P.J.Cherian's colleagues K.P.Shajan and Selvakumar Present Papers on Pattanam at Syro- Malabar Church Liturgical Research Centre- Kochi on November 2005

http://www.smcim.smonline.org/report5.htm 
Accession Date and Time  22-09-2011 ; Time 12.30 PM

Report of Syro-Malabar Liturgical Research Centre

November 2005 – August 2006

Introduction

 

It was in the Synod of Bishops of the Syro-Malabar Church held in Rome in January 1996 that it was decided to erect a Liturgical Research Centre at the Major Archiepiscopal Curia of the Syro-Malabar Church at Mount St. Thomas. The synod held from November 3-14, 1998 at Mount St. Thomas decided to follow up the matter. Therefore, the Apostolic Administrator of the Syro-Malabar Church, the present Major Archbishop, with a decree dated April 10, 1999 erected the “Liturgical Research Centre”.

In the last seven years LRC had organized 27 research seminars on different important subjects that concern the Syro-Malabar Church with the participation of experts in the field. Through the seminars LRC has been able to prepare a venue for experts to come together and deliberate about the past, present and future of our Church in an atmosphere of fraternal cordiality and intellectual seriousness.  The 12 books and one CD of the LRC publications have been well appreciated. People of different walks of life with interest are visiting the St.Thomas Christian Museum and the Documentation Centre.

The following report of the Commission for Liturgy is from December 2005 to August 2006.  The activities of the Liturgical Research Centre (LRC) are categorized into the following five realms: 1) Research Seminars 2) LRC Publications 3) Library and Documentation Centre and 4) St. Thomas Christian Museum 5) Other activities as per the direction of the Synod.

 

I. Research Seminars

 

1. The Research Seminar on the Social Life of Kerala in the First Millennium

 

This was the 25^th seminar under the auspices of the Liturgical Research Centre at Mount St.Thomas from 15 Tuesday 4 PM –17 Thursday 1PM, November 2005. The seminar was inaugurated by Mar Andrews Thazath, the Chairman of LRC in the meeting presided by Mar James Pazhayattil. 64 participants including Mar Mathew Annikuzhikattil, and Mar Joseph Kallarangatt attended the seminar. After a prayer of invocation Fr. Pauly Kannookadan, the Executive Director of LRC, welcomed the participants. This was followed by the presentation of the papers, responses and discussion on them.

Orientation Talk:	The Study of the History of Kerala in the First Millennium Prof. Dr  M.G.S. Narayanan
I Paper:	The Christianity in India in the First Millennium. Fr Dr Thomas Pallipurathukunnel Response: Fr Dr Raphael Ambadan
II Paperson Muziris:	i.   Pattanam the First Indo-Roman Trading Centre on the     Malabar Coast. Dr K.P. Shajan ii.  Archeological Findings about Muziris. Dr Selvakummar iii. The History of Muziris in the First Century. Mr P.K.Gopi
III Paper:	The Socio-Cultural Life of Kerala in the Copper Plates Grants with Special Reference to the Tharissappilly Plates Prof. Dr M.G.S Narayanan, Response. Fr Dr  Mathias Mundadan
IV Paper:	Art and Architecture in the Christian Culture of First Millennium CE Kerala, Prof. George Menacherry. Response. Mr K.C.Narayanan
V Paper:	Christians and the Cultural Shaping of India in the First Millennium A.D., Fr Dr. Pius Malekandathil. Response Fr Dr Xavier Koodapuzha

After each paper and response there was one-hour discussion on them. It is suggested in the seminar that the origin and development of the St. Thomas Christians are to be studied with archeological excavations and scientific proofs. With the vote of thanks proposed by Fr. Jose Kochuparambil the seminar came to an end at 1 p.m. on 17 November.

