• JudaismAmong the many Non-Dharmic religions arriving in India, Judaism was the first ones. Its followers are known as Jews. There are five native Jewish communities in India:
1. The Cochin Jews arrived in India 2,500 years ago and settled down in Cochin, as traders.
2. The Bene Israel arrived in the state of Maharashtra 2,100 years ago.
3. The Baghdadi Jews arrived in the city Mumbai from Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan, and Arab countries about 250 years ago.
4. The Bnei Menashe are Mizo and Kuki tribesmen in Manipur and Mizoram who claim descent from the tribe of Menasseh.
5. The Bene Ephraim (also called "Telugu Jews") is a small group who speak Telugu; their observance of Judaism dates to 1981.
The oldest among the Jews community in India, resides in Cochin. It was in 562 B.C that the traders from Jadea arrived in India and settled near Cochin. The Anjuvannam community was a group of exile from Israel, who reached India in 70 C.E. Communities of Jews called Pardesi Jews were the exiles from Spain and Holland.
The Bene Israel community was formed when seven Jewish families were stranded due to a shipwreck near Mumbai. Slowly the families integrated with the local population of Maharashtra and started to adopt their language and customs. Many small communities of Bene Israel are scattered across Mumbai, Alibag Pune and Ahmedabad.
The Baghdadi Jews immigrated from Iran, Afganistan, Syria, Yemen to India about 250 years ago, and settled in Mumbai. They were mainly traders and soon emerged to be the wealthiest community in the city. They then spread to other parts of the country with time.
Bnei Menashe Judaism is practiced mainly in the states of Manipur and Mizoram and the Bene Iphraim are comparatively newer group of Judaism emerging around 1981 in Andhra Pradesh. Judaism in Delhi is primarily focused on the expatriate community who work in Delhi, as well Israeli diplomats and a small local community. Jewish life in Delhi centers on the Judah Hyam synagogue, which has services run by Ezekiel Isaac Malekar.
• ZoroastrianThe Parsis and the Iranis represent two major categories of Zoroastrian communities. The only evidence of their arrival in India is a poem "Story of Sanjan" by a Parsi Priest in Sanskrit. Although the poem gives a clear picture of their settlement in India, 600 years after they arrived in India are still a mystery.
The Parsis first settled in Sangam in the kingdom of Jadi Rama on the Western Coast of India. By the 10th Century, they had spread to other cities and villages of Gujarat. About the year 1290 the Parsis were under 5 different groups of priests based on the geographical location in Gujarat. These priestly groups were: The Bhagarias (Navsari), Bharucha, Godavra (Surat), Khambatta and Sanjanas. It was by 11th Century that the Parsis were well established in Gujarat and were frequently traveling to Portuguese and Iran.
Parsis were engaged in all kinds of work profiles except that of Iron-Smithing, as they considered it to be unreligious. By the 16th century, Parsis had established in Mumbai, and by the 19th and 20th centuries, Parsis had spread across Mumbai and it became their centre.
The teachings and philosophies of Zoroastrianism is based on the teachings of Zoroaster, the prophet of Zoroastrianism. Zoroastrianism is a monotheistic religion with the belief that, there is only one Creator and supreme force that rules over all the creations, Ahura Mazda. Under Ahura Mazda, there are lesser divinities such as the Yazatas, and the Amesha Spentas which are all created by Ahura Mazda.
Other Cultural Influences in the Indian History.
Explore more about glorious history of India.