பக்கம் எண் :

The Evolution of the Tamilian or Homo Dravida127

there probably arose two diverging branches, one of which turned towards the south-east the other towards the north-west. The Australians and Dravidas are remnants of the former, whereas the Nubians and Mediterranese are descended from the latter.”1

      “According to Haeckel, three of the twelve species of man - the Dravidas (Deccans; Sinholese), Nubians, and Mediterranese (Caucasians, Basque, Semites, Indo-Germanic tribes)” agree in several characteristics, which seem to establish a close relationship between them, and to distinguish them from the remaining species. The chief of these characteristics is the strong development of the beard which, in a other species, is either entirely wanting or but very scanty. The hair of their heads is in most cases more or less curly. Other characteristics also seem to favour our classing them in one main group of curly-haired men (Euplocomi); at present the primaeval species, Homo Dravida is only represented by the Deccan tribes in the southern part of Hindustan, and the neighbouring inhabitants of the mountains on the north-east of Ceylon. But, in earlier times this race seems to have occupied the whole of Hindustan, and to have spread even further. It shows on the one hand, traits of relationship to the Australians and Malays: on the other hand to the Mongols and Mediterranese. Their skin is either of a light or dark brown. The hair of their heads is, as in Mediterranese, more or less curled; never quite smooth, like that of the Euthycomi, nor actually woolly like that of the Ulotrichi. The strong development of the beard is also like that of the Mediterranese. Their forehead is generally high, their nose prominent and narrow, their lips slightly protruding. Their language is now very much mixed with Indo-Germanic elements, but seems to have been originally derived from a very primaeval language.”2


1.H.C.Vol.II, pp.425-6
2. C.T.S.I, Introduction, pp xix & xx