trading for five years. The Vellālas spent one-fifth of the sum which they received in cultivating land, while the Kōmatis spent the whole sum in trading. At the end of the allotted time, the Vellālas had a bumper crop of sugar-cane, and all the canes contained pearls. The Kōmatis showed only a small profit. The king was so pleased with the Vellālas, that he bestowed on them the right to crown kings.
5. Kumbakōnam. Vellālas, who migrated from Kumbakōnam in the Tanjore district to Travancore.
6. Kummidichatti. Recorded, in the Manual of the North Arcot district, as a sub-division, regarded as low in position, which carried the pot (chatti) of fire at Vellāla funerals. It is said that, in default of Kummidi-chattis, ordinary Vellālas now have to carry their own fire at funerals.
7. Nangudi or Savalai Pillaimar. (See Nangudi.)
8. Tendisai (southern country). They are found in the Coimbatore district, and it has been suggested that they are only a branch of the Konga Vellālas.
9. Tenkānchi. Vellālas, who migrated from Tenkāsi in the Tinnevelly district to Travancore. (See Todupuzha Vellāla.)
10. Tuluva. Immigrants from the Tulu country, a part of the modern district of South Canara. Mr. Nelson *[1] is of opinion that these are the original Vellālas, who were invited to Tondamandalam after its conquest by the Chōla King Adondai Chakravarti. They are now found in all the Tamil districts, but are most numerous in North and South Arcot and Chingleput. It is noted, in Carr's " Descriptive and historical papers relating to the Seven Pagodas," that "Adondai
- ↑ * Manual of the Madura district.
