Pokanati.--Pokanati or Pakanati is a sub-division of Kapu. Poladava.--A synonym of Gatti. Poligar (feudal chief).--A synonym of Palayakkaran. According to Yule and Burnell, [105] the Poligars "were properly subordinate feudal chiefs, occupying tracts more or less wild, and generally of predatory habits in former days. They are now much the same as Zemindars (land-owners) in the highest use of that term. The Southern Poligars gave much trouble about a hundred years ago, and the 'Poligar wars' were somewhat serious affairs. In various assaults on Panjalamkurichi, one of their forts in Tinnevelly, between 1799 and 1801, there fell fifteen British officers." The name Poligar was further used for the predatory classes, which served under the chiefs. Thus, in Munro's 'Narrative of Military Operations' (1780-84), it is stated that "the matchlock men are generally accompanied by Poligars, a set of fellows that are almost savages, and make use of no other weapon than a pointed bamboo spear, 18 or 20 feet long." The name Poligar is given to a South Indian breed of greyhound-like dogs in the Tinnevelly district. Pombada.--A small class of Canarese devil-dancers, who are said, [106] in South Canara, to resemble the Nalkes, but hold a somewhat higher position, and in devil-dances to represent a better class of demons. Unlike the Nalkes and Paravas, they follow the aliya santana system of inheritance. They speak Tulu, and, in their customs, follow those of the Billavas. There are two sections among the Pombadas, viz., Bailu, who are mainly cultivators, and Padarti, who are chiefly engaged in devil-dancing. The Pombadas are not, like the Nalkes and Paravas, a polluting class, and are socially a little inferior to the Billavas. They do not wear the disguises of the bhuthas (devils) Nicha, Varte, and Kamberlu, who are considered low, but wear those of Jumadi, Panjurli, Jarandaya, Mahisandeya, and Kodamanithaya. Ullaya or Dharmadevata is regarded as a superior bhutha, and the special bhutha of the Pombadas, who do not allow Nalkes or Paravas to assume his disguise. During the Jumadi Kola (festival), the Pombada who represents the bhutha Jumadi is seated on a cart, and dragged in procession through the streets. (See Nalke.) Pon Chetti (gold merchant).--A synonym of Malayalam Kammalan goldsmiths. Pon (gold) Illam.--A section of Mukkuvans.