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GIFT OF 



I EXLIBWS 








THE HIGH RANGES OF 

TRAVAIMCORE 




J1HE High Ranges of Travancore rise suddenly from 
the lower plateau of the Cardamom Hills and 
form a complete range of their own. On the 
S.E. corner the High Ranges begin with Sholarrnlley, or 
Currincollum (8480 feet) as it is better known, and run in 
a S. W. by W. direction to Gennewurra, thence still S % W. 
by W. to Corechy, and thence to Puddikut (6000 ft.) near 
Davycollurn in the map. From Puddikut the line of 
walls runs in the same direction to Coorkacomboo (7000 ft.). 
Then running slightly more west the hills rise to Uhockena- 
muddy (7300 ft,), from which the course is N.W. to the 
gap, where the Moonaur river disappears. From the gap 
the Hills run slightly S.W. and then N.W. to Wonay- 
para Thundo ; thence north to Perumputty Kullo (6500 ft.). 
From Perumputty Kullo the direction is N.E. by E. to 
Aunymuddy (8837 ft.). From Aunymuddy the course of 
the High Range is much broken, and runs irregularly to 
Erevymalla, where there is a deep dip into the valley of the 
Erevymalla Aur, which separates the Erevymalla plateau 
(known also as Hamilton's plateau) from Perumalmalla 
plateau. From this valley is a steep rise to the north- 
west to Katoomalla (8100 ft.). To the west of Katoomalla 
the High Ranges comprise the plateaus within Chem-rnun 

110 



2 HIGH RANGES OF TRAVANCORE. 

peak (7100 ft.), Payratmallay (7400 ft.), and thence east- 
ward to Cdofaarikuh (.8pQ ft;). To the east of Coomarikut 
and Kato.om* jjay. lies the loVjJnjenaad valley, which sepa- 
rates this pa-r cl!ih*e"HigJv'^P^Pg es from the highlands on 
the slopes of Tertamalla. on which are situated the hill 
villages of Kelandoor, Kandal, Pootoor, and Perumallay, at 
an average elevation of 5000 feet. To the south-east of 
Tertamallay runs a ridge which separates the watershed 
between Unjcnaad and the Moonaur and joins the high 
peaks bordering the Pulnies at a peak called Allear Kun- 
noo (6900 ft.). From Allear Kunnoo the course of the High 
Ranges is bounded by a curve N.N.E. to Pambady Shola 
(8000 ft.), and then runs north to Kudduvurratukul (6600 
ft.), where there is a deep dip into the Wuttawudda river, 
and here the high land may in that direction be said to 
cease. From Allear Kunnoo southward the line to Sholea- 
mallay, where we began in the S.E., is marked by clear 
cut cliffs averaging about 8000 feet. 

Exclusive of the low Unjenaad valley, which is not 
above 3100 feet, the area within these boundaries may be 
roughly estimated at 200 square miles, with an elevation 
over 5000 ft., and in the case of one of the peaks reaching 
as high as 8837 feet Much of this is worthless land, but 
there is- a good deal fit for cultivation. 

PLATEAUS. 

There are several small plateaus on the High Ranges 
separated from each other by the ridges intersecting the 
hills in every direction. There are also several beautiful 
valleys. 

Beginning at Currincollum in the S.E. corner, and 



HIGH RANGES OF TRA VANCORE. 



between it and Davymalla lies the Grudaram Alia plateau, 
at an average elevation of 6000 ft., and comprising about 
4 square miles of easy undulating land well wooded and 
watered. To the west of this lies a narrow plateau, from 
which it is separated by Davymalla,^known as the Davy- 
collum plateau, containing about 3 square miles. This is 
a beautifully wooded and well watered plateau, averaging 
6000 ft., and is easy of access from the Cardamom Hills. 
To the west of the Davycollurn plateau and separated by 
the Karuthpara Thundoo lies the beautiful Annaycudoo 
valley, sheltered by the Chockenamuddy peaks and ridges. 
This valley is about 6 miles long and 2 miles broad, and 
averages an elevation of about 5200 feet. It terminates 
in a broad meadow at Moonaur. From Moonaur runs to 
the north a narrow swampy valley towards Aunyinuddy 
and another narrow one to the N.E. to the Pulacadoo 
point in the map. Between Yagavurra and Aunymuddy 
lies a very pretty glen about one square mile in extent 
and averaging 7000 ft. There is a beautiful view from it 
of the south Travaucore hills, and to the west as far as 
the sea. North of Aunyinuddy and separated by a deep 
valley from it lies the Erevymalla plateau described bv 
Colonel Douglas Hamilton. It is about 6 miles long and 
about 3 miles broad, and is very bare of wood on its sum- 
mit ; but is well wooded on its slopes towards the Yedda- 
malla valley. It is a well watered plateau, and being at a 
good elevation (7300 ft.) has a cold bracing climate. It is 
however rather difficult of access. Separated from this 
plateau lies a small one about 2 miles long and li miles 
broad under Perumalmalla. This is about 7000 ft. highland 
some pretty views may be obtained from it. To the north of 
this lies a plateau sheltered between Katoomalla, Coomarikul, 



