Template:BLP sources Template:Christianity in India sidebarThis article lists notable Indian Christians. The list includes both Indians who lived within India and its predecessor states, and those of Indian ancestry who resided in other countries.
Freedom fighters
Members of a resistance movement.
- Titusji[1][2][3]
- Kali Charan Banerjee (1847–1902)[4]
- Krishna Mohan Banerjee[5]
- Amrit Kaur[6]
- Harendra Coomar Mookerjee[7]
- Pandita Ramabai[8]
- S. K. Rudra[9]
- Accamma Cherian[10][11] She was popularly known as the Jhansi Rani of Travancore[12]
Business
- M. G. George Muthoot, Chairman of Muthoot Group[13]
- Joy Alukkas, Jeweller
- Sunny Varkey, GEMS Education
- Sabu M Jacob, Kitex Group
- Kochouseph Chittilappilly, VGuard,Wonderla
- Verghese Kurien, father of White Revolution and Operation Flood in India
- Thomas Kurian, Google Cloud
Politics
- Ajit Jogi, first Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh[14]
- John Matthai, Minister of Railways in First Cabinet of Independent India.[15]
- Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy current Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.[16]
- George Fernandes was an Indian trade unionist, statesman, journalist, freethinker.[17]
- S C Jamir, Former Chief Minister of Nagaland, and former Governor of Maharashtra and Odisha.[18]
- A. K. Antony, longest serving Defence Minister of India and former chief minister of Kerala
- Oommen Chandy,[19] longest serving MLA , former chief minister of Kerala
- Madhusudan Das[20]
- A. J. John, founder leader of Travancore State Congress[21]

Deceased
- K M Mani
- Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy (1949–2009), former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh[22][23]
- Sangliana, Police Officer of Karnataka, originally from Mizoram, who also served as a Member of the Parliament of India[24]
- Lal Thanhawla, Chief Minister of Mizoram[25]
- Y. S. Raja Reddy[23]
- Y. S. Vivekananda Reddy, former M. P. of Kadapa and Minister of Andhra Pradesh[26]
- Thomas Chandy Former minister, Businessman.[27][28][29]
Indian Armed forces service members
- General Sunith Francis Rodrigues, PVSM, VSM was a retired Indian army officer who was Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army from 1990 to 1993 and Governor of Punjab from 2004 to 2010.[30]
- Lieutenant-General Francis Tiburtius Dias , PVSM , AVSM , Vrc (14 October 1934 – 16 January 2019) was a retired Indian Army officer, who was involved in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.[31]
- Major General Ian Cardozo , AVSM , SM, is a former Indian Army officer. During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, After the fall of Dhaka, Cardozo stepped on a land mine and his leg was critically injured. Due to non-availability of morphine or pethidine, and absence of medics, his leg could not be amputated surgically. He subsequently used his khukri to amputate his own leg [32]He was the first war-disabled officer of the Indian Army to command a battalion and a brigade.[33]
- Admiral Oscar Stanley Dawson , PVSM , AVSM (13 November 1923 – 23 October 2011) was a four-star admiral in the Indian Navy. He served as the 11th Chief of the Naval Staff from 1 March 1982 to 30 November 1984 . He was the Director of Naval Operations during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971 . After retirement, Admiral Dawson served as the Indian High Commissioner to New Zealand
Cinema
- Vijay (actor), Tamil actor
- Nivin Pauly, Malayalam actor
- Remo D'Souza, Bollywood choreographer, actor, and film director
- Tiger Prabhakar, Kannada cinema actor[34]
- Tovino Thomas, Malayam Actor
- Vijay Antony, Tamil actor
- Catherine Tresa, actress
- Nivetha Thomas, actress
- Genelia D'Souza, Actress
- Amala Paul, actress
- Vijay (actor), Tamil actor[35][36]
- Chiyaan Vikram[37]
- Johnny Lever[38]
- Ileana D'Cruz[39]
- John Abraham, actor
- Diana Hayden, actress
- Jennifer Winget, actress
- Krystle D'Souza, actress
- Erica Fernandes, actress
- Samantha Ruth Prabhu, actress
- Niti Taylor, actress
