Religion in India is characterized by a diversity of religious beliefs and practices. The Secularism in India means treatment of all religions equally by the state. India is a Secular State by the 42nd amendment act of Constitution in 1976.

The Indian subcontinent is the birthplace of four of the world's major religions; namely Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. Throughout India's history, religion has been an important part of the country's culture. Religious diversity and religious tolerance are both established in the country by the law and custom; the Constitution of India has declared the right to freedom of religion to be a fundamental right.

Religion in India (2011 Census)

Hinduism (79.80%)

Islam (14.2%)

Christianity (2.3%)

Sikhism (1.7%)

Buddhism (0.7%)

Jainism (0.4%)

Other religions (0.7%)

Religion not specified (0.2%)

Geography (U.G), SEM- II, Paper – C3T: Human Geography (Cultural Region: Religion)

Geography (U.G), SEM- II, Paper – C3T: Human Geography (Cultural Region: Religion)

Northwest India was home to one of the world's oldest civilizations, the Indus valley civilisation. Today, India is home to around 90% of the global population of Hindus. Most Hindu shrines and temples are located in India, as are the birthplaces of most Hindu saints. Allahabad hosts the world's largest religious tour, Kumbha Mela, where Hindus from across the world come together to bathe in the confluence of three holy rivers of India: the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the Saraswati. The Indian diaspora in the West has popularized many aspects of Hindu philosophy such as yoga, meditation, Ayurvedic medicine, divination, karma, and reincarnation. The influence of Indian religions has been significant all over the world. Several Hindu-based organisations, such as the Hare Krishna movement, the Brahma Kumaris, the Ananda Marga, and others have spread Indian spiritual beliefs and practices.

Hinduism is the world's third large religion, with around 850 million followers. One out of ever seven people in the world is a Hindu. Nearly all of them are in India or are people of Indian succession.

Outside India, the only places where Hindus dominate is Nepal (where they make up 90 percent of the population) and the Indonesian island of Bali. They are found in significant numbers in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Trinidad, Suriname and Guyana and in the Indian communities in Britain, the United States and Canada (there are 1.4 Hindus in North America) and Africa. Among those of non-Indian descent that have had a deep interest in Hinduism was the late Beatle George Harrison.

The words “Hindu” and “Hinduism” have no easy translation in languages spoken in India. In India, a Hindu is simply defined as someone who is not a Muslim, Christian, Parsi or Jew (or Sikh or Jain).

“Hindu” is a Persian word derived from Sindhu, the Sanskrit name of the Indus River. Invaders from Persia in the 6th century B.C. named the people of the Indian subcontinent "people living near the Indus River." Ironically the Sindh, the region around the Indus, lies mostly in modern Pakistan, which is almost exclusively Muslim.

Geography (U.G), SEM- II, Paper – C3T: Human Geography (Cultural Region: Religion)

Though Islam came to India in the early 7th century with the advent of Arab traders in Malabar coast, Kerala, it started to become a major religion during the Muslim rule in the Indian subcontinent. Islam's spread in India mostly took place under the Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526) and the Mughal Empire (1526–1858), greatly aided by the mystic Sufi tradition.

Islam is the second largest religion in India, with 14.2% of the country's population or roughly 172 million people identifying as adherents of Islam (2011 census).

Geography (U.G), SEM- II, Paper – C3T: Human Geography (Cultural Region: Religion)

Islam

The works of scholars and Eastern Christian writings say that Christianity was introduced to India by Thomas the Apostle, who visited Muziris in Kerala in 52 CE and baptised Kerala's Jewish settlements, who are known as Saint Thomas Christians (also known as Syrian Christians or Nasrani) today.

Although the exact origins of Christianity in India remain unclear, there is a general scholarly consensus that Christianity was rooted in India by the 3rd century AD, including some communities who used Syriac liturgically, and it is a possibility that the religion's existence in India extends to as far back as the 1st century. Christianity in India has different denominations, like Roman Catholicism, Oriental Orthodox, and Protestantism.