4 HIGH RANGES OF TRAVANCORE. 

and Payratmalla. It is much broken, and averages between 
6000 and 7000 ft. It is about 4 miles long and 3 miles 
broad. To the north of Katoomalla and Coomarikul lies 
another small plateau, terminating at Puddikutmalla, about 
3 square miles in extent, and separated by a stream, run- 
ning into Unjenaad from the last mentioned one. This has 
an elevation of about 6600 ft. 

To the east of Katoomalla, Coomarikul, and Puddi- 
kut mountains, lies the Unjenaad valley, which averages 
an elevation of 3100 ft. and comprises an area of about 
30 to 40 square miles at this low elevation. From the 
east of this narrow valley, in which are situated the vil- 
lages of Nashyvyle and Maroor, the hills rise rapidly to- 
wards Tertamallay, and the hill villages of Kelandoor, 
Kandel, Pootoor, and Perumalla stand on the fine undulat- 
ing slopes of Tertamalla and Ta uburun Kawva at an aver- 
age elevation of 5000 ft. To the east of this, and west of 
the high ridge of Wuridurra plain-top lies the plateau on 
which stand the Cottacomboo and Wuttawudda villages at 
an average elevation of 6000 ft. The greater part of this 
plateau is bare, having apparently been cleared of wood by 
the ryots : but the upper portion towards the top of the 
Pass into Bodynaikenoor is heavily wooded and well 
watered by the Wuttawudda river. The plateau is about 6 
miles long and 2 miles broad. On the high land on Wundurra 
top there is some tableland over 8000 ft., but it is narroAV 
and very bare. 

South-west of the Wuttawudda plateau, ,rnd separated 
from it by a ridge, lies the Kundella valley, which is shel- 
tered by the northern slopes of Currincollum and the high 
ridges of the Kundella mountains. 

It is a fine open valley of 5500 ft. elevation, and has 



HIGH RANGES OF TRAVANCORE. 5 

been at one time well wooded, but the woods have been 
greatly thinned by cultivation. There is a great deal of 
swamp land in this valley which might be brought into cul- 
tivation. It is about 6 miles long from the Wuttawudda 
ridge to Pullacadavoo (where the valley to the Moonaur 
already mentioned begins) and about 2 miles broad. 

These plateaus and valleys would, as regards climate, 
offer advantages as sanatoria, especially Davycollum in 
the south and Wuttawudda in the east, where the plateaus 
are accessible from the plains. 

Wuttawudda especially offers the advantage of being 
near villages which can supply provisions, and the thermo- 
meter in the dry weather months seldom rises above 60, 
while in the mornings it is often as low as 40 in March 
and April. 

PEAKS. 

The following are the principal peaks on the High 
Range. 

Feet 

Currincollum 8480 

Davymalla 7300 

Tell Itty or Coorcacomboo 7000 

Chockenamuddy 7300 

Vagavurra 8000 

Allearmallay 6900 



Feet 

Auny muddy 8837 

Katoomallay 8100 

Coomarikul 8050 

Payratmallay 7400 

Korumpara 7900 

Pambad^shola 8000 



Most of these Peaks merely run to a point ; Currincol- 
lum has however some small extent of tableland on its 
summit. The two most conspicuous are Currincollum and 
Aunymuddy. From the top of the latter is a beautiful and 
extensive view on a fine day of the sea to the west coast, 
the intermediate hills and forests making a splendid fore- 
ground. To the north can be seen the Anneymalleis and 



