Ethnic, Linguistic, and Religious Pluralism in India
India is near the top of the global list in many different measures. It is amongst the most populated countries with over 1.3 billion people. It is also one of the world’s oldest “living” civilizations, dating back nearly 4,500 years. Furthermore, it is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world.
There is no one, individual culture in India. Instead, there are numerous cultures that make up India. In this article, we’ll explain India’s cultural pluralism and how these many differences come together to form this unique country.
India’s Pluralism Explained
India’s pluralistic society is due to many different factors that have impacted the country. With so many individuals living within its borders, it’s no surprise that there are differences between the people who live there. However, those differences are not a bad thing. In fact, they make India one of the richest, most culturally diverse countries on the planet. Here are some examples of India’s pluralism:
Religiously - One of the main areas that contributes to India’s pluralism is religion. As the home to over a billion people, there are many different belief systems among the people of India. It is the birthplace of Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism, with about 84% of Indians identifying as Hindus and 13% as Muslims. So while India is home to the largest population of Hindus, it is also a country with the third-largest concentration of Muslims. The country is also home to smaller populations of Buddhists, Sikhs, Christians, Jains, Zoroastrians, Jews, and other religious groups.
Linguistically - Another aspect of India’s pluralistic culture revolves around language. India has 22 official state languages, including English. Indians speak many different languages and dialects. The language that is used often differs depending on the region and state. Over half of the people speak Hindi, while other languages like Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia, and Punjabi are spoken in certain regions. English and other languages are also spoken by about 10% of the population.
Ethnically - Almost all of the world’s racial origins are represented in India, making it one of the most ethnically diverse countries on the planet. Here are some key facts about different ethnic groups in India:
Inhabitants of Northern and Central India were originally of the Indo-Aryan ethnic group, making up around 70% of the Indian population.
Inhabitants of Southern India were originally of the Dravidian ethnic group, making up around 25% of the Indian population.
There are around 450 indigenous people groups who speak about 750 different dialects. These and other ethnic groups make up less than 5% of India’s population. Many of these groups live in the hills of northeastern India, bordering China and Myanmar; and in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, an archipelago in the Bay of Bengal.
Pluralistic societies made up of individuals that aren’t all the same are strengthened by the things that set people apart. The differences lend to a dynamic that leads to change, understanding, and harmony. However, while pluralism is a good thing, it doesn’t always result in desirable outcomes. Some groups face discrimination and are denied access to the same opportunities as others.
At Tiyara, we understand the empowering, equalizing role education can play, and how it can help lead to positive outcomes. We seek to provide educational opportunities that will make life-changing differences for under-resourced young women and men in India, equipping them to pursue professional and skilled employment that will bring them stability and upward mobility.
These young women and men reflect India’s plurality and have had their lives affected by circumstances beyond their control. You can help build your legacy by providing technology for our students, other education-related costs, or by putting a deserving young person through college!