Ixix 



South Arcot. — The system of slavery founded in the first instance 

 on contract existed in the district, the number of slaves amounting to 

 17,000. The owners were required to provide the slaves with food 

 and clothing, and to defray their wedding expenses and to assist them 

 with presents on the occasion of births of children and to defray 

 funeral cliarges. The food given was always sufficient for subsistence, 

 but the clothing was very scanty. The owners were bound to protect 

 the slaves in sickness and old age. 



GhingUput. — The system of slavery, originally founded on contract, 

 existed in the district. The slaves were given a certain prescribed 

 grain allowance and a proportionate subsistence for each of their 

 children or others of the family. They were also housed and clothed 

 and during the principal festivals certain other allowances were made 

 to them both in money and in articles requisite for their ceremonies ; 

 their marriages were also performed at the charge of their masters 

 and when reduced by infirmity they were also supported by their 

 proprietors. The condition of this description of people, composing 

 the chief part of the Pariahs of the district, had, of late, considerably 

 changed, in consequence of the vicinity of the town of Madras where 

 many of them obtained employment and their proprietors found it 

 difficult to reclaim them. 



Trichbiopoly. — Slavery existed in the district, the number of 

 slaves amounting to 10,600. They were usually sold with the land 

 and sometimes mortgaged. They were supposed to be entirely sup- 

 ported by their masters in sickness and in health. Their marriages 

 were made at the expense of the mirasidars and the expenses of their 

 funerals were also defrayed by them. The slaves enjoyed some little 

 gratuity at every birth and received a certain established sum at the 

 principal Hindu festivals. A list of the yearly emoluments which a 

 slave was properly entitled to receive is noted below. They were not 

 treated harshly. 



The quantity of land to be cultivated by a slave is an extent 

 capable of yielding 150 kalams of paddy. 



Kalams. Gifts. 



Varam of a Pullen ... 8 5f 



Do. Pullichi .. 6 6i 