6 HIGH RANGES OF TRA VANCORE. 

Cochin hills, and to the north-east the plains of Coimbatpor 
and the Neilgherries, also the Unjenaad valley, and to the 
south as far as the eye can reach the Cardamom hills and 
the ranges of hills beyond Peermaad, and to the south-east 
a glimpse of the Bodynaikenoor valley. The view in fact 
comprises four provinces otherwise than Travancore, viz. 
Coimbatoor, Madura, Malabar, and Cochin, 

The view from Currincollum is also very grand, and 
the stupendous precipices on its eastern face add a peculiar 
grandeur to it. The views from the other peaks are fine, 
but not to be compared to Auny muddy and Currincollum. 
A uny muddy, though very precipitous, is accessible from the 
north, and with less ease from the east, but is inaccessible 
from other sides. There is a small tableland at the top, 
and a spring of water near the summit. It is a great 
ibex find, and on one occasion I numbered a herd of seventy. 
For ascending ic,the best plan is to camp in the glen under 
it, and the ascent on the north is comparatively easy though 
steep. Currincollum is easily ascended from the Gudaram 
Vila plateau, and the other peaks are all easy of ascent. 
Davyrnalla has a strange feature about it which deserves 
mention, viz. a trench cut on its S.W. face which tradition 
says was made to protect a beautiful princess who had 
taken refuge on the peak, 

RIVERS. 

The following are the principal streams that rise on 
tiie High Ranges. 

1. The Moonaur. 2. Davycollum Aur. 3. Yedda- 
mallay. 4. Paimibaur. 5. Wuttawudda. 6. Kodandoor 
or Chinnaur. 



If tCli RANGES OF TRA rANCORE. J 

The first three of these have their rise on the High 
Ranges and flow into the Perryaur. The other three fall into 
the Ambravutty in the Coimbatoor district. The Moonaur 
drains the Currincollum Kundella 7 Chockenainuddy,and part 
of the Aunymuddy Ranges, and by the time it reaches the 
Moonaur meadows, is a stream nearly 40 yards wide. Be- 
fore leaving the High Range it forms for itself a singular 
subterranean passage under its old channel, and does not 
reappear for some distance, and at a much lower elevation 
than where it disappears. The old channel no doubt is used 
in the monsoon, as I noticed debris of tirober on the rocks 
evidently brought down by the heavy floods. There is a 
shaft worn in the granite bed of the old channel which 
deserves mention. It is 15 feet deep, and has been worn 
till it has a clean opening, at the bottom of which the sub- 
terranean channel is seen flowing. 

2. The Davycollum stream drains the plateau of the 
same name, and falls over the side of the Puddikut into 
the Surien Alia valley. 3. The Yeddamalla river drains 
the western and northern slopes of the Aunyinuddy moun- 
tain, the western slopes of Perumalmalla, Katoomallay, 
and Payratrnalla. It is a broad stream when it has run 
a few miles' course, and passes through one of the finest 
wooded valleys on its course westward to the Perryaur. 
4. The Paumbaur rises in Auny muddy, arid is a broad 
stream by the time it reaches Nashyvyal in Unjenaad. 
It is economized by the Unjenaad ryots for irrigating their 
terraced fields. 5. The Wuttawudda Aur rises south of the 
village of Wuttawudda at Allear Kunoo and joins the Ma- 
naputty stream. 6. The Kodandoor or Chinnaur rises on 
the south of Payratrnalla, has first a north-east course and 
then a due easterly one to where it joins the Paumbaur. 



8 HIGH RANGES OF TRA VANCORE. 

Some few streams that would naturally flow into the 
Yeddamalla river have been turned by the Unjenaad ryots 
into their valley for the purposes of irrigation. There are 
few fish (except very small ones) in any of the High Range 
streams at the upper elevations, but when the streams reach 
3500 ft. they are full of good fish. Some of these spots are 
known as the fish-stoppages (Meenmutty). 

FORESTS. 

The High Ranges have at one time been well wooded, 
but the Muduvars on the west and the Unjenaad ryots on 
the east have done much to strip the forests. In the Un- 
jenaad especially there is a scarcity of wood even for fuel, 
where a very wholesale destruction has evidently gone on 
for years. 

