Religion in the Punjab
Cultural aspect of the region of Punjab
Religion in the Punjab in ancient history was characterized by Hinduism and later conversions to Jainism , Buddhism , Islam , Sikhism and Christianity ; it also includes folk practices common to all Punjabis regardless of the religion they adhere to. Such practices incorporate local mysticism, including ancestral worship and worship of local saints of all faiths.[ 1]
Background
Rig Veda is the oldest Hindu text that originated in the Punjab region.
Hinduism is the oldest of the religions practised by Punjabi people , however, the term Hindu was applied over a vast territory with much regional diversity.[ 5] The historical Vedic religion constituted the religious ideas and practices in the Punjab during the Vedic period (1500–500 BCE), centered primarily in the worship of Indra .[ 6] [ 7] [ 8] [ note 1] The bulk of the Rigveda was composed in the Punjab region between circa 1500 and 1200 BC,[ 9] while later Vedic scriptures were composed more eastwards, between the Yamuna and Ganges rivers. An ancient Indian law book called the Manusmriti , developed by Brahmin Hindu priests, shaped Punjabi religious life from 200 BC onward.[ 10]
Later, the spread of Buddhisim and Jainism in the Indian subcontinent saw the growth of Buddhism and Jainism in the Punjab.[ 11] Islam was introduced via southern Punjab in the 8th century, becoming the majority by the 16th century, via local conversion.[ 12] [ 13] There was a small Jain community left in Punjab by the 16th century, while the Buddhist community had largely disappeared by the turn of the 10th century.[ 14] The region became predominantly Muslim due to missionary Sufi saints whose dargahs (shrines) dot the landscape of the Punjab region .[ 15]
The rise of Sikhism in the 1700s saw some Punjabis, both Hindu and Muslim, accepting the new Sikh faith.[ 10] [ 16] A number of Punjabis during the colonial period of India became Christians, with all of these religions characterizing the religious diversity now found in the Punjab region.[ 10]
History
Ancient period
The Persians were the first to use the term Hindu , referring to a vast territory containing much regional variety in belief and practice. Nevertheless, the common concept was the belief in cycles of reincarnation, or sansār , and was the oldest recorded religion in the region.[ 10] While law books like the Manusmriti codified socio-religious customs and were sanctified by the Hindu religion, such books more generally influenced the formation of broader traditional societal beliefs.[ 10]
Medieval period
Sikhism appeared in the 16th century, in reaction to both Punjabi and subcontinent-wide cultural practices of the time,[ 10] including asceticism, the caste system, and female subordination, as well as in congruence with it, sharing precepts with Hinduism, including karma , sansār , and liberation, and that with Islam, including a formless God, rejection of idolatry, and social equality.[ 10] It also developed its own distinct doctrines, including the belief that both intrinsic factors (egocentrism, to be ameliorated through devotion and prayer), and external forces (social and political oppression, to be addressed by community service and armed self-defense as needed, and balancing spiritual and temporal power in the world as opposed to renunciation), produced suffering.[ 10]
Modern period
During the colonial era, the practice of religious syncretism among Punjabi Muslims and Punjabi Hindus was noted and documented by officials in census reports:
"In other parts of the Province, too, traces of Hindu festivals are noticeable among the Muhammadans. In the western Punjab, Baisakhi , the new year's day of the Hindus, is celebrated as an agricultural festival, by all Muhammadans, by racing bullocks yoked to the well gear, with the beat of tom-toms, and large crowds gather to witness the show, The race is called Baisakhi and is a favourite pastime in the well-irrigated tracts. Then the processions of Tazias , in Muharram , with the accompaniment of tom-toms, fencing parties and bands playing on flutes and other musical instruments (which is disapproved by the orthodox Muhammadans) and the establishment of Sabils (shelters where water and sharbat are served out) are clearly influenced by similar practices at Hindu festivals, while the illuminations on occasions like the Chiraghan fair of Shalamar (Lahore) are no doubt practices answering to the holiday-making instinct of the converted Hindus." [ 17] : 174 "Besides actual conversion, Islam has had a considerable influence on the Hindu religion. The sects of reformers based on a revolt from the orthodoxy of Varnashrama Dharma were obviously the outcome of the knowledge that a different religion could produce equally pious and right thinking men. Laxity in social restrictions also appeared simultaneously in various degrees and certain customs were assimilated to those of the Muhammadans. On the other hand the miraculous powers of Muhammadan saints were enough to attract the saint worshiping Hindus, to allegiance, if not to a total change of faith... The Shamsis are believers in Shah Shamas Tabrez of Multan , and follow the Imam , for the time being, of the Ismailia sect of Shias ... they belong mostly to the Sunar caste and their connection with the sect is kept a secret, like Freemasonry. They pass as ordinary Hindus, but their devotion to the Imam is very strong." [ 17] : 130
Population exchange
A refugee special train at Ambala Station during the Partition of India
During Partition , both Indian and Pakistani Punjab witnessed a large-scale population exchange of minorities. Almost all Hindus and Sikhs , who numbered 3.9 million at the time of the 1941 census, left Pakistani Punjab for Indian Punjab , while Muslims , who numbered 5.2 million at the time of the 1941 census, left Indian Punjab for Pakistani Punjab . This resulted in the near-total alienation of minorities on both sides.[ 18]
The 1951 Census of India and Pakistan reported that Muslims comprised 0.5% of the population in East Punjab , numbering 110,000,[ 19] whereas Hindus and Sikhs combined comprised 0.16% of the population in West Punjab , numbering 33,000.[ 20] Virtually no Muslims survived in East Punjab (except in Malerkotla and Nuh ), and virtually no Hindus or Sikhs survived in West Punjab (except in Rahim Yar Khan and Bahawalpur ).[ 21]
Punjab region
Colonial era
1855 census
During the 1855 census, religious affiliation was only enumerated in the districts of the British Territories and excluded the princely states.[ 22] : 31 Only two religious categories existed, including one response for Dharmic faiths, referred to as "Hindoo"; the other category included one response for Abrahamic and other faiths, referred to as "Mahomedan and others non Hindoo".[ 22] : 31 Adherents of Sikhism were only enumerated in the districts of the Lahore Division , which found that the Sikh population stood at 55,709 persons in Lahore District, 71,364 persons in Amritsar District, 24,746 persons in Gurdaspur District, 9,578 persons Gujranwala District, and 19,775 persons in Sialkot District.[ 22] : 23
Religion in the Districts of British Punjab (1855 census)[ 22] : 31
District
Abrahamic religions & Others (Islam , Christianity , Zoroastrianism , Judaism , others)
Dharmic religions (Hinduism , Sikhism , Jainism , Buddhism , others)
Total
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Ambala District
219,570
28.08%
562,447
71.92%
782,017
100%
Thanesar District
125,121
25.19%
371,627
74.81%
496,748
100%
Ludhiana District
196,411
37.22%
331,311
62.78%
527,722
100%
Firozpur District
209,479
44.04%
266,145
55.96%
475,624
100%
Jalandhar District
318,229
44.9%
390,499
55.1%
708,728
100%
Hoshiarpur District
279,861
33.11%
565,493
66.89%
845,354
100%
Kangra District
50,709
7.05%
668,246
92.95%
718,955
100%
Lahore District
323,529
54.68%
268,154
45.32%
591,683
100%
Amritsar District
391,854
44.31%
492,575
55.69%
884,429
100%
Gurdaspur District
355,704
45.17%
431,713
54.83%
787,417
100%
Gujranwala District
366,975
66.31%
186,408
33.69%
553,383
100%
Sialkot District
350,982
54.69%
290,800
45.31%
641,782
100%
Rawalpindi District
480,488
86.77%
73,262
13.23%
553,750
100%
Jhelum District
365,945
85.22%
63,475
14.78%
429,420
100%
Gujrat District
420,229
81.18%
97,397
18.82%
517,626
100%
Shahpur District
216,361
82.68%
45,331
17.32%
261,692
100%
Multan District
328,786
79.92%
82,600
20.08%
411,386
100%
Jhang District
206,258
81.92%
45,511
18.08%
251,769
100%
Googaira District
234,611
76.17%
73,409
23.83%
308,020
100%
Layyah District
267,167
86.27%
42,529
13.73%
309,696
100%
Khangarh District
176,833
83.44%
35,087
16.56%
211,920
100%
Dera Ghazi Khan District
199,566
83.51%
39,398
16.49%
238,964
100%
Dera Ismail Khan District
323,071
89.24%
38,970
10.76%
362,041
100%
Peshawar District
403,534
89.65%
46,565
10.35%
450,099
100%
Hazara District
276,927
93.44%
19,437
6.56%
296,364
100%
Kohat District
95,602
94.44%
5,630
5.56%
101,232
100%
Total British Punjab [ b]
6,084,668
52.87%
5,423,417
47.13%
11,508,085
100%
Total British NWFP [ c]
1,099,134
90.86%
110,602
9.14%
1,209,736
100%
Total British Punjab Territory (1855 borders)
7,183,802
56.49%
5,534,019
43.51%
12,717,821
100%
1881 to 1941 censuses
Population trends for major religious groups in the Punjab Province of the British India (1881–1941)[ 23] [ 24] : 46
Religious group
Population % 1881[ d]
Population % 1891
Population % 1901[ d]
Population % 1911[ d]
Population % 1921
Population % 1931
Population % 1941
Islam
47.6%
47.8%
49.2%
50.8%
51.1%
52.4%
53.2%
Hinduism[ e]
43.8%
43.6%
41.8%
36.3%
35.1%
31.7%
30.1%
Sikhism
8.2%
8.2%
8.5%
11.9%
12.4%
14.3%
14.9%
Christianity
0.1%
0.2%
0.3%
0.8%
1.3%
1.5%
1.5%
Other religions / No religion
0.2%
0.2%
0.2%
0.2%
0.2%
0.2%
0.2%
Religious groups in Punjab Province (1881–1941)
Religious group
1881[ 25] [ 26] [ 27] [ d]
1901[ 28] : 34 [ d]
1911[ 29] : 27 [ 30] : 27 [ d]
1921[ 31] : 29
1931[ 32] : 277
1941[ 24] : 42
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Islam
9,872,745
47.58%
12,183,345
49.22%
12,275,477
50.75%
12,813,383
51.05%
14,929,896
52.4%
18,259,744
53.22%
Hinduism [ e]
9,095,175
43.84%
10,344,469
41.79%
8,773,621
36.27%
8,799,651
35.06%
9,018,509
31.65%
10,336,549
30.13%
Sikhism
1,706,165
8.22%
2,102,896
8.49%
2,883,729
11.92%
3,107,296
12.38%
4,071,624
14.29%
5,116,185
14.91%
Jainism
42,572
0.21%
49,983
0.2%
46,775
0.19%
41,321
0.16%
43,140
0.15%
45,475
0.13%
Christianity
28,054
0.14%
66,591
0.27%
199,751
0.83%
332,939
1.33%
419,353
1.47%
512,466
1.49%
Buddhism
3,251
0.02%
6,940
0.03%
7,690
0.03%
5,912
0.02%
7,753
0.03%
854
0.002%
Zoroastrianism
413
0.002%
477
0.002%
653
0.003%
526
0.002%
569
0.002%
4,359
0.01%
Judaism
—
—
24
0.0001%
54
0.0002%
19
0.0001%
13
0%
39
0.0001%
Others
57
0.0003%
12
0%
0
0%
13
0.0001%
0
0%
34,190
0.1%
Total population
20,748,432
100%
24,754,737
100%
24,187,750
100%
25,101,060
100%
28,490,857
100%
34,309,861
100%
Modern era
1951 Indian & Pakistani censuses
Religious groups in the Punjab Region (1951 Census of India & 1951 Census of Pakistan )[ 33] [ 34]
Religious group
Punjab Region
Punjab (Pakistan)
Punjab (India)
Haryana
Himachal Pradesh
Delhi
Total Population
Percentage
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Islam
20,600,541
52.34%
20,200,794
97.89%
77,540
0.85%
200,368
3.49%
22,338
1.07%
99,501
5.71%
Hinduism
12,470,526
31.69%
33,052
0.16%
3,865,429
42.27%
5,079,499
88.36%
2,024,692
97.24%
1,467,854
84.16%
Sikhism
5,696,033
14.47%
—
—
5,088,754
55.65%
439,346
7.64%
30,837
1.48%
137,096
7.86%
Christianity
520,477
1.32%
402,617
1.95%
91,599
1%
6,059
0.11%
1,517
0.07%
18,685
1.07%
Jainism
65,304
0.17%
—
—
20,815
0.23%
22,951
0.4%
1,364
0.07%
20,174
1.16%
Buddhism
2,174
0.01%
9
0%
268
0%
74
0%
1,320
0.06%
503
0.03%
Zoroastrianism
534
0.001%
195
0%
159
0%
3
0%
13
0%
164
0.01%
Others
939
0.002%
35
0%
152
0%
645
0.01%
12
0%
95
0.01%
Total population
39,356,528
100%
20,636,702
100%
9,144,716
100%
5,748,945
100%
2,082,093
100%
1,744,072
100%
2011/2017 Indian & Pakistani censuses
Religious groups in the Punjab Region (2011 Census of India & 2017 Census of Pakistan )[ 2] [ 3] [ 4] [ a]
Religious group
Punjab Region
Punjab (Pakistan) [ 2]
Punjab (India) [ 3]
Haryana [ 4]
Delhi [ 4]
Himachal Pradesh [ 4]
Islamabad [ 2]
Chandigarh [ 4]
Total Population
Percentage
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Islam
114,130,322
60.13%
107,541,602
97.77%
535,489
1.93%
1,781,342
7.03%
2,158,684
12.86%
149,881
2.18%
1,911,877
95.43%
51,447
4.87%
Hinduism
54,159,083
28.54%
211,641
0.19%
10,678,138
38.49%
22,171,128
87.46%
13,712,100
81.68%
6,532,765
95.17%
737
0.04%
852,574
80.78%
Sikhism
18,037,312
9.5%
—
—
16,004,754
57.69%
1,243,752
4.91%
570,581
3.4%
79,896
1.16%
—
—
138,329
13.11%
Christianity
2,715,952
1.43%
2,063,063
1.88%
348,230
1.26%
50,353
0.2%
146,093
0.87%
12,646
0.18%
86,847
4.34%
8,720
0.83%
Jainism
267,649
0.14%
—
—
45,040
0.16%
52,613
0.21%
166,231
0.99%
1,805
0.03%
—
—
1,960
0.19%
Ahmadiyya
160,759
0.08%
158,021
0.14%
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
2,738
0.14%
—
—
Buddhism
139,019
0.07%
—
—
33,237
0.12%
7,514
0.03%
18,449
0.11%
78,659
1.15%
—
—
1,160
0.11%
Others
185,720
0.1%
15,328
0.01%
98,450
0.35%
44,760
0.18%
15,803
0.09%
8,950
0.13%
1,169
0.06%
1,260
0.12%
Total population
189,795,816
100%
109,989,655
100%
27,743,338
100%
25,351,462
100%
16,787,941
100%
6,864,602
100%
2,003,368
100%
1,055,450
100%
West Punjab
Religion in West Punjab (1881–1947)
Religious group
1881[ 25] [ 26] [ 27] [ 35] [ f]
1901[ 28] : 34 [ 36] : 62 [ g]
1911[ 29] : 27 [ 30] : 27 [ h]
1921[ 31] : 29 [ i]
1931[ 32] : 277 [ j]
1941[ 24] : 42 [ k]
1947 estimates[ l]
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Islam
6,201,859
78.09%
7,951,155
76.25%
8,494,314
76.49%
8,975,288
75.49%
10,570,029
75.28%
13,022,160
75.06%
14,760,215
74.34%
Hinduism [ e]
1,449,913
18.26%
1,944,363
18.65%
1,645,758
14.82%
1,797,141
15.12%
1,957,878
13.94%
2,373,466
13.68%
2,663,488
13.41%
Sikhism
272,908
3.44%
483,999
4.64%
813,441
7.33%
863,091
7.26%
1,180,789
8.41%
1,530,112
8.82%
1,788,007
9.01%
Christianity
12,992
0.16%
42,371
0.41%
144,514
1.3%
247,030
2.08%
324,730
2.31%
395,311
2.28%
444,923
2.24%
Jainism
4,352
0.05%
5,562
0.05%
5,977
0.05%
5,930
0.05%
6,921
0.05%
9,520
0.05%
11,527
0.06%
Zoroastrianism
354
0.004%
300
0.003%
377
0.003%
309
0.003%
413
0.003%
312
0.002%
—
—
Buddhism
0
0%
6
0.0001%
168
0.002%
172
0.001%
32
0.0002%
87
0.001%
—
—
Judaism
—
—
9
0.0001%
36
0.0003%
16
0.0001%
6
0%
7
0%
—
—
Others
21
0.0003%
0
0%
0
0%
8
0.0001%
0
0%
19,128
0.11%
187,413[ m]
0.94%
Total Population
7,942,399
100%
10,427,765
100%
11,104,585
100%
11,888,985
100%
14,040,798
100%
17,350,103
100%
19,855,573
100%
Territory comprises the contemporary subdivisions of Punjab, Pakistan and Islamabad Capital Territory . 1881 to 1941 figures are official census data. 1947 figures (the year of partition and the accompanying mass population transfer) for West Punjab are estimates based on the annualized growth rates between the 1931 census[ 32] : 277 [ j] and 1941 census[ 24] : 42 [ k] for adherents of Islam (+2.11% p.a.), Hinduism (+1.94% p.a.), Sikhism (+2.63% p.a.), Christianity (+1.99% p.a.), Jainism (+3.24% p.a.), and others (+45.77% p.a.).
Annual Muslim Population Growth Rate in West Punjab Year 1881 6,201,859 — 1901 7,951,155 +1.25% 1911 8,494,314 +0.66% 1921 8,975,288 +0.55% 1931 10,570,029 +1.65% 1941 13,022,160 +2.11%
Annual Hindu Population Growth Rate in West Punjab Year 1881 1,449,913 — 1901 1,944,363 +1.48% 1911 1,645,758 −1.65% 1921 1,797,141 +0.88% 1931 1,957,878 +0.86% 1941 2,373,466 +1.94%
Annual Sikh Population Growth Rate in West Punjab Year 1881 272,908 — 1901 483,999 +2.91% 1911 813,441 +5.33% 1921 863,091 +0.59% 1931 1,180,789 +3.18% 1941 1,530,112 +2.63%
Annual Christian Population Growth Rate in West Punjab Year 1881 12,992 — 1901 42,371 +6.09% 1911 144,514 +13.05% 1921 247,030 +5.51% 1931 324,730 +2.77% 1941 395,311 +1.99%
Annual Jain Population Growth Rate in West Punjab Year 1881 4,352 — 1901 5,562 +1.23% 1911 5,977 +0.72% 1921 5,930 −0.08% 1931 6,921 +1.56% 1941 9,520 +3.24%
Annual Other Population Growth Rate in West Punjab Year 1881 375 — 1901 315 −0.87% 1911 581 +6.31% 1921 505 −1.39% 1931 451 −1.12% 1941 19,534 +45.77%
East Punjab
Religion in East Punjab (1881–1947)
Religious group
1881[ 25] [ 26] [ 27] [ 35] [ n] [ d]
1901[ 28] : 34 [ 36] : 62 [ o] [ d]
1911[ 29] : 27 [ 30] : 27 [ p] [ d]
1921[ 31] : 29 [ q]
1931[ 32] : 277 [ r]
1941[ 24] : 42 [ s]
1947 estimates[ t]
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Hinduism [ e]
7,645,262
59.7%
8,400,106
58.63%
7,127,863
54.48%
7,002,510
53%
7,060,631
48.86%
7,963,083
46.95%
8,558,976
45.79%
Islam
3,670,886
28.67%
4,232,190
29.54%
3,781,163
28.9%
3,838,095
29.05%
4,359,867
30.17%
5,237,584
30.88%
5,846,517
31.28%
Sikhism
1,433,257
11.19%
1,618,897
11.3%
2,070,288
15.82%
2,244,205
16.99%
2,890,835
20.01%
3,586,073
21.14%
4,081,450
21.84%
Jainism
38,220
0.3%
44,421
0.31%
40,798
0.31%
35,391
0.27%
36,219
0.25%
35,955
0.21%
35,804
0.19%
Christianity
15,062
0.12%
24,220
0.17%
55,237
0.42%
85,909
0.65%
94,623
0.65%
117,155
0.69%
133,182
0.71%
Buddhism
3,251
0.03%
6,934
0.05%
7,522
0.06%
5,740
0.04%
7,721
0.05%
767
0.005%
—
—
Zoroastrianism
59
0.0005%
177
0.001%
276
0.002%
217
0.002%
156
0.001%
4,047
0.02%
—
—
Judaism
—
—
15
0.0001%
18
0.0001%
3
0%
7
0%
32
0.0002%
—
—
Others
36
0.0003%
12
0.0001%
0
0%
5
0%
0
0%
15,062
0.09%
34,714[ m]
0.19%
Total Population
12,806,033
100%
14,326,972
100%
13,083,165
100%
13,212,075
100%
14,450,059
100%
16,959,758
100%
18,690,643
100%
Territory comprises the contemporary subdivisions of Punjab, India , Chandigarh , Haryana , and Himachal Pradesh . 1881 to 1941 figures are official census data. 1947 figures (the year of partition and the accompanying mass population transfer) for East Punjab are estimates based on the annualized growth rates between the 1931 census[ 32] : 277 [ r] and 1941 census[ 24] : 42 [ s] for adherents of Hinduism (+1.21% p.a.), Islam (+1.85% p.a.), Sikhism (+2.18% p.a.), Christianity (+2.16% p.a.), Jainism (-0.07% p.a.), and others (+9.71% p.a.).
Annual Hindu Population Growth Rate in East Punjab Year 1881 7,645,262 — 1901 8,400,106 +0.47% 1911 7,127,863 −1.63% 1921 7,002,510 −0.18% 1931 7,060,631 +0.08% 1941 7,963,083 +1.21%
Annual Muslim Population Growth Rate in East Punjab Year 1881 3,670,886 — 1901 4,232,190 +0.71% 1911 3,781,163 −1.12% 1921 3,838,095 +0.15% 1931 4,359,867 +1.28% 1941 5,237,584 +1.85%
Annual Sikh Population Growth Rate in East Punjab Year 1881 1,433,257 — 1901 1,618,897 +0.61% 1911 2,070,288 +2.49% 1921 2,244,205 +0.81% 1931 2,890,835 +2.56% 1941 3,586,073 +2.18%
Annual Jain Population Growth Rate in East Punjab Year 1881 38,220 — 1901 44,421 +0.75% 1911 40,798 −0.85% 1921 35,391 −1.41% 1931 36,219 +0.23% 1941 35,955 −0.07%
Annual Christian Population Growth Rate in East Punjab Year 1881 15,062 — 1901 24,220 +2.40% 1911 55,237 +8.59% 1921 85,909 +4.52% 1931 94,623 +0.97% 1941 117,155 +2.16%
Annual Other Population Growth Rate in East Punjab Year 1881 3,346 — 1901 7,138 +3.86% 1911 7,816 +0.91% 1921 5,965 −2.67% 1931 7,884 +2.83% 1941 19,908 +9.71%
Subregions
Following the creation of the North-West Frontier Province in 1901, the Punjab region (Punjab Province ) was divided into four natural geographical divisions by colonial officials on the decadal census data:[ 17] : 2 [ 24] : 4
Indo−Gangetic Plain West geographical division (including Hisar district , Loharu State , Rohtak district , Dujana State , Gurgaon district , Pataudi State , Delhi , Karnal district , Jalandhar district , Kapurthala State , Ludhiana district , Malerkotla State , Firozpur district , Faridkot State , Patiala State , Jind State , Nabha State , Lahore District , Amritsar district , Gujranwala District , and Sheikhupura District );
Himalayan geographical division (including Sirmoor State , Simla District , Simla Hill States , Bilaspur State , Kangra district , Mandi State , Suket State , and Chamba State );
Sub−Himalayan geographical division (including Ambala district , Kalsia State , Hoshiarpur district , Gurdaspur district , Sialkot District , Gujrat District , Jhelum District , Rawalpindi District , and Attock District );
North−West Dry Area geographical division (including Montgomery District , Shahpur District , Mianwali District , Lyallpur District , Jhang District , Multan District , Bahawalpur State , Muzaffargarh District , Dera Ghazi Khan District , and the Biloch Trans–Frontier Tract).
Throughout history, religious diversity has been noted across the Punjab region. During the colonial era, the various districts and princely states that made up each of the four geographical divisions were religiously eclectic, each containing significant populations of Punjabi Muslims , Punjabi Hindus , Punjabi Sikhs , Punjabi Christians , along with other ethnic and religious minorities.
However, between the censuses of 1941 and 1951, a sudden shift towards religious homogeneity occurred in all districts across Punjab owing to the new international border that cut through the province due to the partition of India in 1947 . This rapid demographic shift was primarily as a consequence of wide scale migration but also caused by large-scale religious cleansing riots which were witnessed across the region at the time. According to historical demographer Tim Dyson , in the eastern regions of Punjab that ultimately became Indian Punjab following independence, districts that were 66% Hindu in 1941 became 80% Hindu in 1951; those that were 20% Sikh became 50% Sikh in 1951. Conversely, in the western regions of Punjab that ultimately became Pakistani Punjab , all districts became almost exclusively Muslim by 1951.
Indo−Gangetic Plain West geographical division
Including Hisar district , Loharu State , Rohtak district , Dujana State , Gurgaon district , Pataudi State , Delhi , Karnal district , Jalandhar district , Kapurthala State , Ludhiana district , Malerkotla State , Firozpur district , Faridkot State , Patiala State , Jind State , Nabha State , Lahore District , Amritsar district , Gujranwala District , and Sheikhupura District .[ 24] : 48 [ 17] : 2
Religious groups in the Indo—Gangetic Plain West geographical division of Punjab Province (1881–1951)
Religious group
1881[ 25] [ 26] [ 27]
1901[ 28] : 34
1911[ 29] : 27 [ 30] : 27
1921[ 31] : 29
1931[ 32] : 277
1941[ 24] : 42
1951[ 33] [ 34]
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Hinduism [ e]
4,975,901
48.94%
5,825,964
48.64%
4,790,624
43.44%
4,735,960
41.37%
4,709,545
36.59%
5,314,610
34.43%
8,024,554
45.69%
Islam
3,751,891
36.9%
4,481,366
37.42%
4,144,971
37.59%
4,350,186
38%
5,112,215
39.72%
6,247,791
40.48%
3,998,326
22.76%
Sikhism
1,390,873
13.68%
1,605,457
13.4%
1,993,750
18.08%
2,186,429
19.1%
2,816,785
21.88%
3,576,659
23.17%
4,778,518
27.21%
Jainism
36,479
0.36%
41,877
0.35%
39,111
0.35%
33,515
0.29%
34,806
0.27%
34,744
0.23%
57,800
0.33%
Christianity
11,729
0.12%
22,103
0.18%
58,462
0.53%
140,104
1.22%
198,081
1.54%
247,028
1.6%
259,764
1.48%
Zoroastrianism
139
0%
299
0%
412
0%
318
0%
314
0%
235
0%
497
0%
Buddhism
1
0%
3
0%
132
0%
184
0%
23
0%
39
0%
835
0%
Judaism
—
—
19
0%
28
0%
14
0%
5
0%
30
0%
221
0%
Others
49
0%
12
0%
0
0%
6
0%
0
0%
14,844
0.1%
676
0%
Total population[ u]
10,167,062
100%
11,977,100
100%
11,027,490
100%
11,446,716
100%
12,871,774
100%
15,435,980
100%
17,564,265
100%
1901 census
Religion in the Districts & Princely States of the Indo−Gangetic Plain West geographical division (1901)[ 28] : 34
District /Princely State
Hinduism
Islam
Sikhism
Jainism
Christianity
Others[ m]
Total
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Hisar District
544,799
69.69%
202,009
25.84%
28,642
3.66%
6,003
0.77%
253
0.03%
11
0%
781,717
100%
Loharu State
13,254
87.03%
1,963
12.89%
0
0%
12
0.08%
0
0%
0
0%
15,229
100%
Rohtak District
533,723
84.63%
91,687
14.54%
94
0.01%
5,087
0.81%
80
0.01%
1
0%
630,672
100%
Dujana State
18,380
76.03%
5,790
23.95%
4
0.02%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
24,174
100%
Gurgaon District
499,373
66.92%
242,548
32.5%
99
0.01%
3,909
0.52%
278
0.04%
1
0%
746,208
100%
Pataudi State
18,281
83.35%
3,549
16.18%
0
0%
103
0.47%
0
0%
0
0%
21,933
100%
Delhi District
510,532
74.09%
167,290
24.28%
294
0.04%
7,726
1.12%
3,158
0.46%
39
0.01%
689,039
100%
Karnal District
623,597
70.6%
241,412
27.33%
12,294
1.39%
4,739
0.54%
1,179
0.13%
4
0%
883,225
100%
Jalandhar District
368,051
40.11%
421,011
45.88%
125,817
13.71%
969
0.11%
1,713
0.19%
26
0%
917,587
100%
Kapurthala State
93,652
29.79%
178,326
56.73%
42,101
13.39%
226
0.07%
39
0.01%
7
0%
314,351
100%
Ludhiana District
269,076
39.98%
235,937
35.05%
164,919
24.5%
2,217
0.33%
947
0.14%
1
0%
673,097
100%
Malerkotla State
38,409
49.56%
27,229
35.13%
10,495
13.54%
1,361
1.76%
12
0.02%
0
0%
77,506
100%
Firozpur District
279,099
29.13%
447,615
46.72%
228,355
23.83%
1,090
0.11%
1,908
0.2%
5
0%
958,072
100%
Faridkot State
35,778
28.64%
35,996
28.82%
52,721
42.21%
406
0.33%
11
0.01%
0
0%
124,912
100%
Patiala State
880,490
55.14%
357,334
22.38%
355,649
22.27%
2,877
0.18%
316
0.02%
26
0%
1,596,692
100%
Jind State
211,963
75.16%
38,717
13.73%
29,975
10.63%
1,258
0.45%
80
0.03%
10
0%
282,003
100%
Nabha State
160,553
53.89%
58,550
19.65%
78,361
26.3%
476
0.16%
7
0%
2
0%
297,949
100%
Lahore District
276,375
23.78%
717,519
61.74%
159,701
13.74%
1,047
0.09%
7,296
0.63%
171
0.01%
1,162,109
100%
Amritsar District
280,985
27.44%
474,976
46.39%
264,329
25.82%
1,439
0.14%
2,078
0.2%
21
0%
1,023,828
100%
Gujranwala District
169,594
22.41%
531,908
70.28%
51,607
6.82%
932
0.12%
2,748
0.36%
8
0%
756,797
100%
Total
5,825,964
48.64%
4,481,366
37.42%
1,605,457
13.4%
41,877
0.35%
22,103
0.18%
333
0.003%
11,977,100
100%
1911 census
Religion in the Districts & Princely States of the Indo−Gangetic Plain West geographical division (1911)[ 29] : 27 [ 30] : 27
District /Princely State
Hinduism
Islam
Sikhism
Christianity
Jainism
Others[ m]
Total
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Hisar District
541,720
67.3%
218,600
27.16%
38,508
4.78%
273
0.03%
5,767
0.72%
21
0%
804,889
100%
Loharu State
16,178
86.99%
2,401
12.91%
0
0%
0
0%
18
0.1%
0
0%
18,597
100%
Rohtak District
450,549
83.21%
86,076
15.9%
161
0.03%
334
0.06%
4,369
0.81%
0
0%
541,489
100%
Dujana State
20,161
79.11%
5,324
20.89%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
25,485
100%
Gurgaon District
421,885
65.59%
217,237
33.78%
342
0.05%
782
0.12%
2,921
0.45%
10
0%
643,177
100%
Pataudi State
16,114
82.45%
3,338
17.08%
0
0%
9
0.05%
82
0.42%
0
0%
19,543
100%
Delhi District
469,561
71.4%
171,745
26.12%
2,985
0.45%
5,693
0.87%
7,539
1.15%
81
0.01%
657,604
100%
Karnal District
556,203
69.54%
224,920
28.12%
13,531
1.69%
920
0.12%
4,213
0.53%
0
0%
799,787
100%
Jalandhar District
265,378
33.09%
357,051
44.52%
176,227
21.98%
2,404
0.3%
842
0.1%
18
0%
801,920
100%
Kapurthala State
61,426
22.91%
152,117
56.73%
54,275
20.24%
107
0.04%
205
0.08%
3
0%
268,133
100%
Ludhiana District
131,370
25.4%
176,043
34.04%
207,042
40.03%
888
0.17%
1,849
0.36%
0
0%
517,192
100%
Malerkotla State
22,902
32.19%
25,942
36.46%
21,018
29.54%
14
0.02%
1,268
1.78%
0
0%
71,144
100%
Firozpur District
273,832
28.53%
418,553
43.61%
262,511
27.35%
3,342
0.35%
1,401
0.15%
18
0%
959,657
100%
Faridkot State
37,377
28.69%
37,105
28.48%
55,397
42.52%
6
0%
409
0.31%
0
0%
130,294
100%
Patiala State
563,940
40.06%
307,384
21.84%
532,292
37.81%
739
0.05%
3,282
0.23%
22
0%
1,407,659
100%
Jind State
210,222
77.36%
37,520
13.81%
22,566
8.3%
187
0.07%
1,233
0.45%
0
0%
271,728
100%
Nabha State
126,414
50.79%
46,032
18.5%
76,198
30.62%
5
0%
238
0.1%
0
0%
248,887
100%
Lahore District
217,609
21%
626,271
60.44%
169,008
16.31%
21,781
2.1%
1,139
0.11%
350
0.03%
1,036,158
100%
Amritsar District
211,708
24.04%
408,882
46.43%
253,941
28.83%
4,763
0.54%
1,386
0.16%
48
0.01%
880,728
100%
Gujranwala District
176,075
19.07%
622,430
67.4%
107,748
11.67%
16,215
1.76%
950
0.1%
1
0%
923,419
100%
Total
4,790,624
43.44%
4,144,971
37.59%
1,993,750
18.08%
58,462
0.53%
39,111
0.35%
572
0.01%
11,027,490
100%
1921 census
Religion in the Districts & Princely States of the Indo−Gangetic Plain West geographical division (1921)[ 31] : 29
District /Princely State
Hinduism
Islam
Sikhism
Christianity
Jainism
Others[ m]
Total
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Hisar District
548,351
67.13%
215,943
26.44%
45,615
5.58%
1,024
0.13%
5,874
0.72%
3
0%
816,810
100%
Loharu State
17,978
87.18%
2,625
12.73%
0
0%
0
0%
18
0.09%
0
0%
20,621
100%
Rohtak District
629,592
81.52%
125,035
16.19%
602
0.08%
10,033
1.3%
7,010
0.91%
0
0%
772,272
100%
Dujana State
20,135
77.94%
5,698
22.06%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
25,833
100%
Gurgaon District
460,134
67.47%
216,860
31.8%
924
0.14%
1,316
0.19%
2,762
0.4%
7
0%
682,003
100%
Pataudi State
15,090
83.38%
2,898
16.01%
0
0%
0
0%
109
0.6%
0
0%
18,097
100%
Karnal District
573,224
69.17%
235,618
28.43%
12,280
1.48%
3,382
0.41%
4,222
0.51%
0
0%
828,726
100%
Jalandhar District
244,995
29.79%
366,586
44.57%
206,130
25.06%
4,088
0.5%
736
0.09%
9
0%
822,544
100%
Kapurthala State
58,412
20.55%
160,457
56.44%
64,074
22.54%
1,100
0.39%
228
0.08%
4
0%
284,275
100%
Ludhiana District
135,512
23.87%
192,961
33.99%
235,721
41.53%
1,613
0.28%
1,796
0.32%
19
0%
567,622
100%
Malerkotla State
29,459
36.68%
28,413
35.37%
21,828
27.18%
37
0.05%
585
0.73%
0
0%
80,322
100%
Firozpur District
306,350
27.89%
482,540
43.94%
302,761
27.57%
5,365
0.49%
1,211
0.11%
21
0%
1,098,248
100%
Faridkot State
38,610
25.63%
44,813
29.74%
66,658
44.24%
107
0.07%
473
0.31%
0
0%
150,661
100%
Patiala State
642,055
42.81%
330,341
22.03%
522,675
34.85%
1,395
0.09%
3,249
0.22%
24
0%
1,499,739
100%
Jind State
234,721
76.16%
43,251
14.03%
28,026
9.09%
637
0.21%
1,548
0.5%
0
0%
308,183
100%
Nabha State
133,870
50.84%
50,756
19.27%
