6633 The Mission and Ministry of Moses Muthumalai and the transformation of Paliars of

Western Ghats in Tirunelveli District from 1901 – 1922.

Statement of the Problem

The Paliars1 were the original inhabitants of Western Ghats that stretched from Puliankudi to
Anaikarai in Tirunelveli District. When the British gave special permission and licence to
another group of people who were known as Pattagarar2 to collect the valuable natural
products of the mountains and forests, the latter have chased the Paliars into deep forest areas
and began to grab by force all the natural resources enjoyed by the Paliars. Additionally, they
were continually harassing them and were not allowing them to lead a normal life with
freedom. Instead, they were preventing them from getting access to all natural resources.

In this context, Mr. Moses Muthumalai, a CMS mission catechist began to serve among the
Paliars from 1901 which has brought in great changes and many transformations in their
lives.

Elaboration of the Problem

The Paliars who hailed mostly from South and North Arcot districts in Tamil Nadu have
migrated from these districts and have begun to live in the hilly areas of Tirunelveli district.
They were further shattered and were chased by another dominant people like Pattagarar.
Consequently, they have to run into deeper forest places, mountains and caves for
safeguarding themselves. This displacement deprived them without proper food, dress,
shelter and protection. In other words, it terribly affected their livelihood and daily life. As
they were actually nomads, they were hiding themselves from all outsiders whom they
considered as aliens. When the Pattagarar occupied their dwellings, they began to oppress
and harass them. They have also treated them like slaves. Though they were destined to work
hard all the days of their life, they were not treated with dignity, honour and just pay. Rather,
they were treated like animals and their rights for land were never guaranteed.

Importance of the Problem

As both the socio, economic, political and religious conditions of Paliars and the significant
and sacrificial contributions of Moses Muthumalai were not the subject matters of hitherto

1
Paliars are nomadic community people who mostly live in forests and hilly areas.
2
During the British regime, there was a class of officials known as the ‘Pattagarars’ who were granted licence
by the Government to collect the various valuable products of the forests and mountains.

1
constructed historical narrations, the researcher is attempting to construct these important
subject matters in this research.

If both experiences of Paliars as the subjugated and oppressed people and as the emancipated
and liberated people are documented or chronicled mainly from the memories and the oral
traditions of remnant persons who were direct witnesses or participants to these develop-
ments, they would throw new light to the understanding of such a community that was not
known to ‘others.’ This process of historical writing will also become very significant not
merely because of the forgetfulness of the people but also because of intentional attempts to
hide many historical facts and experiences.

Therefore, the findings of this research would not be a re-writing the history of Paliars.
Rather, it would be a fresh writing of the history of these people groups from their
experiences and perspectives, from their sources and for their own emancipation.

Scope and Limitation

The scope of the research is to provide awareness and encouragement to the present Paliars
themselves and other such communities who are living in the Western Ghats from
Puliyangudi to Anaikarai of Tamil Nadu. In other words, attempts will be made to discover
and reveal the ‘unknown’ or ‘undiscovered’ history of the Paliars. Therefore, the tools of
historical and sociological parameters will be used to study the subject matter.

Previous Research
N.M. Duraisingh has written book on Mthumal in Paliar Hills, Diocesan Magazine and IMS
Magazine all written are done especially on the life of Paliars in a systematic way with an
academic pursuit. Therefore, this research with a subaltern perspective will be a pioneer one
in this area.

Methodology
This research will be undertaken using the historical – critical method using the available
unconventional sources especially the oral traditions. Interviewing the people who were
directly involved with the ministry of this church will form the major section of the subject
matter.

Tentative Outline
Chapter I
Introduction

2
Chapter II
The General background of Original Tirunelveli District during the Establishment of
Mission Work in the Tirunelveli Diocese
Introduction
2.1. The General background of Tirunelveli district
2.1.1. The Socio, Economic background of Tirunelveli district
2.1.2. The Political background of Tirunelveli district
2.1.3. The Religious background of Tirunelveli district
2.2. The Work of various English missions in Tirunelveli district
2.2.1. The work of SPCK Mission in Tirunelveli district 1778
2.2.2. The work of CMS Mission in Tirunelveli district 1820
2.2.3. The work of SPG Mission in Tirunelveli district 1826
2.3. The Impact of English Missions in Tirunelveli district
2.4. The Origin and Development of IMS 1903
2.4.1. Introduction
2.4.2. The origin of IMS
2.4.3. The Vision and Mission of IMS
2.4.4. The mission and ministry of Bishop V. S. Azariah
2.4.5. The impact of IMS on the Society
Summary

Chapter III
The Life and Ministry of Moses Muthumalai as Catechist of CMS
Introduction
3.1.1. Family Background of Moses Muthumalai

India was administered by the world's rulers between 1876 and 1877, with Robert

Bulwer-Lytton, the lord, serving as viceroy. The English queen was proclaimed the great

emperor. A severe famine has devastated Tamilnadu's southern region. This year was dubbed

"the blackest year ever" by some. The provinces that suffered the most from this severe

famine were Hyderabad, Mysore, and Chennai. No yield in the field, nor rain falling from the

sky. The land did not produce grass and garlic for cows, nor did it produce lilies and ambals

3
for goats. It was for the people to eat. People gathered around the anthills, ruptured and ate

the food of ants. The food that was stored by ants was stuffed into people's stomachs. They

destroyed rat traps. Individuals seized the running rats. The people's food was neem leaves.

