within ten months of their stay. Their work was opposed both by Hindus and by the local Danish authorities, and in - Ziegenbalg had to spend four months in prison, on a charge that by converting the natives he was encouraging rebellion. The Copenhagen Missionary Society wanted to encourage an indigenous Christian Church, and accordingly instructed its missionaries simply to preach the Gospel, and not to bother about other matters. Ziegenbalg, however, contended that a concern for the physical welfare of others was implicit in the Gospel.
Ziegenbalg set up a printing press, and published studies of the Tamil language and of Indian religion and culture. His translation of the New Testament into Tamil in was first in any Indian language. The church building that he and his associates constructed in is still in use today. He succeeded in establishing a seminary for the training of local clergy.
When he died on February , he left behind a full Tamil translation of the complete Bible and of Genesis to Ruth (Bible Story book series), many brief writings in Tamil, two church buildings, the seminary, and baptized Christians. Advent of the British The English East India Company A group of wealthy merchants of Leadenhall Street in London secured a royal charter from Bartholomaeus Ziegenbalg XI History - Lesson - - The Coming of the Europeans Agra (E)