Did St. Thomas Really Come to India?

 Did St. Thomas Really Come to India?

Whether St. Thomas the Apostle actually came to India in the first century is not something historians can prove with certainty. It’s a question that depends more on tradition, plausibility, and interpretation than on hard evidence. Over centuries, what began as oral stories evolved into a rich cultural and religious tradition. Today, this belief forms the backbone of identity for the Saint Thomas Christians in Kerala.

Supporters of the tradition point to a strong and consistent memory within local communities, backed by Church teachings and historical trade links between the Roman Empire and India. According to early Christian texts like the Acts of Thomas, Thomas did travel east. These writings may not be historically exact, but they might reflect a real journey that became legendary over time.

The common belief among Saint Thomas Christians is that he landed on the Malabar Coast (present-day Kerala) in 52 CE. Although no direct historical records confirm this, scholars have outlined a possible path based on ancient trade routes, regional geography, and early Christian writings such as the Acts of Thomas.

However, some scholars argue that the term “India” used in these texts might have referred to a broader region including Persia or Central Asia—not necessarily the Indian subcontinent. And since there’s no concrete documentation from that time, historians remain cautious. Critics also suggest that certain traditions may have been shaped or exaggerated during colonial times to serve religious or political goals. Churches, relics, and narratives could have been more than just commemorations—they might have played roles in cultural power dynamics.

This leads to a key tension: between the weight of tradition and the demand for historical evidence. Tradition strongly supports the belief that Thomas was the founder of Indian Christianity. Historians, on the other hand, point out that firm evidence is lacking.

So, did Thomas really come to India? It depends on how you approach the question. If you’re open to oral tradition, longstanding community memory, and the likelihood of travel through known trade networks, then his visit seems entirely possible—perhaps even likely. But if you’re looking for solid historical documents as proof, the answer remains uncertain. There’s no first-hand account or physical evidence placing Thomas in India, only enduring traditions.

In the end, whether or not Thomas actually sailed to India may never be proven definitively. Yet his legacy continues to shape religious belief, historical inquiry, and cultural identity in the region.

South Indian Tradition

Among the Saint Thomas Christians of Kerala, it’s widely believed that the Apostle arrived in India in 52 CE, entering through the ancient port of Muziris (near present-day Kodungallur). Here, he is said to have founded seven churches—collectively known as the Ezharappallikal—and preached the gospel across the Malabar Coast. He is believed to have died in 72 CE in Mylapore (modern Chennai), where he was martyred and buried. Sites like St. Thomas Mount and the San Thome Basilica continue to honour these events.

Historical Echoes

This tradition is supported by early Christian writings. Ephrem the Syrian claimed that Thomas was martyred in India and his remains were later moved to Edessa. Early Church fathers like Eusebius of Caesarea, Origen, and authors of the Didascalia also refer to Thomas preaching in far eastern regions, including the Parthian Empire—what some interpret as references to India. The Doctrine of the Apostles and the Acts of Thomas, both written in the 2nd–3rd centuries, describe his mission in India, though these are stylized and not strictly historical.

Modern scholars such as George Menachery argue that even if these texts are partly legendary, they are rooted in historical truth—supported by continuous community practices, long-standing worship sites, and trade networks that connected India with the Roman world.

Skeptical Academia

Not all scholars accept the story. Some believe the tradition was promoted or even invented by the Portuguese during the 16th century to reinforce Catholic influence in India. Historian Henry Heras, for instance, called the discovery of Thomas’s relics in Mylapore a “barefaced imposture.”

Writer Ishwar Sharan argues that the story may have confused Thomas the Apostle with Thomas of Cana, a Syrian Christian merchant who came to Kerala in the 4th century. According to this view, later generations may have retrofitted the apostolic identity to give early Christianity in India a more authoritative origin.

Church’s Official View

The Catholic Church respects the tradition but also acknowledges the absence of definitive proof. As noted by Catholic Answers, there’s no biblical or historical evidence confirming where Thomas went after the events of Pentecost. Though early Christian texts mention Thomas, and Indian Christians were using Syriac liturgy by the 6th century, direct proof of his physical presence in India is lacking.

Meanwhile, figures like David of Basra, a 3rd-century bishop, are historically recorded to have gone on a mission to India. This shows early Christian ties to India, but doesn’t necessarily prove Thomas came earlier.

The "India" Debate

Another point of contention is the term “India” itself. In early writings, “India” could refer to a variety of regions—northwest India, Persia, or even Arabia. The Acts of Thomas, for example, refers to an Indo-Parthian kingdom, likely in present-day Iran or Afghanistan, which may not have been within the borders of modern India.

Historical Context and Plausibility

Despite doubts, the historical and geographical context does make Thomas’s journey plausible. The Roman Empire had strong trade connections with South India during the 1st century, particularly through ports like Muziris. There were also established Jewish communities in Kerala, which would have made the region more welcoming for someone like Thomas, who was a Jew and spoke Aramaic.

In addition, many ancient worship sites, such as the Thiruvithamcode Arappally, which some date to the 1st century, add to the credibility of the tradition. Even if direct proof is missing, the consistency of these traditions over time gives them weight.

Probable Route Taken by St. Thomas (circa 52 CE)

1. Jerusalem or Nearby Levantine Port
   After the Ascension of Jesus, Thomas is believed to have left from Jerusalem or a port like Caesarea Maritima.
2. Sailed via Alexandria or Red Sea Route
   He may have traveled through Alexandria and used the Red Sea ports (like Berenike or Myos Hormos), or directly from Red Sea ports in Palestine.
3. Passed Through Persian Gulf
   From the Red Sea, Thomas likely sailed past Yemen into the Persian Gulf. He may have visited cities like Charax Spasinu (modern-day Iraq) or Seleucia–Ctesiphon, where he is believed to have preached.

The Acts of Thomas also places him in Parthia, covering areas of modern Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

4. Crossed the Arabian Sea
   Thomas is believed to have taken a merchant ship from the Persian Gulf or from Socotra, an island near modern-day Yemen, to the Indian coast. These routes were part of the flourishing Indo-Roman trade, confirmed by sources like Pliny the Elder.
5. Arrived at Muziris (Modern Kodungallur, Kerala)
   Muziris was a key port in Roman trade. It is traditionally considered the place where Thomas arrived in India in 52 CE.

His Work and Martyrdom

After reaching Kerala, Thomas is believed to have established seven and a half churches (Ezharappallikal), in places like Kodungallur, Palayur, Niranam, and Kollam. He preached among Brahmins, Jews, and even local rulers. Later, he is said to have traveled east to the Coromandel Coast (modern Tamil Nadu), where he was killed in Mylapore in 72 CE.