recovery from an illness. Beschi’s profound knowledge of Tamil and his prolonged acquaintance with the Tamils taught him much of Tamil medicine.

He never was very friendly with the Lutherans. He pointed out the unpardonable and grave error they had committed in translating the Bible. Despite this misunderstanding between Beschi and the Protestant Lutherans the latter used his grammar book to help them in their study of Tamil. This grammar of “Koduntamil” was the only book that was printed during Beschi’s life and surprisingly enough it was published by the Tranquebar Mission Press in 1738.

He had a unique way to cleverly accomplishing his ends and thereby saved many a grave situation. During the many stifling civil wars and during the Muslim invasion his tact and indomitable courage saved many a village. He was able to protect and save the beautiful churches by enlisting the support of the Muslim ruler. Chanda Sahib befriended Fr. Beschi and he gave the missionary letters of safe conduct for the missionaries. He also gave him valuable presents. In 1738, Beschi became master of the Madura Mission but this was short-lived. Indian story writers have given free scope to their fancy and say that Chanda Sahib made Fr. Beschi his Diwan or Prime Minister and assigned to him the revenues of four villages. Muthuswamy Pillai in 1843 wrote “His” (Beschi’s) “conveyance was a palanquin…….” There is no substantial proof for this, since in the annual letters which were written to Rome no mention is made of this office which Beschi is supposed to have held.

In 1740 Beschi went to Trichy when a great Maratta invasion took place. In 1742, Beschi’s friend Chanda Sahib was over-thrown and defeated. The same year Beschi retired to Manapad and a year later he visited Vembar twice.

He was appointed visitor of the Seminary of Ampalakat in Travancore in 1746. A year later in 1747 on the 4th February, he died at the age of 66.