 

2. The Research Seminar on Vatican Council II and the Syro-Malabar Church held on 21-23 March 2006.

 

The 26^th   seminar under the auspices of the Liturgical Research Centre on Vatican Council II and the Syro-Malabar Church is conducted in connection with the Ruby Jubilee of the conclusion of Vatican Council II. The seminar was inaugurated by the Major Archbishop Mar Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil.  Archbishop Joseph Powathil delivered the Benedictory Talk in the meeting presided by Bishop Mar Andrews Thazath, Chairman of LRC.  Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt gave the introductory talk. 77 experts in various fields including 10 bishops participated in the seminar.  After a prayer of invocation Fr. Pauly Kannookadan, the Executive Director of LRC, welcomed the participants. This was followed by the presentation of the papers, responses and discussion on them.

Orientation Talk: The Impact of Dei Verbum and Syro Malabar Church  Bishop George Punnakottil

I Paper:	The Impact of Vatican Council II on the Syro-Malabar Church. Fr. Dr Xavier Koodapuzha.  Response: Fr.Dr Paul Thelekatt
II Paper:	The Education Mission of Syro-Malabar Church and Vat II Fr Dr Antony Kariyil Response: Prof K.M. Francis
III Paper:	Influence of Vatican Council on the Liturgical Life of the Syro-Malabar Church Bishop Thomas Elavanal.  Response: Fr Dr Antony Nariculam
IV Paper:	Vision of Vatican Council II and the Institutes of the Consecrated Life of  the Syro- Malabar Church : Rev. Dr James Aerthayil CMI Respons: Fr Dr Mathew Paikada
V Paper.	The Vision of Vatican Council and the Clergy of the Syro- Malabar Church: Msgr Bosco Puthur. Response Fr Dr George Oliapuram
VI Paper:	The Vision of Vat II and the Laity of the Syro-Malabar Church: Prof  K.T.Sebastiam Response.Prof Monamma Kokkad.

After the presentation of all the papers and responses there took place a very fruitful general discussion. The following suggestions emerged in the discussion:

1. The Syro-Malabar Church should have more openness for the mission activities in India and abroad.
2. There should be more participatory role for the laity in our Church.
3. The Church should maintain a fraternal relationship between Bishops, Priests and Laity. The new emphasize of Vatican Council II on the nature of the Church as the people of God should be maintained in our Church.
4. It is  requested to publish these papers and responses of the seminar  

The participants unanimously agreed that the seminar was well organized; the papers and responses were scholarly presented.  With the vote of thanks of Fr Jose Kochuparambil the seminar was concluded.

 

3. The Research Seminar on the Sacramentals of the Syro-Malabar Church held on 14-15 June 2006.

 

This was the 27^th Seminar under the auspices of the Liturgical Research Centre since its erection in 1999.  The seminar was attended by 60 participants, including Bishops Mar Andrews Thazhath, Mar Paul Joseph Kallarangatt, Mar Abraham Mattam and Metropolitan Mar Aprem. After a prayer of invocation Fr Pauly Kannookadan, the Executive Director of LRC, welcomed the audience. The seminar was inaugurated by Mar Andrews Thazath, the Chairman of LRC.  This was followed by the presentation of the papers, responses and discussion on them.

Orientation Paper I:	The Biblical Meaning of the Blessings. Rev. Dr Andrews Mekkattukunnel
Orientation Paper II:	The Meaning of the Sacramentals according to the Official Teachings of the Church Rev. Dr  Thomas Pottemparambil MCBS Response Rev. Dr Thomas Poovathannikunnel
I Paper:	The Historical Analysis of the Sacramentals of the Syro-Malabar Church Rev. Dr Antony Vallavanthara Response of the First Paper Rev.Dr John Theckanath Panel Discussion presided over Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt Sacramentals of the Assyrian Tradition Mar Aprem, Metropolitan of the Church of the East Sacramentals of the Antiochean Tradition Mar Thomas Koorilos, Bishop of Muvattupuzha Sacramentals of the Latin Tradition        Rev. Fr Jose Palathingal
II Paper:	The Pontifical Rites of the Scaramentals(Consecration of the Church, Blessing of Holy Oil etc.) in the  Syro-Malabar Church. Rev. Dr  Jose Kochuparambil Response: Rev. Dr Mathew Valiamattom
III Paper.	The Sacramental Blessings in the Syro-Malabar Church Rev. Dr Antony Nariculam Response: Rev. Dr Geo Thadikkatt
IV Paper:	The Profession of Vows and Consecration of the Virgins  Rev. Dr Prasanna CMC Response: Rev. Dr Jose Kuriadeth The Funeral Rites of the Syro-Malabar Church  Rev. Dr Pauly Maniyattu  Response Rev. Dr Vincent Chittilapilly

