Jewels from India: part 1, ' Visitors from India'
In 1505, Vasco da Gama, newly appointed viceroy of the Indies, returned from India carrying loads of spices, textiles and other values of trade. While these exited the king and Queen, the newly converted natives and stories of a certain form of Christianity native to the subcontinent was what really caught the attention of Queen Isabel II. On the 10th of October the queen held an audience with the converts and was surprised to see that many, nearly all, had mastered both spanish and portugeese. They spoke of their lands and their habits, as well as their gods. We do not know how the queen or the courtiers understood hinduism but it seem that the queen did not mind them as she did the muslims, declaring them 'A rather confused sect of people who have been shown the wrong path'. As the audience was held, pieces of South Indian Art (which were robbed from the people or taken when temples were destroyed) were shown to the court. We have writings capturing the moment the crafts were shown, all agreeing that the indians were brilliant artists and craftsmen. The queen reportedly said ' I have seen the greatness of Christian architects, whose work helps one pray to god but I feel only the indians have the talent to bring god in this world. Blessed are the gods these heretics worship'. Thus, Isabel decided to build a Cathedral, dedicated to the Virgin, employing the converted Indians to showcase their talents. She was in luck as the majority of the people who had been brought were artisans. On New Years Eve the constructions for the La Gran Cathedral began.
As the court began to prepare for the constructions 4 priest asked audience with the queen. Antonio de la Cruz had accompanied da Gama on his 2nd voyage but had been accidentally left behind. He found refuge in various places and courts, learned the native languages and wrote extensively about the people, giving us the first writings about Indian life from an European perspective. In his writings he talks about the social hierarchy, the culture, the religion and the need to send an inquisition to root out heresy. After his death the Goan Inquisition would be established and would leave a bloody mark on Indian history.
Juan Enrique, too wrote about India but he translated the Bhagwat Gita, the Puranas, the Upanishads and most notably the Ramayana (it was done under the sponsorship of Isabel II) . According to legend he also translated the Mahabharata but considered it too vile to be presented before the people. He was often noted saying that ' the Ramayana represented the good world where all fulfilled their duty while the Mahabharata represented an evil world where people lived through cunning and deceit.'
Juan Escarra, wrote about the various kings and brought back a copy of the Arthashashtra which was translated into portugeese. He went on to write a book named 'The teachings of a King' which highlights the important lessons a king should learn and the qualities he should have. He acknowledges the Arthashashtra as the foundation for his book but makes it clear that he removed all the 'heresies' while writing. He was made a tutor to the royal children.
Francisco Iglesias, wrote about trade and architecture. He died sometime after the audience with the queen.
(I will write in more detail about each author and his book, the influence of Indian culture in some artworks during the reign of the Avis-Trastmara monarchs, how hinduism evolved in the Iberian peninsula, how India was colonized and (my personal favorite) how we won Independence. )
As the court began to prepare for the constructions 4 priest asked audience with the queen. Antonio de la Cruz had accompanied da Gama on his 2nd voyage but had been accidentally left behind. He found refuge in various places and courts, learned the native languages and wrote extensively about the people, giving us the first writings about Indian life from an European perspective. In his writings he talks about the social hierarchy, the culture, the religion and the need to send an inquisition to root out heresy. After his death the Goan Inquisition would be established and would leave a bloody mark on Indian history.
Juan Enrique, too wrote about India but he translated the Bhagwat Gita, the Puranas, the Upanishads and most notably the Ramayana (it was done under the sponsorship of Isabel II) . According to legend he also translated the Mahabharata but considered it too vile to be presented before the people. He was often noted saying that ' the Ramayana represented the good world where all fulfilled their duty while the Mahabharata represented an evil world where people lived through cunning and deceit.'
Juan Escarra, wrote about the various kings and brought back a copy of the Arthashashtra which was translated into portugeese. He went on to write a book named 'The teachings of a King' which highlights the important lessons a king should learn and the qualities he should have. He acknowledges the Arthashashtra as the foundation for his book but makes it clear that he removed all the 'heresies' while writing. He was made a tutor to the royal children.
Francisco Iglesias, wrote about trade and architecture. He died sometime after the audience with the queen.
(I will write in more detail about each author and his book, the influence of Indian culture in some artworks during the reign of the Avis-Trastmara monarchs, how hinduism evolved in the Iberian peninsula, how India was colonized and (my personal favorite) how we won Independence. )
