Page:Tamil studies.djvu/442

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APPENDIX IV
415

With regard to the second argument, it may be said that the word in 'Divara Makkalu' is not 'Divara' or Divar, but it is 'Deva or Devara' an ordinary title assumed by the South Indian kings ; The Kadamba kings had it; the Kallan and Marava castes of Madura still have it; and a section of the Todas called the Palals style themselves 'Der-mokh' or the sons of God. The Kadambas are said to have been toddy-drawers, because toddy-drawing was, and even now is the special occupation of several primitive tribes who are found in various parts of India bearing different local names. As subjects of the Kadamba kings, the palm cultivators of Canara assume with pride the name Devara makkalu;' the Kallans and Maravas are called Terans or Devans, because their ancestors are believed to have been kings, and in the last Census several of them have returned their caste name as 'Tevan' simply ; the Palals are called 'Dermokh' because they are the high priests of the Todas. According to the 'Dwipa' theory all these castes and tribes may be said to be the descendants of the 'islanders'! The important caste of toddy-drawers who bear the name of Tıyan or Dvipan in Malabar is considered in their land of nativity, Ceylon, as strangers or 'Duravar'. How then can we say that the palm cultivators and toddy drawers of South India are immigrants from Ceylon? It is probable that a few families of toddy-drawers may have returned from Ceylon with the artificers, but not in such large numbers as to give a territorial name to an immense caste consisting of two millions or more members and living in various parts of Southern India.

Now coming to the third argument, it may be urged