Land Formation and Religious Communities in Coastal Karnataka (1336-1800)
By KG. Vasanthamadhav
Summary
This historical survey examines land formation and community dynamics in coastal Karnataka (A.D. 1336-1800), analyzing inscriptions, Kadatas (blackboard/whitepencil records), folk literature, and travelogues. Land types included Khazana (receded sea/river land), Pottala Gadde (submerged fields), Bana Gadde (irrigated fields), and Kumari (shifting cultivation edges). Two primary land formation phases occurred: first, paddy field expansion (14th-16th centuries) through forest clearing and marsh drainage, evidenced by inscriptions from Basurur and Bhatkal; second, coconut/arecanut gardens and sugarcane cultivation (mid-16th century onward), supported by Sankaranarayana and Kodaladi epigraphs. Caste structure evolved from four primary groups pre-8th century to complex hierarchies by the 16th century. Lower castes like Devadigas (temple musicians), Mogeras (fisher-folks), and Billavas (cultivators) played key roles in land development. The Devadigas cultivated temple lands and formed Hosa Gadde fields, while Billavas specialized in tank-side cultivation. Halakki Okkalas (migrant cultivators) and Holeyas (servile communities) faced land dispossession, with Holeyas reduced to serfdom after Brahmin political dominance. Tulu folk songs (Padadanas) document caste-specific land roles, including Mogera salt-field cultivation and Billava palm tree planting. European colonialism and British revenue policies later disrupted traditional land systems, particularly affecting martial communities like Halepaikas. The study highlights the interplay of ecological adaptation, caste hierarchies, and external influences in shaping coastal Karnataka's agrarian landscape.
Conclusion
This study highlights the intricate relationship between land formation and community dynamics in coastal Karnataka (1336-1800 AD), revealing how agricultural expansion transformed marshy, rocky, and forested terrains into cultivated fields like *Hosa Gadde* and coconut/arecanut plantations. It emphasizes the critical yet often overlooked role of marginalized castes like Devadigas, Billavas, and Holeyas in land reclamation and cultivation, supported by inscriptions, *Kadatas*, and Tulu *Padadanas*. The research also underscores socio-political shifts, including land seizures by Brahmin rulers and the impact of Portuguese/British colonialism, which disrupted traditional land rights and agrarian practices. The interplay of caste hierarchy, land ownership, and economic exploitation is evident, with communities like Mogeras and Halepaikas navigating between resistance and adaptation. Ultimately, the study calls for deeper investigation into authentic sources to fully understand the agency of subaltern groups in shaping the