|
By tradition, Christianity is said to
have arrived in India with Saint Thomas, one of the apostles of Jesus
Christ, who spent some years in South India and possibly died there.
However, others believe that the first missionary to arrive in the country
was Saint Bartholomew. Historically, Christian missionary activity started
with the advent of Saint Francis Xavier in 1544. He was followed by
Portuguese missionaries at first and eventually by missionaries from other
countries like Denmark, Holland, Germany and Great Britain. Throughout the
18th and 19th centuries Catholic as well as Protestant missionaries
preached Christian doctrines in India and also made important
contributions to social improvement and education in India.
Much of the modern influences in the Indian society can be attributed to
the role of Christianity in India. Christian missionaries helped in
setting up schools and colleges all over India and also spread the message
of faith and goodwill in the country. Christianity and its teachings
influenced a number of intellectuals and thinkers in India, including
Mahatma Gandhi.
Today, the Christians in India number about 30 million and consist of
people from every denomination of Christianity. |
