R. SUBBARAYALU Senior Deputy Registrar Tamil University Thanjavur
A DRAGOMAN'S DIARY BECOMES
HISTORY
History is the document on the past. It is written on the basis of evidences. The evidences are available in different forms. They may be inscriptions in bricks, stones and metals or descriptions in poetry and other literature. The architectural forms and artifacts from excavations also throw light on history. The letters of pilgrims and travellers also constitute historical documents. The travel documents of Fah-Hian and Sung-Yun, the Buddhist pilgrims from China to India helped the writing of History of India during 518 A.D.
India was a dream country for the people of the west and every country wanted to have their trade with India. This has resulted in several voyages and expeditions. The people of India were courteous to foreigners and welcomed their trade. The local chieftains, who ruled the smaller states fought within themselves and preferred foreigners' intervention. This has resulted in the colonialisation of India to the western powers.
The colonies in India belonged to the British, French, Danish and Portughese Governments. The records of the transactions of these governments and related documents helped the historians in writing the Indian history during the colonial rule. But it is astonishing to see a Dragoman's diary becoming history.
When a Government is run in a foreign soil, there is a need for the services of translators and interpreters to communicate with the native people. The governments of British India and French India appointed such Dragomen who were called 'Dwibashies', meaning the persons who are experts in two languages.
The French Government in Pouduchery appointed Mr. Anandarangam Pillai as a Dragoman. He had the practice of recording காகிதச்சுவடி ஆய்வுகள்
429
