Indische Palaographie von circa 350 a. Chr. – circa 1300 p. Chr. c48.s2.8.1

c48.s2.8.1

is insignificant. In the Karnatic, indeed, it is scarcely to be found, and in Telingāna, too, the position of a special subdivision is often found to rest upon the military recruitment of a former dynasty. The Rāzu, who were settled in the extreme south of the Telugu country by the Vijayanagar Chiefs, for whom they fought, seem to have the best claim to the distinction in question. They are undoubtedly superior to their neighbours in physique, and are more scrupulous as to ceremonial. They wear the sacred thread, seclude their women and employ Brāhmans as their family priests. It is not improbable, therefore, that they are the remnants of a body of mercenaries from further north, and really differ in race from the Dravidians with whom they are now permanently associated. The Velama of the north Coromandel coast are an offshoot of the great Kāpu or Reḍḍi caste and closely connected with other agricultural bodies of the neighbourhood. They have amongst them, however, several wealthy and influential Zamīndārs, or landed proprietors, and having adopted Brāhmanical regulations more strictly than the rest, are generally considered to hold a somewhat higher position.