1838.] Account of the Curumbars aud Muttilyar, 413 



Muthaliers, and Velldzhas, render them homage ; to which the others 

 did not consent ; and the Curumbars in consequence greatly troubled 

 them. Still they did not submit, Accordingly in betel gardens, and 

 in many other places they constructed very low wicket gates, so that 

 the Hindus coming to them must be forced to bow on entering. But 

 the Muthaliers and Velldzhas, instead of entering head foremost thrust 

 their feet in first, and thus treated the Curumbars with contempt. As 

 the latter had power in their possession, they vexed the said tribes. 

 These at length went to a barber ; and, promising a gift of land, asked 

 of him counsel how to destroy the Curumbars. The barber gave them 

 encouragement ; who then went to the houses of all his tribe and en- 

 gaged their services by promise. It was the custom of the Curumbars 

 that, if one of their people died, the whole family should have the head 

 shaved. One of the seniors of the tribe of Curumbars died : and by cus- 

 tom the whole tribe, at one time, sat down to have their heads shaved. 

 The aforesaid barber, on this occasion charged all his associates each 

 one to kill his man ; which they did, by each one cutting the throat 

 of the person shaved. The women thus suddenly widowed had a 

 great pile of fire kindled into which they leaped, and died ; execrating 

 their enemies. The ruins of the Curumbar forts and villages are still 

 visible ; being heaps of mould ; there are very old wells, some for in- 

 stance near Sadras : the bricks of these wells have an appearance of 

 great antiquity. 



Remarks, What evidence is due to the tradition I cannot tell : if 

 true, it adds another instance to the tragedies, consequent to sectarial 

 hatred, and effected by stratagem and treachery, which are numerous 

 in this collection. 



Section 11. — Account of the Wiyalavdr or Muttilyar at Nerva- 



palliyam. 

 The Curumbars, in the time of the rayers built forts, causeways, &c. 

 In that time these Wiyalvar came from Ayodhya, in the north. They 

 brought with them two tutelary goddesses called Angalammai and Wi- 

 yalammai -, together with attendants (as supposed of these idols). These 

 first halted at Vidpuram. At that period one Chennapa nayak was 

 acting with great violence, and killing many people. The rayers in 

 consequence promised to this new tribe, that if they would remove the 

 nuisance he would give them the district, so cleared, as their reward. 

 In consequence, by the power of their goddess, they took those robbers 

 and having obtained the district of Chennapa nayak, they first gave it 

 the name of Canda-gadi-palliyam. Subsequently, as the Curumbars gave 

 much trouble, and insulted the Muthaliers^ the rayer made great pro- 

 3f2 



