said that it
was subsequently destroyed by the Dutch who had formerly a settlement at Chetwai.
Traces of the foundations of an old temple are still visible.] It is another Syrian Christian
settlement in Pappinivattam amsam. There is an ancient church belonging to this
community here. The total number of inhabitants in the amsam is 5,739, of whom 3,610
are Hindus ; of the rest, 1,737 Muhammadans and 392 Christians. The place contains
also a mosque, and is situated about 9 miles south of Edathiruthi.
Police.—For purposes of Police administration, the taluk is divided between 3
Inspectors, who have their head-quarters at the Tahsildar's and Deputy Tahsildar’s head-
quarters respectively. There are 17 Police stations in all, distributed in the three divisions
as follows:-
Ponnani Division
(1). Veliyangod : In Eramangalam amsam, 5 miles from Tahsildar's headquarters.
(2). Ponnani : In Ponnani amsam, Tahsildar's head-quarters.
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(3). Edappal : In the amsam of the same name 6 miles from Tahsildar’s head-quarters.
(4). Chiyyanur : In Othalur amsam, 10 miles from Tahsildar's head-quarters.
(5). Padinharangadi : In Kumaranallur amsam, 11 miles from Tahsildar's head-quarters.
(6). Kutnad : In Kodnad amsam, 16 miles from Tahsildar's head-quarters.
Chavakkad Division.
(1) Madilagam : In Pappinavattam amsam, 28 miles from Chavakkad Deputy
Tahsildar’s head-quarters.
(2) Valappad : In Pallipuram amsam, 17 miles from Chavakkad Deputy Tahsildar’s
head-quarters.
(3) Chavakkad : In Palayur amsam, Deputy Tahsildar’s head-quarters.
(4) Vylathur : In Vylathur amsam, 4 miles from Deputy Tahsildar’s head-quarters.
(5) Audathod : In Ayrur amsam, 8 miles from Deputy Tahsildar's head-quarters.
Bettatpudiyangadi Division
(1) Kuttayi : In Mangalam amsam, 4 miles from Bettatpudiyangadi Deputy Tahsildar’s
head-quarters.
(2) Putiyangadi : In Talakkad amsam. Deputy Tahsidar's headquarters
(3) Tanur : In Rayirimangalam amsam, 6 miles fiom Deputy Tahsildar's head-quarters.
(4) Kalpagancheri : In the amsam of the name, 6 miles from Deputy Tahsildar’s head-
quarters.
d) Vatakkumpuram : In Kattiparutti amsam, 16 miles from Deputy Tahsildar’s head-
quarters.
(6) Kuttipuram : In Atavanad amsam, 8 miles from Deputy Talisildar’s head-quarters.
Festivals and fairs: The chief annual festivals celebrated in the taluk are
shown below. On these occasions fairs are also held ; the most important being the one
held on the occasion of the Guruvayur Ekadesi festival, and for a week or so after it is
over. The chief articles changing hands are lasting copper and bell metal vessels of
various kinds:-
1 Guruvayur Ekadesi festival 3 days Vrischigam Nov. - Dec. 5,000
2 Guruvayur Arat utsavam 8 " Kumbham Feb.- March 3,000
3 Triprayar Arat utsavam 8 " Meenum March - April 2,000
4 Trittala Sivaratri festival 1 day Kumbham Feb.- March 2,500
5 Trittala Arat utsavam 7 days Dhanu Dec.- January 2,000
6 Triprangod Sivaratrl utsavam 1 day Kumbham Feb.- March 4,000
7 Tirunavaya Arat utsavam 7 days Medam Apl.- May 4,000
8 Tirunavaya Karkataka Vavu festival 1 day Karkatakam July - August 5,000
9 Tirunavaya Thula Vavu festival. 1 " Thulam Oct - Nov. 5,000
10 Garudan Kavu Mandala Vela. 5 Sundays 1st Vrischigam Nov.- Dec. 1000
450
Malabar
to 10th Dhanu each day.

11 Trikandiyur Thula Vavu festival. 1 day Thulam Oct.- Nov. 2,000
12 Kelaswaram Arat utsavam 7 days Vrischigam Nov.- Dec. 1,000
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William Logan
List of Charitable Institutions in Ponnani taluk

Amsam Name of institution Number of Amount Amount of
persons fed of Land private
annually at theRevenue donation
institution granted
in Inam
Brahma Travelle In In
from
ns rs land money
Governm
(Byragi
ent for
es)
the
institutio
n
Vettam Pallipram 1.Chamravattam Sattram 492 41 124 11 1 714
Trikkandiyur 2.Vettakarumakan Kavu 36,000 3,600 1,399 14 2 3,100
Sattram
Do. 3. Triprangod Samuham 10,125 235 2 1 2,000
Rayirmangalam 4.Keraladhiswarapuram 61,200 12,240 2,704 13 4 3,819
Talakkad 5.Vellikullangara Ayyappan 5,250 750 575
Kavu Sattram
Pariyapuram 6.Ganapathiyankavu 1,260 55
Sattram
Nullasseri 7.Peringatt Uttu Sattram 4,380 1,095 60
Guruvayur 8.Guruvayur Sattram 29,200 1,095
Do. 9. Tamarayur Sattram 4,380 300
Vylattur 10. Alakkal 3,650 720 321 0 1 3,270
Brahmarakshasan Sattram
Nattika 11.Triprayar Sattram 27,875 3,650 3,878
Vadanappalli 12.Panayamkulangara 7,300 3,650 5,502
Sattram of Ullanatt house
Do. 13. Panayamkulangara 2,920 365 1,000
Sattram of Manhallavil
house
Kayppamangalam 14. Mallikakkal Sattram 1,825 228
Atavanad 15. Tirunavaya Sattram 7,200 720 660
Unmattur 16. Kurumhikavu Sattram
Do. 17. Parakulangara Sattram 900 60 800
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Malabar
Do. 18. Kodali Sattram 900 120 1,260

