They talked of the people as Gentoos, Moors, Mallwans, Sanganians, Gennims, Warrels, Coulis, Patanners, etc., and the number of political, racial, religious, and linguistic divisions presented to their view must have been especially puzzling.

Owing to the numerous languages necessary to carry on trade on the Malabar coast, they were forced to depend almost entirely on untrustworthy Portuguese interpreters.

Their difficulties in this respect are dwelt on by Hamilton-- "One great Misfortune that attends us _European_ Travellers in _India_ is, the Want of Knowledge of their Languages, and they being so numerous, that one intire Century would be too short a Time to learn them all: I could not find one in Ten thousand that could speak intelligible _English_, tho' along the Sea coast the _Portuguese_ have left a Vestige of their Language, tho' much corrupted, yet it is the Language that most _Europeans_ learn first, to qualify them for a general Converse with one another, as well as with the different Inhabitants of _India_." After two years' work, as supercargo, on different ships, Gyfford was sent down to Anjengo as chief of the factory.

Anjengo was at that time one of the most important factories on the Malabar coast, though of comparatively recent establishment.

It was first frequented by the Portuguese, who, after a time, were ousted by the Dutch.