Department of Geography

B.A. (IV Semester) Section - F

Geography of India (Unit – III)
Topic: Distribution of Religion in India

The word religion has been derived from the Latin word religare, which means “to bind.” It is
related to the Latin word regula, which referred to a measuring stick, and is the root of our
English word rule. A religion, therefore, is not merely a set of beliefs, but a set of beliefs that
bind the believer. Religion imposes a kind of rule or regulation upon the believer’s life. In other
words, religion is a belief that requires a response. In light of what we believe to be true,
religious observers understand that we must behave a certain way; that there will be certain
limits on our lifestyle.
Definition of Religion
1. Religion is a set of beliefs and practices designed to allow humans to achieve mental
harmony with the powers of the universe. (Jordan & Rowntree).
2. The belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God
or gods.
3. A particular system of faith and worship.
4. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when
considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving
devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the
conduct of human affairs.
5. A specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of
persons or sects.
Classification of Religion
(a) Based on Beliefs:
Monotheism: the followers of Monotheism believe in one God / single deity
Polytheism: the followers of Polytheism believe in more than one God/ goddess
(b) Based on spatial distribution
Universal Religion: Islam, Christianity, Buddhism (membership is open to all)
Ethnic Religion: Hinduism, Jainism, Judaism, Japanese Shintoism (membership by birth)

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 Tribal Religion: religious beliefs of all the tribal and ethnic people of the world
Religious Composition of India
India is the birthplace of four world religions, viz., Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism.
The country also adopted the foreign religions of Christianity and Islam. However, India is not
religiously a homogeneous State. It is a land of multiple religions. We find here followers of
various faiths, particularly of Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism
Zoroastrianism. Hinduism is the dominant religion of India. Hindus and Muslims are found
in almost all parts of India, the remaining minority religions have their pockets of
concentration. Christians have their strongholds in the three Southern States of Kerala, Tamil
Nadu and Meghalaya. Sikhs are concentrated largely in Punjab, Buddhist in Maharashtra
and Jains are mainly spread over Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Gujarat, but also found in
most urban centres throughout the country. The religious diversity of the country promotes
multi-culturalism and social democracy, but some religious fundamentalism leads to fanaticism
and threatens nationalism.
[1] Hinduism
Hinduism is a polytheistic religion. They believe in many gods and goddesses – all of whom,
however, are regarded as manifestations of the one divine sprit. The Aryans divided Hindus into
different caste system and each caste destined to perform certain functions. For Hindus, the
primary aim of this life is to conform to prescribed social and ritual duties and to the rules of
conduct for assigned caste and profession. Those requirements comprise the individual’s
dharma-law and duties. To violate them upsets the balance of society and nature and yields
undesirable consequences. To observe them improves the chance of promotion at next rebirth.
Traditionally, each profession is the property of a particular caste. Hinduism includes elements
from three groups i.e., Indo-Aryan, Dravidian and pre-Dravidian. Hinduism has a number of
sects such as Sakta, Shaivya, Baishnab etc. But all these sects have some of the common beliefs
like immortality of soul, rebirth, transmigration of soul etc.
Hinduism is the most prominent religion of India. According to census of India 2011, the Hindu
population in the country is 96.62 Crores, which constitutes nearly 79.80 per cent of the total
population. However, the share of Hindu population is continuously declining (1961: 83.5 per

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cent; 1971:82.7 per cent; 1981:82.6 per cent; 1991: 82.4 per cent; 2001: 80.45 per cent and 2011:
79.80 per cent). This is mainly due to adaptation of family planning and lower fertility rate.
In 19 states and union territories, the share of Hindu population exceeds the national average of
79.80 per cent. The data reveals that the concentration of Hindus is highest in Himachal Pradesh
(95.17 per cent). This is followed by Dadra and Nagar Haveli (93.93 per cent), Odisha (93.63 per
cent), Chhattisgarh (93.25 per cent), Madhya Pradesh (90.89per cent), Daman and Diu (90.50 per
cent), Gujarat (88.57per cent), Rajasthan(88.49 per cent), Andhra Pradesh (88.46 per cent),
Tamil Nadu (87.58 per cent), Haryana (87.46 per cent), Puducherry (87.30 per cent), Karnataka
(84.00 per cent), Tripura(83.40 per cent), Uttarakhand (82.97 per cent), Bihar (82.69per cent),
Delhi (81.68per cent), Chandigarh (80.78per cent) and Maharashtra (79.83 per cent). On the
other hand, the lowest concentration of Hindus reported in the states of Mizoram (2.75 per cent),
Lakshadeep (2.77 per cent) and Nagaland (8.75 per cent).
[2] Islam
Islam means “submission” or total surrender to God. It is universal religion founded by Prophet
Muhammad (SAS) in the 7th century A.D. It emphasizes an uncompromising monotheism and
strict adhere to certain religious practices. All followers of Islam are bound by a common faith
and a sense of belonging to single community. According to Islam, God is absolutely unique,
omnipotent, Omniscient and merciful. Men are exhorted to obey his will. The Muslim creed
consists of seven articles of faiths: (1) Belief in the Oneness of God (2) Belief in the Angels of
God (3) Belief in the Revelations (Books) of God (4) Belief in the Prophets of God (5) Belief in
the Day of Judgment (6) Belief in Premeasurement (Taqadeer) (7) Belief in Resurrection after
Death.
The follower of Islam is known as Muslims. It was originated in Arabic country. By the end of
12th century A.D, Islam entered India through the Muslim rulers. A s p e r 2 0 1 1 c e n s u s
d a t a , it is practiced by 17.22 Crores (1 4 . 2 3 per cent) population. Islam is divided into Shiya
and Sunni sects. The Muslims constitutes the largest minority group of India. The high
concentration of Muslim population is mainly in areas which had been ruled by Muslim ruler.
Lakshadweep has the largest concentration of Muslim population (96.58 per cent), followed by
Jammu and Kashmir (68.31 per cent), Assam (34.22 per cent), West Bengal (27.01 per cent) and

