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Maharashtra Population by Religion
Maharashtra is the second most populous state of India and has a diverse population of many religions and communities. At the census 2011, out of the 11.24 Crore population, around 9 crores (79.83%) have returned themselves as followers of the Hindu religion; 1.30 crores (11.54%) as Muslims or followers of Islam; 65.31 Lakhs (5.81%) as Buddhist; 14 lakhs (1.25%) as Jain; 10.80 lakhs (0.96%) are Christians; and 2.24 Lakhs (0.20%) as Sikh. In addition, 0.25% Stated no religion & 0.16% are other religions.
also read about Population of Maharashtra
| # | Religion | Population 2011 | 2024 Estimate |
| 1 | Hindu | 89,703,057 | 10 Crore |
| 2 | Muslim | 12,971,152 | 1.5 Crore |
| 3 | Buddhist | 6,531,200 | 75 lakh |
| 4 | Jain | 1,400,349 | 15.75 lakh |
| 5 | Christian | 1,080,073 | 12.60 lakh |
| 6 | Sikh | 223,247 | 2.5 lakh |
| 7 | Other religions and persuasions | 178,965 | 2 lakh |
| 8 | Religion not stated | 286,290 | 3.16 lakh |
| Total | 112,374,333 | 126,400,000 |
Source: Census 2011
Religion in Maharashtra by Percentage
| # | Religion | Population % |
| 1 | Hindu | 79.83% |
| 2 | Muslim | 11.54% |
| 3 | Buddhist | 5.81% |
| 4 | Jain | 1.25% |
| 5 | Christian | 0.96% |
| 6 | Sikh | 0.20% |
| 7 | Other religions and persuasions | 0.16% |
| 8 | Religion not stated | 0.25% |
Source: Census 2011
Religion in Maharashtra - Rural Population
| # | Religion | Rural Pop. 2011 | Percentage % |
| 1 | Hindu | 53,986,028 | 87.70% |
| 2 | Muslim | 3,496,807 | 5.68% |
| 3 | Buddhist | 3,412,078 | 5.54% |
| 4 | Jain | 269,959 | 0.44% |
| 5 | Religion not stated | 156,133 | 0.25% |
| 6 | Christian | 114,972 | 0.19% |
| 7 | Other religions and persuasions | 93,647 | 0.15% |
| 8 | Sikh | 26,450 | 0.04% |
| Total | 61,556,074 |
Source: Census 2011
Religion in Maharashtra - Urban Population
| # | Religion | Urban Pop. 2011 | Percentage % |
| 1 | Hindu | 35,717,029 | 70.28% |
| 2 | Muslim | 9,474,345 | 18.64% |
| 3 | Buddhist | 3,119,122 | 6.14% |
| 4 | Jain | 1,130,390 | 2.22% |
| 5 | Christian | 965,101 | 1.90% |
| 6 | Sikh | 196,797 | 0.39% |
| 7 | Religion not stated | 130,157 | 0.26% |
| 8 | Other religions and persuasions | 85,318 | 0.17% |
| Total | 50,818,259 |
Source: Census 2011
Maharashtra Population - Caste wise
| Caste | Population (%) |
| OBC* | 34% |
| Dalits (SCs) | 11.81% |
| Tribals (STs) | 9.35% |
| General caste | 32.4% |
| Muslims | 11.54% |
| Others | 0.90% |
*Govt has not enumerated caste-wise population other than SCs and STs in Census 2011. So OBC Percentage is not accurate & based on various estimates.
Caste by people groups
Indian or Maharashtra Govt has not enumerated caste-wise population other than SCs and STs in Census 2011.
List of Main Catsre Group in Maharastra
| Caste wise/People Group* |
| Marathas |
| Kunbi |
| Mahars |
| Shaikh |
| Brahmin |
| Bania/ Aggarwals |
| Mali |
| Matang |
| Gond |
| Bhil |
| Koli |
| Teli |
| Yadav |
| Rajput |
| Jatav/ Bhambi |
| Sonar |
| Banjara |
| Badhai |
| Vanjara |
| Nai |
| Pashtun |
| Sayyid |
| Kumhar |
| Varli |
| Ansari |
| Caste wise/People Group* |
| Marathas |
| Kunbi |
| Mahars |
| Shaikh |
| Brahmin |
| Bania/ Aggarwals |
| Mali |
| Matang |
| Gond |
| Bhil |
| Koli |
| Teli |
| Yadav |
| Rajput |
| Jatav/ Bhambi |
| Sonar |
| Banjara |
| Badhai |
| Vanjara |
| Nai |
| Pashtun |
| Sayyid |
| Kumhar |
| Varli |
| Ansari |
+ 200 other caste groups with a population less than 1%
Caste by people groups
Indian or Maharashtra Govt has not enumerated caste-wise population other than SCs and STs in Census 2011. So Caste Percentages are not accurate & based on estimates by the Joshua Project and many sources of varying accuracy.
| # | Caste wise/People Group* | % of Total |
| 1 | Marathas | 26% |
| 2 | Kunbi | 8% |
| 3 | Mahars | 7 – 8% |
| 4 | Shaikh | 6% |
| 5 | Brahmin | 6% |
| 6 | Bania/ Aggarwals | 5% |
| 7 | Mali | 2-3% |
| 8 | Matang | 2% |
| 9 | Gond | 2% |
| 10 | Bhil | 2% |
| 11 | Koli | 2% |
| 12 | Teli | 1.5% |
| 13 | Yadav | 1 – 2% |
| 14 | Rajput | 1 – 2% |
| 15 | Jatav/ Bhambi | 1.20% |
| 16 | Sonar | 1% |
| 17 | Banjara | 1% |
| 18 | Badhai | 0.80% |
| 19 | Vanjara | 0.72% |
| 20 | Nai | 0.72% |
| 21 | Pashtun | 1.08% |
| 22 | Sayyid | 1.14% |
| 23 | Kumhar | 0.69% |
| 24 | Varli | 0.68% |
| 25 | Ansari | 0.67% |
Source: Joshua Project and various news articles
Please note that the Caste percentage and percentage provided above is for general information only. It should not be considered reliable as it is based on non-governmental studies and news reports, and may not be accurate or up-to-date.
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