Muslim Population in India, Check States with Highest Muslim Population

Islam is the second-largest religion in India, with 14.2% of the population, or about 172 million people, identifying as Muslim (2011 census). The Muslim population in India is expected to reach around 204.8 million in 2024. This article provides an overview of India’s Muslim population, its distribution within India, and globally, along with future projections, offering insights into the demographic trends of Muslims in the country.

History of Muslims in India

Most Muslims in India belong to South Asian ethnic groups, though some have small traces of Middle Eastern and Central Asian ancestry. This genetic influence is minimal but present, particularly among the Ashraf Muslims, who are believed to have Arab ancestry, while the Ajlafs are thought to be converts from Hinduism. The practice of marrying within one’s own caste, known as endogamy, is common among Indian Muslims. Genetic studies have shown that Indian Muslims are closely related to local non-Muslim groups, with only minor genetic influences from Iran and Central Asia.

Early History of Islam in India

Islamic trade and cultural connections with India began as early as the 7th century. Arab traders, who had converted to Islam, are believed to have been the first to introduce the religion to the Indian subcontinent. The first Muslim settlement in India is thought to have occurred in the late 7th century, particularly along the Malabar Coast in Kerala. The first mosque in India is believed to be the Cheraman Juma Masjid in Kerala, built in 629 CE. Other early mosques were constructed by the Arab missionary Malik Dinar, such as those in Mangalore, Kollam, and Madayi. Islamic tradition also tells of Ubaidullah, who brought Islam to the Lakshadweep islands in 661 CE.

Islam spread gradually along the coast, with various communities, such as the Mappilas in Malabar, embracing the new faith. Missionary activities continued for centuries, with figures like Moulai Abdullah and Moulai Nuruddin helping to spread Islam in the region during the 11th century.

Muslim Population in India 2024

India, as mentioned in Article 25 of its Constitution, is a secular country that allows everyone the freedom to practice any religion. Islam is the second-most followed religion in India after Hinduism, making up about 15% of the population. The Muslim community in India includes diverse groups such as Sunni, Shia, Ahmadiyya, and Sufi, each adding to the country’s rich religious diversity.

According to the government, India’s Muslim population is estimated to reach 19.7 crore by 2023. Based on the 2011 Census, India has the third-largest Muslim population in the world, after Indonesia and Pakistan, with about 200 million Muslims.

PM Economic Advisory Council Report on Muslim Population in India

A new working paper from Prime Minister Modi’s Economic Advisory Council reveals that the share of Muslims in India’s population has increased by over 43% since 1950.  The report analyzes demographic trends from 1950 to 2015, using data from the Association of Religion Data Archive (ARDA). It shows that the Muslim population grew from 9.84% to 14.09%, while the Hindu population decreased from 84.68% to 78.06% during the same period.

Indian States with Highest Muslim Population in India

Highest Muslim Population in India State-Wise List

The list entails the Highest Muslim population in India (state-wise) 2024 according to the last census 2011 data along with the percentage of Muslim population in 2023 out of the total population of India.

Lowest Muslim Population in India 2024 State Wise

Nearly 47% of India’s Muslim population is concentrated in the states of Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Bihar. Additionally, several other states in India also have a significant density of Muslims. Check the table below for the lowest Muslim population.

Check:- India Sex Ratio 2024

India Set to Have the World’s Largest Hindu and Muslim Populations by 2050

By 2050, India will have the largest populations of both Hindus and Muslims, according to projections from Pew Research Center.

India already has the majority of the world’s Hindus, with 94% living there in 2010. This will continue, with an estimated 1.3 billion Hindus in India by 2050. At the same time, India is expected to become the country with the largest Muslim population, reaching 311 million Muslims (11% of the world’s total). Currently, Indonesia has the largest Muslim population. Muslims in India are expected to grow faster than Hindus due to younger median ages and higher fertility rates. In 2010,

Muslim Population in India 1951-2015

Muslim Population in India Acc. to Census 2011

Among the minority religions practiced in the nation, Sikhs were the most numerous according to the 2011 census. With 97% of the population, Islam is the most common religion in Lakshadweep, an island union territory in India. Jammu & Kashmir is next, with 68.31% of the population. Additionally, regions such as Assam, West Bengal, and Kerala have significant Muslim populations, with percentages that influence regional demographics. The historical and cultural influences in these areas contribute to the religious diversity within India, affecting social dynamics, regional identities, and the cultural fabric of the nation.

Fastest Growing Religion and Population in India

Muslim population in India is growing rapidly, with Islam being the fastest-expanding religion in the country. The growth rate of the Muslim population in India has consistently outpaced that of Hindus. Estimates for 2019–21 indicate that Muslims in India had the highest fertility rate at 2.36% which is a major reason for the growth rate of Muslim population in India . During the 1991–2001 decade, the growth rate of the Muslim population in India was 29.5%, compared to 19.9% for Hindus. This suggests a significant and ongoing increase in the Muslim population in India, contributing to demographic shifts that have long-term social, cultural, and political implications for the nation, potentially influencing electoral outcomes, policy decisions, and interfaith relations.

