Hobson-Jobson: A Glossary of Colloquial Anglo-Indian Words and Phrases, and of Kindred Terms, Etymological, Historical, Geographical and Discursive c10.9262

c10.9262

MARYACAR, n.p. According to R. Drummond and a MS. note on the India Library copy of his book R. Catholics in Malabar were so called. *Marya Karar*, or ‘Mary’s People.’ [The word appears to be really *marak-kar*, of which two explanations are given. Logan (*Malabar*, i. 332 note) says that *Marakkar* means ‘doer or follower of the Law’ (*marggam*), and is applied to a foreign religion, like that of Christians and Mohammedans. The *Madras Gloss.* (iii. 474) derives it from Mal. *marakkalam*, ‘boat,’ and *kar*, a termination showing possession, and defines it as a “titular appellation of the Moplah Mahommedans on the S.W. coast.”]