- Divine (rapper) Vivian Fernandes, better known by his stage name Divine, is an Indian rapper from Mumbai, Maharashtra
Sports
- Vinod Kambli, cricketer[40]
- Mahesh Bhupathi, professional tennis player also widely regarded as among the best doubles players in the world with 11 Grand Slam titles to his credit[41]
- Leander Paes Indian professional tennis player who is considered as one of the greatest doubles player in the history of the sport along the record of most doubles wins in the Davis Cup.[42]
- Vece Paes Vece Paes was a former Indian hockey midfielder, and representing the Indian team in the 1972 Munich Olympics, that won the bronze medal.[43]
- Mary Kom, Olympic bronze medallist in 2012 Summer Olympics, London[44]
- Anju Bobby George India's first and only World Champion in IAAF World Athletics Final
- Jimmy George[45] is often considered one of the greatest volleyball players of all time and was a member of India men's national volleyball team.[46] Jimmy George was just 21 years old when he received the Arjuna Award for his talent on the volleyball court. [47]
The arts
- Reita Faria, Bombay-born winner of Miss World, 1966.
Religious leaders
- Philipose Chrysostom - Padma Bushan, world record holder for the longest serving bishop in the world, record holder as theme actor in the longest comprehensive biopic documentary ever made,[48][49] Metropolitan Emeritus of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church.[50]
- Thomas K. Oommen – Bishop of Diocese of Madhya Kerala of the Church of South India, Past Moderator Church of South India.[51][52][53]
- Baselios Mar Thoma Paulose II - 8th Catholicos of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (2010–present).
- Andrews Thazhath - the third and the Metropolitan Archbishop of Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Thrissur
- Puroshottam Choudhary - preacher, evangelist, writer of Christian literature
- Jacob Thoomkuzhy - Catholic Arch Bishop Emeritus and the second Metropolitan Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Thrissur
- Joseph Mar Thoma - Metropolitan of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church.
- Most Rev.Dr. Thomas Abraham – Presiding Bishop of St.Thomas Evangelical Church
- Jolly Abraham - Leading evangelist worship leader in South India. Founder of Musi-Care Cultural and Charitable Trust[54]
- Aurobindo Nath Mukherjee - first Indian Bishop of Calcutta and Metropolitan of India
- Lal Behari Dey - Indian journalist, writer, and Christian missionary
- Ravi Zacharias(late) - Christian apologist, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries.
- D. G. S. Dhinakaran(late) - Christian evangelist.
- K. A. Paul, Evangelist, Philanthropist, Politician and founder of Praja Shanti Party.
- K. P. Yohannan, founder and president of Gospel for Asia, He is also the founder and Metropolitan Bishop of Believers Eastern Church.
- Valerian Gracias - First cardinal from India.
- Duraisamy Simon Lourdusamy - First Indian to head a Sacred Congregation of the Catholic Church.
- Acharya K. K. Chandy - President Emeritus- Fellowship of Reconciliation India; 1 of the 3 Founding Fathers - Christavashram, Kottayam; Founder Father- Gurukul Ecumenical Centre for Peace.
- Varghese Payyappilly Palakkappilly - Founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Destitute.
- Mary Celine Payyappilly - Servant of God, Professed Religious of the Congregation of the Mother of Carmel.
- George Alencherry - Catholic Cardinal and the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church.
- Varkey Vithayathil - Catholic Cardinal and former Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church.
- Antony Padiyara - Catholic Cardinal and the First Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church.
- Joseph Parecattil - First from the Syro-Malabar church to be made a cardinal.
- Augustine Kandathil - First head of the Syro-Malabar Church and first Indian to assume powers and rule as an archbishop of the Catholic Church.
- Kuriakose Elias Chavara - First Indian to be beatified Syro-Malabar Catholic Church.
