Baghdadi Jews, also known as Indo-Iraqi Jews, are mostly descended from Baghdad and other parts of the Middle East, as the name implies. They first established themselves in ports and along trade routes in the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. The Baghdadi Jews were great traders and business people before coming to India, therefore when they arrived, they resided in the major commercial centers. They first resided in Surat but eventually relocated to more commercially vital cities such as Mumbai and Kolkata.
Baghdadi Jews in India have a long history.
Baghdadi Jews have been documented since the Mughal Empire’s reign at the turn of the 18th century. The Baghdadi Jews created a Judeo-Arabic language Jewish community in the Indian Subcontinent under the Mughals’ reign, and they maintained Mizrahi Jewish practices. However, during the 19th century, the Baghdadi Jews flourished under the British East India Company, learning English and ultimately incorporating some British practices into their own.
