Chapter 1 - Historical Identity

Introduction

The Existence of any community is closely associated with its history. In fact, history is that which gives authenticity to the existence of any person, community or society. Hence it is very important to pay attention to the study of history in any scientific study. A brief historical inquiry into the existence of the Knanaya Community is done in this chapter. Knananites consider themselves as having a long history of sixteen and half centuries. This chapter mainly deals with four topics, namely, the ancient records, tradition, modern European writers and native writings. An analysis of the contents of these topics is done at the end.

Ancient Recorded History

History is the record of past events. Though the Knananites consider themselves as having a lengthy history of more than sixteen centuries. We have no real written records of their existence prior to the 16th century. This questions the very existence of them before the 16th century. However, this problem may be solved if we understand the common traits of early Indians, especially the Keralites. Actually, they showed no care in making or preserving historical data (Menachery and Chakkalakal, 1987,27). An added reason is that even if there were any records of Syrian Christians, as they were burned the Synod of Diamper in 1599 by the order of Archbishop Dom Meneziz (Cathanar, 1989,470).

The only ancient record prior to the 16th century which may throw light upon the existence of the Knanaya Community is the so-called Knai Thomman Chepped or Knai Thomman copper plates. It is supposed to be the copper plates which was granted to Thomas of Knai - Thomas of Cana as he is popularly known in English - by Ceraman Perumal the King (Kollaparambil, 1986,11). It was granted in 345 AD and seventy two privileges were engraved on it. But we do not have it today. We do not know where it exists today or how it is lost. Certain Europeans in the 16th century have written that it was in the Cochin fortress and later taken to Europe. E.g. Dionisio, Gouvea, Francis Ros etc. (Polackal 1976, 12). If we were able to decipher it, it would have brought much light on the history of the Knananites.

Even though the original is lost, we are blessed with having a Portuguese translation of it (Francis Ros in 1604, Kollaparambil, 1986,14). Francis Ros gives the content of the Chepped in his report about the St. Thomas Christians. This document is extent in British Museum Library (Kollaparambil, 1986, 13-18).

Tradition

The Indians usually transmitted their history oral Tradition.