The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency from the Earliest Historical Times to the Musalman Conquest c7.s4.65

c7.s4.65

The Muhammadan conquest is so distinct an era in all Indian history that it has seemed better to bring together all the descriptions of the country up to that period. In the same way the next section will contain all that can be made out as to its government and territorial divisions up to the Musalmán conquest; but this seems the best place in which to mention the immigration of two parties of foreigners from across the sea. The first of these were the ancestors of the interesting people called the Bene-Israel who are found scattered over the northern parts of the Kolába Collectorate and are believed to have arrived in India from Yemen during the sixth century of the Christian era.⁴ Unfortunately no record ancient or recent of their history remains. Still the Jews of Cochin say that they found the Bene-Israel at Rájpuri when they first came to India, and their distinct position among the various native races taken with their partial adoption of Hindu usages points to a very ancient occupation. A further account of their present condition will be found in the last section.