The Early History of India, from 600 B.C. to the Muhammadan Conquest, including the Invasion of Alexander the Great c35.s4.11

c35.s4.11

¹ Elliot, *Coins of Southern India*, pp. 42–4. 'The caste of *Kullars*, or robbers, who exercise their calling as an hereditary right, is found only in the Marava country, which borders on the coast, or fishing, districts. The rulers of the country are of the same caste. They regard a robber's occupation as discreditable neither to themselves nor to their fellow castemen, for the simple reason that they consider robbery a duty and a right sanctioned by descent. They are not ashamed of their caste or occupation, and if one were to ask of a *Kullar* to what people he belonged, he would coolly answer, "I am a robber". This caste is looked upon in the district of Madura, where it is widely diffused, as one of the most distinguished among the Sudras' (Dubois, *Hindu Manners, Customs, and Ceremonies*, by Beauchamp, 3rd ed., p. 17).