Lakshadweep
Lakshadweep is the smallest union territory of India, an archipelago comprising 36 coral-origin islands—including 12 atolls, three reefs, and five submerged banks—with a total land area of 32 square kilometers located in the Arabian Sea, 200 to 440 kilometers west of Kerala.[1][2]
Administered as a single district with its capital at Kavaratti, the territory features 10 inhabited islands supporting a population of 64,429 as of the 2011 census, nearly all of whom are Muslim and speak dialects of Malayalam alongside Jeseri and Mahal languages.[3][4][5]
The islands' economy relies primarily on coconut cultivation, coir production, and fishing, with copra and fish constituting key exports, while tourism has grown due to the extensive lagoons, coral reefs, and diverse marine life including sea turtles and over 600 fish species.[4][6]
Formed as a union territory in 1956 and renamed Lakshadweep in 1973 from its prior designation as Laccadive, Minicoy, and Amindivi Islands, it remains ecologically vulnerable to climate change impacts on its low-lying atolls and wetlands spanning 79,000 square kilometers of surrounding waters.[7][8]
Etymology
Name Origin and Linguistic Roots
The name Lakshadweep originates from the Sanskrit compound lakṣa-dvīpa, translating literally to "one hundred thousand islands," where lakṣa denotes 100,000 and dvīpa signifies an island or landmass surrounded by water.[1] This nomenclature, also reflected in Malayalam—a Dravidian language with extensive Sanskrit vocabulary—evokes the archipelago's perceived multiplicity, encompassing not only the 36 recognized islands but potentially numerous coral atolls, reefs, and submerged banks visible at low tide.[1] The term's hyperbolic scale underscores ancient Indian linguistic conventions for denoting vastness, akin to other Sanskrit-derived toponyms emphasizing abundance rather than precise enumeration.[9] Historically, the islands were known collectively as the Laccadive Islands in European records, a phonetic corruption of Lakshadweep transmitted through Portuguese and British colonial cartography, with "Laccadive" first appearing in 15th-century accounts.[10] The subgroup Amindivi derives from Arabic amīn al-dīw ("trustworthy islands"), reflecting early Arab navigational influences, while Minicoy retains the indigenous Maliku, possibly from Dhivehi roots meaning "big island."[9] Ancient Arab and Greek sources, such as Ptolemy's 2nd-century CE Geography, alluded to the region as Dibajat or sources of tortoise shell without specific naming, indicating pre-Islamic trade links that later integrated Islamic toponymy.[10] The official adoption of Lakshadweep occurred in 1973 via parliamentary act, supplanting the colonial-era designation "Laccadive, Minicoy, and Amindivi Islands" to affirm indigenous linguistic heritage.History
Prehistoric Settlement and Early Inhabitants
Archaeological evidence for prehistoric human activity in Lakshadweep remains limited, primarily due to the archipelago's coral composition, which offers few suitable materials for durable stone tools and restricts terrestrial excavations. Marine archaeology, including surveys of stone anchors and submerged artifacts, indicates early maritime connections to the Malabar Coast, with some researchers inferring initial settlements around 1500 BCE tied to ancient trade routes from ports in the Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf.[11] These findings suggest sporadic visits by seafarers rather than permanent habitation, as direct evidence of prehistoric villages or tools predating the Iron Age is absent.[12] Genetic analyses provide indirect insights into early inhabitants, revealing a predominant South Asian ancestry among modern populations, consistent with migrations from mainland India, particularly Kerala and Tamil regions. A 2019 study of mitochondrial DNA and Y-chromosome markers across islands like Kavaratti and Minicoy identified a single founding population with minor West Eurasian (similar to Maldivian) and East Asian influences, likely introduced via later admixtures rather than primary settlement waves.[13] This genetic profile aligns with Austroasiatic or Dravidian linguistic roots, though no oral traditions or inscriptions confirm pre-Islamic ethnic identities.[14] The earliest documented references to the islands appear in classical texts, such as a 1st-century CE Greek account noting them as sources of tortoise shell and cowries, implying knowledge among ancient sailors but not necessarily resident populations. Permanent settlements, inferred from pottery shards and trade goods like Roman coins found on islands such as Kadmat, likely coalesced in the early centuries CE, driven by fishing, coir production, and inter-island navigation using outrigger canoes. These early groups adapted to atoll ecosystems, relying on marine resources amid frequent cyclones and resource scarcity.[15]Arrival of Islam and Medieval Consolidation
