Exploration of Identity of the Bene Israel Jews in India: A Reading of Esther David's The Walled City

Esther David, an Indian Jewish writer, wrote her first novel in 1997, The Walled City. Her works revolve around the lives of Bene Israel Jews. In India, they constitute a minuscule population which is insufficient even to gain recognition as a minority community. However, Indian-Jewish experience stands as a mixed narrative of resilience and transformation weaving together threads of assimilation, Philo-Semitism, and alienation as concurrent happenings, with nostalgia and patriotism running alongside. Indo-Judaic Studies and fictional works like this help in the understanding of the relationship between Jewish and Indian communities. The present paper delves into the identity development of the characters as represented in The Walled City through the analytical framework of Glynis Breakwell’s Identity Process Theory. The theory emphasises key processes such as assimilation, accommodation, and evaluation, which are pivotal in understanding the diasporic community’s navigational strategies. Through a detailed exploration of key characters and themes, this paper highlights the resilience and adaptability of aloof Bene Israel Jews in maintaining their cultural heritage.