"The doctoral thesis of Lucknow-based Navras Jaat Aafreedi on the possible Jewish ancestry of Afridi Pathans, has become one of the most widely discussed works on lost tribes of humanity in recent times."

 - Vidya Pandit, "Roots Researcher", Education World, February 4, 2009

"Believed to be the first book to combine study of the Lost Tribes of Israel in India with that of the Indian Jews, and a rare major work by a non-Jew on the subject of the Lost Tribes of Israel."

 - The Jerusalem Post, December, 17, 2006

"Historians and scholars like Professor S. N. Sinha, former head of the department of history, Jamia Millia Islamia and Professor V. D. Pandey, Head of the Department of Medieval & Modern Indian History, Lucknow University, have found Navras' research a 'landmark' study on the Jews in India and their links to Uttar Pradesh... 

"Historians...believe that Navras' research may turn out to be a milestone in the genealogical-historical research that takes place in an obscure corner of Lucknow, rediscovering a link lost in the passage of time. The study, for once, proves that the world is, in fact, a global village."

 - Farzand Ahmed, "Is it the Lost Tribe of Israel", India Today, November 6, 2006

"...a comprehensive and perhaps a landmark study of the Jews in India."

 - Prof. S. N. Sinha, Emeritus Professor, Allahabad University and Former Head of the Department of History, Jamia Millia Islamia Central University, India

"...a significant work of reference, and throughout is most interesting and written in an elegant and lucid style. It is a welcome contribution to the field of Indo-Judaic Studies, and fills a lacuna in our sketchy, often shadowy knowledge of the Indian Jews and the claimants of Israelite descent in India."

 - Prof. K. P. Mishra, Former Pro-Vice-Chancellor, University of Gorakhpur, India

 "...an admirably lucid and elegant account of the history of Indian Jews and those groups who profess to have descended from the 'Lost Tribes of Israel."

 - Prof. V. D. Pandey, Head, Department of Medieval & Modern Indian History, University of Lucknow, India

Contents

Introduction

Chronology

CHAPTER I: Indian Jewish Communities

CHAPTER II: The Self-Professed 'Lost Tribes of Israel' in India

CHAPTER III: Synagogues in India

CHAPTER IV: The Indian Jewry in Israel

CHAPTER V: Jews in Indian Culture

CHAPTER VI: Sarmad: The Jewish Sufi Saint of India

Conclusion

APPENDIX I: The Tradition of Military Service among the Indian Jews

APPENDIX II: Jews in the Indian Freedom Struggle

APPENDIX III: Jewish-Muslim Relations in India

APPENDIX IV: The Jewish Origin of the Canaanite/Kananaya Christians of Kerala

APPENDIX V: The Localities named after Bani Israil (Children of Israel) in India

APPENDIX VI: Interview with Nissim Moses

APPENDIX VII: Indian Jewish Outlook

APPENDIX VIII: Afridi Perceptions

APPENDIX IX: The Israelite Origin of Qidwais/Kidwais

APPENDIX X: Lists of Indian Jewish Actors' Films and a list of Ezra Mir directed films

APPENDIX XI: Amishav Literature

APPENDIX XII: Letter from Amishav to the present author

APPENDIX XIII: Letter from Beit Zur to the author

APPENDIX XIV: A Bene Israel Wedding Invitation Card

APPENDIX XV: Press Coverage of the Research

Glossary

Notes

Bibliography

How to obtain a copy

Contact:

Raphael Ezekiel Jhirad, Director, Bene Israel Heritage Museum  & Genealogical Research Centre, 5 Purima, 20 Nepeansea Road, Mumbai - 400 036, India

Email: raphaeljhirad@hotmail.com, ralphyjhirad@hotmail.com and ralphy@beneisraelcentre.com