310 



Report on the Mackenzie Manuscripts, [April 



of connected places. Some remains of the chaff of this^ harvest are 

 said to be preserved in the treasuries of neighbouring temple«. From 

 the time of Tondaman Chucraverli, down to Crishna Rayer^s lime, 

 this fort was under the management of the Fetlazhar, or agricuhurists. 

 Crishna-Rayer demanded of them to build an agrahvram, which 

 they refused to do ; and he in consequence w aged war against them 

 with great slaughter for six months ; when they consented to his 

 request, and builr two choultries, one of which was called by the name 

 of Crishna-Rayer. 



Historical Indication.— Divested of fable the probability is that 

 a gold mine was anciently discovered in the field of a Brahman ; 

 and worked by one of the Rayers, The closing circumstance is within 

 the range of credible tradition. 



Section 6. Accounts of the places of hidden treasure in the Arcot 

 district. 



1. In Paduvur, there are four Panta curzis, in which they say 

 treasure is contained. 



2. In Tiru'Vidaichuram, in a Pedari kovil, under the image of Dur* 

 gay there is stated to be buried treasure. There is a sort of proverbial, 

 enigmatical saying to this effect, current among the country people 

 thereabouts. Notice of an account given to a servant (Gomasteh) 

 of the Surveyor General, of seven vessels of buried treasure, and of a 

 human sacrifice offered by some persons, who in consequence took 

 away one vessel, and went to live at Wandiwash. 



3. In Neyamalij they say there is hidden treasure. 



4. Beyond that village near Chingleput the pagoda of Tiruvade- 

 sveren at Callatur, at Cunatur^ Vemhacam near Chingleput, Utlara 

 Melur, and some other places, there is said to be buried treasure. 



Remark. Perhaps Colonel Mackenzie's instructions to his agents 

 included enquiries on the above subject : with one exception, as to the 

 Panta curzis. I do not see that any light is reflected on past history 

 by such traditions. 



Section 7. Ancient history of Tonda-maiidalam and its earlier 

 inhabitants, called Vedars and Curumhars, 



After the deluge the country was a vast forest inhabited by wild 

 beasts. A wild race of men arose ; who, destroying the wild beasts, 