The introduction of Islam to Lakshadweep occurred through Arab maritime trade networks in the Arabian Sea, with missionary activities dating to the 7th century CE, facilitating gradual conversion among the island populations previously influenced by Buddhism and Hinduism.[16] Local traditions attribute the initial spread to Sheikh Ubaidullah, an Arab from Medina, who reportedly arrived around 41 Hijra (circa 661 CE) following a prophetic dream, beginning conversions on Amini Island and extending to nearby atolls through persuasion and integration with existing communities.[7] [17] Archaeological traces of Muslim traders' seasonal settlements support this timeline, as the islands served as monsoon waypoints between the Malabar Coast and Arabian ports.[18] By the 12th to 13th centuries, Islam had consolidated in Minicoy (then known as Muluk or Malik), the southernmost island, through similar trader influences, though northern Aminidivi islands converted earlier.[17] Despite widespread adoption—reaching near-universal adherence by the medieval period—political sovereignty over the archipelago remained with the Hindu Kolathiri Raja of Chirakkal on the mainland, who appointed local Muslim qazis (judges) for administration while extracting tribute in the form of cowrie shells and coconuts.[7] This arrangement preserved Islamic social structures, including matrilineal kinship systems adapted from pre-existing Dravidian customs, under loose suzerainty until the 16th century.[19] Medieval consolidation intensified with the rise of the Arakkal Ali Rajas, a Muslim trading family from Cannanore (Kannur), who assumed direct control around 1545 CE, marking the first indigenous Islamic dynasty to govern the islands independently of Hindu overlords.[18] Under Arakkal rule, which extended to islands like Androth, Kavaratti, Agatti, and Minicoy until 1819, governance emphasized Shafi'i jurisprudence, maritime commerce, and defense against Portuguese incursions, fostering a cohesive Sunni Muslim identity tied to Malabar networks.[19] Ibn Battuta's accounts from his 1342–1347 visits to the Malabar region indirectly corroborate the islands' established Islamic trading role by this era, though direct medieval records are sparse due to the oral and perishable nature of island documentation.[17]European Incursions and Colonial Domination
European incursions into the Lakshadweep islands began with Portuguese raids in the early 16th century, following Vasco da Gama's arrival in India in 1498, as the archipelago lay astride key maritime trade routes. Portuguese forces looted island vessels for coir rope and other resources essential for shipbuilding, and attempted forcible landings, such as at Amini Island, where invaders were reportedly poisoned by locals, thwarting further domination.[7] These efforts marked the onset of plunder but failed to establish lasting control, with mid-16th-century attempts to assert supremacy over the islands repelled.[7] Subsequent Dutch and French expeditions also sought to capture the islands for strategic and commercial advantage but were consistently foiled by determined resistance from the islanders, preserving local autonomy amid broader European rivalries in the Indian Ocean.[20] This pattern of failed incursions shifted in the 1760s when Hyder Ali, ruler of Mysore, extended conquests into Malabar and gained influence over parts of the Laccadives through alliances with local Muslim rulers like the Arakkal family.[21] His son, Tipu Sultan, consolidated this hold; in 1783, residents of Amini and four other islands petitioned for and received protection under Tipu's rule, transferring them from Arakkal to Mysore administration.[7] British colonial domination commenced effectively after Tipu Sultan's defeat in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War. Following his death at the Battle of Seringapatam on May 4, 1799, the Amindivi group of islands, previously under Mysore sway, fell under British East India Company control and were administered from Mangalore.[22] [7] The Company leveraged treaties with regional powers, including the Raja of Chirakkal who held nominal sovereignty over the Cannanore islands; a devastating cyclone striking Andrott in 1847 prompted British provision of a loan, which, unpaid with interest by 1854, led to the handover of remaining islands to Company authority.[7] Direct British administration intensified in the early 20th century. Citing chronic non-payment of tribute and taxes, the colonial government assumed full control in 1908, attaching all Lakshadweep islands to the Madras Presidency and curtailing local rulers' influence.[23] The 1912 Lakshadweep Regulation formalized this by granting limited judicial powers to native officials (amins and karanis) while restricting outsider settlement and land ownership, embedding the islands within the British Indian administrative framework until independence in 1947.[7]Integration into Independent India
