1838.] Account of the Mapalamar tribe, 489 



The writer, Jain Uddin Ma hud, in reply states, that in the time 

 of Cheruman Perumal a ship came from another country in which 

 were Jews and Nazarenes, (Christians,) together with their families, 

 who were permitted to settle ; that a second ship came from Arabia, 

 bringing Muhammadans, among whom was a sheikh, and that Che- 

 ruman Perumal inquired from him much concerning the religion and 

 customs of the Muhammadans; that Cheruman Perumal became a 

 Mussalman, and after making over his dominions to his relatives and 

 others, left the country ; that a ship being provided, he went with the. 

 sheikh by sea, the ship touching at various places ; and, at length, at 

 Mecca. It is added that the king, residing there some time, studied 

 various books ; and then came back, bringing with him several teachers. 

 His health was not good ; and he in consequence charged those to 

 whom he had delivered over his power to receive and propagate the 

 Muhammadan religion. After his death the Muhammadan system was 

 disseminated in some places, and mosques were built. 



Answer to the question, what are the peculiar manners and customs 

 of the same people as now naturalized in the country, 



-The reply adverts to the cultivation of pepper, and trade in that 

 article, originally carried on by this people. Three feringhi ships 

 came to Calicut for the purpose of trading. The feringhis began 

 to form plantations, and to monopolize the pepper trade, demanding a 

 recognition of the supremacy of their flag, and allowing no vessels to 

 trade^ except such as carried a license from themselves. Under these 

 circumstances application was made to the Sultan of Roum (Constanti- 

 nople ? ) in consequence of which three Arab vessels armed, were des- 

 patched. Disputes and fighting with the feringhi people followed ; the 

 result of which was that the Mdpalas had greater facilities for com- 

 merce than for a time had been allowed them. 



In Hegira 904, (A. D. 1489-10,) a great man of their tribe came 

 from Arabia ; and being on good terms with the Calicut raja, he re- 

 quested and obtained leave to build additional mosques in the country. 

 These buildings were erected, and the people, together with their reli- 

 gion, flourished. 



At a later period the padshah took the country, and distinguished 

 these people, as being Muhammadan, with favors and privileges. 

 But from the time when the English acquired power in the country, 

 their privileges had not continued, and they were consequently aggrieved. 



Connected with Pondni-nagara, there are sixteen mosques ; for the 

 maintenance of lights and other matters in which the sirkar allows 

 nothing. 



