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INDIAN DIASPORA Culture

T Some of the main villages where Badugas

are settled are Bembatty, Melur, Italar, Tudur, Kukal, Tudagai, Nundala, Meekeri, Bakola, Melkunda, Kilkundha, Tandanadu, Milidenu, Nanjanadu, Nandatti, Accanakal, Jackanari, Aravenu, Thinniyooru, Iyooru and Kannerimukku. They are also knoen as Gowdas of Nilgiris.

During Mouriyan period Buddhist Monks came to Nilgiris to spread Buddhism

visited Nilgiris in 1602 and has recorded that he has found a group of tribal people called Badugas. Todas, Kotas and other Tribes paid tribute to Badugas. Baduga Headmen used to attended Toda and Kota panchayat and solved their problems.

Baduga tribal people distinguished their living

place into four categories called Porangadu seame, Thothanadu seame, Merkunadu seame, Kundae seame. Nearly 440 Villages

among the Badugas in Nilgiris. In 1116 A.D., while Baduga King Kalaraja was ruling Nilgiris. A war was fought between King Vishnuvarthana of Hoysala and Baduga King KalaRaja. Kalaraj was killed in the war. Nilgiri came under Hoysala. Later Nilgiri came under Vijayanagar Empire and later under sultan rule and after the death of Tipu sulthan Nilgiri came under Britishers.

Even before Britishers arrived to Nilgiris a Portuguese Priest called Rev. Jocome Fierier

The Badugas are the largest indigenous tribal people of the Nilgiri

district. Baduga people speak a language called “Badugu”. The

language has no Script.

History from 8000 BC

Badugas of Nilgiris

Culture

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway