History of Jews in Bombay
The Jewish community has been an integral part of Bombay’s vibrant cultural fabric. From the arrival of the Bene Israel community centuries ago to the Baghdadi Jews settling in the city, Bombay witnessed the growth of a thriving Jewish population in the 19th century. Discover their contributions to trade, society, and the city's development.
Arrival of the Bene Israel
The Bene Israel, one of India’s oldest Jewish communities, trace their origins to a maritime disaster over 2,000 years ago. According to legend, a shipwreck off the coast of Maharashtra left a small group of Jewish survivors who settled in villages near Navgaon. Isolated for centuries, they maintained key Jewish practices like observing the Sabbath and circumcision while integrating into local Marathi culture.
Originally known as Shanwar Teli (Saturday oil pressers), many Bene Israel moved to Bombay in the 18th and 19th centuries, drawn by opportunities under British rule. They found work in civil service, trade, and the military, gaining prominence in Bombay’s growing cosmopolitan society. While culturally integrated, they remained connected to their Jewish roots and re-established ties with global Jewry.
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Baghdadi Jews and David Sassoon’s Role in Trade
The founding patriarch of the Sassoon family of Bombay, is David Sassoon (1793 - 1864). He was the second son of Sheikh Sassoon ben Saleh. Sassoon ben Saleh (1750–1830) and his family were the chief treasurers to the pashas of Baghdad and Southern Iraq. Till 1864, the chief treasurers chosen from the minority Jewish community of Baghdad was also appointed as the Nasi or leader of the resident Jewish community.
The Sassoons were amongst the important merchant families of Baghdad. It was because of their prominence that the family became the target of terror and extortion by the Governor of Baghdad, Daud Pasha. David was imprisoned and was only released when his father paid a large ransom. It was because of a threat to his life that he did not even spend one night at home after his release and escaped first to Basra, a port city located at the head of the Persian Gulf, and then to Bushire, a port in Persia (Iran). It was here that his ageing father joined him with the rest of the family. After living some years in Bushire and after the Sheikh passed away in 1830 that David and his family moved to Bombay, India.
Key Dishes in Jewish Bombay Cuisine
Jewish cuisine in Bombay (now Mumbai) is a unique fusion of traditional Jewish flavors with the spices and cooking styles of Indian cuisine. The Jewish community in Mumbai is primarily from two groups: the Bene Israel, who trace their roots in India back more than 2,000 years, and the Baghdadi Jews, who arrived from Iraq, Syria, and Yemen in the 18th century. Both communities have left their mark on the city’s food culture, creating a distinct style of Jewish-Indian cuisine