Losing Our Way Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day I can hear her breathing. --------------------------------------------------------- Arundhati Roy (Indian author, advocate, activist)

The old lady seems to be of Baghdadi (Jewish ) community, an Indian Jewish community distinct from the Cochini or Cochin Jewish community of Kerala, India.The Baghdadis, came to India from Baghdad and other parts of Iraq as well as Middle East in 18th century and settled mostly in Kolkata (then Calcutta) and areas in and around Mumbai (then Bombay) while the arrival of the Black Jews(sometimes referred to as Malabar Jews also),the principal constituent of Cochin Jews dates back to 1st century.Later, in 16th century,another group of Jewish people were integrated in the larger Cochin Jews population while maintaining ethnic as well as cultural distinctions.These shephardic Jewish people, called Paradeshi or White Jews forming part of Cochin Jews,were expelled from Spain/Portugal at the material period of time.In 19th century, a few Baghdadi Jewish families immigrated to that part of India .The lady's parents being stated to have been from Baghdad, she is in all likelihood a descendant of one of those families

  Koushik Chakraborty May 1, 2015 5:43 AM

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  Koushuk Chakraborty May 1, 2016 11:16 PM