310 
CHAPTER 
V. 
July 12. 
Appearance 
of the coun- 
try. 
Customs of 
the IVoddaru . 
A JOURNEY FROM MADRAS THROUGH 
for thirty years, and has acquired a name by digging a Colam , or 
tank. It is about half a mile from the town, is surrounded by a fine 
Mango grove ; and the road from it to the town has on each side a 
raised walk, with an avenue of Mango ,and tamarind trees reaching 
the whole way. 
For more than one half the way from Colar the country is at pre- 
sent entirely depopulated. Formerly there has been much cultiva- 
tion ; and the broken fragments of the hedges by which, the dry 
fields were inclosed remain, to show its once flourishing state. The 
remainder of the country is in a better condition ; but at least one 
half of what has been formerly cultivated is now waste. I here 
passed two large villages well fortified with mud walls, and sur- 
rounded by strong hedges. The country contains many detached, 
naked, rocky hills ; and many places seem to be fit for palm gardens, 
of which however I saw none. The mist frequently rests on the 
tops of the hills, while* the country below is clear. 
The JVoddas, or IVoddaru, are a tribe of Telinga origin, and in their 
families retain that language, although they are scattered all over 
the countries where the Tamul and Karndtaca tongues are prevalent. 
They dig canals, wells, and tanks; build dams and reservoirs; make 
roads ; and trade in salt, and grain. Some of them are farmers, but 
they never hire themselves out as Batigaru , or servants employed 
in agriculture. Some of them build mud-houses ; but this is not a 
proper occupation for persons of their cast. The old and infirm live 
in huts near villages, and dig and repair tanks, or wells, or perform 
other such labour ; while the vigorous youth of both sexes travel 
about in caravans with oxen and asses, in pursuit of trade. In these 
caravans they carry with them all their infants, and their huts, 
which latter consist of a few sticks and mats. They follow armies to 
supply them with grain, and in the time of pe'ace take to the lower 
Carnatic grain, Jagory, and tamarinds, and bring up salt. In Hyders 
government they were very numerous ; but, having been forced by 
Tippoo to work at his forts without adequate pay, a great number of 
I 
