I 
MYSORE, CANARA, AND MALABAR. 
79 
speaking of classes of men. The singular number may in general CHAPTER 
be obtained by rejecting the final ru. I must also observe, that 
these lists differ, in some respects, from a valuable account of the May 20, Sec. 
right and left hand sides, which Colonel Close was so obliging as 
to communicate. The difference, I suppose, arises partly from his 
having received the accounts through the medium of the Mussul- 
man language, and partly from his having taken them at Bangalore. 
Mine I received at Seringapatam, by means of an interpreter from 
the Karnataca language ; and I have found, that in different places, 
though at no great distance, there are considerable variations in 
the customs of the same tribes : a circumstance to which I request 
the reader’s attention. My descriptions of sects are only to be 
considered as strictly applicable to those of the places where they 
have been taken. I avoid the Mussulman names ; as I find that 
these people had, in general, very imperfect notions concerning their 
Hindu subjects, and frequently used distinctions to which there was 
nothing analogous among the aboriginal natives. 
The origin of the division of Hindus into the right and left hand 
sides, is involved in fable. It is said to have taken place at Kunji , 
or Conjeveram, by order of the goddess Kali ; and the rules to be 
observed by each side were at the same time engraved on a copper 
plate, which is said to be preserved at the temple of that place. 
The existence of such a plate, however, is very doubtful ; both 
parties founding on its authority their pretensions, which are dia- 
metrically opposite. The different casts, of which each division 
is composed, are not united by any common tie of religion, occu- 
pation, or kindred : it seems, therefore, to be merely a struggle 
for certain honorary distinctions. The right hand side pretend, 
that they have the exclusive privilege of using twelve pillars in 
the pundal, or shed, under which their marriage ceremonies are 
performed ; and that their adversaries, in their processions, have 
no I'ight to ride on horseback, nor to carry a flag painted with the 
figure of Hanumanta . The left hand side pretend, that ail these 
