DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2375#0020
SHMMMMHP
^^^^^^BF^7
.-. . ,,,. - .-
is
A JOURNEY FROM MADRAS THROUGH
CHAPTER was chosen, when the terror inspired by the fall of Seringapatam
XIJ/, rendered this easy to be done. The Ritjd has been allowed, for his
Jan. 17. support, a remission of the land-tax on all his Cherical lands, or
private estate. The Nairs, however, complain of a want of good
faith in the British officers. They allege, that General Hartley, on
his return from Seringapatam, promised the Raja that he should be
continued in the management of the country.
The dominions of the Nileswara Raja extended from the sea to
the Glials; and, according to the report of the same Nairs, are
exceedingly depopulated by war, and by a famine that ensued while
they were forced to retire into the woods to avoid circumcision.
The inner parts of the country are much overgrown with woods,
and are very thinly inhabited. Like the other parts of Malayala,
they consist of alternate low hills and narrow vallies. In cultivation,
more slaves than free men are employed.
Jan. rs, 18th January.—I went an easy stage to Be'dcul From Pungal-
ofthTcoun- coiay-> to a river bounding the country of the Nileswara Raja to the
fry. north, the road leads along a ridge, sloping very gently towards
the sea, and rather steeper towards a narrow valley now covered
with the second crop of rice. Beyond this are low hills. The soil
of the ridge is extremely sandy, and the country is very bare.
The river is not wide, and has at its mouth some low land well
planted with coco-nut trees.
Between the river and Be'dcul the low hills come close down to .
the sea side, and are very little intermixed with rice land. In the
whole way I crossed only one narrow field. The hills, however, are
not steep, and seem all to be capable of being laboured by the
plough ; but no traces of cultivation are visible.
Be'dcul, Be'dcul is a strong native fort, placed, like Cananore, on a high
point projecting into the sea toAvards the south, and having within
it a bay. The town stands north from the fort, and contains forty
or fifty houses scattered about in great confusion. The inhabitants
are chiefly Moplays and Mucuas, with a few Tiars, and people of
i-:--i
^^^^^^BF^7
.-. . ,,,. - .-
is
A JOURNEY FROM MADRAS THROUGH
CHAPTER was chosen, when the terror inspired by the fall of Seringapatam
XIJ/, rendered this easy to be done. The Ritjd has been allowed, for his
Jan. 17. support, a remission of the land-tax on all his Cherical lands, or
private estate. The Nairs, however, complain of a want of good
faith in the British officers. They allege, that General Hartley, on
his return from Seringapatam, promised the Raja that he should be
continued in the management of the country.
The dominions of the Nileswara Raja extended from the sea to
the Glials; and, according to the report of the same Nairs, are
exceedingly depopulated by war, and by a famine that ensued while
they were forced to retire into the woods to avoid circumcision.
The inner parts of the country are much overgrown with woods,
and are very thinly inhabited. Like the other parts of Malayala,
they consist of alternate low hills and narrow vallies. In cultivation,
more slaves than free men are employed.
Jan. rs, 18th January.—I went an easy stage to Be'dcul From Pungal-
ofthTcoun- coiay-> to a river bounding the country of the Nileswara Raja to the
fry. north, the road leads along a ridge, sloping very gently towards
the sea, and rather steeper towards a narrow valley now covered
with the second crop of rice. Beyond this are low hills. The soil
of the ridge is extremely sandy, and the country is very bare.
The river is not wide, and has at its mouth some low land well
planted with coco-nut trees.
Between the river and Be'dcul the low hills come close down to .
the sea side, and are very little intermixed with rice land. In the
whole way I crossed only one narrow field. The hills, however, are
not steep, and seem all to be capable of being laboured by the
plough ; but no traces of cultivation are visible.
Be'dcul, Be'dcul is a strong native fort, placed, like Cananore, on a high
point projecting into the sea toAvards the south, and having within
it a bay. The town stands north from the fort, and contains forty
or fifty houses scattered about in great confusion. The inhabitants
are chiefly Moplays and Mucuas, with a few Tiars, and people of
i-:--i