The last of a diaspora community: The Jews of Kochi

One of the most culturally diverse cities in India, Kochi is home to the first foreign religion to settle down in India – The Jews of Kochi. They were initially welcomed in the area by the then Maharaja of Kochi, and lived in harmony with the locals. However, with the Portugese invasion, they faced oppression and alienation. This ethnographic study explores how the Jews of Kochi have been able to keep their religious practices and customs intact, despite facing immense hardships, and also strengthened their bonds with the locals by incorporating their local ideals.