They consumed everything on offer. Days went by. People ran from one part of the place to

another. But the hunger did not stop there too. Deaths occurred in every part of the nation. It

was estimated that there were 50 lakh died. (This information was taken from E WP

Thompson's book, History of India, and is not conjecture.)

People with flat stomachs, hollowed-out cheekbones, and pale eyes were observed.

Some misers enjoy swinging on couches. When people began seeking for them, several fled

and took cover. The ones who sought safety were beaten and pursued by many. My tears

were brushed away by Karnas. Rich food was provided to many in need by the generous.

3.1.2. His Birth and Early Life

One among them resided close to the well-known Nazhikinetru boundary in

Tiruchendur. rich in more ways than just money. In keeping with his persona, he gave

porridge to those who were terrified of starvation. He fed the starving people. The person

who extends his hand to step is placed in his bag. "I was starving." I was thirsty when you fed

me. You were my stranger, and you slaked my thirst. He is a selfless person and an

inspiration. Despite coming from a lower class background, he was raised in a filthy deep sea

and was raised as a red lotus in the dirt.

Mr.Santhappan is the father of Moses and he is the seventh son . Moses's family

practiced black magic, and they are Hindus. Rev. Margoschis got Mr. Santhappan's children

enrolled in school. Free meals and four rupees were handed to them as a gift. Moses

Muthumalai quit his studies after the third grade because he disliked going to school.

Muthumalai was the family's best governor and his brothers got married. As a practitioner of
4
home medicine, he used to travel to Palkad for medical procedures. The family members'

medical practices brought them wealth.

3.1.3. His Family Life

The original name of Moses's wife, Ebenzer Annamma, was Cheeni. Even at a young

age, she lost her mother, and her father reared her. For the betterment of Ebenzer, his father

was a dedicated man who never got married again. He enrolled his daughter in the Sarah

Tucker School in Palamkottai, where she was under the missionary Miss Asquith's

supervision. Ebenezer received a Bible from her.

She followed the words as she read the Bible. The members of Moses now desired to

find a bride and get married. They found Ebenezer by the grace of God. They got married.

Annammal moved to Kalluvillai, Moses' hometown, with her husband. Annammal came

from a low-income background and was married to a multimillionaire, but she never took joy

in this.

As she hailed from an ordinary family, she struggled to deal with her husband. She

became ill because of Moses's family members. For a while, she lived the life of a jailbird.

She cites this as “Egypt's slavery” in her later years of describing this to her kids. However,

she found that praying and reading the Bible during her lonely moments gave her strength

and increased the practicality of her life.

3.1.4. His Call and Commitment

Summary
Chapter IV
The Mission and Ministry of Moses Muthumalai as Pioneer Native Missionary among
the Paliars 1901 – 1922
Introduction

5
 4.1. Vision on Paliars
4.2. The Life Style of Paliars
4.3. Moses Muthumalai’s ministry among Paliars
4.4. The various Struggles and Conflicts faced by Moses Muthumalai
4.5. The impact of his mission on Paliars
4.5.1. The Social impact
4.5.2. The Economic impact
4.5.3. The Educational impact
4.5.4. The Cultural impact
Summary
Chapter V
Conclusion

Select Bibliography
Chelliah, A.R. Bishop Vedanayagam Samuel Azariah: A Life in Indigenization.
Delhi: ISPCK, 2016.

Christudoss, D.A. Azariah Attiyatchar. Tirunelveli: Indian Missionary Society, 1974.

Christudoss, D. A. Bishop Azariah. Tirunelveli: The Indian Missionary Society, 1974.

Christudoss, D. A. Clorinda the mother of the Tirunelveli Church. Palayamkottai: A Bethel

Publication,1976.

Christudoss D. A. Life of Bishop Sargent. Palayamkottai: Diocesan Literature Work Standing

Committee Diocese Press, 1990.

Christudoss. D.A. Rhenius Apostle of Tirunelveli. Palayamkottai: A Bethel Publication,1976.

Devadasan, G.D. From Tranquebar to Tirunelveli up to 1838 in The History and Heritage
Christianity in Tirunelveli Area. Palayamkottai: Diocesan Offset Press, 1992.
Duraisingh, N.M. Muthumalai in the Paliar Hills. Tirunelveli: The Indian Missionary
Society, 1964.

Edwin Joel. Muthumalai in Paliar Land. Tirunelveli: The Indian Missionary Society, 1964.

Gibbs, M.E. The Anglican Church in India 1600-1970. Delhi: ISPCK, 1972.

Hodge, J.Z. Bishop Azariah of Dornakal. Madras: CLS, 1946.

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Job, G.V. Azaria Samuel Vethanayagam. Madras: The Christian Literature Society, 1954.

Muthuraj, Joseph, G. We Began at Tranquebar Vol:1 SPCK, The Danish Halle Mission and
Anglican Episcopacy in India 1706 – 1843. Delhi: ISPCK, 2010.

Muthuraj, Joseph. G. We began at Tranquebar Vol II: The Origin and Development of
Anglican – CSI Episcopacy in India 1813 – 1947. Delhi: ISPCK, 2010.

Neill, Stephen. A History of Christianity in India 1707 – 1858. Cambridge: Cambridge

University Press, 1985.

Neil, Stephen. The Story of the Christian Church in India, and Pakistan. Michigan:
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Journals

Diocesan Magazine, Narpothagam. Tirunelveli Diocese. (1900 – 1922)

India Missionary Society Magazine. The Missionary Intelligencer. (1910 – 1922)