1838.] 



Report on the Mackenzie Manuscripts, 



339 



that religion. The birth of the child, through whom these changes 

 were to happen, is then particularly adverted to ; being the Cheruman 

 Perumal who went to Mecca. He was 40 years old when he went 

 away ; and his instructions to be observed daring his absence are 

 stated. He died on the return ; only his companion reached Kera- 

 la ; who turned the family of CAm^wmw PerMm«no the Mahomedan 

 faith, and styled the son of late king Sultan Mahomed Ali. This was 

 in " Hegira 64." A list of descendants follows with Mahomedan 

 names, sixteen in number, and then two female rulers. Certain 

 Feringhis (foreigners) came in the year 359 (" Hegira" supposed) ; 

 and fought with the Mahomedans in the Maldive islands, turning some 

 of the people to the foreign religion : in consequence of which, aid was 

 sought by the Mahomedans, the leading men among whom came to 

 Cannanore in a dhoney ; and an agreement being ratified and record- 

 ed on copper plates, aid was sent: the foreigners were extirpated, and 

 the power restored to the Mahomedans. They were subject to the 

 Cannanore rulers ; but one or two among the island chiefs assumed 

 independence, leading to wars and interventions. This notice of the 

 Maldives is introduced as belonging to the time of Isar Bokhar^ in 

 the year 455. The list of kings down to the second of the two female 

 sovereigns was before given. 



Remark.— This is the most plain matter of fact document regard- 

 ing the Malayalam country, which I have as yet met with. The ap- 

 pended statement, concerning the Maldives, is exceedingly curious. 

 It seems to me that the whole document, which is but brief, claims 

 full translation, as offering matter proper to be compared with other 

 documents, concerning Malayalam ; whereby general results may be 

 deduced. 



