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Vol. XVII, No. 3 pearl for which he paid fifty thousand four hundred and fortyseven pounds. The famous pearl ear-rings of Cleopatra were in value one hundred and sixty one thousand four hundred and fifty eight pounds. These precious pearls were imported from south Indian regions ruled by the Pandian kings of Madurai,
Many centuries before the arrival of Marco Polo and Vascode Gama to the seaports of Cochin, South India had trade relations with Asian and European countries. Indian religion or cultural wealth and wisdom especially the Arhat dharma and the Vedic and Buddhist religions flowed freely across the seas in many parts of the world.
The Jatakas, the Buddhist and Jain religions, literature have described the exploits of those early enterprising seafaring traders of India who crossed the wide seas in boats battling against rising waves and storms carrying their merchandise to Malāyā, Burmā, Sumātra, Jāvā, Indonesia, Egypt and China. Foreign trade settlements and trade emporiums existed in some of the seaports of India and similarly Indians has also their emporiums in the countries beyond the seas.
The Romens had trade settlements in South India, Notable among them was in the celebrated city of Muziris, modern Cranganove ruled by Cheran Senkuttu van of the Silappadikaram fame. The Romans had a temple at Cranganove dedecated to Apollo. Similarly Indian settlers in foreign countries had also houses of worship and their relics are found today in many parts of the world.
The capital city of ancient Chaldea was called 'Ur', a Tamil name. It was built about seven thousands years before Christ. In the ruins of Ur excavated by archaeologists was found the famous timber logs from Kerala. All these facts go to prove that India had trade and cultural relations with overseas countries from the days of hoary antiquity and that the Rishabha-cult of Arhat-dharma was the predominating religious faith of the people in many parts of Asia and Europe.
Some cities and towns were named after Rishabha. In Syria, there is a province called Amurru. In that province is a city named after Rishabha. It is mentioned in the inscription of the Marriking Zimerelin (1730-1600 B.C.). In Soviet Armenia is a town called Teshabani near Kermer Blur. The Babylonian city of Isbekzur is a corrupt form of Rishabhapur. These facts go to prove that Rishabha was worshipped in those countries from hoary antiquity.
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