48 



The Neilgherry Mountains. 



[No. 34, 



Villages. 

 Situations and general 

 description. 



The total number of Toda villages, called 

 "Munds," on the Hills is 85, the whole of which, 

 with the exception of 11, are situated in the di- 



Toda munds. 



vision called the " Toda-naad" and almost all to the extreme west 

 of that part, approaching the Pykara or Moyaar river. They seldom 

 comprise more than three residences or huts, with one building conse- 

 crated to their deity, and which is also the dairy or place in w^hich their 

 milk, curds, ghee, Sec, are kept, and one large circular pen for their 

 cattle, surrounded by a substantial stone wall, and closed by sliding 

 bars at one opening for entrance and exit. The sites chosen for 

 these munds are in general most picturesque — always adjacent to a 

 wood, and usually on an open space of grass almost completely em- 

 bosomed in it, and extending in gentle slopes covered with the rich- 

 est turf, which the grazing of their cattle (and the consequent ma- 

 nuring) maintains in the finest order. Their huts are low, arched 

 buildings, resembling a hay cock, but admirably contrived to keep out 

 rain and cold, the roof and side walls forming one continuous curve 

 of split bamboos, rattan and thatch; having an end wall strongly 

 built and a front wall with one small opening or door in it, so small 

 indeed that the inhabitants have to crawl on their hands and knees to 

 enter by it. Besides the dairy there is generally one small hut at- 

 tached to the mund, in which the calves they breed are kept separate 

 from their dams. 



In addition to their villages or munds, the Todars have five sacred 

 places in which only two men reside called " Polaul" and " Capilaul" 

 devoted to a priestly life and living apart from the rest of their tribe. 

 A temple and a cattle pen is attached to each of these sacred munds, 

 which are usually situated in the bosom of a thick wood, so as to be 

 screened from the vulgar gaze. 



in number, averaging 10 or 12, being built in a row on the summit of 

 a low smooth hill, and having a wide level terrace running along the 

 front, for the purpose of spreading out their grain to dry after damp 

 weather, and also to pick and husk it on. They have usually two 

 substantial cattle pens, or more, according to the size of the village, 

 with high rough dry stone walls and barricaded entrances, to secure 

 their cows and bullocks against cheetahs and tigers, which though 

 not common on these Hills, occasionally find their way up from the 

 forests below — and traverse the district, doing much mischief as 



Burgher villages. 



The villages of the Burghers are, in general 

 very neat and clean, the houses, which are few 



