History of Early Christianity in India
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THE HISTORY OF THE MALANKARA CHRISTIANS : M. M. NINAN<br />
This Takhth-i-Bahi Stone 17" long and 14.5" broad has the <strong>in</strong>scription<br />
"In the twenty-sixth year <strong>of</strong> the great K<strong>in</strong>g Gudaphara <strong>in</strong> the year three and<br />
one hundred, <strong>in</strong> the month <strong>of</strong> Vaishakh, on the fifth day"<br />
He returned to Kerala where he established seven and half churches with 75<br />
Brahm<strong>in</strong> families as teachers and over 3000 converts from Kshatriyas, Nairs<br />
and Chettiars. These new converts were called St: Thomas Christians. This<br />
church is one <strong>of</strong> the most ancient churches <strong>in</strong> Christendom.<br />
The seven churches are at<br />
Malankara, Palayur, Paravoor,<br />
Kokkamangalam, Niranam, Chayal<br />
and<br />
Kollam.<br />
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