The book is an English translation of an award winning German book. The history of social and religious encounter  in 18th century South  India is narrated through fascinating biographies and day to day lives of  Indian workers in the Tranquebar  Mission (1706-1845). The book challenges the notion that Christianity in colonial India was basically imposed from the outside. Liebau maintains that  significant contributions  were made by  the local converts and mission co-workers who played an important role in the Tranquebar Mission.