The best wooded blocks of land are found near Davy- 
coll um, Annacudueh, and near Moonaur up to Parwathyam 
Mallay. The slope of Aunymuddy at the source of the 
Paumbaur is also well wooded, but here the axe of the 
Mooduvan has done much damage. Nayar Mallay and the 
Kundella hills and the slopes of Currincullum on the north 
are also well clothed with forest; but the Kundella valley 
has been wofully cleared, and is becoming fast a bare open 
country, and the sides of the hills for want of forest pro- 
tection are being seamed and the soil washed away by the 
rains. The western slopes of Aunymuddy, Katoomallay 
and Payratmallay are still however well wooded, and the 
Yeddamalla valley is a mass of the finest forest scarcely 
touched by the shifty Hillmen. The destruction of these 
forests has been stopped within the last few years ; but in 
a large and scarcely visited tract it is not easy to entirely 



HIGH RANGES OF TRAVAXCORE. 9 

stop the old custom of clearing forests for the sake of one 
crop. 

Much of the Neilgherry vegetation is found on these 
hills, arid the Neilgherry guava and rhododendron are 
found everywhere at an elevation over 5003 feet. The 
trees, though principally of soft growth, are of large scant- 
ling considering the high elevation. At such lower eleva- 
tion as 5000 ft,, the harder woods such as nangoo, congoo, 
white cedar, are found, but they are not abundant. The 
forests that have been destroyed for coomeri grow into 
dense reed clumps, and, I fear, as they gradually get burnt 
off by the fires, turn into grass lands. Some of the coom- 
eries however which have only had one crop taken off seem 
recovering their original character of fjrest, but it is 
seldom the Hill men will give their clearings the necessary 
rest for this. The Brazil cherry is found especially 
on the sites of old clearings ; but I have not seen the Alpine 
strawberry, so common on the Neilgherries. 

PATHS. 

There arc several paths to the High Ranges from the 
Cardamom Hills on the south. The best of these is the 
path to Davycollurn, which has been lately improved, and 
can be used by loaded cattle and ridden over. 

The other paths in the south are mere elephant tracks, 
and lead to Gudararn Alia and Moonaur. 2. Another and 
second route passable for loaded cattle is from Bodynaik- 
enoor to Wuttawudda by the village of Kotuddy. A third 
also fit for loaded cattle is up to Auny muddy from Odu- 
mella Petta via Unjenaad. A fourth is from Tircaroor on 
the west to Moonaur and thence to Unjenaad. This was 

formerly much used by bullocks from Odumella IVtfa, but 

C 



io HIGH RANGES OF TRA VANCORE. 

has been abandoned for many years. It is marked in 
the maps. There is a fifth from Odumella Petta to Payrat- 
malla via Michael's valley. The first one could easily be 
improved, and the distance is roughly estimated as follows : 

Miles 
No. 1. Bodynaikenoor to Davycollum ... ... 20 

Davycollum to Moonaur 8 

Moonaur to Aunymuddy 10 

Aunymuddy to Katoomalla 14 

Katoomalla to Payratmalla 7 

Payratmalla to Michael's valley ... 5 

64 

No. 2. Bodynaikenoor to Wuttawudda 20 

Wuttawudda to Moonaur ... 20 

Moonaur to Michael's valley 36 

76 



No. 3. Odumella Petta to Unjenaad (Nashyvyal) 30 

Unjenaad to Aunymuddy .. ... .. 15 

Aunymuddy to Michael's valley . . . 26 

71 



The fourth is scarcely likely to be used, as a large 
tract of uninhabited country separates it from the High 
Ranges. 

No. 5. Odumella Petta to Michael's valley via Dullee 

and Pandy ... ... 35 

Michael's valley to Davycollum 

79 



The third route offers in some respects the greatest 
advantages, as it passes through the Unjenaad cultivated 
valley, where provisions can be obtained, and routes can be 
opened from such a road either west to Katoomalla and 
Coomarikul plateau or east to the Wuttawudda Range. 



HIGH RANGES OF TRA VANCORE. I \ 

Odumella Petta, as far as I could judge, there would 
'be no difficulty in opening a cart road, as the country offers 
no great difficulty up to Nashy vyal. The path from Auny - 
muddy to Michael's valley is a bad one, and loaded cattle 
could hardly use it in its present condition. 

