Creating a “New World” in Tranquebar (Missionaries and “Malabarians”)

Since the beginning of 18th century, Danish Royal Mission has been working on Coromandel coast Hindustan in city Tranquebar (Dansborg fortress 250 km from Madras). This mission, created initiative King Frederick IV (1699–1730), consisted mainly Germans, graduates University Saxon Halle. The first head mission (in 1706–1719) was Bartolomäus Ziegenbalg (1682–1706). All work carried out under his leadership: Several schools were opened, Christian literature translated into Portuguese and Tamil, a church built, sermons read, residents baptized. Many materials survived those years: Correspondence missionaries with their relatives, friends colleagues, numerous reports, diaries. These sources allow us not only to present life Lutheran priests Southern India detail, but also understand peculiarities worldview. Most who worked Tranquebar, like mentors at Halle, adherents teachings pietism. founder main ideologist this doctrine Philip Jacob Spener (1635–1705). His “Pia desideria” (1675) put forward idea need for general renewal Church personal piety. Spener’s became ideological basis all colleagues Indian South. Their critical attitude towards European Christians determined goals pagans. It pagans that they saw so-called “new Christians”, destined form «renewed world».