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Peasant History in South India
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May 5, 2024
1. Why this work is important?
From the references, we can notice historical references for sources.
From Maravar community history to Revenue Records.
The Social and Custom patterns of Tirunelveli from the 16th century to current could be inferred.
2. What is this work about?
This work speaks about Tirunelveli's History pre-1900.
It's quite dry, and academic, which might not be palatable to an average reader.
It is interesting, to be aware of the specific origins of Castes, their livelihoods, and Commerce activity.
Land holding patterns in Tirunelveli pre-1900:
In terms of land-holding patterns, Mirasidars holded wetzone areas of land [Vellalas and Brahmans].
Wet-zone land is good for certain types of Agriculture. Rice is one of the best-suited crops for wet-zone agriculture.
In Tirunelveli, brahmadeyas [land-grants], gave rise to Brahman settlements.
"Vellala-Brahman alliance" formed the bedrock of dominant-caste status, exercised firm control over the most productive irrigated lands, particularly in the wet zone along the Tambraparni River valley. In 1850, landholding native officers, on average, possessed 39 acres, with about two-thirds of their holdings concentrated in the rich Tambraparni taluks, significantly more than the general population's average of 10 acres.
This certainly would have changed significantly in 2000's-Present, it might be interesting to see if the Revenue office shares land-ownership patterns in the district
Maravars:
In this work, they settled after 1300 as, agro-military domains, predominantly in the red-soiled northern mixed zone, and became dominant caste by the sixteenth century and controlling "nearly a quarter of the Tirunelveli region. Many Marava chiefs became zamindars, Chokkampatti, Uttumalai, and Sivagiri
Vadugas (Telugu-speaking jatis like Kammas, Reddis, and Kambalattans):
Dry Zone Settlement: These groups migrated into Tirunelveli after 1300, often under the Vijayanagar empire, and primarily settled in the black-soil tract of the northern dry zone. They were renowned for their skill in making dry lands productive. By 1881, nine out of ten Vaduga cultivating caste members resided in the four northern taluks of Tirunelveli, indicating their strong landholding presence in this area. They transformed former military territories into "thriving domains of commercial agriculture.
Shanars/Nadars:
Rising Landholders in Dry/Mixed Zones: Shanars were a mobile cultivating jati associated with palmyra cultivation in sandy tracts, concentrated in the southern dry zone, they became demographically and commercially dominant in their specific dry and mixed zones.
Again, I am not sure about current land holding patterns?
I am sure, a lot has changed in 200 years.
I am quite displeased, with the lack of local writers, promoting works of their town.
Many living in Tirunelveli, are unaware of their own town's history.
One question, which I have, has no answer.
While majority of Tamils support Endogamy, citing specific reasons like cultural upbringing.
Sometimes, I wonder it might be a mistake to promote endogamy, take a small company.
We might hire people with different personalities, skillsets, organize them to produce services, goods, all are essential.
In the same way, Caste-groups might look beyond to build strength, eg: Financial Acumen + Entrepreneurship
In this case, I cast doubts upon Endogamy.
From the references, we can notice historical references for sources.
From Maravar community history to Revenue Records.
The Social and Custom patterns of Tirunelveli from the 16th century to current could be inferred.
2. What is this work about?
This work speaks about Tirunelveli's History pre-1900.
It's quite dry, and academic, which might not be palatable to an average reader.
It is interesting, to be aware of the specific origins of Castes, their livelihoods, and Commerce activity.
Land holding patterns in Tirunelveli pre-1900:
In terms of land-holding patterns, Mirasidars holded wetzone areas of land [Vellalas and Brahmans].
Wet-zone land is good for certain types of Agriculture. Rice is one of the best-suited crops for wet-zone agriculture.
In Tirunelveli, brahmadeyas [land-grants], gave rise to Brahman settlements.
"Vellala-Brahman alliance" formed the bedrock of dominant-caste status, exercised firm control over the most productive irrigated lands, particularly in the wet zone along the Tambraparni River valley. In 1850, landholding native officers, on average, possessed 39 acres, with about two-thirds of their holdings concentrated in the rich Tambraparni taluks, significantly more than the general population's average of 10 acres.
This certainly would have changed significantly in 2000's-Present, it might be interesting to see if the Revenue office shares land-ownership patterns in the district
Maravars:
In this work, they settled after 1300 as, agro-military domains, predominantly in the red-soiled northern mixed zone, and became dominant caste by the sixteenth century and controlling "nearly a quarter of the Tirunelveli region. Many Marava chiefs became zamindars, Chokkampatti, Uttumalai, and Sivagiri
Vadugas (Telugu-speaking jatis like Kammas, Reddis, and Kambalattans):
Dry Zone Settlement: These groups migrated into Tirunelveli after 1300, often under the Vijayanagar empire, and primarily settled in the black-soil tract of the northern dry zone. They were renowned for their skill in making dry lands productive. By 1881, nine out of ten Vaduga cultivating caste members resided in the four northern taluks of Tirunelveli, indicating their strong landholding presence in this area. They transformed former military territories into "thriving domains of commercial agriculture.
Shanars/Nadars:
Rising Landholders in Dry/Mixed Zones: Shanars were a mobile cultivating jati associated with palmyra cultivation in sandy tracts, concentrated in the southern dry zone, they became demographically and commercially dominant in their specific dry and mixed zones.
Again, I am not sure about current land holding patterns?
I am sure, a lot has changed in 200 years.
I am quite displeased, with the lack of local writers, promoting works of their town.
Many living in Tirunelveli, are unaware of their own town's history.
One question, which I have, has no answer.
While majority of Tamils support Endogamy, citing specific reasons like cultural upbringing.
Sometimes, I wonder it might be a mistake to promote endogamy, take a small company.
We might hire people with different personalities, skillsets, organize them to produce services, goods, all are essential.
In the same way, Caste-groups might look beyond to build strength, eg: Financial Acumen + Entrepreneurship
In this case, I cast doubts upon Endogamy.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review