After each paper and response there was one-hour discussion on them. With the vote of thanks proposed by Fr Antony Kozhuvanal the seminar came to an end at 8 p.m. on 6 April. As a first attempt to find out the history, liturgical meaning and the theology of the Sacramentals of our Church, it is well appreciated that the selection of the topic is very relevant for research study.  It is suggested that the relation between sacraments and sacramentals is to be highlighted and papers could be published after necessary modifications.

 

II. LRC Publications

LRC publishes papers presented in the seminars as well as other studies, concerning theology, history, spirituality and liturgy of our Church. Already 12 books and one Video CD were published by LRC.  The following books will be published shortly by LRC: 

1. The Impact of Vatican Council II on the Syro-Malabar Church (13^th  book of LRC).

2. The Social Life of Kerala in the First Millennium (15^th book of LRC).

III. Documentation Centre and Library

 

1. New Documentation Centre attached to the Museum Building.

As per decision of the XIII Synod (August 2005) to start the documentation centre for our church in the Museum building and to shift the functioning of the LRC office to the same building, the building arrangements to start the Documentation Centre and to shift the Office are completed.

2. Collection of Ancient Liturgical Books for the Documentation Centre

In this period we have added very good number of ancient liturgical books of our Church to the Library.  They are an important collection of documents for our library and documentation centre.  We have added also more volumes of the recent publications to our library.

 

3. Preparation of the reference books of the liturgical texts of the Syro-Malabar Church after critical study.

The  XIII Synod (August 2005)  had decided to give LRC the mandate to make reference books of the liturgical texts of the Syro-Malabar Church after critical study, starting with the text of the Holy Qurbana.  According to the direction of the Synod the LRC made a consultation meeting of the Experts in Liturgy on 16 August 2006. In the meeting of consultation the following suggestions were made by the participants

1. Collect available source materials from India and abroad for research studies namely manuscripts, printed works, monographs, published and unpublished dissertations, internet access to the international libraries, recent publications and periodicals.
2. Publish the classified bibliography on Syro-Malabar Liturgy.
3. Entrust research study to the competent research fellows.
4. Start the research study with the history of the development of the our Qurbana
5. Further study on Pastoral Liturgy and possibilities of Inculturation should be fostered.

IV. St. Thomas Christian Museum

St. Thomas Christian Museum is an important milestone in the activities of the LRC. Mar Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil C.Ss.R., the Major Archbishop, canonically erected St. Thomas Christian Museum on December 15, 2000 and formally inaugurated it on November 10, 2001. The museum is open to the public, with a token fee for admission, from 10 a.m. to 12.30 and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday being holiday. The following works were already completed during this year.

1. Inside the Museum the picture of Blessed Kunjachan painted by artist Devassy is placed with the relics of him donated from Ramapuram.
2. A collection of old musical Instruments were placed in the Museum. 
3. A collection of the articles depicting cultural and religious life of St.Thomas Christians were placed in the Museum.
4. Construction of two toilets for the Museum
5. Paving the backside of the Museum

With gratitude we remember the benefactors who have donated valuable articles to the Museum.

