Viewing page 63 of 167

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

KURUBAR, OR KURUMBAR.

of Toddemanyalem, a province whose boundaries are differently described in different stanzas quoted by Professor Wilson, but which undoubtedly comprised the sea coast from Pulicat to Cuddalore, and extended west as far as the foot of the eastern Ghauts, possibly over a great part of Mysore; where to this day Kurumbars, or Kurubars, are numerous. They became Jains, traded with ships, and were conquered and dispersed by the Chola and Pandyan kings. Coins, also attributed to the Kurumbars, are found near the coast, some of them bearing the effigy of the Bull. Dravida Desam, the Dravida country, was the name of their province. Scattered facts like these lead back to a high antiquity, and there is little doubt that the Kurumbars were one, at least, of the several aboriginal tribes who, yielding to the power of the more modern Brahminical states, were driven from their strongholds into the fastnesses of Mysore and the western Ghauts. Nevertheless, in A.D. 1508, we find them in possession of Beejanugger, which would be evidence of still existing power in the northern parts of Mysore; but it did not last, and they were driven from the great capital by the family who had possessed it before." It is impossible within our space to enter upon the details of this race, as given in Mr. Breeks' interesting and learned traces of their history, which is replete with ancient and well supported facts in relation to the Dravida kingdom, valuable to the antiquary and general student.
Photographs No. 431, Kurumbar men, and No. 432, women, are added in further illustration of the tribe, and appear to be better specimens of it.