India's Remarkable Jewish Legacy: A History of Coexistence
Global Jewish history is frequently characterized by narratives of exile, expulsions, and persecution. However, in India, this story takes a profoundly different turn. For more than two thousand years, Jewish communities have thrived in India without experiencing pogroms, forced conversions, or state-sponsored antisemitism.
A Sanctuary Through the Ages
Historians consistently document that under Hindu kingdoms, throughout the Mughal Empire (1526–1857), and during subsequent British administration (1858–1947), Jews in India were never subjected to systematic discrimination. This exceptional reality was highlighted during author and activist Aija Mayrock's travels to India for her "Jews Around the World" series. She recorded a recurring theme: members of India's Jewish communities repeatedly stated they had never personally encountered antisemitism within the country.
India's Jewish population peaked at approximately 30,000–35,000 individuals during the mid-20th century. Today, estimates suggest only 4,000–5,000 remain, largely due to migration to Israel following its establishment in 1948. Despite this demographic shift, their historical footprint remains vividly visible across major cities including Mumbai, Kochi, Pune, and Kolkata.
The Bene Israel: Two Millennia in India
The Bene Israel are widely regarded as one of India's oldest Jewish communities. According to enduring oral tradition, their ancestors were fleeing persecution in ancient Israel when their ship wrecked off the Konkan coast around 2,000 years ago. Seven surviving families are credited with establishing the early community.
Over centuries, Bene Israel Jews settled primarily in present-day Maharashtra. They adopted Marathi as their primary language while meticulously preserving core Jewish religious practices. These included:
- Observing Shabbat with strict adherence
- Maintaining kosher dietary laws
- Reciting Hebrew prayers in their rituals
By the 18th and 19th centuries, they had constructed synagogues in Mumbai and surrounding towns. During British colonial rule, many Bene Israel Jews served with distinction in the colonial army and civil service. Following the creation of Israel in 1948, the majority emigrated. Today, a small number remain in India, with their synagogues and cemeteries standing as poignant historical landmarks.
Cochin Jews: Ancient Spice Trade Connections
The Cochin Jews, also known as Malabar Jews, trace their presence in southern India to the ancient spice trade networks. Historical records and trade accounts suggest Jewish merchants were active along the Malabar Coast possibly as early as the era of King Solomon (10th century BCE), and certainly before the Roman destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE.
They settled in what is now Kochi, which evolved into a major spice trading hub connecting the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. In 1568, the Paradesi Synagogue was built in the area now famously known as Jew Town. This synagogue remains one of the oldest active synagogues within the Commonwealth of Nations.
Key historical facts about Cochin Jews include:
- Local rulers granted them copper plate charters conferring significant trade rights and privileges.
- They lived successively under Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial administrations.
- The community reached its peak in the early 20th century before large-scale migration to Israel.
Today, only a handful of Cochin Jews remain in Kerala, but Jew Town continues to function as a meticulously preserved heritage district, attracting visitors from around the world.
Baghdadi Jews: Later Arrivals with Lasting Impact
The Baghdadi Jews arrived in India much later, primarily during the late 18th and 19th centuries. They fled persecution and political instability in Iraq and other regions of the Ottoman Empire. Many settled in Mumbai and Kolkata, which were emerging as vital commercial centers under British rule.
By the mid-19th century, Baghdadi Jewish families had become prominent in various trades, especially textiles, opium, and international commerce linking India, China, and the Middle East. They constructed major synagogues and generously funded schools, hospitals, libraries, and charitable institutions. Their substantial economic influence significantly shaped parts of Mumbai and Kolkata's urban development. Like other Indian Jewish communities, most emigrated after 1948.
A Country Without Systemic Antisemitism?
The central claim that Indian Jews historically did not face antisemitism is widely echoed by scholars and historians. Unlike Europe, where Jews endured devastating pogroms and expulsions, or parts of the Middle East where legal restrictions and violence occurred, India presents a strikingly different historical case.
Across Hindu kingdoms, under Mughal rule, and during British administration, there were no state-sponsored persecutions of Jews. No forced conversions were imposed. No ghettos were established. No expulsions were enacted. Jewish communities remained religious minorities, but they were never systematically targeted as outsiders.
This does not imply that modern Indian society is immune from isolated incidents of prejudice. However, historically, India stands out as one of the very few places in the entire Jewish diaspora narrative where Jews lived continuously for centuries without experiencing systemic antisemitism.
Present Jewish Population and Enduring Heritage
At its height in the mid-20th century, India's Jewish population was estimated at 30,000–35,000. Today, approximately 4,000–5,000 Jews remain, primarily concentrated in Mumbai, Pune, Kochi, and Kolkata. Synagogues continue to remain active, Jewish festivals are still celebrated with traditional fervor, and historic sites are preserved as integral components of India's rich multicultural heritage.
In a global Jewish history often marked by displacement and hardship, India represents a rare and remarkable chapter defined not by expulsion, but by peaceful coexistence and mutual respect across millennia.