- Saint Alphonsa - first Indian Catholic to be raised to sainthood Syro-Malabar Catholic Church.
- Mother Teresa of Kolkata - Founder of Missionaries of Charity and the most well-known Christian social worker of India (although Albanian and born in Skopje in Macedonia, she became an Indian).
- V. C. Samuel - World-renowned Theologian, Historian, Ecumenical Leader, Professor/Dean in India and abroad, Priest, Indian Orthodox Church.
- Cyril Baselios - Former head of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church.
- Mariam Thresia - Syro-Malabar Church.
- St. Euphrasia - Syro-Malabar Church.
- St. Joseph Vaz - Goan Oratorian priest and missionary to Sri Lanka
- Rani Maria Vattalil - Catholic religious and missionary social worker in the Franciscan Clarist Congregation
- Nidhiry Mani Kathanar - Priest of the Syro-Malabar Church who led a relentless campaign for indigenous bishops. Founder of Nazrani Deepika Malayalam newspaper.
- Neiliezhü Üsou (1941–2009), an influential Baptist preacher, theologian, Church musician, music teacher and composer from the North-Eastern state of India, Nagaland.
- Baselios Yeldo - was the Maphrian of the East of the Syriac Orthodox Church. He was the Catholicos of Jerusalem and Mosul. He is the Saint of Malankara Orthodox, Syriac Orthodox and Jacobite Orthodox Churches.
- Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews I - First Catholicos who used Mar Thoma in his title. He was awarded The Order of St. Valdimer by the Patriarch of Russia.
- Antonio Francisco Xavier Alvares - First Head of Goan Orthodox who was a Catholic Priest who joined Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church in search for real believes and worship.
- J. W. Gladstone -Former Moderator of the Church of South India.
- K. C. John - India Pentecostal Church of God General President.
- Telesphore Toppo - First Indian Cardinal from the Scheduled Tribal communities.
- Devasahayam Pillai (1712–1752), beatified convert, layman and martyr of the Latin rite of the Roman Catholic Church.
- Geevarghese Gregorios - (1848-1902) First Indian to be raised to sainthood. First Saint of Malankara Church and the youngest one in Malankara to become a Bishop.
- Geevarghese Dionysius of Vattasseril (Dionysius VI) (1858-1934) Malankara Metropolitan and Saint of Malankara Orthodox Church.
- Thomas Fernando, former Catholic bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Tuticorin
- Francis Tiburtius Roche, former Catholic bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Tuticorin
- Peter Fernando, former Catholic bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Tuticorin
Others in Christian ministry
- Siluvai Ignaci - Catholic Priest and Educator from Kuthenkuly
- Maria Theresa Chiramel - Catholic nun.
- Ken Gnanakan - Evangelist, singer, environmentalist and Founder Director of Acts Ministries.
- P. C. John - Kerala Brethren person.
- Nirmala Joshi - Former Superior General of the Missionaries of Charity.
- Bakht Singh - (6 June 1903 – 17 September 2000) was a Christian evangelist in India and other parts of South Asia.
- Sadhu Sundar Singh - Missionary, Christian universalist.
- Sadhu Kochoonju Upadesi - Malayali preacher and poet / composer.
- Benjamin Bailey (missionary) -Missionary, Founded the first College in India, Developed first English Malayalam Dictionary.[55][56]
- Graham Staines – Australian missionary[57][58]
- Elizabeth Paul Sister at CSI Order of Sisters, First woman to be ordained to priesthood[59]
Literature
- Antony Theodore - German pastor poet born in Kerala
- Henry Louis Vivian Derozio - Anglo-Indian poet and social worker
- Jayanta Mahapatra - Internationally acclaimed poet writing in English and Odia
- Krishna Mohan Banerjee - Bengali writer and first president of Bengal Christian Association
- Michael Madhusudan Dutt - famous Bengali poet and dramatist[60]
- Ruskin Bond - short story writer and Sahitya Akademi Award winner
- Toru Dutt - Bengali translator and poet in English and French
Cultural leaders
- George Menachery - Historian, author, encyclopaedist, archaeologist, anthropologist, writer of Church History[61][62]
- Harris Jayaraj - A prominent music director mainly works in Tamil cinema
- Fr. Paul Poovathingal, Carnatic music singer[63]
See also
- Christianity in West Bengal
- Christianity in India
- Christianity in Andhra Pradesh
- Christianity in Tamil Nadu
- Goan Catholics
- List of Anglo-Indians
- List of Saint Thomas Christians
- List of Syro-Malabar Catholics
- Mangalorean Catholics
- Marathi Christians
- Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
References
- ↑ Recreating an unsung hero. The Hindu(2015-11-14). Retrieved 2020-09-04.