Upon the attainment of independence by India on August 15, 1947, the Laccadive, Minicoy, and Amindivi Islands—collectively known today as Lakshadweep—passed from British colonial administration to the Dominion of India as territories previously under the Madras Presidency.[24] The Amindivi group had been attached to the South Canara district, the Laccadive islands to the Malabar district, and Minicoy maintained a distinct administrative status, all within Madras jurisdiction.[25] Given the islands' Muslim-majority population exceeding 95 percent, Pakistan sought to assert a claim shortly after partition, dispatching a naval vessel in late August 1947 to potentially hoist its flag and annex the territory.[26] [27] Under the direction of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs, local authorities including police from Travancore and Madras were mobilized to reach key islands such as Androth ahead of the Pakistani ship, successfully raising the Indian tricolor and securing effective control before any rival landing could occur.[28] [29] The Pakistani vessel, upon sighting the Indian flag, withdrew without contesting the islands' sovereignty.[27] The islands continued under Madras State administration until the States Reorganisation Act of 1956, which on November 1 detached the Laccadive, Minicoy, and Amindivi Islands to form a single centrally administered entity.[10] This new union territory, initially named Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindivi Islands, marked the formal consolidation of the archipelago under direct Indian central governance, with Kavaratti later designated as the capital.[30] In 1973, the territory was renamed Lakshadweep to reflect its indigenous linguistic roots.[24]Geography
Archipelagic Formation and Island Groups
The Lakshadweep archipelago originated from coral reef development on the Chagos-Laccadive submarine ridge, a volcanic feature in the Arabian Sea resulting from tectonic activity associated with the Indian plate's movement.[31] These islands formed through the subsidence of ancient volcanic islands, allowing fringing reefs to evolve into barrier reefs and eventually atolls as sea levels fluctuated and coral growth persisted.[32] Geologically, the islands consist primarily of coral limestone sands rich in calcium carbonates, with most classified as atolls enclosing lagoons, except for Androth, which is a platform reef fringed by coral sands.[33] The formation process aligns with Darwin's theory of atoll development, where ongoing subsidence and coral accretion maintain the islands just above sea level, typically 1-5 meters high.[34] Lakshadweep comprises 12 atolls, three reefs, five submerged banks, and ten inhabited islands scattered over approximately 78,000 square kilometers of ocean, with a total land area of 32 square kilometers.[1] The islands are grouped into three subgroups: the northern Amindivi Islands, the central Laccadive Islands, and the southern Minicoy Island, separated by varying latitudes and ocean depths.[35] The Amindivi group includes five inhabited islands such as Kavaratti, Agatti, and Amini, while the Laccadive group features four inhabited islands like Andrott and Kalpeni, along with numerous uninhabited islets and reefs; Minicoy stands isolated as the southernmost atoll with a single inhabited island.[35] These groups reflect historical administrative divisions, with Amindivi originally under South Kanara district and Laccadive and Minicoy under Malabar, influencing their cultural distinctions despite uniform coral origins.[9]Climatic Patterns and Environmental Conditions
Lakshadweep exhibits a tropical monsoon climate characterized by high temperatures, elevated humidity, and distinct wet and dry seasons influenced by the Arabian Sea and southwest monsoon winds. Average annual temperatures range from 27°C to 32°C, with minimal seasonal variation due to the islands' equatorial proximity and maritime location. April and May represent the hottest months, often reaching 32°C, while the coolest period in December to February sees lows around 25°C.[1][36] Precipitation totals approximately 1,600 mm annually, concentrated during the southwest monsoon from June to September, which delivers heavy rains and accounts for 80-90 rainy days per year. The dry season from December to April features lighter northeasterly trade winds and sporadic showers, with annual rainfall decreasing from south to north across the archipelago. Humidity levels persist at 75-90% throughout the year, exacerbating the perceived heat, while winds remain light to moderate (10-20 km/h) outside peak monsoon periods.[37][38] Environmental conditions are shaped by the low-lying coral atoll structure, with islands rising only 1-5 meters above sea level, rendering them highly vulnerable to tropical cyclones and storm surges. Cyclones, though infrequent, have impacted the region historically (e.g., 1847, 1963, 2004, and Cyclone Ockhi in 2017), causing erosion, flooding, and damage to infrastructure and reefs. Sea surface temperatures, averaging 28-30°C, support diverse marine ecosystems but have triggered multiple coral bleaching events since 1998, linked to El Niño-induced warming.[39][40] Ongoing threats include accelerating sea level rise at 3-5 mm per year, exceeding global averages and risking shoreline erosion and inundation of habitable land, particularly on narrower atolls. Coral cover has declined by approximately 50% over the past 24 years (1998-2022) due to repeated bleaching, overfishing, and pollution, undermining the reefs' role as natural barriers against waves and supporting biodiversity. These factors, compounded by ocean acidification, challenge the islands' resilience without adaptive measures like reef restoration.[41][42][43]Biodiversity and Ecological Features
