to subjection; but, on the other hand, he was under the necessity of giving up a part of his revenues to the Portuguese. For some time before, the Christians of St. Thomas had observed, to their great sorrow, that their mortal enemies the Arabs were always acquiring more influence, and that they were gradually endeavouring to get the chief power into their hands. On that account they retired from Canara and various other provinces belonging to _Samuri_, and established themselves in the territories of the king of Cochin. This event took place several years before the arrival of the Portuguese at Calicut. They chose from among their own number a king, who was called _Beliarte_, and who was obliged to engage that he would defend them from the Mahometans as well as the Pagans. He resided at _Udiampera_, a city belonging to the king of Cochin. The joy of the Christians of St. Thomas, when the Portuguese first arrived at Calicut, on the 18th of May 1498, may be readily conceived. They now expected not only to receive support in regard to the affairs of their religion, but also to recover those rights and privileges which they had enjoyed in the times of the _Perumpadapil_. They likewise flattered themselves that the Portuguese would assist their king, who was in a state of ruin. Such a variety of circumstances, directly contrary to each other, were, according to their nature, inconsistent with public tranquillity. The war between _Samuri_ and the king of Cochin continued. The faction of the former, distinguished by the name of _Panircurra_, was supported by all the princes and tribes in the northern parts of Malayala. The other party, at the head of which stood the king of Cochin, was called _Ciovarecurra_, and to it belonged all the petty princes in the south. _Samuri_ was supplied by the Arabs with arms, money, and in short every necessary; and his safety depended entirely on the continuance of the war. If he made peace, he had to fear that the Arabs would revolt against him, as they only waited for a favourable opportunity to drive him from the throne; and this indeed actually took place in the year 1773, when he was stripped of his territories by Hayder Aly Khan, the king of Maïssur. The Mahometans now publicly called Hayder Aly their protector; and believed, as he professed the same religion, that he would treat them much better than _Samuri_, who was very much hated, not only on account of his acknowledging a different faith, but on account of his avarice, the oppression which he exercised against various merchants, and the luxury and licentiousness which prevailed at his court. In the above year Hayder Aly took Calicut, and deprived _Samuri_ of the greater part of his territories. Thus ended the arbitrary government of one of the mightiest kings in all India; who was able to bring into the field more than 100,000 men, and who had in his hands almost the whole of the Malabar trade.