78,389
29.77%
41
0.02%
278
0.11%
0
0%
263,334
100%
Lahore District
255,690
22.6%
647,640
57.25%
179,975
15.91%
46,454
4.11%
1,209
0.11%
368
0.03%
1,131,336
100%
Amritsar District
204,435
22%
423,724
45.59%
287,004
30.88%
12,773
1.37%
1,375
0.15%
63
0.01%
929,374
100%
Gujranwala District
101,566
16.29%
443,147
71.06%
50,802
8.15%
27,308
4.38%
754
0.12%
4
0%
623,581
100%
Sheikhupura District
85,781
16.4%
330,880
63.25%
82,965
15.86%
23,431
4.48%
78
0.01%
0
0%
523,135
100%
Total
4,735,960
41.37%
4,350,186
38%
2,186,429
19.1%
140,104
1.22%
33,515
0.29%
522
0.005%
11,446,716
100%
1931 census
Religion in the Districts & Princely States of the Indo−Gangetic Plain West geographical division (1931)[ 32] : 277
District /Princely State
Islam
Hinduism [ e]
Sikhism
Christianity
Jainism
Others[ m]
Total
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Hisar District
253,784
28.21%
583,429
64.86%
55,169
6.13%
1,107
0.12%
5,988
0.67%
2
0%
899,479
100%
Loharu State
3,119
13.36%
20,198
86.55%
2
0.01%
1
0%
18
0.08%
0
0%
23,338
100%
Rohtak District
137,880
17.11%
655,963
81.42%
596
0.07%
4,807
0.6%
6,375
0.79%
0
0%
805,621
100%
Dujana State
5,863
20.78%
22,347
79.2%
1
0%
5
0.02%
0
0%
0
0%
28,216
100%
Gurgaon District
242,357
32.74%
493,174
66.63%
500
0.07%
1,463
0.2%
2,665
0.36%
4
0%
740,163
100%
Pataudi State
3,168
16.79%
15,596
82.64%
1
0.01%
3
0.02%
105
0.56%
0
0%
18,873
100%
Karnal District
259,730
30.46%
570,297
66.89%
16,928
1.99%
1,469
0.17%
4,190
0.49%
0
0%
852,614
100%
Jalandhar District
419,556
44.46%
268,822
28.49%
249,571
26.45%
4,323
0.46%
1,379
0.15%
70
0.01%
943,721
100%
Kapurthala State
179,251
56.59%
64,319
20.31%
72,177
22.79%
983
0.31%
27
0.01%
0
0%
316,757
100%
Ludhiana District
235,598
35.03%
120,161
17.87%
312,829
46.52%
2,477
0.37%
1,419
0.21%
10
0%
672,494
100%
Malerkotla State
31,417
37.82%
21,252
25.58%
28,982
34.89%
135
0.16%
1,286
1.55%
0
0%
83,072
100%
Firozpur District
515,430
44.56%
244,688
21.15%
388,108
33.55%
7,070
0.61%
1,411
0.12%
25
0%
1,156,732
100%
Faridkot State
49,912
30.37%
20,855
12.69%
92,880
56.51%
167
0.1%
550
0.33%
0
0%
164,364
100%
Patiala State
363,920
22.39%
623,597
38.36%
632,972
38.94%
1,449
0.09%
3,578
0.22%
4
0%
1,625,520
100%
Jind State
46,002
14.17%
243,561
75.02%
33,290
10.25%
210
0.06%
1,613
0.5%
0
0%
324,676
100%
Nabha State
57,393
19.96%
132,354
46.02%
97,452
33.89%
66
0.02%
309
0.11%
0
0%
287,574
100%
Lahore District
815,820
59.18%
259,725
18.84%
244,304
17.72%
57,097
4.14%
1,450
0.11%
174
0.01%
1,378,570
100%
Amritsar District
524,676
46.97%
174,556
15.63%
399,951
35.8%
16,619
1.49%
1,272
0.11%
46
0%
1,117,120
100%
Gujranwala District
521,343
70.82%
92,764
12.6%
71,595
9.73%
49,364
6.71%
1,071
0.15%
1
0%
736,138
100%
Sheikhupura District
445,996
64.01%
81,887
11.75%
119,477
17.15%
49,266
7.07%
100
0.01%
6
0%
696,732
100%
Total
5,112,215
39.72%
4,709,545
36.59%
2,816,785
21.88%
198,081
1.54%
34,806
0.27%
342
0.003%
12,871,774
100%
1941 census
Religion in the Districts & Princely States of the Indo−Gangetic Plain West geographical division (1941)[ 24] : 42
District /Princely State
Islam
Hinduism [ e]
Sikhism
Christianity
Jainism
Others[ m]
Total
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Hisar District
285,208
28.33%
652,842
64.85%
60,731
6.03%
1,292
0.13%
6,126
0.61%
510
0.05%
1,006,709
100%
Loharu State
3,960
14.2%
23,923
85.77%
7
0.03%
2
0.01%
0
0%
0
0%
27,892
100%
Rohtak District
166,569
17.42%
780,474
81.61%
1,466
0.15%
1,043
0.11%
6,847
0.72%
0
0%
956,399
100%
Dujana State
6,939
22.63%
23,727
77.37%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
30,666
100%
Gurgaon District
285,992
33.59%
560,537
65.83%
637
0.07%
1,673
0.2%
2,613
0.31%
6
0%
851,458
100%
Pataudi State
3,655
16.98%
17,728
82.38%
0
0%
9
0.04%
128
0.59%
0
0%
21,520
100%
Karnal District
304,346
30.6%
666,301
66.99%
19,887
2%
1,249
0.13%
2,789
0.28%
3
0%
994,575
100%
Jalandhar District
509,804
45.23%
311,010
27.59%
298,741
26.5%
6,233
0.55%
1,395
0.12%
7
0%
1,127,190
100%
Kapurthala State
213,754
56.49%
61,546
16.27%
88,350
23.35%
1,667
0.44%
380
0.1%
12,683
3.35%
378,380
100%
Ludhiana District
302,482
36.95%
171,715
20.98%
341,175
41.68%
1,913
0.23%
1,279
0.16%
51
0.01%
818,615
100%
Malerkotla State
33,881
38.45%
23,482
26.65%
30,320
34.41%
116
0.13%
310
0.35%
0
0%
88,109
100%
Firozpur District
641,448
45.07%
287,733
20.22%
479,486
33.69%
12,607
0.89%
1,674
0.12%
128
0.01%
1,423,076
100%
Faridkot State
61,352
30.79%
21,814
10.95%
115,070
57.74%
247
0.12%
800
0.4%
0
0%
199,283
100%
Patiala State
436,539
22.55%
597,488
30.86%
896,021
46.28%
1,592
0.08%
3,101
0.16%
1,518
0.08%
1,936,259
100%
Jind State
50,972
14.09%
268,355
74.17%
40,981
11.33%
161
0.04%
1,294
0.36%
49
0.01%
361,812
100%
Nabha State
70,373
20.45%
146,518
42.59%
122,451
35.59%
221
0.06%
480
0.14%
1
0%
344,044
100%
Lahore District
1,027,772
60.62%
284,689
16.79%
310,646
18.32%
70,147
4.14%
1,951
0.12%
170
0.01%
1,695,375
100%
Amritsar District
657,695
46.52%
217,431
15.38%
510,845
36.13%
25,973
1.84%
1,911
0.14%
21
0%
1,413,876
100%
Gujranwala District
642,706
70.45%
108,115
11.85%
99,139
10.87%
60,829
6.67%
1,445
0.16%
0
0%
912,234
100%
Sheikhupura District
542,344
63.62%
89,182
10.46%
160,706
18.85%
60,054
7.04%
221
0.03%
1
0%
852,508
100%
Total
6,247,791
40.48%
5,314,610
34.43%
3,576,659
23.17%
247,028
1.6%
34,744
0.23%
15,148
0.1%
15,435,980
100%
Himalayan geographical division
Including Sirmoor State , Simla District , Simla Hill States , Bilaspur State , Kangra district , Mandi State , Suket State , and Chamba State .[ 24] : 48 [ 17] : 2
Religious groups in the Himalayan geographical division of Punjab Province (1881–1951)
Religious group
1881[ 25] [ 26] [ 27]
1901[ 28] : 34
1911[ 29] : 27 [ 30] : 27
1921[ 31] : 29
1931[ 32] : 277
1941[ 24] : 42
1951[ 33] [ 34]
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Hinduism [ e]
1,458,481
94.74%
1,598,853
94.6%
1,630,084
94.53%
1,642,176
94.5%
1,729,008
94.42%
1,929,634
94.76%
2,024,692
97.24%
Islam
70,642
4.59%
76,480
4.53%
74,205
4.3%
77,425
4.46%
82,711
4.52%
87,485
4.3%
22,338
1.07%
Christianity
3,840
0.25%
3,415
0.2%
4,400
0.26%
4,471
0.26%
2,586
0.14%
2,129
0.1%
1,517
0.07%
Buddhism
3,250
0.21%
6,931
0.41%
7,518
0.44%
5,718
0.33%
7,705
0.42%
614
0.03%
1,320
0.06%
Sikhism
2,680
0.17%
3,897
0.23%
7,894
0.46%
7,610
0.44%
8,948
0.49%
12,245
0.6%
30,837
1.48%
Jainism
536
0.03%
483
0.03%
358
0.02%
356
0.02%
291
0.02%
425
0.02%
1,364
0.07%
Zoroastrianism
4
0%
7
0%
18
0%
40
0%
3
0%
3,895
0.19%
13
0%
Judaism
—
—
0
0%
3
0%
1
0%
1
0%
0
0%
12
0%
Others
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
4
0%
0
0%
1
0%
0
0%
Total population[ u]
1,539,433
100%
1,690,066
100%
1,724,480
100%
1,737,801
100%
1,831,253
100%
2,036,428
100%
2,082,093
100%
1901 census
Religion in the Districts & Princely States of the Himalayan geographical division (1901)[ 28] : 34
District /Princely State
Hinduism
Islam
Sikhism
Christianity
Jainism
Others[ m]
Total
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Nahan State
128,478
94.69%
6,414
4.73%
688
0.51%
46
0.03%
61
0.04%
0
0%
135,687
100%
Simla District
30,299
75.09%
6,675
16.54%
544
1.35%
2,798
6.93%
32
0.08%
3
0.01%
40,351
100%
Simla Hill States
373,886
96.03%
11,535
2.96%
1,318
0.34%
113
0.03%
274
0.07%
2,223
0.57%
389,349
100%
Kangra District
722,554
94.07%
39,672
5.16%
1,220
0.16%
385
0.05%
113
0.01%
4,180
0.54%
768,124
100%
Mandi State
170,304
97.85%
3,187
1.83%
41
0.02%
3
0%
0
0%
510
0.29%
174,045
100%
Suket State
54,005
98.77%
665
1.22%
6
0.01%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
54,676
100%
Chamba State
119,327
93.35%
8,332
6.52%
80
0.06%
70
0.05%
3
0%
22
0.02%
127,834
100%
Total
1,598,853
94.6%
76,480
4.53%
3,897
0.23%
3,415
0.2%
483
0.03%
6,938
0.41%
1,690,066
100%
1911 census
Religion in the Districts & Princely States of the Himalayan geographical division (1911)[ 29] : 27 [ 30] : 27
District /Princely State
Hinduism
Islam
Sikhism
Christianity
Jainism
Others[ m]
Total
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Nahan State
130,276
94.05%
6,016
4.34%
2,142
1.55%
37
0.03%
49
0.04%
0
0%
138,520
100%
Simla District
29,047
73.87%
5,820
14.8%
693
1.76%
3,666
9.32%
49
0.12%
45
0.11%
39,320
100%
Simla Hill States
386,953
95.7%
11,374
2.81%
2,911
0.72%
224
0.06%
172
0.04%
2,709
0.67%
404,343
100%
Kangra District
725,156
94.13%
38,859
5.04%
1,910
0.25%
386
0.05%
81
0.01%
3,994
0.52%
770,386
100%
Mandi State
178,115
98.35%
2,799
1.55%
26
0.01%
4
0%
2
0%
164
0.09%
181,110
100%
Suket State
54,268
98.8%
587
1.07%
71
0.13%
2
0%
0
0%
0
0%
54,928
100%
Chamba State
126,269
92.93%
8,750
6.44%
141
0.1%
81
0.06%
5
0%
627
0.46%
135,873
100%
Total
1,630,084
94.53%
74,205
4.3%
7,894
0.46%
4,400
0.26%
358
0.02%
7,539
0.44%
1,724,480
100%
1921 census
Religion in the Districts & Princely States of the Himalayan geographical division (1921)[ 31] : 29
District /Princely State
Hinduism
Islam
Sikhism
Christianity
Jainism
Others[ m]
Total
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Nahan State
132,431
94.29%
6,449
4.59%
1,449
1.03%
44
0.03%
65
0.05%
10
0.01%
140,448
100%
Simla District
33,228
73.31%
6,953
15.34%
1,173
2.59%
3,823
8.43%
90
0.2%
60
0.13%
45,327
100%
Simla Hill States
292,768
95.45%
9,551
3.11%
2,040
0.67%
164
0.05%
142
0.05%
2,053
0.67%
306,718
100%
Bilaspur State
96,000
97.96%
1,559
1.59%
437
0.45%
4
0%
0
0%
0
0%
98,000
100%
Kangra District
722,277
