• Dr.A.BALAKRISHNAN

Viruthi : The System and Practice in Travancore Abstract: The bonded labour system in Travancore was closely associated with the caste slavery. The system of caste slavery was an institution of social oppression, discrimination and exploitation that existed in Kerala since the early medieval period. In such a social set up, bonded labour became an inseparable feature of the society. Further, the system of bonded labour is associated with the feudalism. Therefore, land-based social relations were formed in the state. The feudal lords and the royal persons required bonded services from the lower sections of the society. It was also a system of exploitation. Viruthi was such a bonded labour system in Travancore. Viruthi was purely a land oriented system. Viruthi is an important tenure under the sirkar lands. Under this tenure, the holder did not have any permanent right over his land. The viruthi holders were known as viruthikkars and their service was known as oozhiyam. The viruthi holders paid several taxes to the government. Those viruthikkars, who failed to do the service, were severely punished. If a viruthikkaran failed to perform the prescribed duties, he was irrevocably expelled from the land he possessed. The social status of the viruthikkars was in a better position compared to the low caste oozhiyam labourers. In the early period, the viruthikkar were obliged to render military services. In lieu of their services, the viruthikkars were assigned tracts of land. But in the later period, the viruthikkars became mere suppliers of provisions and materials to the temple uttupuras and royal palace. In return of their services, the viruthikkar were paid certain pathivu or fixed rates which were below the market rates. There were different types of viruthis for different services in Travancore. In the beginning stage, the system of viruthi was a fair contract, but later it lost its old vigour and elasticity. The socio-economic condition of the viruthikkar became worthless and miserable and therefore the system degenerated into a contract of semi-serfdom. The government of Travancore and the colonial administrators played major role for terminating the viruthi system in Travancore.

Viruthi : The System and Practice in Travancore Key words: Viruthi, Oozhiyam, viruthikkaran, Uttupuras, Pandarapattam Proclamation, Irayali, Bhadradeepam, Murajapam ,Munnilaviruthi, Pravarthikkar, karalar, adiyalar, cherikkal, rajabhogam, Jenmom, velakali,vilavasi, vilayartham, munnilaviruthi

"Viruthi: The System and Practice in Travancore", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 9, page no.21-32, September-2018, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1809304.pdf

"Viruthi: The System and Practice in Travancore", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 9, page no. pp21-32, September-2018, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1809304.pdf