The Apocryphal History Of St. Thomas Relates That While The Lord Was Still
Upon Earth A Certain King Of India,
Whose name was Gondaphorus, sent to
the west a certain merchant called Abban to seek a skilful architect to
build
Him a palace, and the Lord sold Thomas to him as a slave of His own
who was expert in such work. Thomas eventually converts King Gondaphorus,
and proceeds to another country of India ruled by King Meodeus, where he
is put to death by lances. M. Reinaud first, I believe, pointed out the
remarkable fact that the name of the King Gondaphorus of the legend is the
same with that of a King who has become known from the Indo-Scythian
coins, Gondophares, Yndoferres, or Gondaferres. This gives great
interest to a votive inscription found near Peshawar, and now in the
Lahore Museum, which appears to bear the name of the same King. This
Professor Dowson has partially read: "In the 26th year of the great King
Guna ... pharasa, on the seventh day of the month Vaisakha." ...
General Cunningham has read the date with more claim to precision: "In
the 26th year of King Guduphara, in the Samvat year 103, in the month of
Vaisakh, the 4th day." ... But Professor Dowson now comes much closer to
General Cunningham, and reads: "26th year of the King, the year 100 of
Samvat, 3rd day of Vaisakha." (See Rep. of R. As. Soc., 18th January,
1875.) In ordinary application of Samvat (to era of Vikramaditya) A.D.
100 - A.D. 43; but the era meant here is as yet doubtful.
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