67 Memoir of the Survey of Tramncore, [JanuaIeiy 



in the more northern parts, where the Keereeathee class arc also 

 more generally found. The lUacurra and the three succeeding ranks 

 predominate throughout Travancore, the above term signifies one 

 belonging to the house of a Nomboorie, and may probably denote 

 the state of dependance in which they were retained by the bra- 

 mins ; while that of Shroobacurra applies more particularly to those 

 who were held in vassalage by the chiefs. Paudamungalum, and 

 Tamulpaudum, (appellations denoting those who were under the 

 controul of temples) constitute the fifth and sixth classes. Puli* 

 cham are the bearers of the Nomboories or higher ranks, but per- 

 forming this office for no others. The Shacouller, or Vellacaudoo, 

 are those following the profession of oilmongers. The Poolicay, or 

 Andem Nairs, are potters. Vellathudum oi* Errinkolay, Purri^trrie 

 ©r Vellakathura, are washermen, and barbers, of the bramins, and 

 Nairs, but will only act as such for them. Aggatuchurnaver, are 

 those who perform some menial offices for the former. Yedda^ 

 chayray Nair, or Yerma Shaudra, are cowherds. CuUatu Nair, or 

 Velloor Nair, are empiricks. Yahbary, merchants. Oodatoo Nair, 

 boatmen, Attycoorchy, or ^deear, a low cast who perform the ne- 

 cessary offices about the dead. There are four principal classes of 

 artificers, silver smiths, braziers, black smiths, carpenters, who 

 constitute (tho' separate in themselves) a distinct body, and are the 

 lowest rank of (if they can be included amongst) Shuders, Many 

 minor subdivisions might be added ; each of the above orders are 

 still further graduated and discriminated by various shades. It 

 must be observed, however, that those belonging to each particular 

 class, are by no means confined to the vocation, some of them would 

 seem to point out, and the profession must be generally considered 

 as rather serving to denote a distinct rank than indicating an occu^ 

 pation ; this remark it will be seen is alike applicable to the several 

 divisions of artists. The males will eat (and with them the cir- 

 cumstance is important) with those belonging to their own cast, 

 though somewhat lower than them in rank, but they do not carry 

 their condescension very far ; the females are quite inexorable on 

 this point, and in many instances even decline using the vessel that 

 has been touched by a person of inferior* (however slight the differ- 

 ence) order. 



*Their fastidiousness is occasionally inconsistent. The bramins receiving 

 as food a confection made by the Concanies, as the Nairs do a sweetmeat 

 made by the christians. 