V. Other activities as per the direction of the Synod

1. Syro – Malabar Emblem Competition and preparation of the Models of the Emblem

As per the direction of the synod LRC has conducted a competition to design the models of the emblem for the Syro-Malabar Church. 303 entries came from artists including priests, religious and laity.  Rev.Dr Jacob Vellian, Rev.Dr Sebastian Eluvathingal and Artist David evaluated the entries.  On the basis of the evaluation of the Experts the prize list was finalized and published in the meeting of the Board of Directors on 22.03.2006.  The cash awards and certificates were distributed by the Chairman of LRC to the award winners in the inaugural session of the LRC research seminar held on 13-15 June 2006.  The award winners are the following:First Prize: Anto Chakiath CMI; Second Prize: Sr. Soumy Jose SD; Third Prize:  Joseph Francis and Bro. Tinto Thalonikkara; Consolation Prizes: 1,  Bro. Sinto Kareparamban  2.  Jose Antony Kuzhively 3.  Sr. Nicy CSC 4.  Sr. Ersela CMC 5.  M.T. Xavier 6.   Win Society of Jesus 7.   Venu Malippara.  Having gone through the entries of the competition the XIII Synod (January 2006) decided that any of the selected emblems will not be taken as such the emblem of the Church. As per suggestion of the Synod LRC had entrusted three artists to prepare certain models of the emblem on the basis of the entries of the competition. 

 

VI. Finance

We remember with deep gratitude and appreciation for the the financial help  the LRC has received from both local and foreign.benefactors for the various programmes.  We acknowledge with gratitude the reception of the financial subsidy from Missio, Aachen in order to conduct the research

seminars. Another of our benefactors is Oeuvre d’ Orient of Paris, who gives us annual subsidy.  May I place on record our gratitude to the Director and to Mr. Thomas Varghese, the Regional Director and to all co – workers and to all benefactors of CNEWA for the financial subsidy they give occasionally for the Museum.

VIII. A Word of Thanks

First of all I thank God for His loving protection and wise guidance. I take this opportunity to place on record our gratitude to the Major Archbishop, Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, to all the members of the Synod of Bishops, and to all the members of the Curia and the whole staff at Mount St. Thomas for their love and concern towards the Liturgical Research Centre.

I acknowledge with gratitude the sincere co-operation and constant encouragement of Bishop Mar Andrews Thazath, the Chairman of LRC, Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt, Bishop Member and of Fathers Antony Kozhuvanal and Jose Kochuparampil, members of the Board of Directors.  My sincere thanks go to the present staff of LRC Sr. Anice SABS and Mr Martin.  I take this occasion to thank Mr Baiju who have served in the Museum last five years.  With deep gratitude to all, who helped us in our different activities, Liturgical Research Centre presents this report.

Fr Pauly Kannookadan,

Executive Director                                                                                                20 August 2006

P.J.Cherian Explores St' Thomas Route to India Via Afghanistan at British Museum Conference

The conference on “Ancient Afghanistan” held on 12 and 13 March 2011 was  organised by British Museum at BP lecture theatre in UK. Papers were presented by Dr. Roberta Tomber and P.J.Cherian on “Ports of the Periplus and Search for the Muziris.The report by excavators at Pattanam of Parthian/ Sassanian ceramics of West Asia  and  its link with Nebatians  has to be seen in this context. It was at the court of Parthian ruler  Gondophornes that St’Thomas is believed to have arrived  and later entered Afghanistan to India according to Roman Catholic  tradition.-Details are given in  another entry

From Pattanam to Afghanistan- P.J.Cherian and Roberta Tomber Search the St' Thomas Route To India via Afghanistan at British Museum Conference in March 2011

http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:0FNkNzryZiAJ:www.britishmuseum.org/pdf/Afghanistan%2520conference%2520programme%2520030311.pdf+p.j.cherian+at+afghanistan&hl=en&gl=in&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESiEf221BnF18Wgq1BIZtfWpIHlFrHVjnXSeLatgw4PD-hQsxPrVAq0Rm1Y-9Z67XIddd34dHn7HyWOOjWm5QelxT8YgCj0NA1UAhdIhDuHy1AKPfGF_C4OOFOrPkH8mxjMnvIln&sig=AHIEtbSId6ErNG4nyvcOOwUCk-a-ZagEmg&pli=1

