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{{short description|Indian community of people}}
{{short description|Indian community}}
{{about||an analysis about the general people of Odisha|Odia people|}}
{{about||an analysis about the general people of Odisha|Odia people|}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{AI-generated|date=November 2025}}
{{More citations needed|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox religious group|population={{circa|'''911,670'''}}|regions={{flag|India  }} (Odisha)|languages='''Majority''':-[[Odia Language|Odia]] & [[Urdu]]
'''Minority''':- [[Hindi]]|image=Sayeed Mohammed full image.png|image_caption=[[Sayeed Mohammed]], an Indian Odia educationist|religions='''[[File:Allah-green.svg|15px]] [[Islam]]'''<br />{{plainlist| ''Majority'' [[File:Star and Crescent.svg|15px]] [[Sunni]]
''Minority'' [[Shia]] }}}}
'''Odia Muslims''' are a community of people hailing from the Indian state of [[Odisha]] who follow Islam. They mostly descend from [[Indigenous peoples|indigenous]] converts to Islam along with a small proportion that migrated from [[North india|northern India]].
==History==
=== Arrival and Early Contacts ===
It is uncertain when Islam first arrived in Odisha. It is believed that the first significant Islamic presence dates from the invasion of the Bengal general, [[Kalapahad]]. Commanding the army of Sultan [[Sulaiman Khan Karrani]], the [[Sultan of Bengal]], Kalapahad defeated [[Bhoi dynasty|Raja Mukund Deva]] of [[Cuttack]] in 1568, the Afghan ruler [[Sulaiman Khan Karrani]] of Bengal sent his general Kalapahad to invade Odisha. The defeat and death of the Hindu king Mukunda Deva ended the rule of the Eastern Ganga and Bhoi dynasties as independent powers, bringing parts of Odisha under Afghan control. This marked the first sustained Muslim political presence in the region.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mughal-Afghan Conflict in Odisha |url=https://historyofodisha.in/mughal-afghan-conflict-in-odisha/ |website=History of Odisha |access-date=10 August 2025}}</ref><ref>History of Modern Orissa: 1936-2000 page:5 by Kartik Chandra Rout, Published by Anmol Publications PVT. LTD., 2004, {{ISBN|81-261-2006-1}}, {{ISBN|978-81-261-2006-2}} </ref>
===Mughal Annexation===
In 1592, the Mughal emperor [[Akbar]] annexed Odisha after defeating the Afghans, integrating it into the [[Bengal Subah]]. The Mughals organized the province into five sarkars—[[Jaleswar|Jaleshwar]], [[Bhadrak]], [[Cuttack|Katak]], [[Soro, Balasore|Soro]], and Rahangpur—and introduced Islamic administrative, legal, and architectural practices.<ref>{{cite web |title=Medieval History of Odisha |url=https://gradsapp.in/courses/odisha-gk-general-knowledge/lessons/medieval-history-of-odisha/ |website=GradsApp |access-date=10 August 2025}}</ref>


{{More citations needed|date=April 2021}}
Cuttack, the provincial capital, became the main centre of Mughal administration, housing mosques, madrasas, and Sufi shrines.<ref>{{cite web |title=Indo-Islamic Art and Architecture in Eastern India |url=https://www.studocu.com/in/document/university-of-delhi/history/59-63-indo-islamic-art-and-architecture-in-eastern-india/39888278 |website=Studocu |access-date=10 August 2025}}</ref>
{{One source|date=April 2021}}


'''Odia Muslims''' are a community of people hailing from the [[India]]n state of [[Odisha]] who follow [[Islam]] and primarily speak [[Odia language]]. They mostly descend from [[Indigenous peoples|indigenous]] converts to Islam along with a small proportion that migrated from [[North india|northern India]]. They are marked by their distinctive religious practices, food habits and language.
===Cultural and Religious Exchange===
During Mughal rule, Odisha experienced a period of religious syncretism. Muslim saints and scholars established dargahs such as the Qadam-e-Rasool in Cuttack, revered by both Muslims and Hindus.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Qadam-e-Rasool to get new look |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/odisha/qadam-e-rasool-to-get-new-look/cid/273253 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250603073124/https://www.telegraphindia.com/odisha/qadam-e-rasool-to-get-new-look/cid/273253 |archive-date=3 June 2025 |access-date=2025-08-10 |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref> The Satyapir cult emerged, blending Islamic and Hindu devotional traditions. The Odia language absorbed numerous Persian and Arabic loanwords, and Muslim poets like [[Salabega]] composed bhajans in praise of Lord Jagannath, further illustrating cross-faith cultural integration.<ref>{{cite web |title=Impact of Islam on Odia Language and Literature |url=https://historyofodisha.in/impact-of-islam-on-odia-language-and-literature/ |website=History of Odisha |access-date=10 August 2025}}</ref>


==History==
===Decline of Mughal Power and Maratha Rule===
It is impossible to state with any certainty when Islam first arrived in Odisha. It is believed that the first significant Islamic presence dates from the invasion of the Bengal general, [[Kalapahad]]. Commanding the army of Sultan [[Sulaiman Khan Karrani]], the [[Sultan of Bengal]], Kalapahad defeated Raja Mukund Deva of [[Cuttack]] in 1568 CE.<ref>History of Modern Orissa: 1936-2000 page:5 by Kartik Chandra Rout, Published by Anmol Publications PVT. LTD., 2004, {{ISBN|81-261-2006-1}}, {{ISBN|978-81-261-2006-2}}</ref>
By the mid-18th century, Mughal authority in Odisha waned, and in 1751 the Maratha Empire took control after a treaty with the Nawab of Bengal. Under the Marathas, Muslim institutions survived, though political influence diminished. Many Mughal-period mosques, tombs, and madrasas continued to be maintained through endowments (waqf).<ref>{{cite web |title=Religions in Odisha: Top 9 Popular Religions in the History of Orissa |url=https://www.historydiscussion.net/history-of-orissa/religions-in-odisha-top-9-popular-religions-in-the-history-of-orissa/5832 |website=History Discussion |access-date=10 August 2025}}</ref>


Karrani brought with him [[Muslim]] soldiers who settled down in Odisha, however their number was very few. Some early Odia Muslims were converts. However, the number of these Muslims, almost all converts from [[Hinduism]], was statistically insignificant and though they were Muslims by faith, they continued subscribing to the local customs and traditions and retained [[Odia language|Odia]] as their native tongue, as opposed to [[Persian language|Persian]] or [[Urdu language|Urdu]], the then lingua franca of most [[Indian Muslims]]. The descendants of these Muslims are still found in the districts of [[Puri district|Puri]], [[Khurda district|Khurda]] and [[Cuttack]], [[Bhadrak]] ,[[Jajpur]]
===British Annexation===
The [[Second Anglo-Maratha War]] (1803) brought Odisha under British East India Company rule. Under the British, Muslims in Odisha lost most of their political privileges but retained cultural and religious autonomy through community institutions. Some prominent Muslim families adapted to new roles as landowners, traders, and artisans. Religious sites such as the [https://odishatour.in/baba-bukhari-peer-kaipadar-khordha/ Kaipadar shrine] and [[Qadam e Rasool, Cuttack|Qadam-e-Rasool]] continued to attract pilgrims from across religious lines.<ref>{{cite web |title=Amalgamation of Muslim Mystics & Hindu Religion at Kaipadar |url=https://www.bhubaneswarbuzz.com/discover-odisha/amalgamation-muslim-mystics-hindu-religion-bukhari-pir-saheb-kaipadar-khurda |website=Bhubaneswar Buzz |access-date=10 August 2025}}</ref>


Later migration continued under [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] as well as the [[Nawab of Bengal]]'s rule. The majority of these were traders or clergy, sent to preside over the courts, both secular and Islamic.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sacw.net/DC/CommunalismCollection/ArticlesArchive/Kanungo2003.html | title=Hindutva's Entry into a 'Hindu Province': Early Years of RSS in Orissa | via=sacw.net | date=2 August 2003 | work=The Economic and Political Weekly | first=Pralay | last=Kanungo | access-date=29 November 2018 }}</ref> Post independence, a number of Muslims from other parts of India have made their way to the cities of [[Rourkela]] and [[Bhubaneswar]].
===Role in Late Colonial Period===
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Odisha’s Muslim community remained a small minority but participated in broader anti-colonial and reform movements. Muslim educational institutions, including traditional madrasas and modern schools, were active in Cuttack, Balasore, and Kendrapara. Local leaders engaged with the Indian National Congress and regional movements for Odia language and identity, while maintaining religious networks through [[Central Waqf Council|waqf boards]] and Sufi orders.<ref>{{cite web |title=Impact of Islam on Odia Language and Literature |url=https://historyofodisha.in/impact-of-islam-on-odia-language-and-literature/ |website=History of Odisha |access-date=10 August 2025}}</ref>


==Demographics==
==Demographics==
[[Islam]] has had a very slow rate of growth in Odisha even during the [[Muslim conquest in the Indian subcontinent|Muslim rule]] as there had never been any major Muslim [[Dawah|missionary]] work. The current population of Muslims in Odisha is 911,670 (2011 census), roughly 2.2% of the total population. The city of [[Bhadrak]] has the maximum number of Muslims as a percentage of the total population (about 35%).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindiamaps.net/page/Religion_WhizMap1/housemap.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=15 June 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100706213221/http://www.censusindiamaps.net/page/Religion_WhizMap1/housemap.htm |archive-date=6 July 2010 }}</ref> There is a large population in the cities of [[Cuttack]], [[Bhubaneswar]], [[Kendrapada]] and [[Jajpur]]. [[Cuttack district|Cuttack]], [[Jajpur district|Jajpur]] and [[Bhadrak district|Bhadrak]] districts also have a substantial rural Muslim population. Isolated Muslim populations exist all along the Odisha coast, primarily in old towns and villages that lie along the main trade routes. Prominent among them are the villages of Brahmabarda, Binjharpur, Alkund, Baruan and Adang in the district of [[Jajpur]]. In the interiors, the city of [[Rourkela]] has a large number of Urdu speaking Muslims, mostly employed with the [[Rourkela Steel Plant]]. They have migrated from the adjoining states of Jharkhand and Bihar. [[Sambalpur]] has another important Muslim population. The community has a literacy rate of 71.3%, higher than the national average of 64.9%.
[[Islam]] has had a very slow rate of growth in Odisha even during the [[Muslim conquest in the Indian subcontinent|Muslim rule]] as there had never been any major Muslim [[Dawah|missionary]] work. The current population of Muslims in Odisha is 911,670 (2011 census), roughly 2.2% of the total population. The city of [[Bhadrak]] has the maximum number of Muslims as a percentage of the total population (about 35%).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindiamaps.net/page/Religion_WhizMap1/housemap.htm |title=Census GIS HouseHold |access-date=15 June 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100706213221/http://www.censusindiamaps.net/page/Religion_WhizMap1/housemap.htm |archive-date=6 July 2010 }}</ref>{{Verification failed|date=April 2025}}


Outside Odisha, Odia Muslims may be found as a part of the Odia diaspora in [[Delhi]], [[Bangalore]] and [[Calcutta]]. A small proportion of Odia Muslims, largely from the prosperous upper classes of old Cuttack district, migrated to [[Karachi]], [[Sindh]], [[Pakistan]] in 1947. Familial ties with relatives in Odisha remained strong till increasing restrictions in the 1980s led to their decline. Outside the [[South Asia]], Odia Muslims are settled in [[United Arab Emirates]], especially in [[Dubai]], and the [[United States of America|United States]].
Most Odisha Muslims are Sunni while a small minority are Shia, belonging to such groups as the [[Khoja]] and [[Dawoodi Bohra]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Weekes |first=Richard V. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dQ3FEAAAQBAJ |title=Muslim Peoples [2 Volumes]: A World Ethnographic Survey |date=1984 |publisher=Bloomsbury Academic |isbn=978-0-313-23392-0 |pages=587 |language=en}}</ref>
{{Historical populations
|title      = Historical Muslim Population of Odisha
|type        =
|footnote    =
|align      =
|width      =
|state      =
|shading    =
|pop_name    =
| cols = 2
|percentages =
|source      = <ref>{{Cite web |title=C-01: Population by religious community (2011) |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11387/download/14500/DDW21C-01%20MDDS.XLS |access-date=Sep 9, 2024 |website=Census India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=C-01: Population by religious community (2001) |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/21483/download/24615/PC01_C01_21.xls |access-date=Sep 9, 2024 |website=Census India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=C-9 Religion (1991) |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/35737/download/39400/1991-C09T-0100.xlsx |access-date=Sep 9, 2024 |website=Census India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Portrait of Population - Census 1981 |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/31509/download/34690/52213_1981_POR.pdf |access-date=Sep 12, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Census Atlas, Vol-XII-Part IX-A, Orissa - Census 1961 |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/28452/download/31634/21487_1961_CEN.pdf |access-date=Sep 13, 2024 |website=Census India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=General Population, Social and Cultural and Land Tables, Part II-A, Tables, Volume-XI, Orissa - Census 1951 |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/30727/download/33908/45683_1971_GPS.pdf |access-date=Sep 13, 2024 |website=Census India}}</ref>
||
||
||
||
||| 1951  | 176,338| 1961  | 215,319| 1971  | 326,507| 1981  | 422,266| 1991  | 577,775| 2001  | 761,985| 2011  | 911,670}}


==Sects==
The vast majority of Odia Muslims are [[Sunni Muslims]] belonging to the [[Hanafi]] [[Fiqh|school]]. The Sunnis are divided between the [[Deobandi]] and [[Barelvi]] sub-sects. There are some sectarian differences and there are often the cause of minor conflict. A small population of [[Shia Muslims]] belonging to [[Ithna 'ashariyah]] [[Fiqh]], mainly of [[Iranian peoples|Persia]]n descent may be found in [[Cuttack]] city. The [[Ahmadiyya]] community, considered [[heretical]] by [[Muslim]]s is also has present in Kerang of [[Khurda District]].


==Language==
<!--
A large proportion of Odia Muslims are bilingual and speak both [[Odia language|Odia]] and [[Urdu language|Urdu]]. The use of Urdu, the traditional prestige dialect of North Indian Muslims, marks them out from Hindu Odias. Odisha Urdu displays significant variation from the standard dialect. It is marked by many loan words from [[Odia language|Odia]] and has no fixed grammar. For this reason it remains a spoken dialect and is not used in print. Odia or Standard Urdu is preferred on formal occasions. [[Odia language|Odia]] and [[Urdu language|Urdu]] is often used by Muslims of [[Brahmapur, Odisha|Brahmapur]] in South Odisha and [[Odia language |Odia ]] with [[Bengali people|Bengali]] by those in [[Balasore district]]. [[Odia language|Odia]] and Urdu are spoken by the Muslims of Western Odisha.
{| class="wikitable sortable"in
|-
! Tribe<ref>{{Cite web |title=ST-14 Scheduled Tribe Population By Religious Community - Odisha |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11909/download/15022/ST-21-00-014-DDW-2011.XLS |access-date=6 April 2025}}</ref>
!Total Pop.
! Muslims
! (%)
|-
| [[Munda people|Munda]]
|558,691
| 1,130
| 0.202
|-
| [[Khonds|Khond]]
|1,627,486
| 2,439
| 0.149
|-
| [[Kurukh people|Oraon]]
|358,112
| 784
| 0.218
|-
| [[Sora people|Soura]]
|534,851
| 772
| 0.144
|-
| [[Kharia people|Kharia]]
|283,909
| 402
| 0.141
|-
| [[Sabar people|Shabar]]
|516,402
|567
| 0.104
|-
| [[Kisan people|Kisan]]
|331,589
| 416
| 0.125
|-
|[[Kolha]]
|625,009
|651
|0.104
|-
|[[Bathudi Tribe|Bathudi]]
|217,395
|188
|0.086
|-
|[[Bhottada|Bhottoda]]
|450,771
|877
|0.194
|-
|[[Bhuiya]]
|306,129
|287
|0.093
|-
|[[Bhumiya]]
|125,977
|119
|0.094
|-
|[[Bhumij people|Bhumij]]
|283,909
|402
|0.141
|-
|[[Gadaba people|Gadaba]]
|84,689
|120
|0.141
|-
|[[Raj Gond|Gond]]
|888,581
|808
|0.090
|-
|[[Kharia people|Kharia]]
|222,844
|406
|0.182
|-
|[[Koya people|Koya]]
|147,137
|198
|0.134
|-
|[[Bodo Parja language|Paroja]]
|374,268
|587
|0.156
|-
|[[Santal people|Santal]]
|894,764
|925
|0.103
|-
|Saora
|534,751
|772
|0.144
|-
|[[Sabar people|Shabar]]
|516,402
|567
|0.109
|-
|Generic Tribe
|125,813
|2,791
|2.21
|-
|'''Total'''{{ref|Alpha|α}}
|'''9,290,756'''
|'''15,335'''
|'''0.16'''
|+{{Smalldiv|{{note|Alpha|α}} Those groups are included in table whose population is above 100, so the sum will be incorrect.}}
|}-->


==Food==
=== Places with the largest proportions ===
The food habits of Odia Muslims are no different from that of their Hindu neighbours with some minor differences. [[Seafood]] features heavily in spite of the Hanafi school's disapproval of [[shellfish]]. Meat, both red and white, is widely consumed.
The figures indicate percentage of Muslims within the districts:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Orissa Hindu Muslim Population |url=https://www.census2011.co.in/data/religion/state/21-orissa.html |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=www.census2011.co.in}}</ref>


==Dress==
* [[Jajpur district|Jajapur]]
The traditional [[sari]] is preferred by most women. [[Hijab]] rules are generally relaxed though the [[burkha]] is becoming increasingly common. Men use the [[lungi]], a type of sarong, to cover their lower body unlike the [[dhoti]] that is worn by the Hindus.
** Sayadpur – 77.75%
** Brahmabarada – 60%
** [[Jajpur|Jajapur]] – 12%
* [[Bhadrak district|Bhadrak]]
** [[Bhadrak]] – 40%
** [[Dhamanagar]]– 47%


==Culture==
== Denominations ==
Religious observance is generally high among Odia Muslims, though many practices have clearly Hindu roots.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}} [[Islamic missionary activity|Muslim missionary]] organisations like the [[Tableeghi Jamaat]] have sought to counter this admixture.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}}The traditional faith in [[Dargah]]s, shrines and other local holy places remains pervasive.


The medieval shrine of [[Qadam Rasul]] in [[Cuttack]] is one of the most important Muslim dargah in Odisha. It is believed to contain the footprints of the [[Prophet Muhammad]]. Important dargahs are at Kaipadar, near [[Khurda]] and at Dhamnagar, near [[Bhadrak]]. [[Mughal tribe|Mughal]] mosques exist at Cuttack, [[Jajpur]]. Niali at Cuttack [[ Cuttack]]<ref>https://archive.org/stream/rukaatialamgirio00aurarich#page/7/mode/2up</ref> and near the ancient Buddhist site of [[Lalitgiri]]. [[Jama Masjid|Capital Mosque]] at Bhubaneswar is the largest mosque in Odisha.
=== Sunni Muslims ===
The majority of the Muslim population in Odisha are adherents of Sunni Islam, predominantly following the Hanafi school of jurisprudence. Within the Sunni community, there are notable subgroups such as the [[Barelvi movement|Barelvi]] and [[Deobandi movement|Deobandi]] movements. These groups are primarily concentrated in urban centres like [[Cuttack]] and [[Bhubaneswar]], reflecting historical influences and migration patterns.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Weekes |first=Richard V. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dQ3FEAAAQBAJ |title=Muslim Peoples [2 Volumes]: A World Ethnographic Survey |date=1984-12-21 |publisher=Bloomsbury Academic |isbn=978-0-313-23392-0 |language=en}}</ref>


=== Shia Muslims ===
A smaller segment of the Muslim community in Odisha adheres to [[Shi'a Islam in India|Shia Islam]]. Communities such as the [[Khoja]] and [[Dawoodi Bohra]] have established their presence in key urban areas, contributing to the state's religious diversity.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2014/July/engpdf/42-46.pdf|title=The Influence of Sufism and Shia Traditions in Odisha|publisher=Orissa Review|accessdate=2025-04-06}}</ref>
=== Ahmadiyya Community ===
The Ahmadiyya community, though numerically smaller, actively engages in interfaith outreach and community initiatives. For instance, in regions like [[Soro Assembly constituency|Soro]], Ahmadi Muslims have participated in social and religious activities, underscoring their role in the local socio-religious landscape.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lightofislam.in/ahmadi-muslims-distribute-water-during-ram-navami-procession-in-odisha/|title=Ahmadi Muslims Distribute Water during Ram Navami Procession in Odisha|date=14 April 2022 |publisher=Light of Islam|accessdate=2025-04-06}}</ref>
=== Sufi Traditions ===
{{Main|Sufism in India}}
{{See also|Bhujakhia Pir|Tarbha Wale Baba}}
Historically, Sufi traditions have significantly influenced Odisha's cultural and spiritual heritage. The establishment of dargahs (shrines) and the integration of syncretic practices into local customs highlight the enduring impact of Sufi mysticism in the region. Although Sufi practices are not classified as a separate denomination, they are interwoven with both Sunni and Shia traditions in Odisha.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2014/July/engpdf/42-46.pdf|title=The Influence of Sufism and Shia Traditions in Odisha|publisher=Orissa Review|accessdate=2025-04-06}}</ref>
==Education==
==Education==
The Urdu Academy of Odisha, a wing of the Department of Culture, Government of Odisha is engaged in the propagation and popularization of the Urdu language in Odisha. Sayeed Seminary at Cuttack is the oldest and largest Islamic educational institution that provides both secular as well as religious education. At the University Level, Urdu is taught as per certain prescribed syllabus at [http://www.fmuniversity.nic.in/ Fakir Mohan University](FMU), [[Balasore]], [[Odisha]]. The [http://www.fmuniversity.nic.in/introduction_language_literature.html Department of Language and Literature] at FMU has Urdu as a key branch of study along with English and Odia. Jamia Ashraful Uloom at [[Kendrapara]] town & Jamia Abu Hurairah at Rourkela are the largest [[madarsa]] in the state. Markazul Uloom, Sungda established in the 1940s by Maulana Syed Ismail Qasmi of [[Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind]] is a prominent centre of Deobandi Islamic learning in Odisha. Important Barelvi [[Madrasa]] are located at Bhadrak.
[[Jamia Islamia Markazul Uloom]], a centre of Deobandi Islamic study in Odisha, was founded in 1946 by [[Muhammad Ismail Katki]], the third president of [[Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind#Administration|Jamiat Ulema Odisha]].<ref name="Amīn">{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseeratonline.com/%d9%85%d9%88%d9%84%d8%a7%d9%86%d8%a7-%d9%85%d8%ad%d9%85%d8%af-%d8%a7%d8%b3%d9%85%d8%a7%d8%b9%db%8c%d9%84-%da%a9%d9%b9%da%a9%db%8c-%d8%b1%d8%ad%d9%85%db%83-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%84%db%81-%d8%b9%d9%84%db%8c/|title=Munāzir e Islām Maulāna Muhammad Ismāil Katki Qāsmi: Life and Works|date=5 December 2021|accessdate=21 June 2022|website=Baseerat online|last=Rūhul Amīn|first=Muhammad|lang=ur}}</ref> Important Barelvi Madrasa are located at Bhadrak.
 
==Notable people==
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their OWN article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦--->
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦--->
*[[Syed Mustafiz Ahmed]] (1941–2017), former Welfare Minister
*[[Syed Ameer Ali]] (1849–1928), jurist, author and political leader
*[[Surat Alley]] (1905–1988), trade unionist and political activist
*[[Afzal-ul Amin]] (1915–1983), statesman and social worker
*[[Farhat Amin]] (born 1967), journalist and social activist
*[[Mohammed Ayoob]] (born 1942), professor
*[[A. M. Bachan]], footballer
*[[Raja Syed Irfan Ali Choudhury|Syed Irfan Ali Chaudhury]] (1842–1890), Raja of [[Tarakote Raj|Tarakote]]
*[[Sofia Firdous]] (born 1992), MLA for [[Barabati-Cuttack Assembly constituency|Barabati-Cuttack]]
*[[Hussain Rabi Gandhi]] (1948–2023), author and cultural activist
*[[Mehmood Hussain]] (1950–2015), filmmaker and author
*[[Mohammad Shahid Jabbar]] (born 1965), football coach
*[[Muhammad Ismail Katki]] (1914–2005), Islamic scholar, author and politician<ref>{{cite book|last=Nazish|first=Motiullah|author-link=Motiullah Nazish|title=Odisha Ke Mujaahideen e Aazadi|edition=1st|date=2023|pages=263–266|publisher=Odisha Urdu Academy|location=Sanskruti Bhawan, BJB Nagar, [[Bhubaneswar]]|language=ur}}</ref>
*[[Karamat Ali Karamat]] (1936–2022), Urdu poet, author, literary critic and mathematician
*[[Harun Rashid Khan]] (born 1955), deputy governor of the [[Reserve Bank of India]]
*[[Mohammad Mohsin]] (1942–2003), actor, director and producer
*[[Atharuddin Mohammed]] (1859–1931), [[Dewan]] of [[Dhenkanal State]]
*[[Khwaja Fazal Mohammed]] (1805–1868), Sufi philosopher
*[[Sayeed Mohammed]] (1891–1922), educationist and philanthropist
*[[Aparajita Mohanty|Aparajita Mohanty (née Khan)]] (born 1962), actress
*[[Mohammed Moquim]] (born 1965), MLA for [[Barabati-Cuttack Assembly constituency|Barabati-Cuttack]]
*[[Amjad Najmi]] (1899–1974), poet, dramatist and prose writer
*[[Kafeel Ahmad Qasmi]] (born 1951), Islamic scholar, academician and litterateur<ref>{{cite web|last=Mayurbhanji|first=Muhammad Rūhul Amīn|title=Prof. Maulana Sayed Kafeel Ahmed Qasmi: Biographical Sketch|url=https://qindeelonline.com/sayyad-kafeel-ahmad-qasmi/|website=qindeelonline.com|publisher=Qandeel Online|date=16 September 2023|access-date=6 October 2023|language=ur|archive-date=16 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216065710/https://qindeelonline.com/sayyad-kafeel-ahmad-qasmi/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[S. S. Sajideen Qasmi ]] (1939–2006), Islamic scholar, poet, and orator<ref>{{cite book |last1=Katki|first1=Sayed Abdul Hafiz|title=Majlis-e-Shūra, Jamia Rashidia Riyazul Uloom Sungra|url=https://archive.org/details/majlis-e-shura-jamia-rashidia-riyazul-uloom-sungra|date=June 2004|publisher= Department of Broadcasting, Jamia Rashidia Riyazul Uloom Sungra|location=Gohalipur, [[Cuttack district]]|pages=7, 12–18|language=ur}}</ref>
*[[Ibrahim Suhrawardy]] (1896–1971), educationist and linguist
 
