Kerala’s Jewish Communities: A Historical Overview (GS Paper 1, History)
Introduction
- The recent passing of Queenie Hallegua, the last woman of Kerala’s Paradesi Jewish community, at the age of 89, has cast a spotlight on the rich but dwindling history of Jewish communities in Kerala.
- As the Indian Jewish population continues to decline, it is important to revisit and understand the historical and cultural contributions of these communities to the region.
- This overview explores the history of Kerala’s Jewish communities, including the Malabar Jews and the Paradesi Jews, their migration patterns, and their current status.
Historical Background
Early Jewish Presence in India
- The presence of Jews in India is a testament to their long history of migration and settlement.
- By the mid-20th century, India’s Jewish population ranged from 20,000 to 50,000.
- Today, this number has significantly declined to an estimated 4,000 to 5,000.
- The Marathi-speaking Bene Israel community, settled along the Konkan coast for centuries, represents one of the significant Jewish groups in India, although they are not the oldest Jewish community in the country.
Jews of Kerala
Malabar Jews: Origins and Settlement
- The Jews of Kerala, also known as Malabar Jews or Cochin Jews, trace their origins back to the era of King Solomon, around the 10th century BCE.
- According to tradition, these Jews initially settled in Cranganore, present-day Kodungallur in Thrissur district.
- The community, referred to as Shingly in their own records, enjoyed economic and ceremonial privileges under local rulers.
Migration to Cochin
- In the 16th century, the arrival of the Portuguese in the region prompted a significant shift in the Jewish settlement pattern.
- The Malabar Jews migrated southward from Cranganore to Cochin (now Kochi), seeking refuge from Portuguese colonial rule.
- This move was part of a broader trend of Jews seeking safer and more prosperous environments.
Paradesi Jews: Migration and Settlement
Origins and Persecution
- The term “Paradesi” means “foreign” in Hebrew, reflecting the origins of this group of Jews who migrated to India from the Iberian Peninsula in the 15th and 16th centuries.
- Facing persecution from Catholic rulers in Spain and Portugal, these Jews fled to the Indian subcontinent, seeking asylum and a new beginning.
Settlement in Kerala and Madras
- The Paradesi Jews settled along the Malabar coast, including in Cochin, where they integrated with pre-existing Jewish communities.
- They also established themselves in Madras (now Chennai).
- In Kerala, the Paradesi Jews became prominent in the spice trade, while those in Madras were involved in the diamond trade and other precious stone businesses.
Integration and Contributions
Economic and Ceremonial Roles
- In India, Jewish communities rarely faced the intense persecution experienced by their counterparts in Europe or West Asia.
- Instead, they integrated into the local socio-economic fabric, rising to high positions as agents of foreign trade and advisers to Dutch and Hindu rulers.
- During British rule, Jews in Kerala flourished as merchants and took on roles such as teachers, clerks, and lawyers within the expanding British bureaucracy.
Dwindling Population
Migration to Israel
- Since the 1950s, a steady migration of Kerala’s Jewish community to Israel has contributed to the declining population of Jews in India.
- The allure of Israel, coupled with better prospects and a sense of national belonging, has led many to leave their ancestral homes in Kerala.
Cultural Legacy and Preservation
- Despite the decreasing numbers, the Jewish communities in Kerala have left a lasting impact on the region’s cultural and economic history.
- Efforts to preserve their heritage continue through the maintenance of synagogues, community records, and historical accounts.
- However, with the passing of the last members of these communities, much of this heritage faces the risk of fading into obscurity.
Conclusion
- The story of Kerala’s Jewish communities is a rich tapestry woven with threads of migration, adaptation, and integration.
- From the early Malabar Jews who settled in Cranganore to the Paradesi Jews fleeing persecution from the Iberian Peninsula, these communities have played a significant role in Kerala’s historical and cultural landscape.
- As the population dwindles and the last members pass away, it becomes crucial to remember and preserve their contributions to the region’s history.
- The legacy of Kerala’s Jewish communities serves as a poignant reminder of the diverse and multicultural fabric that has shaped India’s past and present.