Conference: Ancient Afghanistan
Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 March 2011
BP Lecture Theatre, British Museum
£40, Members and concessions £30, refreshments provided
This conference accompanies the British Museum exhibition Afghanistan: Crossroads of the Ancient World. It includes the results of important new research and archaeological excavations in Afghanistan and how other discoveries in neighbouring countries affect some of our interpretations of earlier finds made in that country. It features new interpretations of the sites and objects from three of the sites represented in the exhibition – Ai Khanum, Begram and Tillya Tepe. It also provides a report on the history and current state of the National Museum of Afghanistan by one of its curators. The conference is open to all.
Book tickets through the British Museum Ticket Desk
+44 (0)20 7323 8181
tickets@britishmuseum.org
britishmuseum.org
PROGRAMME
Saturday 12 March: Greeks, Parthians, Sakas and Kushans in Afghanistan and Central Asia
09.00–10.00 Registration
10.00 Welcome
10.15 The route of Alexander and Greco-Bactrian royal chronology
Dr Claude Rapin (UMR8546, ENS-CNRS, Paris, ‘Hellénisme et civilisations orientales’, 45, rue d’Ulm, F-75005 Paris)
11.00 Greek art for the celebration of Arsacid kingship in Parthian Nisa
Prof Antonio Invernizzi (Turin)
11.30 Coffee
12.00 The Old Nisa ivory rhyta between East and West: a matter of style
Dr Eleonora Pappalardo (Turin)
12.30 Recent excavations in Mithradatkert: new light on Parthian Nisa
Dr Carlo Lippolis (Turin)
13.00 Break
14.30 The art of Tillya Tepa: between Graeco-Bactrian roots and steppe developments
Dr Henri-Paul Francfort (CNRS UMR7041 ArScAn, Nanterre)
15.00 Observations on the reconstructions and selected finds from the tombs at Tillya Tepe
Dr St John Simpson et al (British Museum)
15.30 A closer look at gold jewellery from Tillya Tepe
Dr Jane Hickman (University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology)
16.00 Tea
16.30 The Kushan Coin Project
Dr Robert Bracey (British Museum)
17.00 New archaeological discoveries in Afghanistan
Dr Nicolas Engel (DAFA)
17.30 Close
Sunday 13 March: Begram and beyond
10.00 Welcome
10.15 White Gold: The Begram Carvings and trade in ivory products along the so-called ‘Silk Roads’
Dr Sanjyot Mehendale (University of California, Berkeley)
10.45 The preliminary results of a new scientific examination of ivories from Begram
St John Simpson, Emma Passmore, Janet Ambers, Catherine Higgitt, Giovanni Verri and Caroline Cartwright (British Museum)
11.15 Coffee
11.45 The glass from Begram
Dr David Whitehouse (Corning Museum of Glass)
12.15 An ancient glassworking process investigated: making the Begram Fish
Bill Gudenrath (Corning Museum of Glass)
12.45 Break
14.00 Afghanistan, the Periplus and Palmyra
Dr Eivind Heldaas Seland (University of Bergen)
14.30 Ports of the Periplus and the search for Murizis

Dr Roberta Tomber (British Museum) and P. J. Cherian (Kerala Council for Historical Research)

15.00 Tea
15.30 A report on the state of National Museum of Afghanistan today
Mr Abdullah Hakimzadeh (National Museum of Afghanistan)
16.00 The new discoveries at Mes Aynak
Dr Nicolas Engel (DAFA)
16.30 Close

Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly Confirms P.J.Cherian's Presence at Syro-Malabar Church Conference on St' Thomas Tradition in India

http://www.ernakulamarchdiocese.org/mainnews_details_temp.php?id=235 Major Archbishop inaugurated the LRC Seminar in Mumbai Seminar on “Early Christian Communities of St. Thomas Tradition in India” The 39th Seminar of the Litrugical Research Centre (LRC) was held in Kalyan, Mumbai from July 29-31, 2011 at the Hope Centre, Amboli, Andheri West. The Theme of the seminar was ‘Early Christian Communities of St. Thomas Tradition in India”. This was an effort to shed more light on the presence of Christian communities in early India, especially those outside India. Eminent Scholars and historian like Prof. K S Mathew, Director, Institute for Research in Social Sciences and Humanities; Rev. Dr. Pius Malekandathil, Professor, Centre for Historical Studies, JNU, Delhi; Dr. PJ Cherian, Director, Kerala Council of Historical Research; Rev. Dr. Mathew Vellanickal, Syncellus, Changanacherry; Rev. Dr. James Kurukilamkatt MST, Santhom Bible Centre, Pariyaram presented papers on various aspects of the theme. There were also several presentations on the Syro-Malabar Mission dioceses outside Kerala. His Beatitude Mar George Alencherry, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church inaugurated the Seminar at a meeting presided over by His Grace Mar Andrews Thazhath, LRC Chairman. Excellency Mar Thomas Elavanal, Bishop of Kalyan welcomed everyone to Kalyan. In the concluding ceremony His Beatitude Mar George Alencherry, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church presented Syro-Malabar Research Award to Rev. Dr. Mathew Vellanickal for his outstanding contributions. This seminar was an attempt to trace the existence of Thomas Christians in parts of India, other than the traditional boundaries of Kerala. This assumes importance in the context of All-India Jurisdiction for Syro-Malabar church.