94.28%
38,263
4.99%
2,083
0.27%
363
0.05%
56
0.01%
3,023
0.39%
766,065
100%
Mandi State
181,358
98.01%
3,462
1.87%
142
0.08%
10
0.01%
0
0%
76
0.04%
185,048
100%
Suket State
53,625
98.71%
659
1.21%
44
0.08%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
54,328
100%
Chamba State
130,489
91.98%
10,529
7.42%
242
0.17%
63
0.04%
3
0%
541
0.38%
141,867
100%
Total
1,642,176
94.5%
77,425
4.46%
7,610
0.44%
4,471
0.26%
356
0.02%
5,763
0.33%
1,737,801
100%
1931 census
Religion in the Districts & Princely States of the Himalayan geographical division (1931)[ 32] : 277
District /Princely State
Hinduism [ e]
Islam
Sikhism
Christianity
Jainism
Others[ m]
Total
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Sirmoor State
139,031
93.58%
7,020
4.73%
2,413
1.62%
52
0.04%
52
0.04%
0
0%
148,568
100%
Simla District
28,661
77.91%
5,810
15.79%
760
2.07%
1,540
4.19%
1
0%
14
0.04%
36,786
100%
Simla Hill States
317,390
95.93%
10,017
3.03%
1,817
0.55%
176
0.05%
141
0.04%
1,309
0.4%
330,850
100%
Bilaspur State
99,023
98.05%
1,458
1.44%
507
0.5%
6
0.01%
0
0%
0
0%
100,994
100%
Kangra District
752,098
93.86%
40,483
5.05%
2,396
0.3%
576
0.07%
94
0.01%
5,665
0.71%
801,312
100%
Mandi State
199,935
96.37%
6,351
3.06%
899
0.43%
141
0.07%
0
0%
139
0.07%
207,465
100%
Suket State
57,616
98.64%
733
1.25%
44
0.08%
1
0%
0
0%
14
0.02%
58,408
100%
Chamba State
135,254
92.09%
10,839
7.38%
112
0.08%
94
0.06%
3
0%
568
0.39%
146,870
100%
Total
1,729,008
94.42%
82,711
4.52%
8,948
0.49%
2,586
0.14%
291
0.02%
7,709
0.42%
1,831,253
100%
1941 census
Religion in the Districts & Princely States of the Himalayan geographical division (1941)[ 24] : 42
District /Princely State
Hinduism [ e]
Islam
Sikhism
Christianity
Jainism
Others[ m]
Total
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Sirmoor State
146,199
93.7%
7,374
4.73%
2,334
1.5%
38
0.02%
81
0.05%
0
0%
156,026
100%
Simla District
29,466
76.38%
7,022
18.2%
1,032
2.68%
934
2.42%
114
0.3%
8
0.02%
38,576
100%
Simla Hill States
345,716
96.16%
10,812
3.01%
2,693
0.75%
161
0.04%
126
0.04%
12
0%
359,520
100%
Bilaspur State
108,375
98.22%
1,498
1.36%
453
0.41%
7
0.01%
3
0%
0
0%
110,336
100%
Kangra District
846,531
94.12%
43,249
4.81%
4,809
0.53%
788
0.09%
101
0.01%
3,899
0.43%
899,377
100%
Mandi State
227,463
97.79%
4,328
1.86%
583
0.25%
11
0%
0
0%
208
0.09%
232,593
100%
Suket State
69,974
98.43%
884
1.24%
234
0.33%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
71,092
100%
Chamba State
155,910
92.3%
12,318
7.29%
107
0.06%
190
0.11%
0
0%
383
0.23%
168,908
100%
Total
1,929,634
94.76%
87,485
4.3%
12,245
0.6%
2,129
0.1%
425
0.02%
4,510
0.22%
2,036,428
100%
Sub−Himalayan geographical division
Including Ambala district , Kalsia State , Hoshiarpur district , Gurdaspur district , Sialkot District , Gujrat District , Jhelum District , Rawalpindi District , and Attock District .[ 24] : 48 [ 17] : 2
Religious groups in the Sub—Himalayan geographical division of Punjab Province (1881–1951)
Religious group
1881[ 25] [ 26] [ 27]
1901[ 28] : 34
1911[ 29] : 27 [ 30] : 27
1921[ 31] : 29
1931[ 32] : 277
1941[ 24] : 42
1951[ 33] [ 34]
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Islam
3,511,174
58.8%
3,741,759
60.62%
3,551,989
61.19%
3,587,246
61.44%
4,009,166
61.99%
4,751,911
62.32%
4,846,714
61.77%
Hinduism [ e]
2,159,634
36.17%
2,042,505
33.09%
1,588,097
27.36%
1,556,703
26.66%
1,565,034
24.2%
1,799,915
23.6%
1,968,976
25.09%
Sikhism
284,592
4.77%
350,587
5.68%
565,596
9.74%
570,759
9.78%
753,168
11.65%
906,802
11.89%
884,063
11.27%
Christianity
10,363
0.17%
29,930
0.48%
92,524
1.59%
117,172
2.01%
132,500
2.05%
155,386
2.04%
141,602
1.8%
Jainism
5,231
0.09%
7,278
0.12%
6,695
0.12%
6,866
0.12%
7,299
0.11%
9,172
0.12%
5,483
0.07%
Zoroastrianism
200
0%
117
0%
152
0%
111
0%
76
0%
141
0%
7
0%
Buddhism
0
0%
6
0%
11
0%
8
0%
22
0%
171
0%
19
0%
Judaism
—
—
5
0%
17
0%
1
0%
7
0%
6
0%
16
0%
Others
1
0%
0
0%
0
0%
3
0%
0
0%
1,681
0.02%
14
0%
Total population[ u]
5,971,195
100%
6,172,187
100%
5,805,081
100%
5,838,869
100%
6,467,272
100%
7,625,185
100%
7,846,894
100%
1901 census
Religion in the Districts & Princely States of the Sub−Himalayan geographical division (1901)[ 28] : 34
District /Princely State
Islam
Hinduism
Sikhism
Christianity
Jainism
Others[ m]
Total
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Ambala District
240,710
29.5%
510,105
62.52%
58,073
7.12%
4,362
0.53%
2,614
0.32%
16
0%
815,880
100%
Kalsia State
21,921
32.63%
38,626
57.5%
6,453
9.61%
0
0%
181
0.27%
0
0%
67,181
100%
Hoshiarpur District
312,958
31.62%
603,710
60.99%
71,126
7.19%
813
0.08%
1,173
0.12%
2
0%
989,782
100%
Gurdaspur District
463,371
49.28%
380,636
40.48%
91,756
9.76%
4,471
0.48%
72
0.01%
28
0%
940,334
100%
Sialkot District
716,953
66.15%
302,012
27.86%
50,982
4.7%
11,939
1.1%
2,008
0.19%
15
0%
1,083,909
100%
Gujrat District
655,838
87.38%
69,346
9.24%
24,893
3.32%
460
0.06%
11
0%
0
0%
750,548
100%
Jhelum District
526,725
88.67%
51,801
8.72%
15,070
2.54%
271
0.05%
151
0.03%
0
0%
594,018
100%
Rawalpindi District
803,283
86.32%
86,269
9.27%
32,234
3.46%
7,614
0.82%
1,068
0.11%
67
0.01%
930,535
100%
Total
3,741,759
60.62%
2,042,505
33.09%
350,587
5.68%
29,930
0.48%
7,278
0.12%
128
0.002%
6,172,187
100%
1911 census
Religion in the Districts & Princely States of the Sub−Himalayan geographical division (1911)[ 29] : 27 [ 30] : 27
District /Princely State
Islam
Hinduism
Sikhism
Christianity
Jainism
Others[ m]
Total
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Ambala District
205,203
29.74%
380,592
55.16%
94,471
13.69%
7,483
1.08%
2,187
0.32%
34
0%
689,970
100%
Kalsia State
18,820
33.66%
30,640
54.8%
6,258
11.19%
31
0.06%
160
0.29%
0
0%
55,909
100%
Hoshiarpur District
281,805
30.68%
498,642
54.28%
134,146
14.6%
2,978
0.32%
998
0.11%
0
0%
918,569
100%
Gurdaspur District
408,216
48.78%
284,017
33.94%
121,078
14.47%
23,365
2.79%
73
0.01%
22
0%
836,771
100%
Sialkot District
604,801
61.74%
242,325
24.74%
81,761
8.35%
48,620
4.96%
2,029
0.21%
17
0%
979,553
100%
Gujrat District
650,893
87.29%
49,430
6.63%
44,693
5.99%
570
0.08%
48
0.01%
0
0%
745,634
100%
Jhelum District
452,260
88.41%
34,261
6.7%
24,436
4.78%
450
0.09%
163
0.03%
5
0%
511,575
100%
Rawalpindi District
458,101
83.62%
48,449
8.84%
31,839
5.81%
8,320
1.52%
1,028
0.19%
90
0.02%
547,827
100%
Attock District
471,890
90.88%
19,741
3.8%
26,914
5.18%
707
0.14%
9
0%
12
0%
519,273
100%
Total
3,551,989
61.19%
1,588,097
27.36%
565,596
9.74%
92,524
1.59%
6,695
0.12%
180
0.003%
5,805,081
100%
1921 census
Religion in the Districts & Princely States of the Sub−Himalayan geographical division (1921)[ 31] : 29
District /Princely State
Islam
Hinduism
Sikhism
Christianity
Jainism
Others[ m]
Total
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Ambala District
205,750
30.19%
370,125
54.31%
97,614
14.32%
5,679
0.83%
2,272
0.33%
37
0.01%
681,477
100%
Kalsia State
20,394
35.55%
28,769
50.15%
8,014
13.97%
4
0.01%
190
0.33%
0
0%
57,371
100%
Hoshiarpur District
289,298
31.19%
500,339
53.95%
132,958
14.34%
3,745
0.4%
1,079
0.12%
0
0%
927,419
100%
Gurdaspur District
422,877
49.62%
258,823
30.37%
137,625
16.15%
32,832
3.85%
20
0%
15
0%
852,192
100%
Sialkot District
580,532
61.9%
217,912
23.24%
74,939
7.99%
62,266
6.64%
2,147
0.23%
27
0%
937,823
100%
Gujrat District
709,684
86.12%
62,529
7.59%
49,456
6%
2,373
0.29%
4
0%
0
0%
824,046
100%
Jhelum District
422,979
88.66%
34,837
7.3%
18,626
3.9%
430
0.09%
195
0.04%
1
0%
477,068
100%
Rawalpindi District
470,038
82.58%
57,185
10.05%
31,718
5.57%
9,286
1.63%
954
0.17%
43
0.01%
569,224
100%
Attock District
465,694
90.91%
26,184
5.11%
19,809
3.87%
557
0.11%
5
0%
0
0%
512,249
100%
Total
3,587,246
61.44%
1,556,703
26.66%
570,759
9.78%
117,172
2.01%
6,866
0.12%
123
0.002%
5,838,869
100%
1931 census
Religion in the Districts & Princely States of the Sub−Himalayan geographical division (1931)[ 32] : 277
District /Princely State
Islam
Hinduism [ e]
Sikhism
Christianity
Jainism
Others[ m]
Total
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Ambala District
230,837
31.07%
346,809
46.68%
155,555
20.94%
7,141
0.96%
2,550
0.34%
10
0%
742,902
100%
Kalsia State
21,797
36.42%
28,832
48.18%
9,035
15.1%
22
0.04%
162
0.27%
0
0%
59,848
100%
Hoshiarpur District
328,078
31.78%
526,182
50.98%
173,147
16.77%
3,764
0.36%
1,016
0.1%
0
0%
1,032,187
100%
Gurdaspur District
493,216
50.8%
255,949
26.36%
178,471
18.38%
43,243
4.45%
15
0%
4
0%
970,898
100%
Sialkot District
609,633
62.23%
206,421
21.07%
94,955
9.69%
66,365
6.77%
2,236
0.23%
7
0%
979,617
100%
Gujrat District
786,750
85.29%
73,356
7.95%
59,188
6.42%
3,097
0.34%
32
0%
4
0%
922,427
100%
Jhelum District
482,097
89.1%
36,068
6.67%
22,030
4.07%
672
0.12%
209
0.04%
0
0%
541,076
100%
Rawalpindi District
524,965
82.76%
59,485
9.38%
41,265
6.51%
7,486
1.18%
1,077
0.17%
79
0.01%
634,357
100%
Attock District
531,793
91.07%
31,932
5.47%
19,522
3.34%
710
0.12%
2
0%
1
0%
583,960
100%
Total
4,009,166
61.99%
1,565,034
24.2%
753,168
11.65%
132,500
2.05%
7,299
0.11%
105
0.002%
6,467,272
100%
1941 census
Religion in the Districts & Princely States of the Sub−Himalayan geographical division (1941)[ 24] : 42
District /Princely State
Islam
Hinduism [ e]
Sikhism
Christianity
Jainism
Others[ m]
Total
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Ambala District
268,999
31.73%
412,658
48.68%
156,543
18.47%
6,065
0.72%
3,065
0.36%
415
0.05%
847,745
100%
Kalsia State
25,049
37.17%
