Religion and People in Uttarakhand | Uttarakhand State PSC (UKPSC): Preparation - UKPSC (Uttarakhand) PDF Download

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Religion and People in Uttarakhand
Hinduism is the widespread religion in Uttarakhand with around 72.12 lakh
followers. Most of the Hindus can be traced in the inner Himalaya. Another
religion in Uttarakhand which has many followers is the Islam, which had has
10.12 lakh followers which in comparison to Hindus is a small number but
still is the second highest religion in Uttarakhand to be followed. After Islam,
Sikhism is the dominating religion in Uttarakhand with 2.12 lakh Sikhs
adding to the population. Uttarakhand has many gurudwaras where the Sikhs
offer prayers. Most of the Sikhs are situated in the Terrai region. Sikhism is
followed by Christianity as this religion at Uttarakhand has 27 thousand
followers. Uttarakhand’s close proximity to Laddakh and other Himalayan
areas has led down the way for Buddhism to spread its wing across the state.
This religion of people at Uttarakhand has 13 thousand followers. Next to
Buddhism is Jainism, which has nine thousand followers. This religion of
people in Uttarakhand in which they worship Lord Mahavira does not find
too much fan following in the Himalayan state.
Table 34.1: Religion Wise Population in Uttarakhand
Description Population Percentage
Total 1,00,86,292 100%
Hindu 83,68,636 82.97%
Muslim 14,06,825 13.95%
Sikh 2,36,340 2.34%
Christian 37,781 0.37%
Buddhist 14,926 0.15%
Religion not stated 11,608 0.12%
Jain 9,183 0.09%
Other religions and persuasions 993 0.01%
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Religion and People in Uttarakhand
Hinduism is the widespread religion in Uttarakhand with around 72.12 lakh
followers. Most of the Hindus can be traced in the inner Himalaya. Another
religion in Uttarakhand which has many followers is the Islam, which had has
10.12 lakh followers which in comparison to Hindus is a small number but
still is the second highest religion in Uttarakhand to be followed. After Islam,
Sikhism is the dominating religion in Uttarakhand with 2.12 lakh Sikhs
adding to the population. Uttarakhand has many gurudwaras where the Sikhs
offer prayers. Most of the Sikhs are situated in the Terrai region. Sikhism is
followed by Christianity as this religion at Uttarakhand has 27 thousand
followers. Uttarakhand’s close proximity to Laddakh and other Himalayan
areas has led down the way for Buddhism to spread its wing across the state.
This religion of people at Uttarakhand has 13 thousand followers. Next to
Buddhism is Jainism, which has nine thousand followers. This religion of
people in Uttarakhand in which they worship Lord Mahavira does not find
too much fan following in the Himalayan state.
Table 34.1: Religion Wise Population in Uttarakhand
Description Population Percentage
Total 1,00,86,292 100%
Hindu 83,68,636 82.97%
Muslim 14,06,825 13.95%
Sikh 2,36,340 2.34%
Christian 37,781 0.37%
Buddhist 14,926 0.15%
Religion not stated 11,608 0.12%
Jain 9,183 0.09%
Other religions and persuasions 993 0.01%
People in Uttarakhand are mainly referred to as “Pahari” which means hill
person. The people are called so because of the location of Uttarakhand in the
foothills of Himalayas. Garhwal and Kumun being two important regions,
these parts of Uttarakhand people are also referred as Garhwali or Kumaoni.
Uttarakhand boasts of Apart from the Garhwali and Kumuni people, the
other tribes that exist in Uttarakhand are Jadh, Marcha, Tolcha, Shauka,
Buksha, Tharu, Jaunsari, Bhotia, Raji and Gujjar. These people around
Uttarakhand are engaged in different occupations.
Caste wise, people in Uttarakhand can be divided into Kol-Doms, Khas
Rajput, Khas Brahmin, Immigrant Rajput, Immigrant Brahmin and lastly
people who don’t believe in caste systems such as Bhotias and other such
tribes. Kol-Doms belong to lower caste groups and are too poor to own small
lands. Rajputs are held with high esteem and they own lands. Brahmins are
respected for they perform all the holy rituals. However caste status in
Uttarakhand is very fluid and lower caste have a better status as compared to
other parts of the country. It is rightly said different of status in Uttarakhand
is more based on economic status and accessibility. Apart from the local
tribes, people of Uttarakhand also comprise of Punjabis, Nepalis, Bengalis
and Tibetans.
Racial Composition
Kirata- Kirata refers to the people living in Himalayas and North-east India.
They took part in the Mahabharata war along with the Parvatas
(mountaineers) and other Himalayan tribes. They were widespread all over
Himalaya including in Uttarakhand. Though dwelling in inaccessible areas,
they did not get the status of super-humans enjoyed by other tribes like
Gandharwas, Kinnars, Kimpurushas and Yakshas due to their greater
interaction with the vedic people which resulted in their de-mystification.