THE COAST OF MALABAR. 3 



2d. From the Perumbura to Poodumputtum was 

 called the MoJIoek Rauje* 



3d. From Poodum, or Poodputtun, to the limits 

 of Kunetui, was called the Kerul or Keril Rauje; and 

 as the principal feat of the ancient government was 

 fixed in this middle divifion of Malabar, its na/ne 

 prevailed over, and was in courfe of time underftood 

 in a general fenfe to comprehend the three others. 



4th. From Kunety to Kunea Koomary, or Cape 

 Comorin, was called the Koop Rauje ; and thefe four 

 grand divifions were parcelled out into a greater num- 

 ber of Naadbs, (pronounced Naars y and meaning 

 diftricls or countries,) and of Khunds, or fubdivifions, 

 under the latter denomination. 



IV. The proportion of the produce of their lands, 

 that the Brdhmens are (rated to have originally affigned 

 for the fupport of government, amounted to only one 

 lixth (hare: but in the fame book of Kerul Oodputtee 

 they are afterwards faid to have divided the country 

 into three equal proportions ; one of which was con- 

 fecrated to fupply the expence attending religious 

 worfhip, another for the fupport of government, and 

 the third for their own maintenance. 



V. However this may be, according to the book 

 above quoted, the Brahmens appear to have fir ft fet 

 up, and for fome time maintained, a fort of republi- 

 can or ariftocratical government, under two or three 

 principal chiefs, elected to adminifter the government, 

 which w r as thus carried on (attended, however, with 

 feveral intermediate modifications) till, on jealoufies 

 arifing among themfelves, the great body of the Brah- 

 men landholders had recourfe to foreign afliftance, 

 which terminated, either by conqueft or convention, 

 in their receiving to rule over them a Permal, or chief 

 governor, from the Prince of the neighbouring coun- 



A 2 try 



