BENE-ISRAEL ("Sons of Israel"), a colony of Jews set tled in Kolaba, Bombay and Shana districts and the native state of Janjira. With the Jews of Cochin, they represent a very an cient Judaic invasion of India. Some think the Bene-Israel settled in Kolaba in the 6th century, but traditions indicate a far longer connection with India (see JEws: § 3).
See R. E. Enthoven, Tribes and Cartes of Bombay (192o).