29,866
44.32%
12,235
18.15%
55
0.08%
188
0.28%
0
0%
67,393
100%
Hoshiarpur District
380,759
32.53%
584,080
49.91%
198,194
16.93%
6,165
0.53%
1,125
0.1%
0
0%
1,170,323
100%
Gurdaspur District
589,923
51.14%
290,774
25.21%
221,261
19.18%
51,522
4.47%
25
0%
6
0%
1,153,511
100%
Sialkot District
739,218
62.09%
231,319
19.43%
139,409
11.71%
75,831
6.37%
3,250
0.27%
1,470
0.12%
1,190,497
100%
Gujrat District
945,609
85.58%
84,643
7.66%
70,233
6.36%
4,449
0.4%
10
0%
8
0%
1,104,952
100%
Jhelum District
563,033
89.42%
40,888
6.49%
24,680
3.92%
893
0.14%
159
0.03%
5
0%
629,658
100%
Rawalpindi District
628,193
80%
82,478
10.5%
64,127
8.17%
9,014
1.15%
1,337
0.17%
82
0.01%
785,231
100%
Attock District
611,128
90.42%
43,209
6.39%
20,120
2.98%
1,392
0.21%
13
0%
13
0%
675,875
100%
Total
4,751,911
62.32%
1,799,915
23.6%
906,802
11.89%
155,386
2.04%
9,172
0.12%
1,999
0.03%
7,625,185
100%
North−West Dry Area geographical division
Including Montgomery District , Shahpur District , Mianwali District , Lyallpur District , Jhang District , Multan District , Bahawalpur State , Muzaffargarh District , Dera Ghazi Khan District , and the Biloch Trans–Frontier Tract.[ 24] : 48 [ 17] : 2
Religious groups in the North—West Dry Area geographical division of Punjab Province (1881–1951)
Religious group
1881[ 25] [ 26] [ 27]
1901[ 28] : 34
1911[ 29] : 27 [ 30] : 27
1921[ 31] : 29
1931[ 32] : 277
1941[ 24] : 42
1951[ 33] [ 34]
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Islam
2,539,038
82.68%
3,883,740
79.01%
4,504,312
80%
4,798,526
78.95%
5,725,804
78.22%
7,172,557
77.86%
11,731,713
98.89%
Hinduism [ e]
501,159
16.32%
877,147
17.84%
764,816
13.58%
864,812
14.23%
1,014,922
13.86%
1,292,390
14.03%
13,957
0.12%
Sikhism
28,020
0.91%
142,955
2.91%
316,489
5.62%
342,498
5.64%
492,723
6.73%
620,479
6.74%
—
—
Christianity
2,122
0.07%
11,143
0.23%
44,365
0.79%
71,192
1.17%
86,186
1.18%
107,923
1.17%
117,589
0.99%
Jainism
326
0.01%
345
0.01%
611
0.01%
584
0.01%
744
0.01%
1,134
0.01%
—
—
Zoroastrianism
70
0%
54
0%
71
0%
57
0%
176
0%
88
0%
17
0%
Buddhism
0
0%
0
0%
29
0%
2
0%
3
0%
30
0%
0
0%
Judaism
—
—
0
0%
6
0%
3
0%
0
0%
3
0%
—
—
Others
7
0%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
17,664
0.19%
0
0%
Total population[ u]
3,070,742
100%
4,915,384
100%
5,630,699
100%
6,077,674
100%
7,320,558
100%
9,212,268
100%
11,863,276
100%
1901 census
Religion in the Districts & Princely States of the North−West Dry Area geographical division (1901)[ 28] : 34
District /Princely State
Islam
Hinduism
Sikhism
Christianity
Jainism
Others[ m]
Total
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Montgomery District
334,474
72.15%
109,945
23.72%
19,092
4.12%
66
0.01%
8
0%
1
0%
463,586
100%
Shahpur District
442,921
84.49%
68,489
13.06%
12,756
2.43%
91
0.02%
2
0%
0
0%
524,259
100%
Mianwali District
371,674
87.54%
50,202
11.82%
2,633
0.62%
44
0.01%
35
0.01%
0
0%
424,588
100%
Lyallpur District
484,657
61.2%
210,459
26.58%
88,049
11.12%
8,672
1.1%
23
0%
1
0%
791,861
100%
Jhang District
295,481
78.03%
79,650
21.03%
3,526
0.93%
38
0.01%
0
0%
0
0%
378,695
100%
Multan District
570,254
80.25%
133,560
18.79%
4,662
0.66%
1,964
0.28%
134
0.02%
52
0.01%
710,626
100%
Muzaffargarh District
350,177
86.32%
52,221
12.87%
3,225
0.8%
33
0.01%
0
0%
0
0%
405,656
100%
Dera Ghazi Khan District
412,012
87.45%
57,815
12.27%
1,027
0.22%
152
0.03%
143
0.03%
0
0%
471,149
100%
Bahawalpur State
598,139
82.97%
114,670
15.91%
7,985
1.11%
83
0.01%
0
0%
0
0%
720,877
100%
Biloch Trans–Frontier Tract
23,951
99.44%
136
0.56%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
24,087
100%
Total
3,883,740
79.01%
877,147
17.84%
142,955
2.91%
11,143
0.23%
345
0.01%
54
0.001%
4,915,384
100%
1911 census
Religion in the Districts & Princely States of the North−West Dry Area geographical division (1911)[ 29] : 27 [ 30] : 27
District /Princely State
Islam
Hinduism
Sikhism
Christianity
Jainism
Others[ m]
Total
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Montgomery District
399,723
74.67%
66,803
12.48%
68,175
12.74%
581
0.11%
13
0%
4
0%
535,299
100%
Shahpur District
572,565
83.3%
72,695
10.58%
33,456
4.87%
8,616
1.25%
5
0%
29
0%
687,366
100%
Mianwali District
299,971
87.87%
36,326
10.64%
4,881
1.43%
168
0.05%
31
0.01%
0
0%
341,377
100%
Lyallpur District
524,288
61.13%
154,603
18.03%
146,670
17.1%
32,023
3.73%
125
0.01%
2
0%
857,711
100%
Jhang District
422,468
81.95%
73,426
14.24%
19,427
3.77%
201
0.04%
4
0%
0
0%
515,526
100%
Multan District
665,488
81.67%
126,603
15.54%
19,881
2.44%
2,441
0.3%
394
0.05%
64
0.01%
814,871
100%
Muzaffargarh District
494,915
86.91%
68,158
11.97%
6,322
1.11%
60
0.01%
1
0%
5
0%
569,461
100%
Dera Ghazi Khan District
442,234
88.47%
56,485
11.3%
1,042
0.21%
76
0.02%
23
0%
0
0%
499,860
100%
Bahawalpur State
654,247
83.81%
109,548
14.03%
16,630
2.13%
199
0.03%
15
0%
2
0%
780,641
100%
Biloch Trans–Frontier Tract
28,413
99.39%
169
0.59%
5
0.02%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
28,587
100%
Total
4,504,312
80%
764,816
13.58%
316,489
5.62%
44,365
0.79%
611
0.01%
106
0.002%
5,630,699
100%
1921 census
Religion in the Districts & Princely States of the North−West Dry Area geographical division (1921)[ 31] : 29
District /Princely State
Islam
Hinduism
Sikhism
Christianity
Jainism
Others[ m]
Total
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Montgomery District
513,055
71.88%
94,791
13.28%
95,520
13.38%
10,408
1.46%
12
0%
0
0%
713,786
100%
Shahpur District
596,100
82.8%
82,182
11.42%
30,361
4.22%
11,270
1.57%
3
0%
2
0%
719,918
100%
Mianwali District
308,876
86.23%
45,974
12.83%
2,986
0.83%
369
0.1%
0
0%
0
0%
358,205
100%
Lyallpur District
594,917
60.74%
181,488
18.53%
160,821
16.42%
42,004
4.29%
231
0.02%
2
0%
979,463
100%
Jhang District
475,388
83.32%
85,339
14.96%
9,376
1.64%
449
0.08%
7
0%
0
0%
570,559
100%
Multan District
731,605
82.18%
134,013
15.05%
18,562
2.08%
6,006
0.67%
28
0%
50
0.01%
890,264
100%
Muzaffargarh District
493,369
86.79%
69,878
12.29%
4,869
0.86%
356
0.06%
6
0%
0
0%
568,478
100%
Dera Ghazi Khan District
411,431
87.72%
56,346
12.01%
932
0.2%
47
0.01%
296
0.06%
0
0%
469,052
100%
Bahawalpur State
647,207
82.85%
114,621
14.67%
19,071
2.44%
283
0.04%
1
0%
8
0%
781,191
100%
Biloch Trans–Frontier Tract
26,578
99.33%
180
0.67%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
26,758
100%
Total
4,798,526
78.95%
864,812
14.23%
342,498
5.64%
71,192
1.17%
584
0.01%
62
0.001%
6,077,674
100%
1931 census
Religion in the Districts & Princely States of the North−West Dry Area geographical division (1931)[ 32] : 277
District /Princely State
Islam
Hinduism [ e]
Sikhism
Christianity
Jainism
Others[ m]
Total
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Montgomery District
697,542
69.77%
136,783
13.68%
148,155
14.82%
17,245
1.72%
38
0%
9
0%
999,772
100%
Shahpur District
679,546
82.72%
90,561
11.02%
40,074
4.88%
11,294
1.37%
14
0%
1
0%
821,490
100%
Mianwali District
357,109
86.77%
49,794
12.1%
4,231
1.03%
380
0.09%
20
0%
5
0%
411,539
100%
Lyallpur District
720,996
62.62%
173,344
15.06%
211,391
18.36%
45,518
3.95%
95
0.01%
7
0%
1,151,351
100%
Jhang District
552,853
83.16%
102,990
15.49%
8,476
1.27%
494
0.07%
0
0%
20
0%
664,833
100%
Multan District
942,937
80.26%
182,029
15.49%
39,453
3.36%
9,924
0.84%
440
0.04%
117
0.01%
1,174,900
100%
Muzaffargarh District
513,265
86.79%
72,577
12.27%
5,287
0.89%
246
0.04%
0
0%
0
0%
591,375
100%
Dera Ghazi Khan District
432,911
88.16%
57,217
11.65%
760
0.15%
31
0.01%
125
0.03%
0
0%
491,044
100%
Bahawalpur State
799,176
81.17%
149,454
15.18%
34,896
3.54%
1,054
0.11%
12
0%
20
0%
984,612
100%
Biloch Trans–Frontier Tract
29,469
99.42%
173
0.58%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
29,642
100%
Total
5,725,804
78.22%
1,014,922
13.86%
492,723
6.73%
86,186
1.18%
744
0.01%
179
0.002%
7,320,558
100%
1941 census
Religion in the Districts & Princely States of the North−West Dry Area geographical division (1941)[ 24] : 42
District /Princely State
Islam
Hinduism [ e]
Sikhism
Christianity
Jainism
Others[ m]
Total
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Montgomery District
918,564
69.11%
210,966
15.87%
175,064
13.17%
24,432
1.84%
49
0%
28
0%
1,329,103
100%
Shahpur District
835,918
83.68%
102,172
10.23%
48,046
4.81%
12,770
1.28%
13
0%
2
0%
998,921
100%
Mianwali District
436,260
86.16%
62,814
12.41%
6,865
1.36%
358
0.07%
23
0%
1
0%
506,321
100%
Lyallpur District
877,518
62.85%
204,059
14.61%
262,737
18.82%
51,948
3.72%
35
0%
8
0%
1,396,305
100%
Jhang District
678,736
82.61%
129,889
15.81%
12,238
1.49%
763
0.09%
5
0%
0
0%
821,631
100%
Multan District
1,157,911
78.01%
249,872
16.83%
61,628
4.15%
14,290
0.96%
552
0.04%
80
0.01%
1,484,333
100%
Muzaffargarh District
616,074
86.42%
90,643
12.72%
5,882
0.83%
227
0.03%
0
0%
23
0%
712,849
100%
Dera Ghazi Khan District
512,678
88.19%
67,407
11.59%
1,072
0.18%
87
0.01%
106
0.02%
0
0%
581,350
100%
Bahawalpur State
1,098,814
81.93%
174,408
13%
46,945
3.5%
3,048
0.23%
351
0.03%
17,643
1.32%
1,341,209
100%
Biloch Trans–Frontier Tract
40,084
99.6%
160
0.4%
2
0%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
40,246
100%
Total
7,172,557
77.86%
1,292,390
14.03%
620,479
6.74%
107,923
1.17%
1,134
0.01%
17,785
0.19%
9,212,268
100%
See also
References
^ Singh, Nagendra Kr; Khan, Abdul Mabud (2001). Encyclopaedia of the World Muslims: Tribes, Castes and Communities . Global Vision. ISBN 978-81-87746-09-6 .
^ a b c d e "TABLE 9 - POPULATION BY SEX, RELIGION AND RURAL/URBAN" (PDF) . Retrieved 13 February 2023 .
^ a b c d "Population by religion community – 2011" . The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2023 .
^ a b c d e f g "Population by religion community – 2011" . Census of India, 2011 . The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Archived from the original on 25 August 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2023 .
^ Nayar, Kamala Elizabeth (2012). The Punjabis in British Columbia: Location, Labour, First Nations, and Multiculturalism . McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP. ISBN 978-0-7735-4070-5 .
^ Wheeler, James Talboys (1874). The History of India from the Earliest Ages: Hindu Buddhist Brahmanical revival . N. Trübner. p. 330. The Punjab, to say the least, was less Brahmanical. It was an ancient centre of the worship of Indra, who was always regarded as an enemy by the Bráhmans; and it was also a stronghold of Buddhism.
^ Hunter, W. W. (2013-11-05). The Indian Empire: Its People, History and Products . Routledge. p. 80. ISBN 978-1-136-38301-4 . In the settlements of the Punjab, Indra thus advanced to the first place among the Vedic divinities.
^ Virdee, Pippa (February 2018). From the Ashes of 1947 . Cambridge University Press. p. 24. ISBN 978-1-108-42811-8 . The Rig Veda and the Upanishads, which belonged to the Vedic religion, were a precursor of Hinduism, both of which were composed in Punjab.
^ Flood, Gavin (13 July 1996). An Introduction to Hinduism . Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-43878-0 .
^ a b c d e f g h Nayar, Kamala Elizabeth (2012). The Punjabis in British Columbia: Location, Labour, First Nations, and Multiculturalism . McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP. pp. 7–8. ISBN 978-0-7735-4070-5 .
^ "In ancient Punjab, religion was fluid, not watertight, says Romila Thapar" . The Indian Express . 2019-05-03. Thapar said Buddhism was very popular in Punjab during the Mauryan and post-Mauryan period. Bookended between Gandhara in Taxila on the one side where Buddhism was practised on a large scale and Mathura on another side where Buddhism, Jainism and Puranic religions were practised, this religion flourished in the state. But after the Gupta period, Buddhism began to decline.
^ Rambo, Lewis R.; Farhadian, Charles E. (2014-03-06). The Oxford Handbook of Religious Conversion . Oxford University Press. pp. 489–491. ISBN 978-0-19-971354-7 . First, Islam was introduced into the southern Punjab in the opening decades of the eighth century. By the sixteenth century, Muslims were the majority in the region and an elaborate network of mosques and mausoleums marked the landscape. Local converts constituted the majority of this Muslim community, and as far for the mechanisms of conversion, the sources of the period emphasize the recitation of the Islamic confession of faith (shahada), the performance of the circumcision (indri vaddani), and the ingestion of cow-meat (bhas khana).
^ Chhabra, G. S. (1968). Advanced History of the Punjab: Guru and post-Guru period upto Ranjit Singh . New Academic Publishing Company. p. 37.
^ Rambo, Lewis R.; Farhadian, Charles E. (2014-03-06). The Oxford Handbook of Religious Conversion . Oxford University Press. p. 490. ISBN 978-0-19-971354-7 . While Punjabi Hindu society was relatively well established, there was also a small but vibrant Jain community in the Punjab. Buddhist communities, however, had largely disappeared by the turn of the tenth century.
^ Nicholls, Ruth J.; Riddell, Peter G. (2020-07-31). Insights into Sufism: Voices from the Heart . Cambridge Scholars Publishing. ISBN 978-1-5275-5748-2 . With the Muslim conquest of Punjab there was a flow of Sufis and other preachers who came to spread Islam. Much of the advance of Islam was due to these preachers.
^ Singh, Pritam (2008-02-19). Federalism, Nationalism and Development: India and the Punjab Economy . Routledge. ISBN 978-1-134-04946-2 .
^ a b c d e f g "Census of India 1911. Vol. 14, Punjab. Pt. 1, Report" . Retrieved 21 July 2022 .
^ "Punjab 1947: Bloodied and Partitioned by Competing Nationalisms" .
^ "In Indian Punjab's Muslim 'island', voters vying for change" . 16 February 2022.
^ https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/31311/download/34492/1422_1951_POP.pdf [bare URL PDF ]
^ "A heritage all but erased" . The Friday Times . 25 December 2015. Archived from the original on 24 April 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2017 .
^ a b c d "Report on the census, taken on the 1st January 1855, of the population of the Punjab Territories; Papers connected with the administration of Mysore" . 1855. Retrieved 23 June 2024 .
^ Krishan, Gopal (2004). "Demography of the Punjab (1849–1947)" (PDF) . Journal of Punjab Studies . 11 (1): 77–89.
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w India Census Commissioner (1941). "Census of India, 1941. Vol. 6, Punjab" . JSTOR saoa.crl.28215541 . Retrieved 22 July 2022 .
^ a b c d e f g h i "Census of India, 1881 Report on the Census of the Panjáb Taken on the 17th of February 1881, vol. I." 1881. JSTOR saoa.crl.25057656 . Retrieved 7 April 2024 .
^ a b c d e f g h i "Census of India, 1881 Report on the Census of the Panjáb Taken on the 17th of February 1881, vol. II" . 1881. p. 14. JSTOR saoa.crl.25057657 . Retrieved 7 April 2024 .
^ a b c d e f g h i "Census of India, 1881 Report on the Census of the Panjáb Taken on the 17th of February 1881, vol. III" . 1881. p. 14. JSTOR saoa.crl.25057658 . Retrieved 7 April 2024 .
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Census of India 1901. [Vol. 17A]. Imperial tables, I-VIII, X-XV, XVII and XVIII for the Punjab, with the native states under the political control of the Punjab Government, and for the North-west Frontier Province" . 1901. JSTOR saoa.crl.25363739 . Retrieved 10 March 2024 .
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Census of India 1911. Vol. 14, Punjab. Pt. 2, Tables" . 1911. JSTOR saoa.crl.25393788 . Retrieved 3 March 2024 .
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Kaul, Harikishan (1911). "Census Of India 1911 Punjab Vol XIV Part II" . Retrieved 3 March 2024 .
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Census of India 1921. Vol. 15, Punjab and Delhi. Pt. 2, Tables" . 1921. JSTOR saoa.crl.25430165 . Retrieved 17 February 2024 .
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Census of India 1931. Vol. 17, Punjab. Pt. 2, Tables" . 1931. JSTOR saoa.crl.25793242 . Retrieved 4 February 2024 .
^ a b c d e "Census of Pakistan, 1951 Population According to Religion Table 6" . p. 12. Retrieved 21 July 2024 .
^ a b c d e Vashishta, Lakshmi Chandra; India. Superintendent Of Census Operations, Punjab (1951). "Census of India, 1951: Punjab, Pepsu, Himachal Pradesh, Bilaspur & Delhi" . p. 298. JSTOR saoa.crl.25803729 . Retrieved 21 July 2024 .
^ a b "Gazetteers Of Gurdaspur District, 1883-84" . 1884. Retrieved 7 April 2024 .
^ a b "Punjab District Gazetteers Gurdaspur District Vol.21 Statistical Tables" . 1913. Retrieved 10 March 2024 .
^ a b Estimates from combining 2011 Indian census and 2017 Pakistani census with religious data amalgamated from Punjab, India , Punjab, Pakistan , Haryana , Delhi , Himachal Pradesh , Islamabad , and Chandigarh .[ 2] [ 3] [ 4]
^ All districts in table above that ultimately formed part of Punjab Province, east of the Indus River, which excludes Dera Ismail Khan District , Peshawar District , Hazara District , and Kohat District .
^ Dera Ismail Khan District , Peshawar District , Hazara District , and Kohat District only.
^ a b c d e f g h i Including Delhi district, which was later made into a separate province in 1912, following the transfer from Calcutta to Delhi as capital of India in 1911 .
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p 1931 & 1941 censuses: Including Ad-Dharmis
^ 1881 figure taken from census data by combining the total population of all districts (Lahore , Sialkot , Gujranwala , Gujrat , Shahpur , Jhelum , Rawalpindi , Montgomery , Jhang , Multan , Muzaffargargh , Dera Ghazi Khan ), one tehsil (Shakargarh – then part of Gurdaspur District ), and one princely state (Bahawalpur ) in Punjab Province, British India that ultimately fell on the western side of the Radcliffe Line . See 1881 census data here:[ 25] [ 26] [ 27] Immediately following the partition of India in 1947, these districts and tract would ultimately make up the subdivision of West Punjab, which also later included Bahawalpur . The state that makes up this region in the contemporary era is Punjab, Pakistan .
^ 1901 figure taken from census data by combining the total population of all districts (Lahore , Sialkot , Gujranwala , Gujrat , Shahpur , Jhelum , Rawalpindi , Mianwali , Montgomery , Lyallpur (inscribed as the Chenab Colony on the 1901 census), Jhang , Multan , Muzaffargargh , Dera Ghazi Khan ), one tehsil (Shakargarh – then part of Gurdaspur District ), one princely state (Bahawalpur ), and one tract (Biloch Trans–Frontier) in Punjab Province, British India that ultimately fell on the western side of the Radcliffe Line . See 1901 census data here:[ 28] : 34 Immediately following the partition of India in 1947, these districts and tract would ultimately make up the subdivision of West Punjab, which also later included Bahawalpur . The state that makes up this region in the contemporary era is Punjab, Pakistan .
