India's Christian roots stretch back to the first century, long before European colonial arrival.

Countries & Cities · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: While many associate Indian Christianity with Portuguese colonialism, the faith has existed in the subcontinent since 52 AD. Tradition holds that Thomas the Apostle arrived in Kerala to evangelize, establishing a community that flourished for centuries before Western missionaries ever set foot on Indian soil.

The origins of Indian Christianity are deeply tied to the travels of Thomas the Apostle, who reportedly arrived in the Malabar region in 52 AD. Ancient texts like the Acts of Thomas and the writings of Eusebius of Caesarea suggest that early Christian communities were already established in India by the late 2nd century. By 600 AD, there is scholarly consensus that a firm Christian presence existed in the Malabar region, characterized by the use of the East Syriac Rite and connections to the Church of the East.

These early Saint Thomas Christians enjoyed high social status and royal privileges, documented on ancient copper plates such as the 774 AD grants from the ruler of Venad. This community maintained a distinct identity for over a millennium until the 15th-century arrival of Portuguese explorers like Vasco da Gama. The Portuguese sought to unify these Eastern Christians under the Latin Catholic Church, a process that culminated in the 1599 Synod of Diamper. This forced Latinization triggered significant resistance, leading to the 1653 Coonan Cross Oath, where many believers demanded administrative autonomy and eventually split into various factions.

Colonial-era evangelism also introduced Protestantism and expanded Catholicism along the Konkan and Tamil coasts, often linked to Portuguese strategic interests and the protection of local groups like the Paravars. Today, Christianity remains India's third-largest religion, with 28 million adherents recorded in the 2011 census. While the faith has faced historical challenges—including the Goa Inquisition and modern political tensions—it remains a diverse tapestry, ranging from ancient Syriac-rite churches to modern United Protestant denominations and the unique Hindu Khrista Bhakta movement.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• The ancient Indian Christian community that survived a thousand years of isolation and schism
• The Saint Thomas Christians: An Ancient Indian Community With Roots in Syriac Tradition
• The 1,500-year-old legacy of Christianity in Tamil Nadu
• The Indian Church that traces its apostolic roots back to Thomas the Apostle
• The ancient Indian church that survived centuries of colonial pressure to remain uniquely itself
• When the legal system fails, does vigilantism become the only justice?
• How a regional Bavarian party became a permanent fixture in German national politics
• Can a former airline CEO successfully manage a country like a private corporation?
• From reality TV winner to a multi-million dollar fashion empire
• Chukotka: The Russian frontier that sits on the North American tectonic plate
• The longest-serving congressman who survived a 'fluke' victory to become a dean
• How a military dictator orchestrated South Korea's economic miracle while suppressing its democracy

More in Countries and other regions · More in Countries & Cities · Latest · A–Z · All topics