V
THE TAMIL CASTES—(continued).
In the last chapter it has been shown that among the ancient Tamils there was no caste system similar to that of the Aryans; that most of the Tamil castes of modern times, probably with the exception of the Vellalas, could be traced to the ancient Nagas and to some of the hill and forest tribes; that it took at least five centuries for these castes to attain their present position in the social economy of the country; that the present diversity of castes was caused by the differences in food, occupation, religious beliefs and the physical condition of the countries inhabited by them; and that the Brahmans were instrumental in bringing about this result, though the precise extent to which their influence prevailed is a matter not easily determinable. This applies to all the non-Aryan castes and tribes of Southern India.
The introduction and expansion of the caste system among the Dravidian Tamils had in course of time bred discontent, jealousy and mutual hatred in their social life, which in the end culminated in the disputes of the 'right and left hand factions,' into which the whole Dravidian society was divided. And this division has been the cause of endless feuds and mischief from the time of its inception.
About the middle of the fifteenth century (1449 A.D.) the inhabitants of the kingdom of Padaividu in the North Arcot District appear to