From St' Thomas and Pattanam Excavations to Communal Family Records

Cherian puts up  family archive of nominated communities

 If Pattanam is Meant to Legitimise St' Thomas Tradition into History Using Archaeology, The Family Archival Records  Are   Appendices  to St' Thomas Historiography

As early as 2004 K.George Vargheese had pointed out  in Economic and Political Weekly (February 28-2004) that the Kchr archive is getting filled with family histories especially of Syrian Christian community notable for their imaginary and topological peculiarities.. Rather than  identity construction attempted  among  Syrian Christian community , such descriptions are filled with communal interpretations on religious conversions,  denigration,  and atrocities committed by majority community. Sankaramangalam, Pakalomattom, Mundupalathinkal, Alunkal,Ambat, and  Mundackal are  few among such family histories preserved in archives of Kchr  The Sankararamangalam  and Ambat family documents vehemently describes Christian proselytizations, conversion of temples into churches as well as religious atrocities committed by Hindus on Christian communities from historical period.  They have been  awarded  by the Kchr (See Malayala Manorama Thiruvananthapuram Edition-August 10-2003) for  well interpreted  family history   works.    P.J.Cherian has used Government historical archives as a record house for inflammating communal tension and providing a link to Pattanam excavations.

P.J.Cherian Says Latin and Greek Texts are based on Facts and Rationale While Tamil Texts are based on Fiction and Legend

© Copyright 2010, Business.in.com

Kerala - The Gateway of India

The state is giving its tourism industry a rejuvenating treatment to lure the thinking traveler

by Dinesh Narayanan | Jun 22, 2011

P.J.Cherian says-

There are two kinds of literature that contain references to Muziris, says P.J. Cherian, director of the excavations at Pattanam and director of the Kerala Council for Historical Research. One set comprises texts in Latin and Greek, the languages of trade, written like handbooks or manuals based on facts and rationale. The second is a set of Tamil texts that are laced with fiction and legends, says Cherian.

Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder, who lived between 23 A.D. and 79 A.D., refers to Muziris in his encyclopaedic work Natural History as “primum emporium Indiae” or India’s first emporium.

P.J.Cherian Implants American Political Ideology at Pattanam Archaeological Site

 100th Exposure Against an International Archaeological  Conspiracy

P.J.Cherian has described  Pattanam as a multi cultural site. In the archaeological context any site is multicultural in the sense  the unearthed  remains provide a wide range of antiquities. But the term multicultural is never used in archaeological context. In the  theoretical sense multiculturalism developed in the America as a movement for demand of cultural pluralism  in U.S. society. In the 1950’s during the  cold war,  the United States opened its doors for political refugees from Communist countries such as Hungary and Cuba. Later during the civil rights movement and demand for more cultural pluralism in the United States, a new immigration Law in 1965 opened the doors  for immigration  into US from different parts of the world. Like the nineteenth century immigrants from Europe, the majority of these immigrants  have come to US  seeking economic opportunities and political freedom. Since  White Anglo-Saxon Protestants , generally known as  WASPs  have dominated US society for generations,  the Italians and Poles were subjected to most barbarian  discrimination and prejudice. Racism and anti-Catholicism was also developing at the time. An anglo-Saxon based racism in 1880’s  and 1890s  grew in the US as a reaction to  the immigration of  southern and eastern Europeans. Ethnic tension has still remained an important issue in America.It has also led to revision of curriculum in educational programmes.