Kodanad 19. Trittala Sattram 9,000 1,080
Parutur 20. Chembalangatt 900 48 10 0 300 125
Samuham Kotikunni
Sattram
Irumbliam 21. Perashannur Sattram 900
Ayirur 22.Kattupinath 2,555 2,160 470 225
Vettekorumakan Sattram
Iswaramangalam 23. Tirumalassiri Kottayil 1,800 1,000
Chavati Sattram
Trikkandiyur 24. Kumaramangalam 9,150 2,440 140
Subramaniya temple Satram
Koktanad 25. Asuramahakalan temple 720
Sattram
List of Hindu Religious Institutions in Ponnani taluk in connection with

which Government have remitted Land Revenue as Inam.
No. Name of institution Amount of Date Remarks

Inam of
granted grant
Rs. A. P.
1 Trikavu Temple in Pallpram amsam 334 1 0 Temples Nos.3 and 4
2 Guruvayur temple in Guruvayur amsam 1,428 9 0 originally belonged to
3 Triprangod temple in Triprangod amsam 1,127 0 6 the Bettat Rajah, but
4 Trikandiyur temple in Trikandiyur amsam 2,292 13 0 were afterwards made
over to the Zamorin,
when the Rajah's
estate lapsed to
Government.
Weekly markets.—The subjoined statement shows the weekly markets

held in the taluk. There are nine such markets. The majority of the traders being
Muhammadans, and Friday being a holy day with them, no markets are held on that day.
In all the markets, salted fish seems to be the chief article of trade, while vegetable and
other articles are also largely sold.
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William Logan
Day held Where held Number
of
persons
attending
Sunday Trittala. Close to the travellers' bungalow 2,000
Monday Madilagam. Half a mile south of the 2,000
bungalow.
Andathod. In the neighbourhood of the 1,000
Tuesday Veliyangod Police station.
Valancheri- In the vicinity of the 1,500
Vatakkumbram Police station.
Kuttingal. Close to the Chevakkad Deputy 2,500
Wednesday Tahsildar’s office.
Kalpagancheri. In the vicinity of the Police 1,500
station there.
Thursday Chalisheri. In the vicinity of the village of the 1,600
same name.
Valappad. Close to the Police station 1,800
Saturday
Kuttipuram. Close to the Police station 1,500
Travellers' Bungalows and Chattrams.—There are five travellers’

bungalows and four chattrams or musapherkhanas in the taluk as shown in the following
statement :
Name of Situation
Bungalow and
chattram
Travellers' Bungalows
Tanur A mile and a half to the west of the Tanur Railway
Station.
Ponnani In the town of the same name.
Trittala By the side of the Ponnani river at the village of the
same name about 4 miles to the west of the
Pattambi Railway Station on the road from Palghat
to Ponnani.
Chetwai Four miles south of Kottingal by the side of the
Chetwai river (or backwater) on the road from
Ponnani to Cochin.
Madilagam By the side of the inland water communication
referred. About 23 miles south of Chetwai.
Chattrams
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Malabar
Tanur Two furlongs west of the Tanur Bailway Station,

Bettatputiyangadi Close to the Deputy Tahsildar’s office of the place
about 2½ miles south-west of the Tanur Railway
Station.
Ponnani A mile and a half east of Ponnani by the side of the
road from there to Palghat.
Trittala Close to the travellers' bungalow.
G. Trigonometrial Survey Stations.-—There is only one such station in the taluk.