Most Christians reside in South India, particularly in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Goa, There are also large Christian populations in the North-east Indian states. Christianity in India was expanded in the 16th Century by Catholic Portuguese expeditions and by Protestant British and American missionaries in the 18th century.

Geography (U.G), SEM- II, Paper – C3T: Human Geography (Cultural Region: Religion)

Geography (U.G), SEM- II, Paper – C3T: Human Geography (Cultural Region: Religion)

India is the cradle land of Buddhism, but today it is a minute minority religion (0.77%) it, however, the fourth largest religion of the world.

Major areas of concentration are Ladakh (J&K), Lahul and Spiti (H.P.) and Kameng district (Arunachal Pradesh).

These areas have received the Tibetan Buddhist refugees from Tibet. Due to the New-Buddhist movement Buddhism has been embraced by many

Scheduled Castes in Maharashtra, Mizoram and Tripura.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469–1539) was the founder of Sikhism. The Guru Granth Sahib was first compiled by the fifth Sikh guru, Guru Arjan Dev, from the writings of the first five Sikh gurus and others saints who preached the concept of universal brotherhood, including those of the Hindu and Muslim faith. Before the death of Guru Gobind Singh, the Guru Granth Sahib was declared the eternal guru.

Sikhism recognizes all humans as equal before Waheguru, regardless of colour, caste or lineage. Sikhism strongly rejects the beliefs of fasting (vrata), superstitions, idol worship and circumcision.

Geography (U.G), SEM- II, Paper – C3T: Human Geography (Cultural Region: Religion)

Jews first arrived as traders from Judea in the city of Kochi, Kerala, in 562 BCE. More Jews came as exiles from Israel in the year 70 CE, after the destruction of the Second Temple.

Geography (U.G), SEM- II, Paper – C3T: Human Geography (Cultural Region): Religion

India is also the homeland of Jainism which is a minority religion (0.41%) and has no perceptible following in the countries.

Its followers are found in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka, Particularly in urban areas and have important influence in business and politics.

Geography (U.G), SEM- II, Paper – C3T: Human Geography (Cultural Region: Religion)

The Parses (population 1.25 lakh) are the followers of Zoroastrianism. It was a dominant religion in the palmy days of he 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). Religious book is Dinkart. Most sacred temple of the Parsies is Iranshah of Udvada. They first reached Diu in 766 A.D. and shifted their cologny to Mt. Bharhat (1490)

and from these to Navsari and ultimately to Udvada. Influenced by the Hindu customs but they do not advocate celibacy and permit re-

marriage. 80% of the Parsi population is concentrated in Greater Mumbai and the rest in

Navsari, Udvada, Surat and Ahmedadad.

1. How do different Religion around the world compare to one another?

2. Where can you find the main countries and major cities of the world?

3. Do all religious lead to God?

4. What about all the wars that are caused in the name of Christianity?

Geography (U.G), SEM- II, Paper – C3T: Human Geography (Cultural Region)

Review

Geography (U.G), SEM- II, Paper – C3T: Human Geography (Cultural Region: Religion)

Husain, M., (2009), Human Geography, Rawat publication, New Delhi, ISBN 81-7033-724-0, pp.203 -229.

Singh, L.R., (2009), Fundamentals of Human Geography, Sharda Pustak Bhawan, Allahabad, pp.256 - 266.

Sen, J., (2016), AText Book of Social and Cultural Geography, Kalyani Publication, New Delhi, ISBN 978-93-272-5910-0, pp. I.67-I.85.

Chandna, R.C., (2012), Geography of Population, Kalyani Publication, New Delhi, ISBN: 978-93-272-2516-7, pp.107-142.

Geography (UG), SEM - VI, Paper - DSC - 3T : Soil and Bio-Geography, (Energy flow in Ecosystem)