40 



ANTIQUITIES OF MAMANIH7R 



are filled with small stones mixed with clay or other soil. The 

 wall upon the eastern side presents a door-like opening, about 

 20 inches wide, between the stones which close that side. 



The other dolmens which are observable in this spot are 

 generally smaller than the one described, but the great size 

 and thickness of the roofing stone in each excites surprise 

 and makes them even more wonderful than the ordinary 

 structures of the kind in which the roof is made of a flat slab 

 only 8 or 10 inches in thickness. Fine collections of the 

 usual style of dolmens may be found three or four miles 

 north-east of Chittur in a valley near the village of Kalava- 

 gunta, and again near Bapanattam in the Palmaner Taluk, 

 in both of which places nearly a square mile of country is 

 covered with these ancient sepulchres, arranged in parallel 

 lines, and presenting the appearance of a deserted pigmy city. 



Like the caves, the dolmens are, by the people, ascribed 

 to the Pandavas, being called Pandava temples. Nothing 

 appears to have been yet discovered regarding their origin, but 

 it is a curious coincidence that the Kuruba shepherds, who 

 are found in large numbers on the plateau, which forms the 

 west of the North Arcot District, still erect dolmens upon a 

 small scale. Their temples are surrounded by a low wall 

 of stones enclosing a small extent of land covered with such 

 monuments, constructed with only three walls and a roof 

 each formed of a single flat stone. The fourth side is open 

 instead of having another wall with the central aperture. 

 They explain that upon the death of the head (Groudu) of any 

 of their clans, one of these structures is raised, but not over 

 the spot where his body is buried. It is merely a memento 

 of him, and here offerings are made, and worship performed 

 at intervals for the rest of his soul. The Kurubas are identi- 

 cal with the Kurumbas of the plain country, the home 

 language of each being Canarese ; and Conjeveram being 



