I83&.] Report on the Mackenzie Manuscripts. 



Section 5. Account of revenues in Travancore. 



301 



This document has been copied in transposed order, it relates wholly 

 to revenue details ; and is unimportant. On a brief paper, attached, is a 

 mention of lands cultivated by slaves. 



There follows a document written on thin China paper, torn and im- 

 perfect, concerning the people termed Conc/unar, who are stated to be 

 descendants of those that assisted Parasu Rama in his wars. There is a 

 preface of legendary matter, relative to Siva, and his overcoming of asu- 

 ras, to the contentment of the devas. The account of Parasu Rama is 

 introduced : his parentage. In early life he singly encountered a lion, 

 and killed it. There were many Cshetrhja kings in those days ; among 

 whom Kariaviriyan was very powerful ; who by force took away the cow 

 of plenty, from his father Jamadagni. He ultimately killed the oppres- 

 sor. The Bralimans told Parasu Rama it was not right for him to possess 

 a country, which he had made over to them. He left in anger ; and be- 

 sought from the sea as much land as would extend to the distance to 

 which he could throw a hand-winnow for corn. It alighted at Goker- 

 nam. (There is a difference here from other accounts ; and the account 

 breaks off, leaving a blank page). Thence recommences a mention of 

 Parasu Rama locating the Ccnganar in this country; and it states that he 

 still resides, doing penance, on one of the mountains in the extreme 

 south. (The section heading in the Des. Cat. which may have been 

 intended to designate this paper cannot be now determined). 



A paper on cultivation, compiled by NitaJa Narayan, contained vari- 

 ous minute details, not met with in the preceding portions of this book ; 

 but for which it is difficult to fix on any section heading in the Des. Cat. 

 The details are not adapted for abstracting. It may be viewed as sup- 

 plementary to the first sections. 



Section 14. Account of the Nayars, otherwise called Prabkus (chiefs). 



The document states their amount to be 3 lakhs and 50 thousand, 

 or three hundred and fifty-thousand. The statement is the result of ver- 

 bal answers to enquiries. It is very brief, and contains little or nothing, 

 beyond the mention of the circumstance, that when two persons of the 

 same family are in one house, one is the property of the king. 



