Travancore State Research Articles

Temples and Caste in Travancore

THE decision of the Maharajah of Travancore, announced by proclamation authorizing the opening of the temples controlled by the State to all Hindus, according to a Delhi dispatch in The Times of November 16, has been hailed by progressive opinion in India as “the greatest reform of Hinduism since Ramanuja's days”. By this drastic action, which at once obliterates caste distinction in right of access to the sacred places of religion, and removes one of the most strongly resented marks of inferiority in the outcastes, the State of Travancore has opened a way to political unity which Hinduism at large would do well to accept as a guide and example. The exceptional position of the Rajah in relation to the State religion has endowed him with a power of initiative that was open to few others in India, and perhaps least of all to the British Raj; but whether the example of Travancore will be followed elsewhere will doubtless depend in no small degree upon the religious and political reaction to so serious an innovation. It is said that conservative opinion has already criticized the reform as rash and unsound, while maintaining that the views of Hinduism outside Travancore should have been considereda claim, of which, in view of past events, it would be difficult to vindicate the political wisdom. On the other hand, the Nationalists and leading members of the Congress, with Mr. Gandhi, have hastened to congratulate the head of the State of Travancore on his decision.

Elasmus Claripennis Cam., a Hyper-Parasite of Lac Insects1

The lac insects responsible for the production of the well known article, shellac, are found over a large part of southern Asia. In India, where they are most found, they occur as far north as the valleys of Kashmir and down to the southernmost limit in the State of Travancore. In the west they are cultivated as an industry in Sind while eastwards they are similarly grown in the valleys of Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkhim, southern China, Assam and Burma down to Siam, Cambodia and Indo-China. They represent several species although not yet recognized by other workers in the field. It may be said without fear of contradiction that they have at least one common enemy which, to my knowledge, is also specific of lac insects, namely, the caterpillars of the moth Eublemma amabilis Moore.

A PROSPECT FOR THE POROMBOKE OR THE CULTIVATION OF THE CASHEWNUT

Waste lands in many parts of the country can be turned into productive areas by being put to the permanent cultivation of useful trees like the cashewnut. The cashewnut (botanically Anacardium occidentale), thrives well in such lands on account of its hardy nature. The tree claims its heritage originally from South America, and is now well established in the coastal forests of India. It grows in a wild state and can be grown in almost all soils, although gravelly and sandy loams suit it best. The cashewnut of commerce (Tamil-Munthirikottai) is really the fruit of this tree. The flower stalk on which the 'nut' rests, is succulent and edible, and is known as cashew apple, and is mistaken by the layman for the fruit. The tree in its wild state has a spreading habit usually growing to a height of 10 to 15 feet, and rarely to 25 feet, although under cultivation it is said to have attained a height of 40 feet. When well cared for, this is a valuable and promising tree, responding well to irrigation and manuring, though it can also thrive under very adverse conditions. In the Travancore State, it is cultivated in a systematic manner, and the finished product is exported to foreign markets. Around Tanjore and in the Pudukottah State the tree grows wild, and the produce which is collected by the women folk, is either consumed locally or sent to other places through the middlemen of the Tanjore market.

Ajamila-Moksa-Prabandha Of Narayana Bhatta

The Campū-prabandha Ajāmila-mōksa is a little literary work belonging to Travancore. In publishing it I am relying on a Malayalam manuscript written on cadjan leaves, which I obtained from Mr. Tāzhaman Sankarar Tantri of Chenganur in the Travancore State. A piece of poetry interspersed with prose is called a Campū-prabandha, or Prabandha, in the Kērala country.

Elements of Hindu Iconography. By T. A. Gopinatha Rao, M.A., Superintendent of Archæology, Travancore State. Published under the patronage of the Government of His Highness the Maharaja of Travaucore. 4to. Vol. I: pp. xxxiii, 59, 400, 45, 71, 160, 29; 143 plates. Madras: Law Printing House, 1914.

Elements of Hindu Iconography. By T. A. Gopinatha Rao, M.A., Superintendent of Archæology, Travancore State. Published under the patronage of the Government of His Highness the Maharaja of Travaucore. 4to. Vol. I: pp. xxxiii, 59, 400, 45, 71, 160, 29; 143 plates. Madras: Law Printing House, 1914. - Volume 47 Issue 2

Art. XIII.—A few words concerning the Hill People inhabiting the Forests of the Cochin State

The hill people, regarding whom I purpose saying a few words, inhabit the hill tracts of the States of Travancore and Cochin, and the base of the Annamully hills in the district of Coimbatore. They go by different names in different localities, such as Kardars, Mulliyars, Vaisharvars, Kannekarens, all of which signify “foresters,” and they are also called Mulchers or outcasts, which is probably a corruption of the Sanskrit word Mlechchha, meaning a barbarian or outcast.