Another version holds that merchants and missionaries from Syria, who traded in spices and precious materials, brought the religion to the western and southern shores of India, around fourth century or a little before.

Within a period of 15 centuries, this Church progressively established relations with other Churches in the East and the West. The arrival of Pantaneus in 189 AD shows its connection with the Alexandrian Church.

The Indian Church kept alive its Persian connection until the end of the 15th century. Two immigrations from Persia (Thomas of Cana and Sabriso) and the visit of Cosmas Indicopleutus (AD 522) attest these relations.

These links were further firmed up with a series of European missions led by Franciscan and Dominican friars in the first half of the 14th century.

Franciscan Friar John de Monte Corvino arrived in early 14th century. Then came the mission of Jordanus Catalani de Seveac, a French Dominican friar, in 1321.

Another missionary to reach the Indian shores in early 14th century was Franciscan Friar Odoric de Pordenone. Another Franciscan, Bishop John de Maringoli of Florence, visited India on his return to Europe from a China mission. He reached Quilon in 1346 and left around 1349-50, impressed with the flourishing Christian communities in India.

Organized Christian missions started in the 16th century after the arrival of the Portuguese in 1498. Though the Portuguese missioners were happy to see Christians in India, they disapproved certain Hindu rituals the local practiced. The foreign missionaries wanted to correct those errors and bring the local Christians under the Latin systems.

The local people resisted the Latin domination (the Diamper synod 1599). The disquiet grew and a group of local Christians broke away from the Church (the oath at Mattancherry in 1653).

Some stayed with the Latin missioners, as they did not want to desert the "Catholic" faith. Later, they came to be known as the Syrian Catholics. The breakaway section, on the other hand, was known as the Syrian Orthodox. This group later split into several factions.

The Latin Christians in India, who follow the Roman liturgy, are the result of the works done by the Portuguese and other Western missionaries, especially in coastal areas, northeastern hills and interior villages.

A third rite emerged when a tiny section of the Syrian Orthodox Church returned to Catholic fold in 1930. The Pope allowed them to retain their liturgy and traditions. They are called the Syro-Malankara Church.

India has several Protestant Churches such as the Church of North India and Church of South India. Along with the Baptist and the Orthodox Churches, these Churches have formed an association, the National Council of Churches in India.

Evangelists and Baptists are found primarily among tribals and low caste groups in villages.