Cochin Jews are the oldest group of Jews in India, with roots that are claimed to date back to the time of King Solomon. The Cochin Jews settled in the Kingdom of Cochin in South India, now part of the present-day state of Kerala. As early as the 12th century, mention is made of the Jews in southern India by Benjamin of Tudela.
A Malabar Jewish family (1900)
Arrival of the Jewish pilgrims at Cochin, 71 CE
Jewish couple depicted in 16th century Portuguese Códice Casanatense
Photo identified as "White Jew town", Cochin, 1913
History of the Jews in India
The history of the Jews in India dates back to antiquity. Judaism was one of the first foreign religions to arrive in the Indian subcontinent in recorded history. Desi Jews are a small religious minority who have lived in the region since ancient times. They were able to survive for centuries despite persecution and antisemitic inquisitions.
Arrival of the Jewish pilgrims at Cochin, A.D. 68
"Malabarese Jews", as depicted by the Portuguese in the 16th century Códice Casanatense
The Paradesi Synagogue in Kochi is an active 16th century synagogue
A plan of Fort St George and the city of Madras in 1726, shows the "Jews Burying Place" (marked as "b."), the "Jewish Cemetery Chennai", Four Brothers Garden and Bartolomeo Rodrigues Tomb