- ↑ Titusji — A Christian Satyagrahi. Christian Trends(2018-09-30). Retrieved 2020-09-04.
- ↑ My father said no to Bapu. The Week. Retrieved 2020-09-04.
- ↑ Two-Eyed Dialogue: Reflections after Fifty Years. The Way({Template:Year).
- ↑ Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh{{#if:Murshid|, Murshid}. Asiatic Society of Bangladesh(2012)
- ↑ Missions, Nationalism and the End of Empire{{#if:Brown|, Brown}. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing(2003). ISBN 978-0-80282-116-4
- ↑ Missions, Nationalism and the End of Empire{{#if:Brown|, Brown}. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing(2003). ISBN 978-0-80282-116-4
- ↑ The White Woman's Other Burden : Western Women and South Asia During British Colonial Rule{{#if:Jayawardena|, Jayawardena}. Routledge(1995). ISBN 978-1-13665-707-8
- ↑ A Clear Star: C. F. Andrews and India 1904 -1914{{#if:O'Connor|, O'Connor}. Chronicle Books(2005). ISBN 978-8-18028-023-8
- ↑ Accamma Cherian. Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
- ↑ “I am the leader; shoot me first before you kill others”. INDIAN CULTURE. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
- ↑ Accamma Cherian: The Jhansi Rani Of Travancore | #IndianWomenInHistory, Rinzu. Feminism In India(2017-03-10). Retrieved 2021-10-14.
- ↑ The leader, the higher order was looking for. Muthoot News. Retrieved 2017-02-08.
- ↑ Indian state mourns pioneering Christian chief minister - UCA News. ucanews.com. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
- ↑ University of Madras, Chennai, India.(2008-10-29). Retrieved 2020-09-22.
- ↑ Jagan Reddy's Christian politics is under fire for 'burdening exchequer' & 'conversions', Nichenametla, Prasad. ThePrint(2019-11-24). Retrieved 2020-09-06.
- ↑ D A I J I W O R L D(2009-06-28). Retrieved 2020-09-06.
- ↑ Hon'ble Shri Mohammed Fazal(2012-02-20). Retrieved 2020-09-06.
- ↑ Oommen Chandy.
- ↑ Madhusudan Das.
- ↑ Fr. George Thalian: ' The Great Archbishop Mar Augustine Kandathil, D. D.: the Outline of a Vocation '., Mar Louis Memorial Press, 1961
- ↑ YSR buried with full state honour in Idupulapai. Merinews(5 September 2009). Retrieved 2015-04-02.
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Tragedies dog the Yeduguri Sandinti family, Somasekhar, M.. @businessline. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
- ↑ Meghalaya: BJP puts its sole Christian MP at work(21 February 2008). Retrieved 2012-05-29.
- ↑ Mizo National Front heat on Mizoram CM over 'idol worship'. The Times of India. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
- ↑ Dr YSR was a very devoted Christian. Rediff. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
- ↑ Kerala MLA Thomas Chandy passes away at 72. The Hindu(2019-12-20). Retrieved 2020-09-04.
- ↑ Thomas Chandy dies at 72: Ex-Kerala minister and MLA passes away at Kochi home, survived by wife and three children - India News, Firstpost. Firstpost(2019-12-20). Retrieved 2020-09-04.
