Bengali Christians
বাঙালি খ্রিস্টান Bangali Khrishtan | |
|---|---|
North façade of the St. Paul's Cathedral, Calcutta | |
| Total population | |
| 1,370,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| India | 730,000 (West Bengal) |
| Bangladesh | 488,583-640,000 |
| Languages | |
| Bengali | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity (Catholicism, Protestantism, Indian Orthodox) | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Bengali Muslims, Bengali Hindus, Bengali Buddhists | |
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Bengali Christians (Bengali: বাঙালি খ্রিস্টান) are adherents of Christianity among the Bengali people. Christianity took root in Bengal after the arrival of Portuguese voyagers in the 16th century. It witnessed further conversions among the Bengali upper-caste elite during the 19th century Bengali Renaissance.
Bengali Christians played significant role in Bengali culture, education, commerce and society. Some of the most influential thinkers and advocates during the Indian independence struggle from British Raj were Bengali Christians. The region is home to venerable missionary institutions, including the Missionaries of Charity founded by Mother Teresa.