P.J.Cherian Refers Pattanam as South India's Mohenjo Daro-Dr. M.H.Ilias, Associate Professor from Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi Gives Evidence

http://web.squ.edu.om/OmanIndia/doc/full/full_9.pdf

Narrating the History of Malabar’s Omani Connection with Special Reference
to the Life Histories of Cheraman Perumal and Saiyyid Fadl Moplah
Dr.M.H.Ilias
Associate Professor
India-Arab Cultural Centre
Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi-25
+91-9717039874
mhilias@gmail.com
Oman’s trade ties with the Malabar1 Coast traces back to even before the birth
and spread of Islam in the seventh century.2 The recent archaeological
excavations in Pattanam (Kerala) have brought forth a variety of tangible
evidences for South India’s trade links with the Arab World, including Oman,
from first century A.D.3 There were frequent Omani sailings back and forth
between the major ports of Oman and Kerala since the first century, though the
major diasporic drive came from the merchants of Oman only during the twelfth
and thirteenth centuries. Tibbetts noted that there are early Sumerian inscriptions
refer to ship-building in Oman catering for the ancient Indian Ocean trade.
Certainly Indian wood has been found in Sumerian sites. 4 Abu Zayed, the Arab
traveler mentioned:
“the Arabs of Umman (today’s Oman) take the carpenter’s tool-box
with them and go to the place where coconut trees grow in
abundance. First they cut down the tree and leave it to dry. When it
is dry’ they cut into planks. They weave ropes of the coir. With this
rope they tie the planks together and make of them a vessel. They
make its mast from the same wood. The sails are made of fiber.
When the boat is ready, they take a cargo of coconuts and sail from
Umman. They make huge profits in this trade”5.
1 Geographically, erstwhile Malabar district of Madras state under the British rule comprised
seven districts of middle and north Kerala.
2 The archeological discoveries in Oman and Baharian have revealed a rich maritime tradition
associated with Magan civilization. There are evidences to Oman’s trade connection with
northern part of India which dates back to Indus valley civilization. See Dionisius A. Agius,
Seafaring in the Arabian Gulf and Oman: The People of the Dhow, ( London, 2005)
3 P.J. Cherian, “Pattanam: South India’s Mohanjedaro” an unpublished manuscript, (
Trivandrum, 2006)
4 G.R.Tibbetts, Introduction, in The Arab Navigation in the Indian Ocean Before the Coming of
Portuguese, ( translation of Kitab al-Fawaid fi usus al-bahr walqawaid of Ahmed b. Majid al-Jajdi),
London, 1972)
5 As cited in J.W. Mc Crindle, The Commerce and Navigation of the Erythrean Sea,( Amsterdam,
19730) p. 37

P.J.Cherian's Paper on Contemporary Political Movements in International Seminar on Kerala History -- March 2006 Thiruvananthapuram

What  is P.J.Cherian's Area of Specialization? Archaeology, Political Science or Biblical History                                                                                                                                 

