*H 497 Some people were engaged as servants in the gardens and in the Cultivable fields. - Women were also employed in thc Palace and a group of women widely known as Akkas were servant maids therein. Carts played a prominent part for inland conveyance. Money lending was a profitable business and the rate of interest ranged from 12% to 30% per annum. There were "Sowkars” (professional money lenders) engaged fully in this trade. There were also “Dubashis”, knowing English and the local language and also Vakils who amassed wealth by their wisdom and sagacity. 29. The Walangai Idangai Conflict Castes were many and whenever there arose a difference between them, they referred it to the king and it is said that those who stood on the right side of the king were called Valangai and those on the left were called |dangai. * - - * During the reign of sertoj II, the two parties entered into a compromise according to which they bound themselves to pay a fine of Rs. 120 and appear before the court if they should act against the compromise decree. During Sivaji II's reign there was an agreement between the two parties, who resided in the Baccanna lane, West Main Street, on the mode of celebration of marriages. A case between these two factions from Pudukottai was referred to the Mahratha ruler of Thanjavur and a representative of each group approached the Serkhel, Babaji Ramaji Pandit. The case was tried and the depositions of the representatives were recorded in writing. Finally a compromise decree accepted and signed by both parties was passed. In the first hearing they stated that there were 22 castes in the Valangai and six in the Idangai group but in the second deposition they furnished a list of 24 Castes in the Valangai and nine in the Idangai. From their statement and the decree it may be discerned that the difference arose on the conduct of marriage, the erection of the dais (pandal), the route of the procession, the conveyance, the dress and the jewels. H. 30. Sculpture and Painting Among the fine arts, sculpture and painting stand foremost in appealing to the masses. In the Thanjavur Art gallery there is an imposing 63
