Religious Groups

1. Hindus (Hinduism)

• Belief: Eternal soul (atman), rebirth, and spiritual liberation (moksha).
• Features: Diverse doctrines, caste-based society, rich in rituals and philosophies.
• Religious Data (2001 Census): 80.5% of the population.
• Major Distribution:
  • States with >90% Hindus: Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh.

2. Muslims (Islam)

• Founded by: Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century.
• Sects: Sunni, Shia, and smaller communities (Moplahs, Khojas, Bohras).
• Caste-like Divisions:
  • Sayyad, Shaikh, Pathan, Moghul (elite groups).
  • Sharif (nobles) and Ajlaf (low caste converts).
• Religious Data (2001 Census): 13.4% of the population.
• Major Distribution:
  • Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Kerala, Lakshadweep.

3. Christians (Christianity)

• Sects: Catholics and Protestants (both practice endogamy).
• Religious Data (2001 Census): 2.3% of the population.
• Major Distribution:
  • Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, North-East India.

4. Sikhs (Sikhism)

• Founded by: Guru Nanak Dev; later consolidated by 9 other Gurus.
• Core Beliefs: One God, equality, rejection of caste and rituals.
• Internal Divisions:
  • Sardars (high castes): Jat, Tarkhan, Kamboh.
  • Majhabis (lower castes): Mehra, Cimbma, Sansi.
  • Sects: Nihangs, Namdharis, Ramgarhias.
• Religious Data: 1.9% of the population.
• Major Distribution:
  • Punjab (60.75%), Chandigarh, Haryana, Delhi.

5. Buddhists (Buddhism)

• Founded by: Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha).
• Core Beliefs: Nonviolence, simple life, rejection of Vedic rituals.
• Sects:
  • Hinayana: Buddha as a teacher.
  • Mahayana: Buddha as a divine figure.
• Religious Data: 0.8% of the population.
• Major Distribution:
  • Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Maharashtra.

6. Jains (Jainism)

• Founded by: Vardhaman Mahavira.
• Core Beliefs: Right action, nonviolence, asceticism.
• Sects:
  • Svetambara: Clad in white.
  • Digambara: Sky-clad (nude ascetics).
• Religious Data: 0.4% of the population.
• Major Distribution:
  • Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, MP, Karnataka, Delhi.
• Mostly urban.

7. Parsis (Zoroastrians)

• Migrated from: Iran; settled in Gujarat and Maharashtra.
• Practices: Endogamy, fire worship, principle of purity.
• Demographic Note: Declining population due to strict inbreeding practices.

8. Jews

• Communities in India:
  • Bene-Israel: Based in Mumbai.
  • Cochin Jews: Based in Kerala.
  • Baghdadi Jews: Found in Kolkata and Mumbai.
• Sub-Divisions: Based on complexion and ancestry:
  • Gora (White), Kala (Black), Meshurarim (mixed lineage with concubines).

Religious Composition of India (Census 2001)