I
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

From ancient times India had been known in the west and trade had flourished, particularly between South India and the West. The numerous Roman coins unearthed in the South bear witness to this. In 45 A.D. after Hippalos’ epoch making discovery of the “Monsoon Winds” the idea of using them for commercial voyages was conceived. This resulted in a flourishing trade between the Roman Empire and the South particularly the Malabar ports.

The rise of Venice to a great maritime power brought India closer to Europe. The properity of Venice as a result of trading with India attracted the attention of many European nations. They were extremely jealous and the this may be said to be the chief motive that led to Genoese and Iberian nations to discover a maritime route to India, without the intervention of either Venice or Egypt. Their ceaseless efforts culminated in the exploration and discovery of the sea route by Vasco-da-gama in 1498.

The discovery of this route round the Cape of Good Hope to India was a great event considering the results that followed. This broke the trade monopoly enjoyed by Venice and Egypt with India. Trade with the latter – especially in pepper and spices-brought in great profits. This laid the first foundations of the Portuguese empire in South India, later to be followed by the Dutch.

Prince Henry, the Navigator (the Duke of Viscau) was the man behind Vasco-da-gama’s voyage. Like a devout Christian, the Prince believed that these were conquests of new worlds for Christ. Even before the advent of the Portuguese there were in Malabar a community of Jews and St. Thomas Christians. The exact time of their arrival in India is still not definite. K. M. Panikkar says, “Socially, the Christians occupied an important position. Important communal privileges, and absolute religious