EUROPEANS IN THE DECCAN 287 the European Christians who had come into Malabar and the Deccan during the sixteenth century. [Elliot, vol. viii, pp. 385 - 390.] ' Let it not be hidden from the sun-resembling minds of those who understand the value of the gems of intelligence that, previous to the rise of Mohammedanism, the Jews and the Chris- tians had intercourse, as merchants, with most of the ports of the Deccan, such as Palniar 1 and others. Hav- ing become familiar with the people of that country, they established their residence in some of the cities, and built houses and gardens. In this manner they sojourned for many years. When the great star of Mohammedanism appeared and the rays of that world-enlightening sun shone from the east to the west, the countries of Hindustan and the Deccan were also gradually benefited by the light of the Mohammedan law, and intercourse of the Mussulmans with that country began. Many of the kings and rulers of that country espoused the Mohammedan faith. The Rajas of the ports of Goa, Dabal, and Chand, and other places allowed all the Mussulmans who came there from the different parts of Arabia to settle on the seashore, and treated them with great honour and respect. For this reason the Jews and Christians burned with the fire of envy and malice. But when the countries of the Deccan and Gujarat came into the possession of the Kings of Delhi, and Islam was established in them, the Europeans put the seal of silence on their lips and never uttered a word of animosity or opposition, till 1 Perhaps Palnad, the name of the district in which Calicut is situated.
