Jews have always lived in India without persecution. Over the centuries, India has been home to three distinct communities of Jews: the Baghdadi Jews, the Bene Israel (Sons of Israel), and the Cochini Jews.

Most of the Jews who live in India today are Bene Israel. According to community tradition, the first Bene Israel arrived in India in the 2nd century B.C.E. Their native language is Marathi, and they have communities in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), Thane, Ahmedabad and Pune.

Jewish settlers from the Middle East, North Africa and Spain integrated with the Cochini Jews in the southwest Indian State of Kerala during the 17th and 18th centuries. Their mother tongue is Malayalam.

The Baghdadi Jews came to India from Iraq, Syria and Iran beginning in the late 18th century and settled primarily in Mumbai and Calcutta. Some 175 remain today in India, the majority of whom are elderly and live alone.

2006