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India is a country of remarkable religious diversity, encompassing all the world's major religions. In addition to Hinduism and Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Zoroastrianism and indigenous religions all form part of the Indian religious landscape.[FN1 J. G. Melton & M. Baumann, Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopaedia of Beliefs and Practices (2nd ed.). Santa Barbara, 2010.] Religious practice plays an important part in people's everyday lives and underpins the norms and ethical principles that guide their personal and professional decisions.[FN2 N. Madan, M. Melko, "Religion in India", Review of Religious Research, 35 (1994), p. 377. / R. Kapur, "Understanding the Religions of India", Indian Journal of Social Science and Literature, 2/1(2022), p. 44–49.] Since the founding of the Indian state in 1949, the country has seen decades of increasing involvement from religious movements in its politics.[FN3 P. Van der Veer, "India, Religions of", in: International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioural Sciences, 7279–7282.] From the 1980s onwards, India witnessed a surge in Hindu nationalism that led to recurrent violent confrontations between the Hindu and Muslim and Christian communities.
Hinduism
Hinduism is the world's oldest continuously practised religion and has evolved over thousands of years through a rich tapestry of cultural and religious practices. It is characterised by a multitude of gods and goddesses, a wealth of sacred scriptures including the Vedas and Upanishads and a variety of philosophical schools and rituals. Central to Hinduism are the fundamental concepts of dharma (duty), karma (action and its consequences) and moksha (liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth).
Islam
Islam is India's second largest religion. Islam arrived in India in the 7th century via trade routes and later conquest. The Sunni and Shia denominations are the main currents within Indian Islam. Islam and in particular the Islamic Moghul Empire that ruled much of the Indian subcontinent from the 16th to the 19th centuries has had a lasting impact on various aspects of Indian culture. The Taj Mahal, for example, is an Islamic mausoleum that the Great Mogul Shah Jahan built in memory of his wife.
Christianity
Christianity, believed to have come to India during the 1st century AD with the Apostle Thomas, is the country's third-largest religion. The Christian population is made up of various denominations including Catholics, Protestants and Orthodox Christians. Christianity plays a particularly prominent role in states like Goa and Kerala. Missionary activity in India began in the 15th century with the arrival of Portuguese seafarers and was driven by both a desire to spread Christianity and commercial interests.
Western Christian institutions played an important role in the placement of Indian children for adoption by foreign couples abroad. (See also: The adoption mission and Missionaries of Charity).
Sikhism
Sikhism, a monotheistic religion founded in 15th-century Punjab, was established by Guru Nanak and his nine successors. The main tenets of Sikhism are the equality of all people, rejection of the caste system and the importance of serving the community. In India, the majority of Sikhs reside in the northern state of Punjab.
Buddhism
Buddhism originated in India in the 6th century BC through the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha). Buddhism has had a profound impact on Indian philosophy, art and culture. While Buddhism all but disappeared from India in the Middle Ages, it experienced a revival in the 1950s when many people from the underprivileged Dalit caste of the Mahar community in Maharashtra converted to Buddhism and joined the cause of political leader and social reformer Dr B.R. Ambedkar.[FN4 Srinivas, M. (1986). Foreword: "Religions in India in a Sociological Perspective", Social Compass, 33 (1986), p. 159–162.]
Jainism
Jainism, another ancient Indian religion with origins dating back to the 6th century BC, emphasises the principles of ahimsa (non-violence) and religious asceticism. Central to Jain philosophy is the idea that people should not cause harm to living things. Jain food is prepared with the utmost care to avoid unnecessary harm to animals or plants. To achieve liberation of the soul, Jain monks and nuns lead a distinctly ascetic life, renouncing worldly possessions and practising strict self-discipline.
Other religions
India is also home to smaller religious communities such as Zoroastrians (Parsis), Jews and Bahá'ís. People of many indigenous religions also live in India.
