Logo

Synopsis Batholomaus Ziegenbalg (1682-1719) is the father of modern Protestant mission movements. His arrival in the south Indian fishing village of Tranquebar on July 9, 1706 marked the beginning of Protestant Christianity in India. Together with Indians he introduced the message of Jesus Christ to others. He was not a colonial person, but was dedicated to improve the lifestyle of downtrodden Indians of his time.  He set up public boarding schools for boys, and as well as for girls. Under his leadership indigenous church leaders were trained. He also pioneered the art of printing books and disseminating knowledge to all people. The letter correspondence that he had with learned Tamil scholars enabled them to discover their own religions and cultures, and articulate them to outsiders. Instead of writing about Indians, he let Indians describe their beliefs, lifestyles, and practices. He translated the writing of his Indian partners into German, and invited his reader in Europe to interact with Indian ways of thinking and living.  He spread the fame of Tamil people far and wide. He compiled a Tamil-Latin grammar that was printed in Halle as early as in 1716. In this process he initiated a lasting relationship between Indians and Europeans in general, and Indians and Germans in Particular. Ziegenbalg transcended geographical, cultural and religious barriers.  This book recovers and interprets his teachings and writings. Students of history of Christianity in India, scholars in Indian studies, researchers in intercultural studies, and Indo-German relationships will find this book interesting.