By Editor Do you know that even though India is a secular country and the majority of people living here come from the Hindu religion, but still, India ranks 3rd in the list of the highest muslim population in the entire world? Yes, there are believed to be more than 200 million muslims living in India right now, and that is too big of a number, like only actual muslim countries like Pakistan and Indonesia are ahead of us in this scene. But within India’s border, there certainly are some states which have a higher muslim population compared to others, and it has been like that always. So, for some reason, if you were wondering about that and want to dig down deep, then here we are with this list of the Top 10 Indian States With the Highest Muslim Population.
1. Uttar Pradesh
It could very well be that you must have heard it a million times that a lot of Muslims live in Uttar Pradesh, and no doubt, our list as well as the data confirms it. Like, according to the 2011 Census, the state had close to 38.5 million Muslims, which accounted for 19.26% of the total population. Here, though, the community is spread everywhere, basically talking from Rampur and Moradabad to Aligarh and Lucknow, which include the major regions. And not a single doubt in the fact that the coming centuries of the state are engraved in the vibrant and well-preserved Islamic legacy of the state, as Taj Mahal and Bara Imambara are still standing tall as the living witnesses.
2. West Bengal
Coming in at number two is West Bengal, a region where the Muslim religion and Bengali culture have merged super well, and that is a beautiful thing to talk about. Talking about numbers here, see, there are almost 2.46 crore Muslims who make up around 27% of the total population. As a result, several districts like Murshidabad, Malda, and North 24 Parganas are heavily populated with Muslims. Even the history of the Muslim families in Kolkata goes back several generations, and that is the reason you find their influence in the state’s food, literature, and lifestyle, pretty much everywhere.
3. Bihar
Bihar, with nearly 17.5 million Muslims, is a very close third place just behind the second state. Here, though, the Muslim community accounts for 16.87% of the total population of the state. And to be more specific, you must have heard that the Seemanchal region and the districts of Kishanganj, Araria, Katihar, and Purnia, in particular, are the areas that have the most significant concentration of the Muslim population. No doubt, in a majority of localities in Bihar, the Muslim community constitutes the social and economic life of the state in a very organic or natural way.
4. Maharashtra
Yes, Maharashtra is at number four, a state where the majority of Muslims live in the cities, aka urban areas. Going with the data here, see, according to the data of 2011, there are approximately 12.9 million Muslims in the state, which accounts for 11.54% of the total population. And no doubt, the major hubs are Mumbai, Aurangabad, Malegaon, and Nagpur. Just Mumbai has one of the largest urban Muslim populations in India, just so you know.
5. Assam
Assam? Well, it might be a bit surperising to you but Assam ranks fifth position, yet its percentage is what amazes to a great extent. The community with nearly 1.06 crore Muslims constitutes a very significant 34.22% of the total population of the state, ranking among the highest in India. You know, those areas Dhubri, Goalpara, Barpeta, and Nagaon particularly are districts that have very high concentrations of Muslim populations. Besides, the state of Assam has Muslim communities who are ethnically Assamese as well as Muslims of Bengali origin.
6. Kerala
Well, if you see connetion between Kerala (or the southern part of the country in general), then you’ll find out how it is among the regions where Islam reached by sea more than a thousand years ago through Arab traders. Data? Well, there are almost 88.7 lakh Muslims living in Kerala, which makes 26.56% of the total population. Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod have the highest concentration of Muslims.
7. Karnataka
Another southern state on the list, see, Karnataka is placed at number seven with almost 79 lakh Muslims which are about 12.92% of the state’s total population. Here specifically, though, the cities of Bangalore, Mysuru, Mangalore, Bidar, and Kalaburagi not only have religious but also well-established historical and cultural ties, you know, which can be seen in the heritage of mosques and the monuments dating back to the Bahmani and Adil Shahi periods.
8. Telangana
Not a single doubt in the fact that being a more recent state, but still quite large in terms of population, Telangana is at the eighth position with close to 5 million Muslims, who make about 13% of its total population. Just Hyderabad has a large share and is known all over the world for the Charminar, Mecca Masjid, and its biryani culture. All in all, as of 2025, the Muslim community in Telangana is engaged in business, food, real estate, and education, pretty much essentially every major sector.
9. Jharkhand
And then, see, Jharkhand comes in at number nine with around 47.9 lakh Muslims, accounting for 14.53% of the total population. Talking about the specific regions, see, the density of Muslims is more in Ranchi, Pakur, Sahibganj, and Godda. A majority of the people are involved in agriculture, village trade, and running small businesses.
10. Gujarat
And yes, Gujarat is the last state of the top ten list with about 58.4 lakh Muslims, making up 9.67% of the total population. And if you live here, you may already know that some of the major centres are Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and Bharuch, which have all been famous for their long-established Muslim communities. Historically, mosques, dargahs, and stepwells from the times of the community are still visible throughout the state.
Conclusion
That is pretty much it. See, when you look on the map and try to understand where most muslims in India live, then no doubt, these states always rank high. And even in these states, there certainly are some regions where muslim population is much more concentrated.