This is called Kutnad or Kurungnt hill station situated about a mile to the south of
Trittala in N. Lat. 10° 47' 32.64" and Long. 76° 08' 36.50". It is in good condition.
European Tombs and Burial Grounds.—There is only one isolated tomb and no
European burial grounds exist in this taluk. The former is situated near Trittala and is in
fair condition. It bears the following inscription : “Here rest the remains of Henreitta,
the beloved wife of Captain James Falconer, H.M’s 74th Highlanders. She died at Trittala
on 24th February 1855, aged 35 years. This stone has been placed here by her bereaved
husband as a small token of affection."
A tombstone recording the death of the first Dutch commandant of the Dutch
fort at Chetwai who died at that place in 1729 also exists, and has already been referred
to in Vol I, p. 349. The site of this grave is unknown.
Statement showing old tombs or Pandu Kulis existing in Ponnani Taluk.
1. Nagalasseri 1 1. Kappur 1
2. Ozhur 1 2. Kumaranelore 1
3. Klari 2 3. Tavanur 4
4. Vadakumbram 18 4. Alancode 1
5. Mullasseri 3 5. Nagalasseri 10
6. Annakara 1 6. Triprangode 1
7. Kanmanam 5
8. Melmuri 10
9. Olur 1
Text missing 10.Klari 6
11.Ponmundam 1
12.Kattiparuthi 2
13. Parutur 1
Total 62 Total 44
455
William Logan
456
Malabar
COCHIN TALUK
By C. Kunchi Kannan.
Cochin was formerly a small place on the bank of a river, but in the year 1341
A.D., certain changes took place in the large backwater between the sea and the Western
Ghauts, and whether from cyclone winds, or earthquake, or other cause not now
traceable, the island of Vypeen was formed —a circumstance commemorated by an era
of its own known as Putuvaippu or Putuveppu, meaning "new deposit".
The traditions of Cochin show that violent and uncertain changes have always
been experienced in this neighbourhood in exceptional south-west monsoons. All along
this portion of the coast important changes are quoted. Islands and lakes have been
formed ; towns and harbours have risen and had their day of prosperity, but have now
so completely retired that, after the comparatively small interval of five centuries their
former sites and names are not recognisable. Cochin itself was built in the tenth, year
after Vasco da Gama arrived on the coast, and its advantages being very apparent, the
large colonies of white and black Jews and other important portions of the community
quitted Cranganore, which from time immemorial had been the headquarters of trade
and the most convenient harbour north of Quilon.
Cochin, which lies between Lat. 9° 58' 7" N., Long. 76° 17' E, is bounded on
the north by the Native State of Cochin and by the backwater, on the south by the
Cochin State, on the east by the river and the Cochin State, and on the west by the sea.
In extent Cochin taluk, with its outlying pattams, is about 1½ square miles. The
population of the town of Cochin in 1881 was 15,698 (8,374 males and 7,324 females)
against 13,588 in 1871. The population of 1881 was classified as follows:
Hindus 4,383
Muhammadans 2,942
Christians 8,360
Others 13
Total 15,698
of whom 1,262 were “under instruction,'’ 3,240 “instructed,” and 11,196 “illiterate,
including not stated.” In the census of 1881, there were 2,411 occupied and 467
unoccupied houses, giving an average of 6.5 persons per occupied house. The
population of Cochin, with its outlying pattams, was 17,161 in the census of 1881.
The revenue of the Cochin taluk in fasli 1295 (1885-86) was Rs. 14,467.
The Municipal Act was introduced into Cochin in 1866. The receipts of the
Municipality during the official year 1885-86 amounted to Rs. 20,479, whilst the charges
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William Logan
were Rs. 18,914. The Municipal receipts were chiefly derived from rates on houses and
lands, taxes on arts, taxes on vehicles and animals and carts, licenses, income from
markets, fees, fines, etc.
The expenditure incurred was for public works, education, sanitation and
medical service, supervision and management, and miscellaneous.
There are nine Christian churches in the town of Cochin, two Protestant, six
Roman Catholic and one Syrian.
And there are two Hindu temples, Ammankovil dedicated to Bhagavati and
Janardana Devaswam in
Amaravati, belonging to Chetties.
On 31st March 1886 there were 16 schools, middle, primary, aided and unaided,
with an attendance of 996 pupils.
The town of Cochin is sub-divided into the following pattams:-
1 Kotta. 8 Tirumala Dewaswam.
2 Kottavadu. 9 Vania Teruvu pattam.
3 Vernede garden or Jatika Valappu. 10 Valiya Pattayatodu pattam
4 Mackenzie Valappu. 11 Cheriya Pattayatodu pattam.
5 Tamaraparamba pattam. 12 Veliparamba pattam.
6 Odattakal 13 Chulikkal pattam.
7 St. John pattam. 14 Kalvetti.
The outlying pattams subject to Cochin with particulars of their population, etc.,
are noted below:-
Names Number Population Number Remarks

of Males Females of
houses churches
1 Tumboji pattam 15 30 34 Near Alleppy, about 30 miles
south of Cochin
2 Attalakkad pattam 2 3 2 About 6 miles north of No.
1.
3 Kattur pattam 7 19 19 About 12 miles east of No.
2.
4 Manakkodatt pattam 21 37 47 1 About 8 miles north of No
2.
5 Tekkeparampunkara pattam . 4 13 10 Close to No 6 in the south
6 Antony Femandez pattam 1 4 2 About 4 miles south-west of
No 7.
7 Mundamveli pattam 54 119 155 1 About a mile east of No. 8.
8 Domingo Fernandez Palakkal 11 28 26 About half a mile east of
458
Malabar
pattam Nos. 9 and 10

