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History of foreign Missions in Kerala

St. Thomas (1^st century A.D.)
It is traditionally believed that St. Thomas on coming to India, met the Taxila ruler Gondophores and converted him to Christianity. Gondophores was considered to be a mythical figure until the recent excavations at Taxila where thousands of coins of Gondophores were unearthed. Though the arrival and the works of St. Thomas in India are denied, recent archaeological excavations and the historical study of sculptures and religions reveal the development of Early Indian Christianity. ¹ The trade relationship between India and other countries like Sumeria, Babylonia, Greek, Syria etc., has led to religious and cultural contributions. In Solomon's period silver, monkey, ivory, tukim, precious stones etc., were imported to his kingdom.² However, it is to be noted that many eminent historians holds the view that Indian visit of St. Thomas is not an actual event.

Syrian Missionaries (4^th century A.D.)
The arrival of the Syrians on the Indian soil brought the message of Christianity in India.

European Missionaries (15^th century A.D.)
The East India Company, which came to Kerala and the southern parts of India following the discovery of the trade route from Europe to India by Vasco Da Gama, was followed by Christian Missionaries. Unlike the other two groups, the work done by this group is well documented by historians. Even the anti-christian Government of India reluctantly admits that the missionaries were indispensable in the social reformation in India. An extract for a state history text book says:

"The activities of Christian Missionaries in implementing western educational system in Kerala led the government to engage in the field of education. The growth of western education acted as a catalytic agent in the development of the society of Kerala. The activity of the missionaries was one of the reasons for the reformation of the society in Kerala." ³

Conditions In India

To understand the reformation brought along by the foreign missionaries, it is important to understand the conditions that existed in India before the arrival of these missionaries. The Social, Educational, Industrial, Linguistic and Spiritual conditions will be dealt with in the this section.

It is to be noted that Social reformation was not the main aim of the missionaries. The primary aim is the the spread of Gospel. But they understood that it is difficult to bring about evangalisation without the change that people would expect by it.

Caste System

In vedic ages there was no caste difference. Initially, all those who did priestly duties were given the title "Brahmin". Later it was used for the priests and their sons. At the end of vedic ages the Brahmins were the upper class of the society. The "Varnashrama Dharma or Manu Dharma" (caste system) which teaches that God did not create all men equal, but in a hierarchy. Brahmins were at the top of this hierarchy and established themselves as mediators between God and Man. Kundra explains the term ‘Varna’ as follows: