Christianity in India
Christianity arrived in India in the first century CE. Most of the historians believe that it was Saint Thomas who brought it to India. He had arrived on the western coast of Kerala about the year 52 CE. He was one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus (peace be upon Him). His full name was Didymous Judas Thomas. He got a status of being 'infinitely faithful.' Similarly, the Syrian tradition honored him as 'an apostle par excellence.' He founded the first Christian church in India. This was Syrian Orthodox church which was established in Kerala (on the most southerly section of the west coast of India) where it continues to thrive to this day. Most of the Christians of this region are educated and have high standing in society. Presently a largest Christian's population lives in the western state of Kerala. This Christian population is also considered as 'one of the oldest Christian communities in the world'.
Abraham Thomas asserts that St. Thomas came to India in a see ship which was sent for the trade of pepper. The presence and visit of St. Thomas in kingdom of Gondulphares in Northern India is also claimed by some authors. He baptized infidels over there. Finally, on the invitation of St. Thomas all the royal family and citizens converted to Christianity. The discovery of cross in 1935 from Sirkap in Taxila is related with that period.
However, later He was martyred in Mylapore, and was buried in Edessa. But his burial place is completely unclear which was never found.
Wolpert argues that Hindu groups did not resist this new foreign religion because of its striking similarities to each other. For instance, both traditions have an account about a famous flood and Hindu belief in avatars is somehow similar to the Christian idea of Jesus Christ coming down from heaven in order to save the believers.
Later on, in 1510 the Portuguese governor, Afonso de Albuquerque, occupied the western coastal city of Goa, and the government officials, soldiers and priests began to come here from Portugal. Soon Goa became the capital of the Portuguese possessions. These possessions were called, the Estado da India. The Portuguese Christians were strongly devoted to convert the people they encountered to Christianity; moreover Portuguese merchants soon began to take wives and mistresses from amongst the local Konkani elite and soon emerged as local (Indo-) Portuguese elite.
The Franciscans missionaries arrived there as early as 1510, the Jesuits in 1542, the Dominicans in 1548, the Augustinians in 1572, and the Carmelites in 1607. It was in sixteenth century when Christianity made remarkable progress. Many people converted to Christianity both inside the Portuguese-possessed areas as well as in the various Portuguese trading centers. However, at that time there was no close connection with the higher classes of the Hindus. With the passage of time Christianity gained more and more followers throughout the following centuries.
The second arrival of the Roman Catholic Church was during British control of the area. At this time the greatest number of missionaries came to India. With the extension of British control over subcontinent opportunities for long distance trade also increased. The Goanese Christians took advantage of them. Their diaspora extended their trading hubs around the coast such as Surat, Bombay, Calcutta and Karachi.
The Lutheran mission was founded at Tranquebar on the east coast of south India in the early years of the eighteenth century. From 1706 till the beginning of the nineteenth century this mission supported a total of fifty-six missionaries in India.
Christianity in Pakistan
Christian Missionaries came in the present day Pakistan in 1595. At that time a third Jesuit mission visited the Mughal Emperor Akbar at his court in Lahore. This mission directed much of its attention to the Emperor. It was father Emmanuel Pinheiro who started to evangelize the local population. The first converts, were baptized on September 15, 1595. Under the support of court this mission built a church in 1597. The Christian congregation had grown at that time which included a few Muslims convert but the vast majority was Hindus converts. Most of the converts were from the low grade of the society and economically distressed people.
However, in 1614 when a clash occurred between Jahangir (Akbar's successor) and Portuguese, this church was forcibly closed and the congregation migrated to Agra. After a couple of years the emperor attitude changed towards Christians. An Armenian Christian Mirza Zul-Qarnain became governor of Lahore in 1630. Hence, the Christian community shifted to Agra was again rehabilitated in his governorship and later on the Christians activities started in Lahore.
The Protestant missionary called Church Missionary Society was founded by the Church of England in London on March 1799. This missionary is also called as Anglican Mission Church. Its two missions that are Himalayan Mission and Punjab Missions were created by the suggestions of Evangelical British civil and military officers posted in the region. In 1852 the Society's first missionary, Robert Clark, arrived in Amritsar. This place became the main headquarter of the mission. The mission later established its stations in different areas such as at Jandiala, Narowal, Batala, TarnTaran, Kashmir and as well as at Peshawar and along the northwest frontier.
A second wave of Protestant missions arrived in the Punjab in the end of the nineteenth century and beginning of the twentieth century. These missions included the Salvation Army, the Seventh Day Adventists, the American Methodists, the Zenana Bible and Medical Mission, and the Church of England Zenana Missionary Society. The Zenana Bible and Medical Mission, and the Church of England Zenana Missionary Society were exclusively meant for women. Both these missionaries from Protestant societies started work in the 1870s.
A mass conversion to Christianity in Punjab took place between 1880 and 1930. This conversion was among members of the sweeper caste which was one of the most deprived and despised sections of the rural poor. Here, again the movement started with an American missionary being approached by a man called Ditt, who secured the conversion of several family members and neighbors. Converts often came in groups. Hence, in 1925 an Anglican missionary reported: 'I baptized the greater part of the Mazhabi Sikh community in three hours. They are a bright lot of people and decidedly above the level of the ordinary Chuhra. It was through relatives of the headman having become Christian in another part of the Punjab that these people decided to enroll themselves as catechumens.'
Christianity in Peshawar
Peshawar city is located on the edge of the Khyber Pass near Afghan border. Historically and culturally this city has a great importance and a unique fame due to its rich archeological wealth and buried treasures. The valley of Peshawar has been witness to many civilizations and religions. Numerous Buddhist statues and temples are found in this territory. Likewise, Greek culture and civilization have spots in this valley. From this land the Greek civilization spread to all the Indo-Pak sub-continent.
The oldest known name of Peshawar valley was Parshapura about 2500 BC and the first acknowledged civilization of this region is Aryan Civilization. The Aryan caravan came from Central Asia, passing through Kabul valley and through the Khyber Pass and settled in the green plains of Parshapura and Pushklavate (Charsada).
The current city was established by a Mughal emperor Akbar in the 16th century. He named it Peshawar. For a long period this city was a link between central Asia and Middle East. It was one of the main trading centers on the Silk Road. Now, it is the commercial, economic, political and cultural capital of the Pashtuns in Pakistan.
The Church Missionary Society came to Peshawar in 1854. The first team of this missionary was Dr. K.G. Pfander, Robert Clarke and Major Martin. This missionary had very close connection with British rulers and with high officials. In start it was mostly confined to high class people but later on it diverted to the depressed classes such as Chuhras in Punjab.
In 1853, Sir Herbert Edward, the British Commissioner of Peshawar, established the Edward Mission High School in Rethi Bazzar near Chowk Yadgar Peshawar. After some time of its establishment, the school was shifted to the historical building in Kohati gate. In the beginning the Christian congregation worshiped in this school. There was also another small hall called Unjuman in Peepal Mandi where the Christian missionaries used to preach Gospel to Afghans.
In 1900 Edward's Collage Peshawar was established by Church Missionary Society with the support of Sir Herbert Edwards, in Peshawar Cantonment. In beginning, the college was affiliated with the University of Punjab but later on in 1950 it transferred its affiliation to the University of Peshawar.
Figure 1: A photograph of St. Johns Church Peshawar with a view of Peshawar Cantonment and Khyber Pass Mountains, taken in 1878 by John Burke.
Peshawar has nine churches, the oldest of which is St. John's Church which was built in the 1850 on Sir Sayyed Road. This church works under church of Pakistan and the office of Peshawar Diocese is located inside this church. The diocese was created in 1980, which is one of the largest Dioceses in the country in terms of area. Its first Bishop was Reverend Dr. Khair-ud-Din while Rev S.I Alexander became its second Bishop in 1982. Current Bishop of the Peshawar's Diocese is Rt. Rev. Humprey Sarfaraz Peters. The New Testament was translated into Pushto in 1863 by Reverend Rpenthal. Dilawar Khan was the first person baptized by Church Missionary Society in Peshawar.
Figure 2: All Saints' Church
The Church Missionary Society built All Saint's church in 1883 at the opening of Koochi Bazaar. Lady Aitcheson assisted the missionary in its construction. This church was attacked by terrorists on 22 September 2013 on Sunday. Due to twin blasts 80 people were killed and over 100 wounded. The church is situated in the old city inside Kohati gate. A large number of Christian's community lives near this church on city circular road. Several white marble memorial tablets are displayed inside the church building one of which commemorate convert Dilawar Khan . Another memorial tablet is to the memory of Miss Annie Norman. She was the daughter of Sir Henry Norman. She worked for one year among the women of Peshawar and died at the age of 27. She is buried in the Wazirbagh Christian graveyard in Peshawar city. There is also a tablet about a Jew who had come to Peshawar to propagate Judaism but then converted to Christianity. The building of the church is like Mosque with minarets and a dome.
Figure 3: St. Michael's Catholic Church.
Saint Michael's Catholic Church is the oldest Catholic Church in the city. It was constructed in 1851. It is located on the Mall road close to sadder. The church shares a boundary wall with Masjid Dervish. For many decades they both exist with each other in a complete harmony. In the days of the British Empire Catholic soldiers would parade to church. And after the parade they would returned to their barracks
Figure 4: St. John Mary Vianney's Church.
St. John Vianney's Catholic Church is situated on City Circular Road. It was built in 1937. Both St. Michael and this church works under the Roman Catholic Diocese of Islamabad-Rawalpindi. Peshawar's other churches include Seventh Day Adventist church on the opposite side of Saint John Church in the cantonment area. And the other smaller churches such as Catholic Church, New Apostolic Church and Salvation Army Church in Rular Academy Town, United Church in University Campus, and Assembly of God Church in Naseer Abad.
Christian Community in Peshawar
Currently Peshawar is the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtun Khawa province. It is bounded by tribal agencies on its three borders. It is the closest Pakistani city to Afghanistan, serving as a key route for trade. Most of its inhabitants are professionals in contrast to its neighboring agrarian districts. Peshawar city is famous for its Qissa Khawani Bazaar, Balahisar Fort and Chowk Yadgaar, the latter built to commemorate the martyrs of the 1857 War of Independence against the British.
A sizeable Christian population lives in the heart of the region. A small Sikh and Hindu population also resides in the city. According to 1998 Census, the total population of Peshawar city is 982,816 out of which 17,563 Christians reside in the city. Peshawar diocese reports about 30,000 Christians who live in Peshawar.
The Christian community has distributed throughout Pakistan due to their migration from Punjab. The Chuhras of Punjab who converted to Christianity in the mid nineteenth century migrated to other areas of Pakistan. They came to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in search of jobs from Punjab. 97% Christian's language is Punjabi which reveals that they are Punjabi migrants.
The ancestors of these Christians had converted from Hinduism under British regime. Most of the Hindus who had accepted Christianity were from lower caste. Those converts had come to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during British rule to work in military barracks. Peshawar cantonment houses two Lal Kurtis a big and small one situated on the mall road where the Christians live. Hence, most of the Peshawar Christians are the descendants of the camp-followers of British Army.
Muslim Community in Peshawar
According to 1998 Census the Muslim population of Peshawar city is 959,238. Majority of the inhabitants of Peshawar's Muslims are Pathans. They are Pushto speaking because of its placement. But some of its inhabitants also speak Hindko dialect. Pathan had played a significant role in the history of medieval India. There are two famous opinions about the origin of Pathans. First, that they are descended from Israelites. The ancestry of all Pathan tribes is traced to the legendry of Qais of Bani Israel. Qais with his kinsmen accepted Islam by the invitation of Khalid bin Waleed. He was given a name Abdur Rashid. The second opinion is of Bahadar Shah Zafar that Pathans are of the Aryan origin.
The settlement of tribes of the Pathans in the Peshawar valley is a significant event in history. During Mughal Period, the Pathans of Peshawar played an important role in the politics of India. Hence, it is necessary to mention the stages of Pathan's migration into the valley of Peshawar. It was about fifteenth century that Afghans made their first access to Peshawar and thus prepared the way for their final conquest and occupation of that plains.