9 Teiveppu pattam 35 77 79 1 South of No. 11 and
adjacent to it.
10 Santiyava pattam 40 90 94 2 Do do.
11 St Louis pattam 5 15 17 About half a mile south of
No 12-
12 Belicho Bodrigues pattam 1 2 3 About 2 miles south of No.
13.
13 Duvadatt Louis pattam 47 116 120 1 South of Nos. 14 and 15,
and contiguous to them
14 Sondikkal Guvankur Silva 1 2 2 West of No. 15 and adjacent
pattam to it.
15 Hendrick Silva pattam 42 161 108 About 3 miles south of
Cochin.
16 Raman Turutta pattam 10 24 20 About 3 miles north-east.
17 Pallipot hospital paramba 7 28 21 About 15 miles north of
Cochin.
The town of Cochin, which is situated on the southern side of the entrance of
the most considerable river in Malabar, is a place of consequence as a naval depot. The
place was noted formerly for ship building and several ships were built here for
merchants of Bombay, measuring from 600 to 1,000 tons. The land in the back of
Cochin is all low. Facing Cochin to the north lies the island of Vypeen formed, as
already noted, in A.D. 1341. The many old granite Dutch buildings give a picturesque
appearance to the town.
Tradition asserts that St. Thomas, the apostle, extended his labours to Cochin in
A.D. 52 leaving behind him the colony of Christians now called Nassaranis. It is further
said that in the first year of the Christian era the Jews settled on the site of their present
colony. Afterwards they established their headquarters at Cranganore (Kodungallur),
where they remained until driven away in the sixteenth century by the Zamorin’s
Mappillas. From copper plates still extant it is put beyond doubt that the Jewish and
Syrian churches were firmly established in Cochin State by the eighth and ninth
centuries.
In 1530, St. Francis Xavier preached here and made many converts. In 1557, the
society of Jesus published at Cochin the first book printed in India. In 1585 Cochin
appears to have been visited by the English traveller, Ralph Fitch, who with a band of
adventurers came by the way of Alleppo, Bagdad and the Persian Gulf to India.
In 1663 the town and fort were captured from the Portuguese by the Dutch,
and the English retired to Ponnani. The Dutch greatly improved the place and its trade,
building substantial houses after the European fashion, and erecting quays, etc. In 1778,
Adrian Van Moens completely altered the fort providing it with new ditches and
building seven strong bastions.
459
William Logan
In 1806 the English blew up the cathedral, destroying at the same time some of
the quays, the best houses in the place and the fort. In 1814 Cochin was formally ceded
to the English by treaty.
Tlie Protestant church (formerly the principal chapel of the Franciscan
monastery, which escaped the general destruction above referred to) is a plain massive
building with a nave 142 feet long by 51 feet broad. Its exact age is uncertain ; but from
inscriptions on the floor it certainly existed before 1546, and is therefore the oldest
European church in India, except perhaps the Calicut church. It contains some curious
old Portuguese and Dutch tombstones. The facade of the church was surmounted by an
ornamental bronze cross and a weather-cock, 6 feet high, which could be perceived
some 10 miles off at sea ; but in 1865 these were pulled down. The building occupied as
the Deputy Collector’s office was formerly the Roman Catholic convent.
The Custom house is situated on the boundary limits of British and native
Cochin. The chief native quarters are Calvetti bazaar, peopled by Mappillas, and
Amaravati, inhabited by chettis and goldsmiths.
In 1796 a fiscal (Dutch Superintendent of Police, Justice of the Peace and

