The Commentary of Father Monserrate 3.2.1

3.2.1

This empire of India, which the Turks call Industan, used in times past to be ruled by Christian kings. Our ancestors, owing to their ignorance of India before it was explored by the Portuguese used to call these kings the Indian Presbyter Johns; and there were many silly and superstitious tales told concerning them. The fact that no single trace of Christianity remains in all this vast area, comprising so many different regions, shows with what bitter hostility the Musalmans treat Christians, their religion, and their sacred buildings and institutions. For in the time of Timur Beg, i.e. 187 years ago, this Christian dynasty was still established in India. Indeed there are still relics of Christianity to be found in the recesses of the Himalayas, where the Musalmans have never penetrated : at least so say the Jogues, who are great travellers, though indeed they are untrustworthy witnesses, telling many downright falsehoods, and mixing a little truth with much fiction. For some of these Jogues, who were questioned by the priests about the Himalayas, said that the range was steep and hard to climb, but at the top flat and suited to human habitation. They also declared that on the bank of a certain lake, which is called by the local inhabitants Mansariior, there is a very ancient city, in which lives a race of people who meet together in a special building every eighth day to offer the sacrifices and prayers which form their religion.