^ 1911 figure taken from census data by combining the total population of all districts (Lahore , Sialkot , Gujranwala , Gujrat , Shahpur , Jhelum , Rawalpindi , Attock , Mianwali , Montgomery , Lyallpur , Jhang , Multan , Muzaffargargh , Dera Ghazi Khan ), one tehsil (Shakargarh – then part of Gurdaspur District ), one princely state (Bahawalpur ), and one tract (Biloch Trans–Frontier) in Punjab Province, British India that ultimately fell on the western side of the Radcliffe Line . See 1911 census data here:[ 29] : 27 [ 30] : 27 Immediately following the partition of India in 1947, these districts and tract would ultimately make up the subdivision of West Punjab, which also later included Bahawalpur . The state that makes up this region in the contemporary era is Punjab, Pakistan .
^ 1921 figure taken from census data by combining the total population of all districts (Lahore , Sialkot , Gujranwala , Sheikhupura , Gujrat , Shahpur , Jhelum , Rawalpindi , Attock , Mianwali , Montgomery , Lyallpur , Jhang , Multan , Muzaffargargh , Dera Ghazi Khan ), one tehsil (Shakargarh – then part of Gurdaspur District ), one princely state (Bahawalpur ), and one tract (Biloch Trans–Frontier) in Punjab Province, British India that ultimately fell on the western side of the Radcliffe Line . See 1921 census data here:[ 31] : 29 Immediately following the partition of India in 1947, these districts and tract would ultimately make up the subdivision of West Punjab, which also later included Bahawalpur . The state that makes up this region in the contemporary era is Punjab, Pakistan .
^ a b c 1931 figure taken from census data by combining the total population of all districts (Lahore , Sialkot , Gujranwala , Sheikhupura , Gujrat , Shahpur , Jhelum , Rawalpindi , Attock , Mianwali , Montgomery , Lyallpur , Jhang , Multan , Muzaffargargh , Dera Ghazi Khan ), one tehsil (Shakargarh – then part of Gurdaspur District ), one princely state (Bahawalpur ), and one tract (Biloch Trans–Frontier) in Punjab Province, British India that ultimately fell on the western side of the Radcliffe Line . See 1931 census data here:[ 32] : 277 Immediately following the partition of India in 1947, these districts and tract would ultimately make up the subdivision of West Punjab, which also later included Bahawalpur . The state that makes up this region in the contemporary era is Punjab, Pakistan .
^ a b c 1941 figure taken from census data by combining the total population of all districts (Lahore , Sialkot , Gujranwala , Sheikhupura , Gujrat , Shahpur , Jhelum , Rawalpindi , Attock , Mianwali , Montgomery , Lyallpur , Jhang , Multan , Muzaffargargh , Dera Ghazi Khan ), one tehsil (Shakargarh – then part of Gurdaspur District ), one princely state (Bahawalpur ), and one tract (Biloch Trans–Frontier) in Punjab Province, British India that ultimately fell on the western side of the Radcliffe Line . See 1941 census data here:[ 24] : 42 Immediately following the partition of India in 1947, these districts and tract would ultimately make up the subdivision of West Punjab, which also later included Bahawalpur . The state that makes up this region in the contemporary era is Punjab, Pakistan .
^ 1947 figures (the year of partition and the accompanying mass population transfer) for West Punjab are estimates based on the annualized growth rates between the 1931 census[ 32] : 277 [ j] and 1941 census[ 24] : 42 [ k] for adherents of Islam (+2.11% p.a.), Hinduism (+1.94% p.a.), Sikhism (+2.63% p.a.), Christianity (+1.99% p.a.), Jainism (+3.24% p.a.), and others (+45.77% p.a.).
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v Including Buddhism , Zoroastrianism , Judaism , Tribals , others, or not stated
^ 1881 figure taken from census data by combining the total population of all districts (Hisar , Rohtak , Gurgaon , Delhi , Karnal , Sirsa , Jalandhar , Ludhiana , Firozpur , Amritsar , Simla , Kangra , Ambala , Hoshiarpur , and Gurdaspur (minus Shakargarh Tehsil )), and princely states (Loharu , Dujana , Pataudi , Kalsia , Kapurthala , Malerkotla , Faridkot , Patiala , Jind , Nabha , and Simla Hill ) in Punjab Province, British India that ultimately fell on the eastern side of the Radcliffe Line . See 1881 census data here:[ 25] [ 26] [ 27] Immediately following the partition of India in 1947, these districts and princely states would ultimately make up the subdivision of East Punjab, which also included Patiala and East Punjab States Union , Chief Commissioner's Province of Himachal Pradesh , and Bilaspur State . The states that make up this region in the contemporary era are Punjab, India , Chandigarh , Haryana , and Himachal Pradesh .
^ 1901 figure taken from census data by combining the total population of all districts (Hisar , Rohtak , Gurgaon , Delhi , Karnal , Jalandhar , Ludhiana , Firozpur , Amritsar , Simla , Kangra , Ambala , Hoshiarpur , and Gurdaspur (minus Shakargarh Tehsil )), and princely states (Loharu , Dujana , Pataudi , Kalsia , Kapurthala , Malerkotla , Faridkot , Patiala , Jind , Nabha , Nahan , Simla Hill , Mandi , Suket , and Chamba ) in Punjab Province, British India that ultimately fell on the eastern side of the Radcliffe Line . See 1901 census data here:[ 28] : 34 Immediately following the partition of India in 1947, these districts and princely states would ultimately make up the subdivision of East Punjab, which also included Patiala and East Punjab States Union , Chief Commissioner's Province of Himachal Pradesh , and Bilaspur State . The states that make up this region in the contemporary era are Punjab, India , Chandigarh , Haryana , and Himachal Pradesh .
^ 1911 figure taken from census data by combining the total population of all districts (Hisar , Rohtak , Gurgaon , Delhi , Karnal , Jalandhar , Ludhiana , Firozpur , Amritsar , Simla , Kangra , Ambala , Hoshiarpur , and Gurdaspur (minus Shakargarh Tehsil )), and princely states (Loharu , Dujana , Pataudi , Kalsia , Kapurthala , Malerkotla , Faridkot , Patiala , Jind , Nabha , Nahan , Simla Hill , Mandi , Suket , and Chamba ) in Punjab Province, British India that ultimately fell on the eastern side of the Radcliffe Line . See 1911 census data here:[ 29] : 27 [ 30] : 27 Immediately following the partition of India in 1947, these districts and princely states would ultimately make up the subdivision of East Punjab, which also included Patiala and East Punjab States Union , Chief Commissioner's Province of Himachal Pradesh , and Bilaspur State . The states that make up this region in the contemporary era are Punjab, India , Chandigarh , Haryana , and Himachal Pradesh .
^ 1921 figure taken from census data by combining the total population of all districts (Hisar , Rohtak , Gurgaon , Karnal , Jalandhar , Ludhiana , Firozpur , Amritsar , Simla , Kangra , Ambala , Hoshiarpur , and Gurdaspur (minus Shakargarh Tehsil )), and princely states (Loharu , Dujana , Pataudi , Kalsia , Kapurthala , Malerkotla , Faridkot , Patiala , Jind , Nabha , Nahan , Simla Hill , Bilaspur , Mandi , Suket , and Chamba ) in Punjab Province, British India that ultimately fell on the eastern side of the Radcliffe Line . See 1921 census data here:[ 31] : 29 Immediately following the partition of India in 1947, these districts and princely states would ultimately make up the subdivision of East Punjab, which also included Patiala and East Punjab States Union , Chief Commissioner's Province of Himachal Pradesh , and Bilaspur State . The states that make up this region in the contemporary era are Punjab, India , Chandigarh , Haryana , and Himachal Pradesh .
^ a b c 1931 figure taken from census data by combining the total population of all districts (Hisar , Rohtak , Gurgaon , Karnal , Jalandhar , Ludhiana , Firozpur , Amritsar , Simla , Kangra , Ambala , Hoshiarpur , and Gurdaspur (minus Shakargarh Tehsil )), and princely states (Loharu , Dujana , Pataudi , Kalsia , Kapurthala , Malerkotla , Faridkot , Patiala , Jind , Nabha , Sirmoor , Simla Hill , Bilaspur , Mandi , Suket , and Chamba ) in Punjab Province, British India that ultimately fell on the eastern side of the Radcliffe Line . See 1931 census data here:[ 32] : 277 Immediately following the partition of India in 1947, these districts and princely states would ultimately make up the subdivision of East Punjab, which also included Patiala and East Punjab States Union , Chief Commissioner's Province of Himachal Pradesh , and Bilaspur State . The states that make up this region in the contemporary era are Punjab, India , Chandigarh , Haryana , and Himachal Pradesh .
^ a b c 1941 figure taken from census data by combining the total population of all districts (Hisar , Rohtak , Gurgaon , Karnal , Jalandhar , Ludhiana , Firozpur , Amritsar , Simla , Kangra , Ambala , Hoshiarpur , and Gurdaspur (minus Shakargarh Tehsil )), and princely states (Loharu , Dujana , Pataudi , Kalsia , Kapurthala , Malerkotla , Faridkot , Patiala , Jind , Nabha , Sirmoor , Simla Hill , Bilaspur , Mandi , Suket , and Chamba ) in Punjab Province, British India that ultimately fell on the eastern side of the Radcliffe Line . See 1941 census data here:[ 24] : 42 Immediately following the partition of India in 1947, these districts and princely states would ultimately make up the subdivision of East Punjab, which also included Patiala and East Punjab States Union , Chief Commissioner's Province of Himachal Pradesh , and Bilaspur State . The states that make up this region in the contemporary era are Punjab, India , Chandigarh , Haryana , and Himachal Pradesh .
^ 1947 figures (the year of partition and the accompanying mass population transfer) for East Punjab are estimates based on the annualized growth rates between the 1931 census[ 32] : 277 [ r] and 1941 census[ 24] : 42 [ s] for adherents of Hinduism (+1.21% p.a.), Islam (+1.85% p.a.), Sikhism (+2.18% p.a.), Christianity (+2.16% p.a.), Jainism (-0.07% p.a.), and others (+9.71% p.a.).
^ a b c d See total breakdowns in tables below.
Notes
^ Michaels (2004 , p. 38): "The legacy of the Vedic religion in Hinduism is generally overestimated. The influence of the mythology is indeed great, but the religious terminology changed considerably: all the key terms of Hinduism either do not exist in Vedic or have a completely different meaning. The religion of the Veda does not know the ethicised migration of the soul with retribution for acts (karma ), the cyclical destruction of the world, or the idea of salvation during one's lifetime (jivanmukti; moksa; nirvana ); the idea of the world as illusion (maya ) must have gone against the grain of ancient India, and an omnipotent creator god emerges only in the late hymns of the rgveda. Nor did the Vedic religion know a caste system, the burning of widows, the ban on remarriage, images of gods and temples, Puja worship, Yoga, pilgrimages, vegetarianism, the holiness of cows, the doctrine of stages of life (asrama ), or knew them only at their inception. Thus, it is justified to see a turning point between the Vedic religion and Hindu religions."Jamison, Stephanie; Witzel, Michael (1992). "Vedic Hinduism" (PDF) . Harvard University. p. 3. : "... to call this period Vedic Hinduism is a contradictio in terminis since Vedic religion is very different from what we generally call Hindu religion – at least as much as Old Hebrew religion is from medieval and modern Christian religion. However, Vedic religion is treatable as a predecessor of Hinduism." See also Halbfass 1991 , pp. 1–2
Bibliography
Dyson, Tim (2018), A Population History of India: From the First Modern People to the Present Day , Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0-19-882905-8
Halbfass, Wilhelm (1991), Tradition and Reflection: Explorations in Indian Thought , State University of New York Press, ISBN 0-7914-0362-9
Michaels, Alex (2004) [1998], Hinduism: Past and Present , translated by Barbara Harshaw, Princeton University Press, ISBN 0691089523
History Government Culture Geography Divisions
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