Attorney-General in criminal cases), a criminal and civil court and a court of appeal were
constituted at Cochin. The college for the guardianship of orphans and minors (a Dutch
institution answering to the Court of Wards), a separate orphan-house, an hospital for
lepers at Palliport, and a matrimonial college were also continued. In 1800, Cochin was
placed under the Malabar Commissioners ; in 1801, the Cochin Commission was
abolished and it was placed under the principal Collector of Malabar.
The establishment at Cochin was afterwards reduced to that of a Principal Sadr
Amin and Joint-Magistrate and of a Tahsildar-Magistrate. The hospital at Palliport, 15
miles north of Cochin, is still maintained.
The present officers of Cochin are a Deputy Collector with the powers of a 1st
class Magistrate and Sub-Judge, a Sheristadar-Magistrate with 2nd class powers under the
Deputy Collector, a Civil Surgeon, a Port Dfficer, an Assistant Superintendent of Sea
Customs, and an adhikari with a menon and two peons. There are a Telegraph office, a
Post office, a Police station, a jail, and also a travellers’ bungalow maintained by the
municipality.
The Cochin light-house is on a small mound which formed the bastion of the
old fort to the south of the harbour. It is a white laterite column, on which a fixed white
catadioptric fourth order light is exhibited 100 feet above the sea level and seen 15 miles
off.
This new light-house is 800 yards to the south-west by west of the port flagstaff,
where the old light used to be hoisted on the top of the cathedral tower. The best
anchorage in the Cochin roads is from 5½ to 6½ fathoms soft ground, 2 to 2½ miles
off shore.
460
Malabar
The stream of tide is very strong and its times of change are very irregular,
influenced by the evaporation from, or the fall of rain upon, the immense area of
backwater, of which the Cochin river-mouth is the outlet. At the anchorage abreast the
bar, the ebb sets west north-west, but the tendency of that tide is to the north-west ; its
racing over the sand-banks on the northern side of the river entrance always produces
heavy breakers there, which a ship’s boats should avoid.
The bar at the river’s mouth is a narrow strip of land having 13 feet on it at low
water, but the rise and fall being only 3 feet at spring tides, pilots will only take in vessels
drawing less than 14½ feet. The bar is marked by two buoys. The best Channel does not
always remain at the same spot. There Is at times a surf on the bar occasioned by the
strong ebb running out against the sea
breezes when there is any swell outside.
The river inside is deep 7 to 9
fathoms. Repairs to sailing vessels are
executed at Cochin.
The parade ground of Cochin
occupies the heart of the town beyond
the Protestant church. Near the church
is the old Dutch cemetery, a small
square spot enclosed within high walls.
The new burial ground is a mile and
half from the town.
There are several jetties erected
on coconut piles along the bank of the
river, and the number of Chinese fishing
nets, especially in Vypeen, is surprising.
There is an interesting Roman Catholic
church in the island of Vypeen.
The malady most prominently
brought under one’s notice at Cochin is
elephantiasis.
About a mile and a half from the fort, upon the island of Bolghatti, (Ponhikare)
is the British Residency, a good type of a modern bungalow. The rooms, spacious and
well furnished, open into a large and airy verandah, whence the view between the trees
and over the wide sheets of water in all directions is most agreeable. The grounds are
planted with a variety of trees, and covered with turf.
The Raja of Cochin has a palace at Mettancheri near Cochin. It is used on State
occasions. Immediately adjoining the palace is the synagogue of the Jews, which has a
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William Logan
belfry at one end in which a rude clock, said to be more than 200 years old, regulates
their time. The floor of the synagogue is paved with very neat porcelain tiles.
Three miles north-west of the town of Cochin is Narakkal, which owes its
importance to a mud bank, which stretches about 2½ miles seaward and is 4 miles long.
Within this, vessels can run in the worst part of the south-west monsoon when all other
ports on the coast are closed.
Two weekly English newspapers, the Western Star and the Cochin Argus, are
published at Cochin, in addition to a Malayalam paper designated the Kerala Mittram.
Roads, Canals, etc.—The roads in Cochin lie within the town which is
connected with Mattancheri, in native Cochin State, by a road running almost parallel to
the river bank leading to Jews’ town.
The Calvetti canal is about 6 miles long. Starting from Calvetti it joins the river
up at Kallancheri. Owing to silting, through navigation is possible only during
monsoons.
The water supply of Cochin is bad and the supply of drinking water is brought
by boats from Alwayi, 20 miles from Cochin.
Industry and Manufactures.—The industry of Cochin is now confined to the
manufacture of coir mats and cordage and of coconut oil. A peculiar kind of coir-screen,
intertwined with cuscus, is largely exported.
Dams and Anicuts.—Extensive protective works were carried on at Cruz
Milagre where an opening from the backwater into the sea threatened by diminishing the
scour on the Cochin bar to impair the value of the harbour.
Archæology—There are the ruins of an old church in the Municipal garden. In
the backwater near the Master Attendant’s jetty are to be seen fragments of stone-pillars,
archways, etc.
The ruins of the foundation of the Portuguese fort, first built by Albuquerque
are traceable along the sea face.
One of the elders of the Jewish synagogue has in his possession the original
copper plate deed by which in the eighth century at latest (according to Dr. Burnell) the
Jews obtained lands at Cranganore.
On the west side of the Deputy Collector’s office at Cochin within the
compound are to be seen two broken stones with inscriptions. Many slabs bearing
inscriptions are utilised in the town for crossing the side drains into private houses.
Tangasseri and Anjengo are administratively subject to Cochin.
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Malabar
TANGASSERI
By C. Kunhi Kannan
Tangasseri is situated in Lat. 8°54' N. and Long 76° 38' 15" E., and is bounded
on the north and north-east by the Travancore territory, and on the west, south and
south-east by the sea. In extent it is only 96 acres. In 1871 its population was 1,562,
whilst in 1881 it was 1,665 (784 males and 881 females). The inhabitants are almost
exclusively Christians, there being 4 Hindus, 2 Muhammadans, 1,658 Christians and 1
other caste.
Tangasseri adjoins Quilon. It was a Portuguese possession from 1519 to 1661
when it was captured by the Dutch. The fort is built on a headland of laterite jutting into
the sea. The length is about 2½ furlongs east and west, and the mean breadth 1 furlong.
Portions of the old walls are still visible, as are also the ruins of an old Portuguese tower
and belfry. The English Government came into possession of Tangasseri on the capture
of Cochin in 1795. It has been leased to the Travancore Government for an annual rent
of Rs. 2,447, which will be referred to hereafter.
In civil judicial matters the people are subject to the District Munsif's Court at
Anjengo, which is again subordinate to the District Court of South Malabar. For
criminal matters there is a resident Subordinate Magistrate under the immediate orders
of the Deputy Magistrate of Cochin. The Sub-Magistrate also exercises the functions of
a Sub- Registrar of Assurances.
A bank of hard ground called the Tangasseri reef extends 1½ miles to the
south-west and 3 miles to the west of the Tangasseri point, and 6 miles along the coast
to the northward. The bank should not be approached by vessels under 13 fathoms of
water by day or 17 fathoms at night.
The origin of the word Tangasseri or Changacherry is involved in doubt.
Changacherry was the former ruler of Kollam (Quilon), who was dispossessed in 1740
by Travancore. The place might have taken its name from this ruler ; ‘‘Changa” means
