1838.] Adcount of the Cottai yatta chief. 491 



the people. Being carried before the Verdar raja he stated his rank 

 and object. The Verdar raja told the foreigner that he must marry 

 one of the daughters of the kingly tribe here, or else he would not be 

 suffered to depart. The stranger objected that he himself was of the 

 Cshetriya caste, and could not marry into the Verdar tribe ; but not- 

 withstanding if the latter raja would consent to the entire ceremonial 

 being performed according to the Cshetriya rites, that then he would 

 agree to the marriage. The Verdar raja consented, and the other 

 then directed that himself and intended bride should be kept in sepa- 

 rate rooms up to a certain propitious day specified ; that meantime a 

 large pandal (or booth) must be erected and lined entirely with silks 

 and other costly materials, and the whole place must be filled with the 

 fruits of the nelli (Emblic rtyrobolan) Phyllanthus emblica — Finn. 

 and tdni (Terminalia bilirica. — Roxb.) 



The Verdar raja was also to cause all the people, bearing arms in 

 his country, to assemble by that time in a certain fort. To these in- 

 structions the Verdar raja consented. The Cumbala raja had two 

 companions, one a Jadadhari, (or ascetic with matted hair,) the other a 

 Sudra Vellazhan ; by the instrumentality of these persons he wrote to 

 the king of the Curumba country, and to the Cotta raja, mentioning the 

 precise time fixed, and bidding them come just then with all the forces 

 they could command, and to enter the fort at the giving of a certain 

 signal by sound of trumpet. At the time of the marriage ceremonies, 

 musicians were appointed, the Jadadhari being their leader, who gave 

 the projected signal ; when the Curumba and Cotta chiefs entered the 

 fort with their troops ; by whom the Verdar raja and the greater portion 

 of his people were slain : a few escaped. On coming to the place where 

 the Cumbala raja was confined, he told them who he was and came out 

 to them. The other chiefs then asked him as to the future government 

 of the country thus acquired. He replied that his own country was too 

 distant to admit of his having any thing to do with this country ; and 

 that it was sufficient to be saved from the disgraceful marriage that had 

 been intended. The other two chiefs then gave him presents and com- 

 plimentary honors ; and seeing him well attended, sent him away to 

 his own country. The Jadadhari received a district of land to rule 

 over. The before intended bride was given in marriage to one of the 

 Nambiya caste, who was entrusted with the government, under the 

 Curumba and Cotta chiefs. These next consulted how they should 

 divide the country ; so as to avoid disputes. They agreed to set out in 

 different directions, and to make the spot, where they should meet the 

 boundary. This plan docs not seem to have answered ; and the Cotta 



