2.4 Changes in Agrarian Relations A system of agrestic slavery had prevailed in Kuttanad region until the middle of the nineteenth century in which landlords and riots used to possess required number of labour households as part of their assets. Practically all of the agricultural activities were performed by the agrestrc slaves who were either low caste Hindus like Pulaya and Paraya or Christian converts from the low castes. These serfs had been deprived of even the basic necessaries of life and their living conditions were deplorable. Their masters had absolute power to sell, purchase and punish them.
