During colonial years, Europeans brought with them several people of African origin to India as labor. Most of them set themselves free thanks to complicated mosaic of kingdom boundaries and a dense forest cover and have come to be known as Siddis. Siddis are completely Indianized - they speak local languages, practice local religions including Hinduism, Islam and Roman Catholic.

Some Indians of African origin, settled in India since the medieval times are also sometimes referred to as Siddis.

Siddis are also descendents of Ethiopians who traded with Southern India (by boat) before the arrival of the British.