India is a country known for its cultural and ethnic diversity, where many peoples and religions have coexisted for centuries. Among the various communities settled in India, Jews occupy a special place.  It is believed that Jewish communities appeared in India about two thousand years ago, during the destruction of the First Temple in Jerusalem, and then after the destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans in 70 AD. At first, small groups of Jews came to Kerala and the western coast of the country to escape persecution. Later, during the colonial era, especially during the Portuguese rule, Baghdadi Jews moved to India. With the arrival of the British on Indian soil, many Jews were attracted to major cities such as Bombay, now called Mumbai, by the booming trade.
Currently, the following Jewish communities operate in India:
1. Bene Israel or Marathi speaking Jews. This community is one of the oldest in India. Presumably, they arrived in the country in antiquity, fleeing a shipwreck off the west coast of India, near Mumbai. Bene Israel were able to maintain their religious identity by observing customs, holidays and rituals. However, many of them adapted to Indian realities, absorbing some elements of local culture.
2. Cochin Jews. This group resides in the state of Kerala and has coexisted with the local population since ancient times, while remaining committed to their religious and cultural roots. Their culture is interesting due to the synthesis of Jewish and Indian customs, which is reflected even in their religious rituals and cuisine. The Paradesi Synagogue in Cochin is one of the oldest in India and is the cultural center of the community.
3. Baghdadi Jews. These Jews arrived in India in the 18th and 19th centuries, mainly from Iraq, Iran and Yemen, settling in Mumbai and Kolkata. They enriched Indian culture with their traditions and made significant contributions to trade and business. Baghdadi Jews, as a rule, were representatives of the upper strata of society, actively participating in economic and social life.
4. Bnei Menashe and other communities. The Bnei Menashe live in the northeastern states of India and, according to their tradition, are descendants of one of the ten lost tribes of Israel. Although they are relatively new to the Jewish world, they respect their traditions and believe in the ancient origins of their community.
Indian Jews made significant contributions to the development of the arts, sciences, economics and politics of the country. Some of them became famous musicians, artists and entrepreneurs. One of the most famous representatives of the Indian Jewish community was David Sassoon, a merchant and philanthropist who played a significant role in the development of trade relations between India and the Middle East in the 19th century. Sassoon financed the construction of a number of hospitals, schools and religious buildings, many of which became important centers for the community. Jews maintained friendly relations with representatives of other religions and nations, actively participating in the life of Indian society.
If we talk about interesting, noteworthy Jewish cultural and religious monuments in India, then first of all these are synagogues, cemeteries and museums. One of the most famous religious monuments is the Paradesi Synagogue in Cochin, built in 1568 and decorated with antique ceramic tiles from China. Mumbai is home to the Kenes Eliyahu Synagogue, founded by Baghdadi Jews and one of the oldest Jewish religious buildings in the city. These monuments are maintained and preserved, allowing people to learn about the history of the Jewish communities in India.
Today, the Jewish population in India has declined significantly due to emigration to Israel that began in the 1950s and continues to this day. There are now only a few thousand Jews left in India, scattered throughout the country, but they still maintain contact with each other and with Jewish communities abroad. The main centers of Jewish life are concentrated in Mumbai and Kerala, where there are cultural and religious organizations, synagogues, schools and other institutions that help preserve traditions and customs.