- ↑ Kerala state transport minister Thomas Chandy resigns | DD News. ddnews.gov.in. Retrieved 2020-09-04.
- ↑ The Official Home Page of the Indian Army. www.indianarmy.nic.in. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
- ↑ Lt Gen. FT Dias dies : Indian Army loses a living legend. ADU(2019-01-29). Retrieved 2021-10-14.
- ↑ 'I cut my leg off and ordered: 'Go and bury it'. Rediff. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
- ↑ 1971, A War Hero Remembers. Rediff. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
- ↑ My Dad Prabhakar Did not Die of Gangrene: Vinod Prabhakar - chitraloka.com | Kannada Movie News, Reviews | Image, User, Super. Retrieved 2015-10-02.
- ↑ BJP leader tweets 'truth' about Vijay's religion, gets it from actor's fans. Hindustan Times(2017-10-23). Retrieved 2020-09-04.
- ↑ {{{title}}}. www.thenewsminute.com. Retrieved 2020-09-04.
- ↑ Vikram's Marriage: From Temple To The Altar, Garoo, Rohit. The Bridal Box(2016-05-31). Retrieved 2020-09-04.
- ↑ VHP threatens agitation against actors Nagma, Johnny Lever, Desk, India TV News. www.indiatvnews.com(2013-12-10). Retrieved 2020-09-08.
- ↑ Religion of Ileana D'Cruz. simplycelebs.io. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
- ↑ Vinod Kambli embraces Christianity - Sport - DNA. Dnaindia.com(9 September 2010). Retrieved 2013-09-25.
- ↑ Shvetha & Mahesh? Why knot!. The Times Of India(2 September 2002). Retrieved 2015-04-02.
- ↑ tennis champion says his catholic faith has influenced him a lot. ucanews.com. Retrieved 2020-09-04.
- ↑ Leander wants to end on a high: Vece Paes. The Hindu(2019-12-26). Retrieved 2020-09-04.
- ↑ Mary Kom: Full-Confidence Lady.
- ↑ The story of Jimmy George: India’s best volleyball player ever. Red Bull. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
- ↑ Remembering Jimmy George, India's Volleyball Hero Who Left Us Too Soon & Is Now A Fading Memory. IndiaTimes(2019-12-05). Retrieved 2021-10-14.
- ↑ Jimmy George Arjuna Award Awarded In 1976. Edubilla.com. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
- ↑ Blessy's biopic on Mar Chrysostom will be 72 hours long - Times of India. The Times of India. Retrieved 2020-04-12.
- ↑ Mohanlal, Blessy back again for documentary on Mar Chrysostom. OnManorama. Retrieved 2020-04-12.
- ↑ [{{{url}}} The Syrian heritage and the Mar Thoma Church]. Gorgias Press(2011-12-31).
- ↑ Thomas K. Oommen selected Bishop of CSI diocese. The Hindu(2011-02-10). Retrieved 2020-09-22.
- ↑ Church of South India Moderator, Bishop Thomas K Oommen, recovering after a stroke. www.anglicannews.org. Retrieved 2020-09-22.
- ↑ CSI Synod Council meeting on Jan. 11. The Hindu(2020-01-09). Retrieved 2020-09-22.
- ↑ Jollee good show!. The Hindu(19 May 2011). Retrieved 2016-09-15.
- ↑ Benjamin Bailey, a brief biographical sketch.
- ↑ Benjamin Bailey Foundation. benjaminbaileyfoundation.org. Retrieved 2020-09-04.
- ↑ Subscribe to The Weekly Times. www.weeklytimesnow.com.au. Retrieved 2020-09-22.
- ↑ Missionary Stories.
- ↑ The Church of South India United. Eggoni Pushpalalitha(26 May 2020). Retrieved 21 September 2020.
- ↑ Boloji.com - Poetry. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
- ↑ Prof. George Menachery.
- ↑ Welcome to Indian Christianity.
- ↑ A rare concert. The Hindu(31 March 2006).