I. SAN THOME

• San Thome, a Portuguese town, was a neighbor, rival, and eyesore to Madras and assumed special importance during this period.
• Originally named San Thome de Meliapor, it was closely associated with the Hindu town of Mylapore, which was of ancient importance.
• Mylapore was linked with the life of the Tamil saint Tiruvalluvar, author of the Sacred Tamil text, and the Saiva saint Gnanasambandar.
• Mylapore was mentioned as an important port among the Coromandel ports in the 16th century, ranking with Pulicat.
• Scholars believe Mylapore is identical with Malli-arpha, mentioned by the Greco-Roman geographer Ptolemy in the 2nd century A.D.
• The Sri Kapaliswara Temple in Mylapore contains sculptures depicting Goddess Parvati worshiping Lord Shiva and a miracle by Saint Gnanasambandar.
• San Thome is traditionally associated with Saint Thomas, who is believed to have spent time on the coast of India.
• Saint Thomas is said to have suffered martyrdom at Saint Thomas’ Mount near Madras and was initially buried at San Thome.
• The site of his tomb is shown to visitors, although much of the original town has been lost to the sea.
• The Arab geographers and travelers of the 9th and 10th centuries referred to the area as Betumah, meaning “house, church, or town of Thomas.”
• The word San Thome is derived from Betumah.