http://www.keralahistory.ac.in/presenters.pdf


Theme Papers
Session One
Political History
Page
POLITICAL HISTORY OF KERALA: A STATUS REPORT
Kesavan Veluthat
Session Two
Economic History
Michael Tharakan P K
Session Three
Social History
Rajan Gurukkal P.M
Session Four
CULTURAL-INTELLECTUAL HISTORY OF KERALA: AN OVER VIEW
Ganesh K.N
Paper Presenters and Paper Titles
NO Name Title
1. Ajit Kumar Recent Archaeological Finds
at Vilinjam: an Appraisal
2. Balan C. Rituals, Traditions and Social
Harmony : Re-reading Premodern
Malabar
3. Cherian P.J. Communist Movement in Kerala:
Modes of Mobilisation and
Reflections in Cultural and Lived
Experience
4. Ekbal B. Advent of Modern Medical Practice
in Kerala.
5. Filippo Osella
& Caroline Osella
“I am Gulf”: the Production of
Cosmopolitanism in Kozhikode,
Kerala
6. George Varghese K. Fabulous Escapes: Visvakarma
Community and Historical
Imaginary in the Context of
Globalisation
7. Gopalankutty K. Political History of Modern Kerala:
Historiography Trends
8. Haridas V.V. Royalty, Locality Chiefs and
Local Magnates in the
Political Structure of the
Kingdom of Kozhikode
9. Jaiprakash Raghaviah Evolution of Modern Industrial
Entrepreneurship in Malabar : 1918-
1947
10. Jayashree Nair K. Towards New Interpretative
Possibilities : A Case of the
Megaliths in Kasaragod
11. John Thomas Historicizing 'Missionaries':
Changing Protestant Missionary
Attitude Towards Engagement with
Pulaya and Paraya Slaves … .
12. Justice K. Sukumaran Legal Developments as Source of
Kerala’s Social History
13. Kabir M. The North and the South: Regional
Inequalities in Kerala during the
First Half of the Twentieth Century,
Evidence from Census Data
14. Khan M. M. Negotiating Caste, Religion,
and Nation: Travancore
Ezhava Community in Flux,
1917-24
15. Kunhikrishnan K.V. Observations on Environmental
History - The Case of Kerala
16. Mathew K. S. Maritime Trade of Malabar and the
Role of Indigenous and Foreign
Merchant Financiers during the
Sixteenth and Seventeenth
Centuries”
17. Mohamed Koya S. M. Aftermath of Malabar
Rebellion
18. Mujeebu Rahman M. P. Merchants, Colonialism and
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Christian Dalit Activist N.K. Jose's Function Presided by P.J.Cherian- N.K.Jose himself Admits

Dalits became Muslims to escape Hindu cruelty

DALIT BANDHU N.K. JOSE, AMBIKA MARKET, VAIKOM - 686 144

My 103rd book, Aranu Videsikal? (Who are the foreigners?) in Malayalam was released on Feb.2 at the 31st anniversary of the Kerala History Congress (KHC) of which I am the president. Feb.2 was also my 78th birthday. The book was released by Dr. Michael Tharakan at the meeting of KHC. Prof. Abraham Arackal, ex-principal of Maharajas College, Ernakulam, presided. Dr. P.J. Cherian, Director of Kerala Council of Historical Research, inaugurated.
The book deals with Muslims and Christians who are not foreigners but the original inhabitants of India but converted to Islam and Christianity. The Hindus are the real foreigners who came some 3,500 years ago. Hindu means those within the chathurvarna. Some are asking the original inhabitants to quit India saying that India is theirs. During Aurangzeb period (1707), the Muslim population in India was 1% (Travels in Mughal Empire, F. Bernier). During the Round Table Conference at London (1930), Jinnah said Muslim population was 25% of the total population. That means in 223 years the population of Muslims shot up from 1 to 25%. There was no conversion work as such by Muslims. Nadir Shah came in 1739 and conquered Delhi but he returned as he came. The same happened when Ahmad Shah Abdali came in 1751. Before Aurangzeb, Babar came with a small army and they settled here. Afghan and Turkish conquerors also did like that. Even after that the Muslim population was just 1%. From the time of Mohammad Bin Khassim, there was the presence of Muslims who became the ruling class here. Brahmins and Rajputs accepted their rulership from the time of Alaud-din Khalji onwards. During the Sepoy Mutiny those sepoys declared that if they won the mutiny, Bahadur Shah 2nd, the last of the Mughal dynasty, would be the ruler. He was at that time an aged man living a retired life. He was not in any way related to the mutiny.
That means the people were thinking even at that time Muslims as the rulers. After the decline of the Mughal empire, Brahmins and Hindus became petty rulers. They started cruelties against the Dalits. For the sake security the Dalits then converted to Islam. And thus the Muslim population increased. If the British rule did not come by the end of the 18th century, the majority of the Dalits would have become Muslim. Thus the majority of the present Muslims of India are Dalits —and brothers of the present Dalits. That means they are the original inhabitants of India.