Christianity in Uttar Pradesh

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Christianity is a minority religion in Uttar Pradesh, the largest state of India. The Christians of Uttar Pradesh come under the territory of Lucknow and Agra Diocese of Church of North India (a member of the Anglican Communion) and of the Archdiocese of Agra (Roman Catholic Church). The Uttar Pradesh Christian Revival Church (UPCRC) was established in 2017 as a part of the Christian Revival Church.

Christians in Uttar Pradesh
Year Number Percentage
2001[1]
212,578
0.13
2011[2]
356,448
0.18

History

All Saints Cathedral, Prayagraj.

Mughal India

Christianity was first introduced to Uttar Pradesh during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar (1556–1605).[citation needed] Akbar was known for his secular theology. He sought out educated Jesuit Priests from Goa and gave them permission to bring Christianity to his people. However, Christianity in this state has long been a tiny, stagnant minority. In recent years many people are baptized, mainly in Protestantism.[3]

British Raj

During British Raj many people converted to Christianity, most of them employed in Indian Army or Government offices.[4] During the 1857 revolt, many Indian Christians were killed in the uprising, while revolters took revenge from the United Kingdom; as for them an Indian Christian was synonymous to being British. [5]

Further reading

  • World Christian Encyclopedia; 2nd ed., 2001 Volume 1, p. 368-370; (2) The Encyclopedia of Christianity, Volume 4

References

  1. ^ "Total population by religious communities". Censusindia.gov.in. Archived from the original on 19 January 2008. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  2. ^ "Indian Census 2011". Census Department, Government of India. Archived from the original on 13 September 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
  3. ^ "Regional Updates – Gospel for Asia". Gfa.org. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  4. ^ The story of Cawnpore: The Indian Mutiny 1857, Capt. Mowbray Thomson, Brighton, Tom Donovan, 1859, pp. 148-159.
  5. ^ Metcalf, Thomas R. (1990), The Aftermath of Revolt: India, 1857–1870, New Delhi: Manohar, pp. 352, ISBN 81-85054-99-1.

See also