Marathi Christians


Marathi Christians are an ethno-religious community of the Indian state of Maharashtra who were proselytised during the 18th and 19th centuries when British people governed much of the region through the East India Company and, later, the British Raj. Conversions to protestantism were a result of Christian missions such as the American Marathi Mission, Church Mission Society and the Church of England's United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. In addition, there are East Indians, who are predominantly Roman Catholics and were evangelised by the Portuguese colonialists during 13th-16th centuries. These latter people are concentrated in coastal Maharashtra, especially Vasai, Thane, Palghar and Mumbai.

History

Around the turn of the 18th century, British Baptist missionary William Carey was instrumental in translating the Bible into the Marathi language.
Along with several lower-caste Hindus, some of the upper-castes and Muslims converted to Christianity, examples being the conversion in 1842 of Ramkrishna Modak, a Chitpavan Brahmin and ancestor of Marathi actor Shahu Modak, who became Reverend. Modak, Pandita Ramabai, Narayan Waman Tilak and Shaikh Daud.

Culture

Ahmednagar

As of 2000, the Christians of Ahmednagar district account for nearly 10% of that district's population, a significant number of whom are located in the eastern part of the district in places such as Nevasa, Pathardi, Shevgaon, Rahuri and Ahmednagar itself.

Palghar

European and American missionaries established missions in Palghar and Dahanu in Palghar district. Most of the converted Christian community from these areas are local native belong to the Second District of the Church of the Brethren. This Community is as highly educated and affluent as the Catholic Christian community from the neighboring Vasai. Christian from Vasai bassein are mostly Koli,Aagri and vadhval christi,Samvedi Brahmin Christians.

Aurangabad

Aurangabad is head city for Catholics as it has its Cathedral and Bishop house in Cantonment area work is monitored of whole of Marathwada mainly in field of Educational, health, and social work

Yavatmal

The American Free Methodist church maintains missions at Yavatmal, Wani, Umri, Rajur and Darwah.

Notable people