ABSTRACT
The historical conditions for the rise, the existence and the growth of Christian mission societies were characterized by complex political, economic, social and religious factors in the countries that sent out missionaries as well as in the mission region. The missionaries were finally able to establish permanent, albeit indirect, contacts with the court of the raja during the rule of Tuljaji I. An unexpected opportunity presented itself when a Catholic officer of the army of Thanjavur, Rajanayakkan, was stationed in Porayar and displayed an interest in Evangelical dogma. In 1778 the missionary finally settled down in Thanjavur to establish a mission station there on behalf of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge and with the permission of the English administration, which often asked him to mediate in political and social conflicts. The relations between the Tranquebar Mission and members of Dutch settlements on the south east coast of India and Ceylon was less prone to conflict.