Muslims invaded Afghanistan first under the Arabs in the 7th century and later by the Saffarid dynasty in 9th century A.D. It can be concluded that till ninth century some part of Afghanistan had become Muslim. Mahmud Ghazni led many Afghan groups into India and Muhammad Ghori in his last expedition brought ten thousand Pathans horsemen with him. The first settlement of any tribe of the Pathan origin in the plains of Peshawar took place in the 15th century. Long before this another Pathan tribe Dalazak was occupying some parts of the Peshawar valley. After defeats from Khalil and Yousafzai tribes it retired to the east band of Indus and settled in Hazara district.
King Babur entered into Peshawar valley through Khyber route in 1505. It was his first expedition against Hindustan. Peshawar was Babur's stepping stone on his way to the conquest of Hindustan. He made five expeditions against Hindustan. Finally, the throne of Hindustan fell into his hands in 1525-1526. He maintained friendly relation with Pathan leaders and married Bibi Mubaraka the daughter of Mansur in 1519. Babur gave her important position in his harem and called her Afghani Begum.
Humayun came to Peshawar in 1553 and built the fort of Balahisar with the help of Dalazak tribe of Pehsawar. King Akbar came in contact with the tribes of Peshawar in 1585. Pathan'Mughal relations remained in tense throughout Akbar's reign. Till the death of Akbar in 1605 the Government was unable to control and subdue the tribes of Peshawar.
During Jehangir's reign nearly twenty six tribal chiefs were holding higher posts. Sher Khan Afghan was appointed the ruler of Peshawar and Dilawar Khan the ruler of Lahore. Shah Jehan faced an open revolt from the Afridis, Mohmand and Bangash tribes of the Frontier region.
The tribes of Peshawar and in the surrounding mountains, in the real sense, had never been under Babur, Kamran and Mirza Hakim. In short Pathan in general and tribes of Peshawar in particular had never accepted the Mughals as their rulers.
When Aurangzeb Alamgir died in 1707 the Sikhs established their Empire. Charat Singh established his stronghold in Gujranwala in 1763. After his death he was succeeded by his brilliant son Mahan Singh. He stretched rule from the banks of Jamuna to the Khyber. Maharaja Ranjit Singh ruled for complete 40 years. After his death the British got opportunity to finish its rule in Punjab in 1849.
However, in the first half of the nineteenth century, Peshawar remained a major cause of tension between Durranis and emerging Sikh power. Though, it had been taken over by the Sikhs in 1823, yet the hostility between the two on the same issue continued till 1837. During Sikh rule in Peshawar, the Gor Khatri area of Peshawar was declared as Governor House.
During the Sikh-Durrani conflict, the English kept silent and watched it with utmost vigilance. They remained friendly with the ruler of Punjab, Ranjit Singh, throughout that period, and viewed the Sikh-Durrani clashes as an opportunity to get the over lordship of India. Ranjit Singh managed his stately affairs in such a manner that till his death the British could not violate whatever they had committed in the treaty. During the years 1845 and 1846 four battles were fought between the British and the Sikhs, which in the end decided in favor of the British.
The Sikh State of Punjab was consisted of four provinces, Lahore, Multan, Kashmir and Peshawar. So Peshawar came under the British influence as a result of the fall of Sikh Power and Colonel Lawrence, who was appointed as a political assistant to the resident at Lahore in 1846, was sent to Peshawar in early 1847, in order to perform his duties as a friendly adviser to the native officials. Colonel Lawrence was later on appointed as a first Deputy Commissioner of Peshawar in April 1849.
During British rule the five districts Peshawar, Kohat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and Hazara were separated from Punjab to form a proper Pathan province. Thus on 9th November 1901, the North West Frontier Province (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) came into being. The British made Peshawar their frontier headquarters. They also added a new part to the historic city such as typical colonial garrison with Gora Bazaar, single men barracks, Churches, bungalows and cantonment Railway Station.
After the independence the hold of Peshawar came in the hands of Pathans. Nearly 98% of its inhabitants are Pathan Muslims.