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Report on the Mackenzie Manuscripts. [April 



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

 ing Mahomedans, among whom was a Sheikh ; and that Cheruman 

 Perumal enquired from him much concerning the religion and cus- 

 toms of the Mahomedans ; that Cheruman Perumal became a Mussul- 

 man, 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 Mahorae- 

 dan religion. After his deatli the Mahomedan system was disseminat- 

 ed in some places, and mosques were built. 



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

 of the same people as now neutralized in the country. 



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

 ticle, 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 (Constan- 

 tinople ?) ; in consequence of which three Arab-vessels armed, were 

 despatched. Disputes and fighting with the Feringhi ^eo^\^ followed ; 

 the result of which was that the Mapalas had greater facilities for 

 commerce 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-ra;a, he requested 

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

 buildings v/ere erected and the people together with their religion flou- 

 rished. 



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

 these people^ as being Mahomedan, with favours 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 Poiani-tiagara, there are sixteen mosques ; for the 

 maintenance of lights and other matters in which, the Sircar allows 

 nothing. 



The writer closes with some brief mention of his ancestors and him- 

 self: from which it appears that theyj and he, had been hereditary 

 chiefs ihQ Mapalas, 



