Castes and Tribes of Southern India/Adiyān

by Edgar Thurston

Adiyān.—Adiyān (adi, foot) has been defined*^[1] as meaning literally "a slave, but usually applied to the vassals of Tamburans and other powerful patrons. Each Adiyān had to acknowledge his vassalage by paying annually a nuzur (gift of money) to his patron, and was supposed also to be ready to render service whenever needed. This yearly nuzur, which did not generally exceed one or two fanams, was called adima-panam" (slave money), adima meaning feudal dependency on a patron.

1. * Wigram, Malabar Law and Custom.