It is recorded in the Tanjore Manual that "the Rev. Mr. Pope says that Ideir are so-called from idei, middle, being a kind of intermediate link between the farmers and merchants." Mr. Nelson [170] considers this derivation to be fanciful, and thinks that "perhaps they are so called from originally inhabiting the lands which lay midway between the hills and the arable lands, the jungly plains, suited for pasturage [i.e., the middle land out of the five groups of land mentioned in Tamil works, viz., Kurinji, Palai, Mullai, Marutam, Neytal]. [171] The class consists of several clans, but they may be broadly divided into two sections, the one more thoroughly organised, the other retaining most of the essential characteristics of an aboriginal race. The first section follow the Vaishnava sect, wear the namam, and call themselves Yadavas. Those belonging to the second section stick to their demon worship, and make no pretensions to a descent from the Yadava race. They daub their foreheads with the sacred cow-dung ashes, and are regarded, apparently from this circumstance alone, to belong to the Saiva sect." In the Madras Census Report, 1871, it is noted that milkmen and cowherds appear to hold a social position of some importance, and even Brahmans do not disdain to drink milk or curds from their hands. Further, the Census Superintendent, 1901, writes that "the Idaiyans take a higher social position than they would otherwise do, owing to the tradition that Krishna was brought up by their caste, and to the fact that they are the only purveyors of milk, ghi (clarified butter), etc., and so are indispensable to the community. All Brahmans, except the most orthodox, will accordingly eat butter-milk and butter brought by them. In some places they have the privilege of breaking the butter-pot on the Gokulashtami, or Krishna's birthday, and get a new cloth and some money for doing it. They will eat in the houses of Vellalas, Pallis, and Nattamans." The Idaiyans claim that Timma Raja, the prime minister of Krishna Deva Raya of Vijayanagar, who executed various works in the Chingleput district, was an Idaiyan by caste. The Idaiyans have returned a large number of divisions, of which the following may be noted:-- Kalkatti and Pasi. The women, contrary to the usual Tamil custom, have black beads in their tali-string. The practice is apparently due to the influence of Telugu Brahman purohits, as various Telugu castes have glass beads along with the bottu (marriage badge). In like manner, the married Pandamutti Palli women wear a necklace of black beads. According to a legend, pasi is a pebble found in rivers, from which beads are made. A giant came to kill Krishna when he was playing with the shepherd boys on the banks of a river. He fought the giant with these pebbles, and killed him. Pal, milk. Corresponds to the Halu (milk) division of the Canarese Kuruba shepherd caste.