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488 them off from all connexion with St. Thomas's mission or that of the early apostles, even assuming that the records of these are authentic. My impression is that this form of cross was not introduced as an out-of-doors self-standing sign till, say, the sixth or seventh century. On the other hand, it is extremely improbable that any such community could have existed after the Mahommedan invasion at the end of the thirteenth century. Between these limits we know that the Nestorians had establishments as far

222. Dolmen with Cross in Nirmul Jungle.

east as China, and extending in a continuous chain westward as far at least as the Caspian; and there seems to be no difficulty