Lakshadweep's biodiversity is predominantly marine, centered on its fringing coral reefs and lagoons that form the archipelago's ecological foundation. The islands comprise coral atolls with live corals encircling them, supporting diverse reef-associated organisms. Coral diversity includes 133 species across 44 genera, contributing to vibrant ecosystems that harbor numerous fish and invertebrate species. These reefs, along with lagoons featuring benthic macroalgae and seagrasses, host over 100 floral species in aquatic environments.[44][45][44] Marine fauna is exceptionally rich, with more than 600 species of fishes recorded, including reef-associated families that dominate in diversity and abundance. Invertebrates such as sea cucumbers, urchins, starfish, anemones, and clams thrive alongside corals, while marine mammals like Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) and spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) frequent the waters. Green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas), listed as endangered by the IUCN, nest on the islands and feed extensively on seagrass meadows, sometimes overgrazing them and affecting fish habitats.[46][47][48][49] Terrestrial biodiversity is limited due to the small island sizes and absence of forests, with natural vegetation covering less than 5 km² and classified as critically endangered. Dominant flora includes coconut palms and breadfruit trees (Artocarpus incisa), supplemented by seaweeds (82 species recorded) and seagrasses. Avian life features around 115 seabird species, including the sooty tern (Sterna fuscata) and brown noddy (Anous stolidus), with Pitti Island serving as a key bird sanctuary. Vertebrate presence is sparse, mainly domestic cattle and poultry, alongside oceanic birds.[50][51][46][52] Ecological features face threats from climate change, including El Niño-induced coral bleaching and mortality events, alongside human activities that exacerbate habitat fragmentation. These pressures highlight the archipelago's fragility, with remnant natural vegetation vulnerable to global changes and overgrazing by turtles altering seagrass ecosystems. Conservation efforts focus on protecting reefs and species amid rising sea levels and pollution risks.[53][50][49]Governance
Administrative Framework and Leadership
Lakshadweep functions as a Union Territory of India under direct central administration as per Article 239 of the Constitution, lacking a legislative assembly and relying on an appointed Administrator to exercise executive powers on behalf of the President.[54] The territory constitutes a single district with administrative headquarters at Kavaratti Island, where overall governance encompasses law and order, development, and resource management.[54] The Administrator holds integrated authority, often concurrently serving as District Collector, Development Commissioner, and Inspector General of Police, with support from a Collector-cum-Development Commissioner acting as District Magistrate for day-to-day operations including judicial magistracy and public welfare.[54] Shri Praful Khoda Patel has served as Administrator since December 5, 2020, concurrently administering the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.[55] Appointed by the President, Patel's tenure has focused on developmental initiatives, though it has drawn scrutiny for policy implementation amid local consultations.[55] Prior Administrators were typically senior civil servants, but Patel's political background as a Bharatiya Janata Party leader marks a departure, emphasizing direct central oversight in remote island governance.[56] Administratively, the district divides into four tahsils overseen by tahsildars, with Minicoy tahsil managed by a deputy collector since August 1978; nine subdivisions, established in 1983, fall under sub-divisional officers who double as executive magistrates and block development officers.[54] Five community development blocks—Kavaratti, Andrott, Minicoy, Amini (covering Amini and Kadmat), and Kiltan (covering Kiltan, Chetlat, and Bitra)—handle grassroots development, with blocks formalized from January 1971 and Amini bifurcated in October 1976.[54] Local self-governance includes a District Panchayat with 26 directly elected members (including nine women) constituted in 2012–2013 for socio-economic planning, alongside island-level Dweep Panchayats established from December 2002 to address community needs.[57]Political Dynamics and Representation
Lakshadweep, as a Union Territory of India, lacks a legislative assembly and is administered directly by a centrally appointed Administrator, who exercises executive powers on behalf of the President. The territory sends one member to the Lok Sabha, India's lower house of Parliament, from a single constituency reserved for Scheduled Tribes, encompassing all islands. This seat, established post-independence, has historically been contested by candidates from the Indian National Congress (INC) and regional allies like the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), reflecting the islands' demographic profile of over 96% Muslim population and limited influence from national parties such as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has never secured victory despite fielding nominees.[58][59] In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections held on April 19, Muhammed Hamdullah Sayeed of the INC defeated incumbent Mohammed Faizal P. P. of the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) by 2,647 votes, securing 25,726 votes to Faizal's 23,079 amid a turnout of approximately 82%. This marked a shift from the 2019 result, where Faizal won with 22,851 votes, underscoring competitive local dynamics influenced by family political legacies—Sayeed is the son of former Union Minister P. M. Sayeed—and debates over development policies. Voter concerns centered on infrastructure, employment, and administrative overreach rather than ideological divides, with no Rajya Sabha representation due to the absence of a state assembly.[60][59][61] Local governance operates through Panchayati Raj institutions, including 10 Gram Panchayats (one per inhabited island) and a single District Panchayat, elected every five years to advise on development and welfare but with advisory roles subordinate to the Administrator's office. Political representation at this level emphasizes consensus on fisheries, education, and conservation, yet tensions arise from central interventions; for instance, under Administrator Praful Khoda Patel (appointed December 2020), reforms such as a beef import ban, relaxed alcohol restrictions, and proposed land-use regulations sparked protests in 2021, with opposition parties alleging erosion of local councils' autonomy and cultural norms in the Muslim-majority society. Critics, including island residents and non-BJP parties, petitioned for Patel's removal, citing decisions like mandatory beef-free canteens and COVID-19 protocols as disruptive to livelihoods and ecology, while proponents argued they promoted modernization and tourism. These events highlight the territory's constrained political agency, where national priorities often override local representation, leading to litigations and perceptions of diminished self-governance as of 2023.[62][63][64]Policy Reforms and Implementation Challenges
In 2021, Lakshadweep Administrator Praful Khoda Patel introduced a series of policy reforms under the Lakshadweep Development Roadmap 2021, aimed at fostering economic self-reliance through tourism expansion, infrastructure modernization, and administrative streamlining in the subsidy-dependent union territory. Key measures included the Draft Lakshadweep Building Rules 2021, which relaxed construction norms to permit multi-story developments for hospitality projects, and the Lakshadweep Development Authority Regulation 2021, empowering the administration to acquire land for public purposes such as resorts and ports.[65][66] Agricultural reforms involved closing government dairy farms and auctioning cattle to reduce maintenance costs, with a shift to imported dairy products, alongside the Lakshadweep Animal Preservation Regulation 2021 prohibiting cow slaughter.[67][68] Governance changes encompassed the Lakshadweep Panchayat Regulation 2021, disqualifying candidates with more than two children or without secondary school certification from contesting local elections, and the Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Regulation to curb organized crime.[69] These reforms encountered significant implementation hurdles, primarily from local resistance in the predominantly conservative Muslim population of approximately 64,000, who viewed measures like the beef ban and panchayat eligibility criteria as impositions on cultural and familial norms.[70] Protests erupted in May 2021, amplified by opposition figures in Kerala and national campaigns such as "Save Lakshadweep," alleging autocratic overreach and erosion of islander autonomy, leading to temporary halts or modifications in some regulations.[71] Logistical barriers exacerbated delays: the archipelago's remoteness, served only by Agatti Airport with limited flights and infrequent ship services from Kochi, constrained material transport and skilled labor influx for projects.[72] Fare hikes for inter-island transport and essentials in 2021 further fueled discontent, prompting administrative use of FIRs against dissenters.[73] Environmental and ecological constraints posed additional challenges, as coral atoll formations vulnerable to sea-level rise and bleaching limited large-scale construction, with critics warning of habitat disruption from tourism infrastructure.[74] Legal interventions, including Kerala High Court stays on curriculum changes removing Mahal and Arabic languages from schools in 2025, highlighted tensions between modernization and cultural preservation.[75] Despite these, reforms yielded measurable progress by 2024-2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's January 2024 visit inaugurated projects worth over ₹1,150 crore, including coastal enhancements and health facilities, coinciding with a tourism surge—visitor arrivals rose 107% year-on-year from April to June 2024, and booking queries increased 2,500% post-visit, signaling economic diversification beyond fisheries.[76][77][78] Ongoing reviews of power and urban sectors underscore persistent needs for sustainable implementation amid fiscal constraints and climatic risks.[79]Demographics
Population Distribution and Growth Trends
As of the 2011 census, Lakshadweep's total population stood at 64,473, comprising 33,123 males and 31,350 females.[80] The territory recorded a decadal growth rate of 6.30% between 2001 and 2011, down sharply from 17.30% in the prior decade (1991–2001), reflecting factors such as high literacy rates exceeding 91% and effective implementation of family planning programs in this isolated island setting.[81] This slowdown aligns with broader trends in small, high-density populations where resource constraints and migration controls limit expansion.[81] Population density across the territory's land area of approximately 32 square kilometers reached 2,149 persons per square kilometer in 2011, among the highest in India, driven by the confinement to narrow coral atolls with limited arable land.[81] Urban areas accounted for 78.07% of the population (50,332 persons), while rural areas held 21.93% (14,141 persons); this classification stems from the designation of all ten inhabited islands as statutory towns, despite their small scale and lack of large urban agglomerations.[82] The population is distributed unevenly across ten inhabited islands, with over half concentrated in the three largest: Andrott (11,191 persons), Kavaratti (11,210 persons), and Minicoy (10,447 persons).[83][5][84] Smaller islands, such as Bitra with just 271 residents, host minimal shares due to their tiny land areas and challenging habitability.[2] This distribution correlates directly with island size and access to lagoon resources for fishing, the primary livelihood, rather than even spread across the archipelago.[2]| Island Group/Island | Population (2011 Census) |
|---|---|
| Andrott (Amindivi) | 11,191[83] |
| Kavaratti (Laccadive) | 11,210[5] |
| Minicoy | 10,447[84] |
| Bitra (Amindivi) | 271[2] |
Ethnic and Religious Composition
The population of Lakshadweep is predominantly Muslim, with Islam adhered to by 96.58% of residents as per the 2011 census, totaling 62,268 individuals out of a population of 64,473.[85] [86] The Muslim community primarily follows the Shafi school of Sunni Islam, a tradition introduced through Arab traders between the 7th and 11th centuries, which has shaped local customs while incorporating matrilineal elements from pre-Islamic Dravidian heritage.[2] Hindus constitute 2.77% (1,788 persons), Christians 0.49% (317 persons), and Sikhs 0.01% (8 persons), with negligible adherents to other faiths; these minorities are mostly non-indigenous migrants or descendants involved in administration and services.[85] [86] Ethnically, over 94.8% of the population belongs to Scheduled Tribes, reflecting indigenous islander status due to geographic isolation and distinct cultural practices, with the remainder comprising non-tribal groups such as mainland Indian migrants.[86] The core ethnic group consists of Malayalam-speaking islanders of Dravidian descent, who form the majority across the Amindivi and Laccadive subgroups, exhibiting genetic markers of South Indian ancestry blended with minor North Indian components from historical migrations.[87] In Minicoy, comprising about 15-20% of the territory's inhabited area, a distinct subgroup known as the Mahls prevails, speaking a Dhivehi dialect and maintaining closer cultural ties to the Maldives, including unique boat-building and weaving traditions.[88] This ethnic differentiation underscores Minicoy's historical separation from the northern islands, fostering localized endogamy and customs despite overarching Islamic unity.[19]| Religion | Population (2011) | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Islam | 62,268 | 96.58% |
| Hinduism | 1,788 | 2.77% |
| Christianity | 317 | 0.49% |
| Sikhism | 8 | 0.01% |
| Others | Negligible | <0.01% |