From the west coast there are two means of getting 
to the High Ranges, viz. by the Gudaloor ghaut to Body- 
naikenoor, and thence by route No. 1 to Davycollum. 
There is another route via the Cardamom Hills which has 
the disadvantage of being through a feverish district. 

The first of these routes would be 

Miles 

From Cottayam to Peermaad 45 

Peermaad to Bodjnaikenoor via Gudaloor 

and Cumbum ... .. 58 

Bodjnaikenoor to Davycollum ... ... 20 

123 

The other route by the Cardamom Hills would be 
Cottayam to Peermaad ... ... ... 45 

Peermaad to Collapara ... ... ... 55 

Collapara to Davycollum ... ... ... 10 

110 

The first route would entail a journey through the 
Cumbum valley ; but with the exception of the 20 miles 
from Bodynaikenoor the distance could be accomplished 
in carts. The second route from Peermaad, besides being 
through a feverish elephant jungle, would entail a carriage 
of everything for 65 miles by coolies or bullocks. 

INHABITANTS. 

The inhabitants of these High Ranges are Muduvars, 
and as a great part of Unjenaad may be included into the 



12 HIGH RANGES OF TRAVANCORE. 

High Ranges, the mixed population of the villages in Un- 
jenaad known as Kunuverse, Munnadees and others may be 
considered inhabitants. Kaders and Pelleyers also fre- 
quent these Hills, but do not reside on them. 

The census report gives the population as below. 



Vellalars H50 

Chetties 258 

Telugoo Chetfcies 41 

Naikers 88 

Carpenters 22 

Chucklers 64 



Cosuens ."> 

Pelleyers 5D8 

Mussulmans 2 

Maravers J 4s 

Muduvars 41) 



TOTAL 2375 



In addition to these figures, the Muduvars who shift 
their harnlets on other parts of the High Ranges may be 
enumerated at over 100 more, which will bring up the 
population to 2500. 

The Muduvars claim a Tamil origin, and consider 
themselves equal to Vellalars. They are a fine handsome 
race, especially those who always reside on the upper ele- 
vations ; but the good looks are confined to the men, as 
the women, whom they keep almost as much out of sight 
as Mussulmans do theirs, are singularly plain. The men 
object to mamoty work, but are good men at axe or knife 
duty ; and carry heavy loads if allowed to do it swung over 
their shoulders. The men are well clothed and are fond 
of showy turbans, and the women are profusely orna- 
mented with cheap Madura-made jewellery. They culti- 
vate raggy at the upper elevations and shift their clearings 
yearly ; and thereby have in past years done much da- 
mage to the forests. A few buffaloes are kept by them, 
and latterly they have taken to keeping cattle, but no per- 
suasion will induce them to give up their wandering 



HIGH RANGES OF TRAVANCORE. 13 

habits and settle down; but of all the Hill men found on the 
Travancore hills there seems some hope of their doing so 
eventually. Disputes among them are settled by the Head 
men called Moopens and Tallearies. 

These titles have been given by the Puneate chiefs, 
with whom the Muduvars appear to have come to Travan- 
core. The Muduvars get their lands free when cultivating 
in Travancore forests, but in Unjenaad have to pay a small 
knife- tax. They have to perform certain works when 
called upon to do so for the Cardamom Department, in 
consideration of receiving free lands ; and all ivory, wax, 
and dummer as monopolies are collected by them for the 
Travancore Government. They are clever in running up 
huts, and build very comfortable ones on their clearings. 

The Muduvars are not as cheery a race as their neigh- 
bours the Munans, but are fond all the same of a joke, and 
when well treated will work willingly. 

