1) In his "History of the Jews," the Jewish scholar, Flavius Josephus (37-100 A.D.) wrote that the Greek philosopher, Aristotle had said..."These Jews are derived from the Indian philosophers; they are named by the Indians Calani." (Book 1:22)
2) Clearchus of Soli (400-300BCE) wrote: "The Jews descend from the philosophers of India. The philosophers are called in India Calanians and in Syria Jews."
3) Megasthenes (350-290BCE), who was sent to India by Seleucis Nicator, about three hundred years before Christ says the Jews were an Indian tribe, or sect called Kalani...." (Anacalypsis, by Geoffrey Higgins, Vol. 1; pg. 400)
4) Voltaire (1694) believed that Abram (Abraham) descended from some of the numerous Brahmin priests, who left India to spread their teachings throughout the world.
Ancient links- The kochi jews flourished for 2,400 years in india, Kochi's Jews trace their descent back to 700 BCE. Separate Jewish communities were established over the years in Mumbai, where the Jews arrived over 2000 years ago. in Kolkata, where a more recent community of Middle Eastern "Baghdadi" Jews became established. In the northeast of India is the Bnai Menashe, who trace their origins to the Israelite tribe of Menasseh.