conch and the name might imply conch-village. It is also conjectured that the name
Tangasseri or gold village (tangam = gold) owes its origin to the circumstance of a large
quantity of gold coins having been put in circulation by the Portuguese who settled there
at first and who exchanged them for the goods purchased by them.
Tangasseri is level, crowded with houses, and very thickly planted with coconut,
bread-fruit and other trees. There is no room for the cultivation of paddy or other
grains.
Religious Institutions.—There are two sections of Roman Catholics at
Tangasseri, the one owing allegiance to the Goa Mission, and the other to the Propaganda
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William Logan
Mission of Verapoly. The church of the latter is very old, having been built, it is said, in
1789. It is 96 feet long by 66 feet broad.
The Propaganda Mission has since 1840 started an English and Vernacular
boys’ school. A convent was added to the church in 1845 and a girls’ school was opened
in 1885. Within the church at the foot of the altar lies a tombstone with an epitaph over
the grave of the first Vicar Apostolic Bishop.
The church under the Goa Mission was founded in 1841 by the Archbishop
elect of Cranganore, Don Manual De Sam Joquim Neves. It was, it appears, originally
intended as a chapel for his burial, and built in a garden of his own. He died in 1849, and
his body was interred in the centre ol the church which is marked by a tombstone
bearing an epitaph. This church is now being enlarged. It is 122 feet by 52 feet.
There are two cemeteries in Tangasseri enclosed within walls. They are
separated by the road leading to the flagstaff. One of them is a Protestant graveyard,
which is looked after by a gardener on Rs. 5 per mensem.
Tangasseri is, as already observed, leased to the Travancore State for Rs, 2,447
per annum. The conditions of the lease are the following: —
That "all rents, customs, or jenkums, profits and produce, accruing from the
said rented premises of all denominations, whatsoever, are hereby declared to become
the sole property of the Travancore Sirkar during the full and entire period of three
years. That the inhabitants, residing within the limits of the said village of Tangasseri, of
all castes and descriptions, whatsoever, shall continue to be under the protection of the British
Government in all cases of a civil or Police nature.
"That with the exception of the introduction of the monopoly of the sales ot
tobacco and spirits, the Travancore Sirkar or its Agents are prohibited from imposing
new taxes, levying unusual duties or arbitrary exactions of any kind on the inhabitants of
Tangassari, and that an attempt to do so by the Travancore Sirkar, will forfeit all claim to
a continuance of the Farm.
"The Police establishment at Tangasseri are to afford every aid and support to
the servants of the Farm in the detection of frauds or attempts to introduce into
Tangasseri any of the articles under Government monopoly.
"The Police will give all aid in securing peaccable execution of revenue
processes as far as required and authorised by law so to do."
The lease was last renewed for three year on 10th July 1883.
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ANJENGO
By C Kunhi Kannan
Anjengo1 lies between Lat. 8° 40' N., Long. 76° 47' E. It is bounded on the
north and south by the Travancore State, on the east by the Anengo backwater, and on
the west by the Arabian sea.
NOTEs: 1. The name is said to be derived from Anchutenga or five coconut trees. The origin of the word
continues to be a matter of speculation. END OF NOTEs.
It is only 211 acres in extent. Its population in 1871 was 2,410 whilst in 1881 it
was 2,534 (1,240 males and 1,294 females) classified as follows : —
Hindus 1,054
Muhammadans 165
Christians 1,315
Of this number 167 were returned as "under instruction"’, 216 "instructed”, and
2,151 illiterate, including not stated”. In 1871 there were 436 houses, whilst in 1881
there were 517 houses, of which 70 were unoccupied.
Anjengo is divided into two desams—the Kottadilli farm called in Malayalam
Kodutala, and Vadikkakam or Anjengo proper, including Puttura.
Kottadilli is farmed to the Travancore Government for a sum of Rs. 1,450 per
annum. The terms of the lease will be adverted to hereafter.
There is a Subordinate Magistrate at Anjengo who has his office in Vadikkakam
or Anjengo proper. He exercises magisterial, civil, revenue, and registration powers. He
has a small establishment. He is immediately subordinate to the Deputy Collector of
Cochin. In civil matters, Tangasseri is subject to Anjengo.
There is an old European cemetery looked after by a gardener on a salary of Rs.
5 per mensem. It is enclosed within walls. There was a hospital in Anjengo wffich was
abolished in 1880.
Vadikkakam and Puttura are free from land-tax and duties of customs.
Physical aspects.—Anjengo has a level surface. The soil is sandy and congenial
to coconut trees with which it is planted up. There is very little of paddy cultivation and
the outturn is poor. The water supply for drinking is indifferent and scarce.
Churches and temples.—-There are two Roman Catholic churches and two
small Hindu temples. One of the churches, St. Peter’s is an ancient one, having very old
paintings. It is 116 by 36 feet. It is under the jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Goa ; but
465
William Logan
when there were disputes between the Propagandists and Pedroists, some of the
Christians seceded from the latter party and built a small church 42 by 20 feet, dedicated
to St. Philomona.
In 1850, a reconciliation took place between the two antagonistic sections who
submitted themselves to the Jurisdiction of the Vicar Apostolic of Quilon.
Of the two temples Sivan kovil belongs to the Iluvars, In which Siva is
worshipped, the other Amman kovil belongs to Vellalas and is dedicated to Sakti.
Festivals are celebrated here in Kumbam (February- March) and Minam
(March-April).
The Fort of Anjengo.-The fort of Anjengo is in Vadikkakam or Anjengo proper.
Like Tellicherry it was of use to protect the Hon’ble E. I. Company’s trade at their
factory established here in the end of the I7th century. And from this place was spread
the English influence on native affairs in Travancore and Cochin, which has already in
Volume I been fully described.
The fort is 36 yards square. It was built in 1695, the East India Company having
obtained permission from the Rani of Attingal, a village 10 miles north-east of Anjengo,
to occupy the site in 1684. A portion of the lower mast of the old flagstaff still stands on
the north-western angle of the fort. The fort is now quite deserted.
Though the defects of the situation were from the first apparent, it was hoped
that the facilities afforded for the collection of pepper, coir, and calico would
compensate for the disadvantages. During the wars of the Carnatic, Anjengo was found
of use as a depot for military stores and as the point from which the first news of
outward-bound ships reached Madras.
The anchorage off Anjengo under 10 fathoms is foul rocky ground, and outside
of that depth the bottom is sand and shells. Ships cannot therefore anchor under 10 or
11 fathoms, and the prevalence of considerable surf on the coast particularly to the
southward, renders it unsafe for ships’ boats to land.
In 1792 Anjengo was reported to be in hopeless decline. In 1809 during the
hostilities with Travancore its roadstead was blockaded, and in the following year the
post of Commercial Resident was abolished and the station made subordinate to the
Political Resident at Trivandrum.
Robert Orme, the historian, was born here in 1728. He was the son of a
physician attached to the Anjengo factory who became afterwards chief of the factory ;
and here lived Eliza Draper, to whom some of Sternes’ letters were addressed.
It has already been stated that Vadikkakam or Anjengo proper was acquired
from the Rani of Attingal. Kottadilli was ceded to the English on 10th January 1731
under the following circumstances: —
466
Malabar
When hostilities commenced between the Kariyakkar of Attingal and the