They eat most game except bison, and are great 
adepts at snaring both ibex and sambur ; and have nearly 
cleared out the latter. They are in terror of bison, tiger, 
and elephant, and can never be depended on as gun 
bearers when following them. Their usual formula on 
such occasions, when drawing near these animals is, "There 
is the animal; I am going;" and the Muduvar in most cases 
makes himself scarce. Those who live on the upper hills 
seldom suffer from fever, but the families who visit the 
lower parts of Unjenaad suffer badly. Venereal diseases 
are quite unknown among them, though families who have 
gone more westward towards the Travancore villages have 
become utterly demoralized. The Kaders and Pelleyers 
mentioned live principally in the lower jungles, but visit 
the upper ranges to collect honey and wax. The Kaders 



14 HIGH RANGES OF TRA VANCORE. 

are a stout dark race with African features and crispy hair, 
and are supposed to be descendants of Portuguese slaves 
who had taken refuge on the Hills. They do not cultivate 
at all; but manage tc live well, and dress well, on what 
they collect from the jungles. They talk a mixed dialect 
of Tamil and Malayalarn. The Pelleyers, as far as I can 
learn, have at one time been slaves ; but possess small clear- 
ings of their own now, and besides engage themselves in 
collecting hill produce. Their language is Tamil. They 
as well as the Muduvars and Kaders have divided certain 
parts of the hills into Kanies, and any infringements on their 
fancied rights, whether the lands be within Travancore or 
British territory, are resented. They are all great destroy- 
ers of game. There is no doubt that these hills were at 
one time more occupied, as traces of inhabitants are found 
in the form of inscriptions on stones, and stone huts and 
ruins are met with. One stone building near Davycollum 
was in good preservation when I visited the hills in 1872, 
but on a subsequent visit with a view to photograph it, I 
found it had in the interim been much damaged by ele- 
phants. It was built of rough slabs of granite uprights, and 
was covered by huge sheets of stone, and was of the 
following dimensions. 

Length 24 feet 6 inches 

Width 7 6 

Height 5 6 

r lhere were several divisions or rooms, and the build- 
ing was probably used as a rest-house. The tradition 
was that abodes of this sort were built when there was a 
rain of fire and stones. In Unjenaad I have noticed col- 
lections of such huts built either of round stones with 



HIGH RANGES OF TRAVANCORE. 15 

slab roofs, or in the same slab style as near Davycollum. 
There was the same tradition about them ; but there was 
also a suggestion that they might have been used for grain 
depots. Some of them are used by travellers in the pre- 
sent day as rest-houses. 

Below the Moonaur pass and to the west of it are the 
ruins of a building close to the old line of road between 
Odumella Petta and Cothamungalum. Some hundreds of 
granite lights are scattered about the jungle near the spot, 
and have amused the elephants, who kick them about. The 
place is known as " Pully Wathul " and " Eiram Vellukoo," 
the latter name alluding to the numbers of granite lamps. 

Opinions are uncertain whether a Mohammedan or 
Hindoo building existed where the ruins are found ; but 
the lamps are said to be offerings made by the merchants 
who formerly used the road, who were said to be Ravuten 
Mohammedans. 

The inhabitants of the Unjenaad are entirely of Tamil 
origin, and are supposed to have migrated from 
Madura with a refugee Pandyan prince. The larger pro- 
portion of them claim to be Vellalars, and some of them 
are called Kunuvers. They are all engaged in cultiva- 
tion, and have laid out their lands to the best advantage 
in terraces which are well irrigated by the streams from 
above. Some of the channels have been very cleverly 
traced, and their villages are perfect little pictures, pitched 
on the top perhaps of a hill and surrounded by their 
terraced fields. The Unjenaad Karakat Vellalars differ in 
their customs from their relatives of the same caste in the 
plains, and marry only among themselves. The Kunu- 
ver Vellalars, who principally live in the villages of Wutta- 
wudda and Kottacomboo, do not marry with the others ; 



16 HIGH RANGES OF TRA VANCORE. 

but intermarry with the Kunuvers of the Ettoor villages 
on the Pulnies. 

The Kunuvers are a fair race of men, and living as 
they do at a height of 6000 feet, are free from fevers of the 
bad type that their neighbours in the low Unjenaad valley 
suffer from. Their women wear a peculiar girdle or band 
round the middle, which has rather a becoming effect. 

The Pelleyers are descendants of slaves, and are not 
allowed to live in the same villages as the Vellalars and 
Kunuver Vellalars, but have little settlements or Putties 
in the fields where the cattle are penned. These people 
are well clothed and look healthy and contented, and are 
allowed to cultivate land for themselves by their masters. 
The other castes seem to have settled in Unjenaad to 
pursue their various callings, but have mostly become 
cultivators. 