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Kerala (26.56 per cent). On the other hand, the least concentration of Muslim population are in
Mizoram (1.35 per cent) and Sikkim (1.62 per cent).
[3] Christianity
The religion with most pronounces missionary zeal in the world today is Christianity. It was
founded in the 1st Century A.D. by Jesus of Nazareth (Palestine), who was later accepted as the
Christ, the Messiah or Anointed One, by his disciple who was then called Christians. Christianity
began as movement within Judaism. Jesus was a Jew, as were chief followers – the Apostles. His
followers accepted him as the “Christ” – a chosen one, sent to fulfill God’s promise to Abraham
(Ibrahim A.S.), Issac (Ishaque A.S.) and Jacob (Yaqoob A.S.).
Christianity is the second largest minority group of India. They came to India in the first century
A.D., but their impact increased from the 15th century, mainly due to conversion of low caste
Hindus and tribal population. Christen constitutes 2.30 per cent (2.78 Crores) population of the
country (as per census 2011). The spatial distribution of Christens is highly uneven. They are
mainly concentrated in North- Eastern and Western Coast of India. As per the latest census data,
the highest population of this minority group are in the states of Nagaland (87.93 per cent),
followed by Mizoram (87.16 per cent), Meghalaya (74.59 per cent), Arunachal Pradesh (30.26
per cent), Goa (25.10 per cent), Andaman and Nicobar Islands (21.28 per cent) and Kerala (18.38
per cent).
[4] Buddhism
Buddhism is pan-Asian religion and philosophy, founded by Siddhartha Gautama in India in the
6th century B.C. Spreading from India to central Asia, south-east Asia, China, Korean and Japan.
Buddhism has played an influential role in the spiritual, cultural and social life of much of the
eastern world, during the last century; it has also attracted some believers in the West. Buddhism
spread inside and outside India due to royal patronage. Buddhism sects are Hinayan and
Mahayan. It is a minute minority group which constitutes only 0.70 per cent (84.43 per cent).
However, it is the world’s fourth major religion. About 73 per cent of the total Buddhist lives
in Maharashtra (6 per cent of state population), Sikkim (28 per cent), Arunachal Pradesh (13
per cent), and Mizoram (8 per cent).

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[5] Sikhism
It is an offshoot of Hinduism and was established in the 15th Century A.D. by Guru Nanak. It
attempted to create social harmony by repudiating the Hindu caste system and widow
remarriage. But for long it remained confined to Punjab and has accepted Gurumukhi as its
language. Sikhism is divided into sects of Namdhari and Nirankari. At present, they have spread
in all parts of the country and have acquired international presence in U.K., Canada, USA and
Hong Kong. Sikhism is the fourth major minority group of India which constitutes only 1.72 per
cent (2.08 Crors) population of the country. The largest concentration of Sikhs is in Punjab
where they constitute a majority 57.69 per cent. The other pockets of Sikh concentration are
found in Chandigarh (13.11 per cent), Haryana (4.91 per cent) and Delhi (3.40 per cent).
[6] Jainism
Like Buddhism, Jainism was also born in India as a reaction to orthodox Hinduism. Its main
doctrines are no belief in God or sacrifices or rituals; Moksha (salvation) through a rigid life and
faith in Ahimsa and universal brotherhood. It was originated in 6th century B.C. b y t h e Lord
Mahavir. Jains are closer to Hindus. They believe in idol worship and they maintain caste
distinction. They constitute less than 0.37 per cent (44.52 lakhs) of Indian population. Jainism
sects are Digambar and Shwetambar. They are mostly found in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan
and Delhi.
[7] Zoroastrianism
The Parsis are the followers of Zoroastrianism. It was a dominant religion in the palmy days of
the Old Persian Empire. The essence of its ethics is well summed up in three words: Humata
(good thoughts), Hukhta (good words) and Huvarshta (good deeds). Their religious book is
Dinkart. In Iran, Shah of Udvada is the most sacred temple of the Parsis. They first reached Diu
in 766 A.D. and shifted their colony to Mt. Bharhat (1490 A.D.) and from these two Navsari and
ultimately to Udvada. Around 80 per cent of the Parsi population is concentrated in Mumbai and
the rest in Navsari, Udvada, Surat and Ahmadabad. The total popuation of Parsis, as per census
2011, is 57264 (28,115 males and 29,149 females).
The religions with lesser following are Judaism and Bahaism while followers of Animism are
Tribal and they worship ghost and soul. They also worshipped rock, river, hill etc.

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 Proportion of Population by Religious Communities in India – 2011 Census

Religion Percent Population (2011 Census)

All Religion 100.00% 121 Crores

Hindu 79.80% 96.62 Crores
Muslim 14.23% 17.22 Crores
Christian 2.30% 2.78 Crores
Sikh 1.72% 2.08 Crores
Buddhist 0.70% 84.43 Lakhs
Jain 0.37% 44.52 Lakhs
Other Religion 0.66% 79.38 Lakhs
Not Stated 0.24% 28.67 Lakhs
Source: Census of India, 2011

Religious Composition of India - 2011 Census

Hindu

Muslim

Christian

Sikh

Buddhist

Jain

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Source: Wikipedia (2020)

Compiled by Md Naiyer Zaidy

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