180 



ON THE CASTES 



The eighth class has 5 divisions : 



(1) . Those who received danam (gift) from Parasurama 



and took upon themselves Parasurama's sin. 



(2) . Those who gave permission to the death of Bhutaraya 



Perumal (one of the early viceroys who ruled 

 Malabar). 



(3) . Those who killed the above mentioned Perumal. 



(4) . Ilayathus (the priests of Sudras). 



(5) . The inhabitants of Pannior Grama who removed 



the Varaha MurtL 



The two classes of Nuna jatis deserve no special mention. 



The twelve classes of Anlarala jati 10 are — (1) Atikal, 

 (2) Pushpakan, (3) Nampi, (4) Puppalli, (5) Pisharoti, 

 (6) Variyar, (7) Chakkyar, (8) Nampiar, (9) Tiattunni, 

 (10) Kurukkal, (11) Pitaran, and (12) Nattupattan. 



Of the eighteen classes of Sudras the Keriatil Nairs occupy 

 the foremost place. The cause of this is their descent from the 

 first of the three classes of females brought to Malabar by 

 Parasurama. Their peculiar privilege is that they need not 

 serve the Brahmins. 



The remaining seventeen classes are obliged to serve the 

 Brahmins. They are— 



( 7 ). Chempukotti. 

 ( 8 ). Otathu Nair. 

 ( 9 ). PaUichhan. 



(10) . Matavan. 



(11) . Kalankotti. 



(12) . Vattakkatan. 



(13) . Ashtikurichhi. 



(1) . Illakar. 



(2) . Svartipakkar. 



(3) . Padamangalam 



(4) . Tamulpadam. 



(5) . Itackeri Nair. 



(6) . Maran. 



(14) . Chet-ti. 



(15) . Chalian. 



(16) . Veluthetan. 



(17) . Velukkatadavana 



or Kshavurak- 

 kavan.il 



(10) Of the twelve Antarala jatis some only have the Brahminical thread. 

 The general name of the Antarala jati is Ampalavasi or those who live in the 

 pagodas, thus showing the nature of their duty which is to serve in the 

 temples. The two Nuna jatis and the twelve Antarala jati occupy a 

 position midway between the Brahmin and the Sudra. 



(11) The four castes, Cketti, Chalian, Veluthetan and Kshavuralckaran 

 though included in Sudras are yet not aUowed to touch them. Chetti is 

 merchant, Chalian weaver, Veluthetan washerman, and KshavumMaran 

 barber. 



