Includes bibliographic references (pages 157-168) and index.

At the beginning : who is Jesus Christ? -- Foundations : Thomas and the first Christians -- Golden era or dark age? : the silent years until the Portuguese came -- And then the Protestants came : Pietists, Baptists & others -- Christian identity, distortions and more -- Bengali builders of the church in the nineteenth century -- North India builders of the church in the nineteenth century -- Social/religious change in the nineteenth century India -- Reformers and reforms in the nineteenth century India -- North East India : here come the Baptists -- Struggle for survival : competence for leadership -- Indian Christianity : Pentecostal, evangelical and ecumenical -- Indian Christianity : ecumenical, contextual and Catholic -- A new era of world Christianity -- In conclusion and continuation.

The book projects the rich heritage of Indian Christianity covering a vast period of first to the twenty-first century. The author has a meticulous projection in detailing the historical scenario by selecting and describing the most significant events, the key figures and developments in the history of the church in India. An important contribution of this book is that instead of beginning with the so-called `great traditions'- those of the elite hierarchical, and the professional officialdom of the church, the author looks at the `little tradition'. This is what he means by the alternate reading. In this book one will find references to sources that reflect expressions `from below'. This historiography from below pays attention to the empirical data drawn from participants in the drama. It acknowledges the complexity of Indian Christianity and honours the multiple cultural identities of the church in India. The book is clearly written in a readable style and makes a valuable resource for teachers and students of church history, and for all those who are interested in learning about the Indian Church. -- Publisher