8 Streams from the “West” and their Aftermath
Religious minorities
Jewish communities
“Cochin Jews”
Bene Israel
Syrian Christians
Zoroastrians or Pa ̄ rsı ̄s
The “colonial impact”
The Portuguese, British and other Europeans
The Indian response
Stage one
Stage two
Neo-bhakti
Muslim responses to coloniality
Inter-religious relations: conciliation and confrontation
Pre-independence India
Recommended readingThe Indian subcontinent, from its earliest millennia, has been something
of a crossroads of cultures and religions. Ideas and peoples have migrated
outward, influencing Southeast Asia, China, Japan, and, in the last two
centuries especially, virtually every continent. That is a story we shall explore
in the final chapter. It is also apparent that many peoples and ideas came
into the subcontinent in various ways becoming part of the enormously
diverse landscape. Prior to the coming of any European groups, for example,
there were at least a score of influences with “foreign” origins. These
included a number of dynasties in the late urban period, such as the Kus.a ̄n.as,
S ́akas, and Bactrian Greeks. It included merchants, warriors, and saints of
Persian, Arabic, or Afghan origin.