English at Anjengo, Mr Walter Brown of the Bombay Council arrived at Anjengo, and it
was agreed that as soon as the customary annual allowance to the Rani was paid all
disputes should be laid in oblivion.
Accordingly, the Chief of Anjengo, Mr. Gyfford, with a party of ten persons
marched to Attingal to offer presents to the Rani on 15th April 1721. A few invalids
alone were left for the defence of the fort. Though Mr. Gyfford and his party met with a
good reception at Attingal, they were all later on treacherously murdered, including
Messrs. Gyfford Burton, Fleming, Cowes and others. After this the murderers made for
the fort of Anjengo which was most valiantly defended by Gunner Ince, who repulsed
every attempt of the besiegers to scale the walls. He kept the besiegers at bay until
succoured by men sent out by Mr. Adams, Chief of Tellicherry. In satisfaction for this
outrage, the Raja of Travancore and the Rani of Attingal granted the gardens of Palatadi
and Kottadilli to the Honourable Company on 10th January 1731. The grant is given
below :—
"Towards Cherreungne are the garden of Palatadi and Kottadilli which were
formerly bought by the Commander of Anjengo, but when on 15th April 1721, he and
ten other persons went to Atenga to make presents to the Queen, they were killed by the
treachery of Pullays and Karikars who seized the money of the Honourable Company.
Seeing the loss and damage thus done to the Honourable Company, we have ceded the
same gardens to them giving up their revenues and the right of cutting trees and ail
other privileges which the Company may take and they and heirs may enjoy these
gardens without any obstacle or having any obstruction ; but we are obliged to ask for a
free passage and protection on the part of the Honourable Company. Thus in truth we
confirm (the grants) with our signatures to the Commander on the 10th January 1731."
The terms of the lease of the Kottadilli farm to the Travancore Government are
given below.
That ''all rents and taxes with revenue arising from the sale of tobacco, salt and
spirits, as well as all other profits and produce whatever accruing from the said rented
premises are hereby declared to become the sole property of His Highness the
Maharaja’s Government. That the inhabitants of the farm of Kottadilli of all castes and
descriptions whatsoever shall continue to be under the protection of the British
Government and amenable to its authorities in all cases of a police or civil nature and
that the British Resident is empowered by the second paragraph of the Minutes of
Consultation of the Government of Fort St. George, No. 90, under date the 25th
Febiuary 1847, to interfere summarily in all complaints made by the ryots against the
Sirkar officers.
“The Police establishment of Anjengo shall afford every aid and support to the
Sirkar servants in the detection of frauds, or attempts to introduce into the Kottadilli
467
William Logan
farm, any of the articles under Sirkar
monopoly and in the collection of the
revenue of the village.”
Products and Industry.—
Coconut is the staple produce. The
majority of the people engage themselves
in catching fish. They use drag nets. They
go out to sea in the height of the
monsoon in catamarans to catch fish.
The owner of each net has to pay one-
third of the price of fish caught every
Friday to the church. This rate is called
Friday contribution or Velliyalcha Kuru.
Lemon-grass oil and coir yarn are manufactured at Anjengo. The former is
distilled on the Travancore hills and exported from Anjengo. The trade in this oil was
once great, a dozen bottles of oil fetching as much as Rs. 100. But the trade is now on
the wane.
The coir yarn turned out in Anjengo is superior to that made else where on the
coast. Dried fish and hides are occasionally exported to Ceylon, where the majority of
Anjengo Christians go to work on coffee estates.
Anjengo is still noted for its paintings.
Archæology.—There are several old tombstones in Anjengo. The earliest
inscription is that raised over grave of the wife of the Commander of the Fort, John
Brabon, in A.D. 1704.
There is uninterrupted inland water communication from Anjengo to Tirur, a
Railway station in Ponnani taluk, a distance of nearly 200 miles.
468
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WILLIAM LOGAN, M.C.S.

