Religion in India

Religion in India is characterized by a diversity of religious beliefs and practices. The Indian subcontinent is the birthplace of some of the world's major religions; namely Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. Today, other religions like Islam and Christianity also have significant presence in India.

History

The history of religion in India is a complex and multifaceted topic. The earliest known religious beliefs in the Indian subcontinent were the Indus Valley Civilization's beliefs, which were followed by the historical Vedic religion. The Vedic religion eventually evolved into Hinduism, which is the most widely practiced religion in India today.

Major Religions

Hinduism

Hinduism is the largest religion in India, with around 79.8% of the population identifying as Hindus. Hinduism is a complex and diverse religion, with a wide range of beliefs and practices.

Islam

Islam is the second-largest religion in India, with around 14.2% of the population identifying as Muslims. Islam was introduced to India in the 7th century by Arab traders, and later spread across the subcontinent through various dynasties and empires.

Christianity

Christianity in India is a minority religion, with around 2.3% of the population identifying as Christians. Christianity was introduced to India by the apostle Thomas in the 1st century AD, and has since grown and diversified.

Sikhism

Sikhism is a monotheistic religion that originated in the Punjab region of India in the 15th century. Sikhs make up about 1.7% of India's population.

Buddhism and Jainism

Buddhism and Jainism are two other religions that originated in India. However, they have a relatively small following in India today, with Buddhists making up about 0.7% of the population and Jains making up about 0.4%.

Religious Freedom and Tolerance

India is a secular country as defined by its constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion to all its citizens. However, there have been instances of religious intolerance and violence, often fueled by socio-political factors.

See Also

• History of India
• Culture of India
• Indian Philosophy