Petty crimes are settled by the village headmen, 
aided by the Munyacarn appointed by the Puneate chief. 
The headmen known as Munnady, Mundry, and Perrya 
Teyven, are also appointed by the Puneate chief, who re- 
ceives a certain payment in making the nomination. The 
title is kept in certain families. 

If the decision of the Munyacarn and headmen is not 
agreed to, appeal is made to the Puneate chief, and the 
chief's decision is seldom disputed. Though I have had 
the Magisterial charge of the Unjenaad for over eight 
years, with the exception of one complaint which was 
compromised, I have had no trouble with these people, 
whose worst crimes appear to be confined to petty 
assaults. 

In tlie low settlements bordering the Paumbaur the 
Unjenaad ryots suffer from jungle fever, and in some sea- 



HIGH RANGES OF TRAVAXCORE. 17 

SODS many fall victims to it. In the upper villages the 
people seemed very healchy. The houses are made of wattle 
and dab, arid are surrounded by a wall and fence, with a 
gate of entrance into the village, as a protection from wild 
animals. The people do not seem to care for sport, arid 
are supplied with game by the Muduvars. They rear 
cattle, buffaloes, and sheep. The former are not the small 
breed common to the west coast, but of the large Coirnba- 
toor kind. Sheep appear to thrive well, and poultry seem 
abundant in the low lying villages. The Puneate chief 
receives from four to twelve annas a kuly for the culti- 
vated land. 

The following are the names of the villages in Unjenaad, 
with their populations and height above the sea. 

Houses. Inhabitants. Height* 

1. JVhiroor 126 598 3500 

'2, Xashyvyal 41 87 Unknown 

8. Karoor 35 191 3800 

4. Kelandoor 205 404 4850 

5. Kandel 122 568 5200 

6. Pootoor 17 157 5400 

7. Perumalla 27 148 Unknown 

8. Wuttawudda 44 155 6000 

9. Kottacomboo 17 _67 5950 

Total 634 2375 

There were two other villages, named Walleshaputty 
and Maroomalla, which have been abandoned ; the village 
sites can still be traced by the terraces and old channels. 

GAME. 

Though the pasture on the upper Ranges is very good- 
and the cover ample, animals cannot be said to abound 
Of small game, there are jungle fowl and spurfowl, and a 

D 



1 8 HIGH RANGES OF TRA VANCORE. 

few snipe and quail. Woodcock I have seen near Davy- 
eollurn, and put them up in the Anneycudoo valley. 

Bison are or used to be plentiful at one time ; but 
except in the Anneycudoo valley, Moonaur, and Davycol- 
lum, seem to have been driven away. They are still to be 
found in those localities in October., November, March, and 
April* On my first visit to Davycollum in April, 1872. 
when the country south and west of Aunymuddy was 
unknown to Europeans and undisturbed, the herds and 
solitary bulls were so plentiful that in a two days' visit 
I bagged three first class bulls and two smaller ones. 
The Muduvars who then alone roamed the plateau never 
molested the bison, arid herds of them might be seen in 
the open till a late hour in the day. With the frost and 
consequent drying up of the pasture the herds of bison 
seem to move into the western forests. Sambur used to 
be plentiful ; but have now nearly all disappeared, having, 
it is said, been killed off by the wild dogs. They are still 
to be found in small numbers about Moonaur. Elephants 
seem to visit these hills for a few days at a time and pass 
on to the denser forests either west or north, or into the 
Cardamom Hills. Ibex are plentiful, especially on the 
Katoomalla, Perumalmalla, Erevymalla, and Aunymuddy 
peaks, and I have counted as many as 70 head in a herd 
on the last mentioned peak. The Muduvars succeed in 
trapping them with nooses, and from some of the peaks 
where they were plentiful a few years ago they seem to 
have nearly disappeared. Tigers are scarce, and I have 
seldom seen their traces except near Moonaur. There are 
no jackals and not many monkeys. There are not many 
snakes, and I do not remember seeing any scorpions or 
centipedes, and the ever present crow has failed as yet to 



HIGH RANGES OF TRAVANCORE. 19 

make his appearance. Indeed, as a sporting country these 
hills afford few attractions, arid a visitor would have to be 
satisfied more with the scenery and climate, and the shek- 
karry would have many drawn days. Near the villages of 
Unjenaad very good pig and sambur shooting can be had, 
and the villagers are always ready to get up a drive. 

