South Indian castes/ tribes (numerically small): I
This article is an excerpt from Government Press, Madras |
Īchcham (date-palm: Phœnix sylvestris).—Īchcham or Īchanjānār is recorded, in the Tanjore Manual, as a section of Shānān. The equivalent Īchang occurs as a tree or kothu of Kondaiyankōttai Maravans.
Idachēri .—An occupational name for a section of Nāyars, who make and sell dairy produce. The word corresponds to Idaiyan in the Tamil country.
Idakottu (those who break).—An exogamous sept of Oddēs, who, during their work as navvies, break stones. Idangai (left-hand).—Recorded, at times of census, as a division of Dēva-dāsis, who do service for castes belonging to the left-hand section.
Idiya (pounder).—Recorded, in the Travancore Census Report, 1901, as a division of Konkani Sūdras. The Idiyans prepare rice in a special manner. Paddy is soaked in water, and roasted over a fire. While hot, it is placed in a mortar, and pounded with a pestle. This rice is called avil, which is said to be largely used as a delicacy in Travancore, and to be employed in certain religious ceremonies. The Idiyans are stated to have left their native land near Cochin, and settled in Travancore at the invitation of a former sovereign. On arrival in the land of their adoption, they were given, free of tax, cocoanut gardens and rice land. In return, they were required to supply, free of charge, the palace of the Mahārājah and the temple of Sri Padmanabhaswāmi at Trivandrum with as much beaten rice (avil) as might be required from time to time.
Īga (fly).—An exogamous sept of Mutrācha. The equivalent Īgala occurs as an exogamous sept of Yānādi.
Ilai (leaf).—Ilai or Ele has been recorded as a sub-division of Tigalas and Toreyas who cultivate the betel vine (Piper betle). Elai Vāniyan occurs as a synonym of Senaikkudaiyans, who are betel leaf sellers in Tinnevelly.
Ilaiyāttakudi .—A sub-division of Nāttukōttai Chetti.
Ilakutiyan .—Recorded, in the Travancore Census Report, 1901, as a sub-division of Nāyar.
Ilampi .—Recorded, in the Travancore Census Report, 1901, as a sub-division of Nāyar.
Ilayatu .—See Elayad. Illa (of a house).—An exogamous sept of Yānādi.
Illam .—Defined by Mr. Wigram as meaning the house of an ordinary Nambūdri Brāhman. It is recorded, in the Travancore Census Report, 1901, as a sub-division of Nāyar. The name Illam Vellāla has been assumed by some Panikkans in the Tamil country, whose exogamous septs are called Illam. In Travancore, Ilakkar or Illathu, meaning those attached to Brāhman houses, is said to be an occupational sub-division of Nāyars. Ilakkar further occurs as an exogamous sept of Mala Arayans, known as the Three Thousand.
Illuvellani —The name, derived from illu, house, and vellani, those who do not go out, of a sub-division of Kammas, whose wives are kept gōsha (in seclusion).
Inaka Mukku Bhatrāzu .—Beggars attached to Padma Sālēs.
Inangan .—See Enangan.
Ina Pulaya .—A sub-division of Pulayans of Travancore.
Indla (house).—An exogamous sept of Chenchu and Mutrācha.
Īndra .—See Īdiga.
Īnichi (squirrel).—A gōtra of Kurni.
Inravar .—A Tamil form of Īndra.
Ippi (Bassia longifolia: mahuā).—An exogamous sept of Panta Reddi. Members of the Ippala gōtra of the Besthas may not touch or use the ippa (or ippi) tree.
Iranderudhu (two bullocks).—A sub-division of Vāniyans, who use two bullocks for their oil-mills.
Iranyavarma .—The name of one of the early Pallava kings, returned at times of census as a caste name by some wealthy Pallis, who also gave themselves the title of Sōlakanar, or descendants of Chōla Kings.
Irattai Sekkān .—A sub-division of Vāniyans, who use two bullocks for their oil-mills.
Iraya .—A name for Cherumans, in Malabar, who are permitted to come as far as the eaves (ira) of their employers’ houses.
Irchakkollan (timber sawyer).—A synonym, in Travancore, of Tacchan (carpenter) Kammālan.
Irkuli —Irkuli or Irangolli Vellāla, said to mean Vellālas who killed dampness, is a name assumed by some Vannāns.
Irpina (comb).—An exogamous sept of Kamma.
Irumpu (iron) Kollan.—A sub-division of Kollan.
Irunūl (two strings).—A division of Mārāns in Travancore, in which the remarriage of widows is permitted.
Iruvu (black ant).—An exogamous sept of Kuruba.
Īsan (god).—A title of Kōliyan.
Īswaran Vagaira .—A division of the Irulas of North Arcot. The name denotes that they belong to the Īswara (Siva) section.
Īte .—The Ītevāndlu are a class of Telugu jugglers and acrobats, who “exhibit shows, such as wrestling, climbing high posts, rope-walking, etc. The women, like Dommara females, act as common prostitutes.”
Itattara .—Recorded, in the Travancore Census Report, 1901, as a sub-division of Nāyar.
References
1 Manual of the Madura district.
2 Madras Census Report, 1891.
3 Manual of the Madura district.
4 Madras Census Report, 1901.
5 Malabar Quart. Review, II, 1903.
6 Madras Mail, 1904.
7 Classified Collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897.
8 The Īdigas are said to have been formerly employed as soldiers under the Poligars. 9 J. S. F. Mackenzie, Ind. Ant., IV, 1875.
10 Madras Census Report, 1901.
11 Malabar Law and Custom.
12 Criminal Tribes of India, No. III, Madras, 1907.
13 Primitive Tribes of the Nīlgiris.
14 Description of a singular Aboriginal Race inhabiting the Neilgherry Hills, 1832.
15 A. W. Lushington, Indian Forester, 1902.
16 Agricultural Ledger Series, 1904.
17 Ind. VI, 1877.
18 Oriental Manuscripts.
19 Manual of the North Arcot district.
20 Gazetteer of the South Arcot district.
21 Manual of the Nellore district.
22 Letters from Malabar.
23 Voyage to the East Indies. Translation, 1800.
24 Monograph Ethnograph: Survey of Cochin, No. 10, Izhavas, 1905.
25 Chuckrams and puthans are coins.
26 Wide World Magazine, September 1899.
27 Native Life in Travancore, 1883.
