Agricultural labour in Dakshina Kannada

Abstract

The general condition of agricultural labourers in Dakshina Kannada was at a low level, both economically and socially. There were mainly two types of agricultural labourers - muladalugalu and kuliyalugalu. Both of them suffered under the weight of the rich and higher classes of the society. They were affected by the rigid caste system and were reduced to the position of slaves. However, all agricultural labourers did not fall under the category of slaves. There existed the institution of private property in land and many of the small ryots tilled their land themselves. The feudal bondage helped the higher echelons and not the poor labourers who contributed considerably to agricultural production. On paper, the institution of slavery was abolished in 1843, but the agrarian proletariat had to still wait longing for a state of decent living.