CLIMATE ANT) SOIL. 

The climate of the upper Hills is very bracing ; and 
except for the difficulty of getting to them, would no 
doubt be visited from the plans. 

I have visited them in the months of March and April, 
and also been on visits in November, December, and 
January, and found the thermometer range between 45 
and 60 in the house, in the former months and between 
29 and 60 in the latter. In March and April there are, 
often heavy showers and mist, but the climate is delightful. 
November is for the most part wet, and in December and 
early in January the nights were usually frosty. From 
December to the middle of February the east winds blow 
strong and make it trying to natives. Davycollum and 
Wuttawudda, at a height of 6000 feet, are the most plea- 
sant of the spots 1 visited, and being more accessible, will 
DO doubt in time induce settlements. 'The soil on these 
Hills, especially in the valleys, is good, and wheat, barley, 
and potatoes would no doubt grow well. 

Potatoes have been grown by the Muduvars of a size 
and flavor quite equal to Neilgherry ones. In the Upper 
I njeiiaad villages onions, garlic, and wheat are grown. 
The wheat is of a coarse quality, but finds a sale among the 
trailers frcm the Coimbatoor side The paddy and raggy are 
grown mostly in the lower villages, but both are oulti- 



20 HIGH RANGES OF TRA VANCORE, 

vated at as high an elevation as Wuttawudda. In the lower 
villages the jack, mango, limes, and oranges, as well a^ 
candal wood, are grown ; plantains of a, coarse kind are 
sultivated, arid I was surprised to see clumps of them at au 
elevation over 6000 feet. The sandal trees were small, but 
the wood was strongly scented. It is collected for the pri- 
vate use of the Puneate chief. 

The soil throughout Unjenaad is good, and there ap. 
pears to be enough waste land to support a much larger 
population, especially in the valley of the Paumbaur, and 
I have no doubt that in time cultivation will extend up 
the slopes of Vagavurra in the south west. The trade with 
Unjenaad is in the hands of Mussulmans from Odumella- 
Petta in Coimbatoor and Bodynaikenoor, and is arranged 
by barter, rice, wheat, and garlic being given to the trader 
for clothes, chillies, and brass vessels. 

Coffee has been tried on the Upper Ranges, but the site 
selected was too high (nearly 6000 feet) and failed ; but I 
have no doubt that it would succeed well at a somewhat 
lower elevation ; and tea and cinchona would grow in some 
of the forests. There are large forests to the extent of many 
square miles available for these purposes, and there being 
the great inducement of a good climate, it will doubtless 
not be many years before these fine hills get occupied. 

Labour would prove a difficulty, but not such a one 
as might not be overcome, and the Unjenaad valley would 
for some years produce enough grain for the early puttiers. 
The nearest point on the railway would be Ammanaik 
'.noor, about 70 miles from either the Wuttawudda or 
Davycollum plateaus. Very little is known of the mon- 
soou on the High Ranges : but judging from the rninfnll 
on the Hills to the immediate south, I should estimate it 



HIGH RANGES OF T RAT A. \CORE. 21 

\ 

at TO to 80 inches. The Muduvars describe the monsoon 
as light, but that the mists are heavy. In March and 
April i have never known the showers fail, and these 
showers would be very essential for tea and coffee. The 
soil as already mentioned is every thing that can be de- 
sired, and it only wants capital and energy to bring a large 
portion of this fine tract into cultivation. What the latter 
can do has been shown by the ryots of Unjenaad, who have 
converted the grass and scrub hills into highly cultivated 
terraces of wheat, rice, and garlic. 

Having been requested by friends to reprint the sketch 
of the High Ranges, I send this to the press with a few 
alterations and corrections. Since I published it in 187 7, 
a portion of the High Range has been taken up by the 
North Travancore Agricultural Society, and operations in 
coffee, tea, and cinchona cultivation on a large scale have 
been begun, and a road opened from Bodynaikenoor to the 
plateau. An attempt to breed mules from Australian mares 
has also been begun, and a fine breed of cattle introduced. 

Considering the healthiness of the country, these oper- 
ations have every chance of success. 

J. P. MCXRO. 

Fcmnaad,Nov, 12 th, 1880, 



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UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY