On One
Side Was Engraven A Cross And Peacock, The Ancient Arms Of Meliapour,
And On The Other Side Certain Characters Which Were Explained By Another
Learned Bramin To The Following Effect:
"Boca Rajah son of Campula
Rajah, and grandson of Atela Rajah, who confesses one GOD without
beginning, creator of
All things, who is greater than the beast
Chigsan, and one of five kings who has conquered ninety and nine, who
is strong as one of the eight elephants that support the world, and hath
conquered the kingdoms of Otia, Tulcan, and Canara, cutting his enemies
to pieces with his sword." This is the Inscription on one of these
plates. The others contain grants of lands to St Thomas, directed by the
king to himself, and calling him Abidarra Modeliar; whence it may be
inferred, that these kings reigned at the time when Christ was
crucified. One of these grants begins thus: "After the year 1259, in
the first year called Icarana Rachan, and on the 12th day of the new
moon of the good year, I give in alms to the saint Abidarra Modeliar,"
&c. The other begins in this manner: "This is a token of alms-deeds to
purchase Paradise. All kings that perform them shall obtain much more
than they give; and he who disannuls them shall remain 60,000 years with
the worms in hell," &c.
It has been disputed by what road St Thomas came into India. The heathen
history says, that he and Thaddeus being in Mesopotamia, they parted at
the city of Edessa, whence St Thomas sailed with certain merchants to
the island of Socotora where he converted the people, and then passed
over to Mogodover Patana, a city of Paru, in Malabar, where he built a
church.
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