Sikhism is a religion that originated on the Indian subcontinent during the fifteenth century. Sikhs follow the teachings of 'gurus', who descend from the first guru Guru Naruk who established the faith. Followers of Sikhism are monotheists, believing in only one god, and other core beliefs include the need to meditate, the importance of community and communal living, and the need to serve humanity selflessly (or 'seva'). Sikhism and the British Empire In total, there are around 26 million Sikhs worldwide, and over 24 million of these live in India. Outside of India, the largest Sikh populations are mostly found in former territories of the British Empire - the UK and Canada both have Sikh populations of over half a million people. Migration from India to other parts of the British Empire was high in the 19th century, due to the labor demands of relatively newer colonies, as well as those where slavery had been abolished. These countries also remain popular destinations for Sikh migrants today, as many are highly trained and English-speaking. Other regions with significant Sikh populations Italy also has a sizeable Sikh population, as many migrated there after serving there in the British Army during WWI, and they are now heavily represented in Italy's dairy industry. The Sikh population of Saudi Arabia is also reflective of the fact that the largest Indian diaspora in the world can now be found in the Middle East - this is due to the labor demands of the fossil fuel industries and their associated secondary industries, although a large share of Indians in this part of the world are there on a temporary basis.

Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Haryana data was reported at 1,243,752.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,170,662.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Haryana data is updated decadal, averaging 1,207,207.000 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,243,752.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 1,170,662.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Haryana data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE005: Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh.

In 2011, about 1.87 percent of the population identified with Sikhism as their religion, a slight decrease from about 1.9 percent in 1951. Overall, India has been a religiously pluralistic and multiethnic democracy with people of several faiths.

Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Punjab data was reported at 16,004,754.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 14,592,387.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Punjab data is updated decadal, averaging 15,298,570.500 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 16,004,754.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 14,592,387.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Punjab data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE005: Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh.

Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Delhi data was reported at 570,581.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 555,602.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Delhi data is updated decadal, averaging 563,091.500 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 570,581.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 555,602.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Delhi data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE005: Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh.

Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Himachal Pradesh data was reported at 79,896.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 72,355.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Himachal Pradesh data is updated decadal, averaging 76,125.500 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 79,896.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 72,355.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Himachal Pradesh data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE005: Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh.

Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Karnataka data was reported at 28,773.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 15,326.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Karnataka data is updated decadal, averaging 22,049.500 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 28,773.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 15,326.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Karnataka data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE005: Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh.

Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Punjab: Male data was reported at 8,395,797.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 7,692,776.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Punjab: Male data is updated decadal, averaging 8,044,286.500 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8,395,797.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 7,692,776.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Punjab: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE005: Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh.

Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Chhattisgarh data was reported at 70,036.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 69,621.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Chhattisgarh data is updated decadal, averaging 69,828.500 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 70,036.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 69,621.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Chhattisgarh data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE005: Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh.

Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Bihar data was reported at 23,779.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 20,780.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Bihar data is updated decadal, averaging 22,279.500 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 23,779.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 20,780.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Bihar data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE005: Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh.

Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Kerala data was reported at 2,185.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,258.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Kerala data is updated decadal, averaging 1,721.500 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,185.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 1,258.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Kerala data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE005: Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh.

Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Uttarakhand data was reported at 236,340.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 212,025.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Uttarakhand data is updated decadal, averaging 224,182.500 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 236,340.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 212,025.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Uttarakhand data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE005: Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh.

Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Uttarakhand: Male data was reported at 123,579.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 111,723.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Uttarakhand: Male data is updated decadal, averaging 117,651.000 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 123,579.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 111,723.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Uttarakhand: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE005: Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh.

Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Gujarat: Female data was reported at 26,177.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 20,600.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Gujarat: Female data is updated decadal, averaging 23,388.500 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 26,177.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 20,600.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Gujarat: Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE005: Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh.

Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Jharkhand data was reported at 71,422.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records a decrease from the previous number of 83,358.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Jharkhand data is updated decadal, averaging 77,390.000 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 83,358.000 Person in 03-01-2001 and a record low of 71,422.000 Person in 03-01-2011. Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Jharkhand data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE005: Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh.

Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Maharashtra data was reported at 223,247.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 215,337.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Maharashtra data is updated decadal, averaging 219,292.000 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 223,247.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 215,337.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Maharashtra data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE005: Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh.

Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Andhra Pradesh data was reported at 40,244.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 30,998.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Andhra Pradesh data is updated decadal, averaging 35,621.000 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 40,244.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 30,998.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Andhra Pradesh data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE005: Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh.

Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Jammu and Kashmir: Male data was reported at 132,897.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 114,524.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Jammu and Kashmir: Male data is updated decadal, averaging 123,710.500 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 132,897.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 114,524.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Jammu and Kashmir: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE005: Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh.

Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Uttarakhand: Female data was reported at 112,761.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 100,302.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Uttarakhand: Female data is updated decadal, averaging 106,531.500 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 112,761.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 100,302.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Uttarakhand: Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE005: Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh.

Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Madhya Pradesh: Female data was reported at 71,071.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 70,650.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Madhya Pradesh: Female data is updated decadal, averaging 70,860.500 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 71,071.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 70,650.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh: Madhya Pradesh: Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE005: Census: Population: by Religion: Sikh.