Check:- India Population

Muslim Population in India Since Independence

Muslim population in India since independence is explained as follows:

• During India’s struggle for independence, leaders like Pandit Nehru dreamed of a united, secular nation free from caste and communal divisions, with a focus on industrial development and socialism.
• The violence during Partition (1946-48) shattered many of these dreams, and the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi in 1948 marked a turning point, restoring law and order.
• Sardar Patel, known as the “Iron Man of India,” played a crucial role in integrating princely states and controlling social unrest, including Communist-led movements and religious tensions.
• Following Partition, Hindu refugees largely adapted, but Muslims, especially those who stayed behind, faced hardship and were often blamed for the division of the country.
• India’s diversity, with various ethnic and religious groups, has led to insecurity and hostility, sometimes sparking communal violence when one group feels threatened by another.
• India’s history has been shaped by diverse groups coexisting, from ancient Dravidians and Aryans to the development of religions like Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism.
• Today, 85% of Indians are Hindus, while the remaining 15% includes minorities like Parsis, Christians, and Muslims, each with unique historical roles.
• Muslims in India, though often seen as a single group, are highly diverse, with regional differences. While Northern Muslims are linked to historical invaders like the Mughals, Southern Muslims trace their roots to peaceful trade and intermarriage. Muslims make up 13.4% of India’s population and face political debates over their growing numbers, especially from Hindu nationalist groups.

Top Countries with Highest Muslim Population

Muslims follow Islam, based on the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. With over two billion followers, Islam is the second-largest religion in the world, after Christianity, and could surpass Christianity by 2050. Most Muslims live in northern and central Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Countries like Egypt, Afghanistan, Syria, Pakistan, Turkey, and Iran are mostly Muslim, with over 90% of their populations practicing Islam. A country is considered Muslim-majority if more than 50% of its population are Muslims.

Indonesia has the world’s largest Muslim population, with over 242 million people, making up 87% of the country. Islam in Indonesia is practiced in two main forms: modernism and traditionalism. India has the third-largest Muslim population, with 14.2% of the population (about 172 million people) following Islam. Most Muslims in India are Sunni, and in 2019, the Muslim population was estimated at 204 million, making India the largest Muslim-minority country.

The table lists the top 5 countries in the world with the highest number of Muslim population:

Muslim population in India accounts for 10.9% of Muslims. The Government of India estimated the Muslim population at 19.75 to 20 crore for the 2023 year, out of 138.8 to 140.0 crore total population, thus constituting around (14.22%–14.28%) of the nation’s population respectively.

Most Muslim Populated regions in the world: Asia

More than 1 billion Muslims live in Asia, making it the most populated region in the world. While Middle Eastern and North African countries represent only 20% of the global Muslim population, many Asian countries rank among the top 10 for Muslim populations.

Surprisingly, countries like Saudi Arabia, despite having a majority of Muslims, do not make the top 10 because of their smaller overall populations compared to Asian nations.

Stats and Facts about Muslim Population in India

• Muslims Population in India represent the mass population in Lakshadweep about 96.2%(highest in country) and in Jammu and Kashmir about 68.3%.
• The largest proportion of about 47% of the Muslim Population in India lives in the three states, namely, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Bihar.
• Other states that also have high proportions of Muslim Population are namely, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Gujrat, Assam, Kerala, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Manipur, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, and Rajasthan.
• According to the estimations, in almost 110 minority-concentrated districts, at least a fifth of the population is Muslim.
• Indonesia is home to 12.7% of total Muslim population of the world, highest for any country
• Kazakhstan is largest country (in terms of land area) which holds Muslims as majority.

No Muslim population and Mosque

In many countries, Islam is the main religion. The largest Muslim populations are in Indonesia (over 231 million), followed by Pakistan (over 210 million) and India (over 200 million). While India has a democratic constitution, countries like Indonesia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Maldives are Islamic nations. Interestingly, Vatican City, the birthplace of Christianity, has no Muslims among its 800 residents, and there are 47 other countries with no Muslim population, including Tokelau, Niue, and Monaco.

Muslim Population in India and UPSC Relevancy

Muslim Population in India makes a significant part of Demography in India which makes it a very important topic in General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II. India is definitely a home to the diversity of religions and communities but unfortunately this has also been one of the reason of the partition of the Indian sub-continent, many riots in the past and many ongoing issues currently, it is important to understand dynamics  for comprehensive analysis of these situations and riots for the UPSC CSE which covers social, cultural, and political aspects that influence both national and global perspectives.

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