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h. Candan of Great Taleicheri Kil-way ("under-mouth, eastern commander or

["Perimpadappu, who is now the Raja of Cochin, is here not mentioned,

We have given as eternal (literally, ‘‘water”2) possession to Iravi Corttan, the

d. Decreed with the sanction of the Palace-major (Koyilatikarikal) Vyaraka

l. If any injustice be done to these (the Palliyar ? or Anjuwannam and

Note.—Translated from a copy received from Nellisseri Siva Ramayyan of

വേര തി ു്) by removing the displeasure (തിരുെവളേ ട contracted from

by way of atonement ( പായ ി മായി), of our property (സ ) Meletattakku,

ആധാരമാകു തു്) is Chokkanathan (Siva), Emur Bhagavati and Melkaranavan (chief

of the Ottakandam1 land (ഒ ക ം) for 602 Idangalis of paddy at the north-western

water (അ ിെ രുംനീരും വിലവുറി െകാ െമയ ും), the witness (താ ി)

corruption of (സാ ി) who knows this is Talavattutt1 Putiya Pattanatt Nanikkott

Adhikarikal (അധികാരികൾ) = Sarvadhikaryakar), granted on receipt of the market

Note.-Translated from a copy received from Kilepatt Teyyan Menon of

enjoyed as Karam pattam2? (കാരാംപാ - കാര മപാ ം = perpetual pattam), and

Note.—Translated from a copy of a copper-plate deed received from the

of Kolamanna. As the anger (േ ാഭം) of Kudalmanikkam (കൂടൽമാണി ം) =

surrendered (ഒഴി ു) by a document (എഴുതിെവ = literally, wrote and placed)

Ilamule Chennan Raman and Chennalikkote Chatta Raman. Written by Meledatt

received the current market value (അ ുെപറുംഅർ ം) from1 Palayur Viyatan

Patavarkote Narayanan Devan granted [എഴുതിെവ െകാടു ാൻ === literally,

sowing 47 measures (വടി ൻ) of seed (situated) in Valia Kundanur Desam. Thus

and grantee (എഴുതിെവ െകാ െമ ും) is Raru Patteri (Bhattatiri). Written by

corruption of (സാ ി) who knows this (transaction) is Kuppadakkai Kannan

Attippettolakaranam (അ ിെ േ ാലകരണം), executed in the solar month

belonging to Tirumala devasam in the tracts പേദശ ൾ) included in Turavur and

Attipper ola karanam (അ ിെ െറാലകരണം), executed on the closing (െപാകു )

Attippettolakarunam (അ ിെ െ ാലകരുണം), executed at Chittur Mannatt2 in

Note.—Translated from a copy received from the Nallopaili Ankaratta Valiya

Kandam (field), south as far as Kalattil Kolangakote Paramba, west as far as

and the grantees (എഴുതിെകാ െമ ും) Vennarattur Okki, Tekkiniyetam and

Written in the hand of Kakkalan Imbichchi Andi with Matirapanapennapurat

NOTEs: 1. One of the families which attested Deeds Nos. 1 and 2,

executed on the 9th

Note.—Translated from a copy furnished by the District Registrar.

Customary improvement value, subject to Ali (അഴി, see above) ൈദശമർ ാദ

Note.—Translated from a copy received from the Registrar of Malabar.

Mr. GRÆME’S GLOSSARY WITH

Kayattu nel, see Petipadu. Keikkuli.

Pisharam, see Houses. Podi.

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS NOTED IN THE GLOSSARY.

Anubhavam of the purapad, or residue of purapad after deducting mortgage interest,

Plantations bordering the seashore and rivers.

See Changngatikkuri; Kalyanam (Sanskrit) = luck, happiness.

acquire possession in consequence only of advancing the pattam money. The

211 (1859). Fraudulent setting up of a different tenure to that given

Notes—1. See Adima

Notes.—1. See Kanam.

property to a new tenant. Compensation is allowed for buildings and fruit-producing

Note.— This is an arrangement by which the landlord assigns on mortgage a

Mrigam (Sanskrit) == quadrupeds, wild animals. Nalkkali (Dravidian) =

Remarks.—No. 1. May be explained to be an interest of one-sixteenth of every Idangali

PALLIYAL, or PALLIYALI, or PAILLNYAYAL, or PALLIMANYAYAL.

Note.- See Vittupad.

Though in general these two words are synonymous to express the