The history of Judaism in India is long, diverse, and quite unique compared to Jewish experiences elsewhere. India is one of the few places in the diaspora where Jews lived for centuries without significant antisemitism, and several distinct Jewish communities developed, each with their own traditions and historical roots.
Here’s a structured overview:
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## **Early Presence**
* **Ancient Connections**: Jewish traders are thought to have arrived in India as early as the time of King Solomon (around 1000 BCE), via trade routes linking the Middle East with the Malabar Coast.
* **Post-Exilic Migrations**: After the destruction of the First and Second Temples (6th century BCE and 70 CE), some Jewish groups are believed to have moved eastward, possibly settling in India.
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## **Major Jewish Communities in India**
### **1. Cochin Jews (Malabar Jews)**
* **Origins**: Tradition says they arrived after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, though concrete evidence exists from around the 10th century.
* **Settlement**: Concentrated in Kerala (Cochin, now Kochi).
* **Highlights**:
* They were active in the spice trade.
* The Hindu rulers granted them land and privileges; the famous *Copper Plate Grants* (c. 10th century) gave them rights to own property and practice freely.
* Built some of the oldest synagogues in the Commonwealth, such as Paradesi Synagogue (1568).
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### **2. Bene Israel (Sons of Israel)**
* **Origins**: According to legend, they were shipwrecked off the Konkan coast (near Mumbai) centuries ago, perhaps around 2nd century BCE.
* **Community Life**: For generations they assimilated into Indian society, adopting local language and customs while retaining distinct Jewish practices (e.g., Sabbath, dietary laws).
* **Rediscovery**: In the 18th–19th centuries, they were “rediscovered” by Cochin Jews and later Christian missionaries, who helped them reconnect with global Jewry.
* **Modern Times**: Many became professionals and served in the British army.
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### **3. Baghdadi Jews**
* **Origins**: Migrated in the 18th–19th centuries from Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Persia.
* **Settlement**: Mostly in Bombay (Mumbai), Calcutta (Kolkata), and Pune.
* **Influence**: Wealthy merchant families like the Sassoons played a major role in trade, philanthropy, and building institutions (schools, hospitals, synagogues).
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### **4. Other Groups**
* **Bnei Menashe**: In Northeast India (Mizoram, Manipur). They claim descent from the lost tribe of Menasseh. In recent decades, many have converted formally to Judaism and emigrated to Israel.
* **Jews of Andhra Pradesh (Bene Ephraim)**: A small group identifying as descendants of ancient Jews.
* **European Jews**: A number of Ashkenazi Jews fleeing persecution also settled in India in the 20th century, especially during WWII.
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## **Colonial and Modern Period**
* Under **British rule**, Jewish communities flourished in cities like Mumbai, Calcutta, and Pune. Synagogues, schools, and cultural centers were established.
* Jews participated in the **Indian independence movement** and served in public life.
* After **1948 (Israel’s independence)** and especially after **Indian independence (1947)**, most Jews emigrated to Israel, the UK, USA, or Canada.
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## **Current Situation**
* The Jewish population in India today is quite small (about 3,000–5,000).
* Important synagogues remain, especially in Kochi, Mumbai, and Kolkata, many now serving as heritage sites.
* India remains one of the rare countries where Jews lived for over a millennium without systemic persecution.
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✅ **Summary**: Judaism in India is marked by peaceful coexistence and cultural blending. From ancient Cochin traders to the shipwrecked Bene Israel and the mercantile Baghdadis, Jews in India contributed significantly to trade, culture, and society, while preserving their identity.