== See also ==
 
* [[Islam in India]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


== Further reading ==
* {{cite magazine|last=Mohammad |first=Dr.Mohin |title=The Role of Islam in Interreligious Rapport in Odisha |date=2014-07-01 |work= |pages=42–46 |language=en |magazine=Odisha Review
|url=https://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2014/July/engpdf/42-46.pdf}}
* {{cite magazine
|last=Yamin
|first=Mohammed
|title=A Fascinating Study of Syncretic Culture in Orissa
|magazine=Odisha Review
|issue=
|date=September 2010
|pages=26–29
|url=https://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2010/September/engpdf/26-29.pdf
}}
* {{cite journal |last=Kalam |first=Mir Azad |others=Co-authors:Manideepa Dutta; Gupta Ghosh |title=Marital Practices Among a Group of Muslim Community Living in Coastal Odisha |journal=NDC E-BIOS |language=en |year=2021 |volume=1 |pages=46–53 |issn=2583-6447 |url=https://www.ndcebios.in/v1n1/2021010107.pdf}}
*
* {{Cite book |last=Yamin |first=Mohammed |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AN5KebBJxzcC&q=Muslim+community+of+Odisha |title=Impact of Islam on Orissan Culture |publisher=Readworthy |isbn=978-93-5018-102-7 |edition= |language=en}}
* {{Cite book |last=Yamin |first=Mohammed |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mJNREAAAQBAJ&dq=Muslims+of+Odisha&pg=PT108 |title=Cultural History of Odisha |publisher=Readworthy Publications |isbn=978-93-5018-430-1 |language=en}}
* {{Cite book |last=Yamin |first=Mohammed |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tix6oAEACAAJ |title=Islam in Orissa: A Fascinating Socio-cultural Study |date=2014 |publisher=Readworthy Publications |isbn=978-93-5018-375-5 |language=en}}
* {{Cite book |last=Sultana |first=Sabnam |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6-8dtAEACAAJ |title=Islamic Culture in Odisha |date=2016 |publisher=Athena Books |isbn=978-93-80824-16-1 |language=en}}
* {{Cite book |last=Haque |first=Mohammed Anwarul |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Co8eAAAAMAAJ&q=Islam+in++odisha |title=Muslim Administration in Orissa, 1568-1751 A.D. |date=1980 |publisher=Punthi Pustak |language=en |archive-url=https://archive.org/details/muslim-administration-in-orissa-1980 |archive-date=2021-07-01}}
*{{Cite journal |last=Pradhan |first=Prasant Kumar |date=2011 |title=Muslim Artisans in a New Hindu Village: Life of Adjustment and Survival of a Minority Community in Contemporary India |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44145753 |journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |volume=72 |pages=1419–1429 |issn=2249-1937}}
*
*
*
== External links ==
* [https://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2010/September/engpdf/26-29.pdf A Fascinating Study of Syncretic Culture in Orissa]
{{Indian Muslim}}
{{Indian Muslim}}
{{Muhajir communities}}
{{Muhajir communities}}

Latest revision as of 23:25, 17 March 2026


For an analysis about the general people of Odisha, see Odia people.

Template:AI-generated

Odia Muslims
Sayeed Mohammed, an Indian Odia educationist
Sayeed Mohammed, an Indian Odia educationist
Total population
c. 911,670
Regions with significant populations
 India (Odisha)
Religions
Islam
Majority Sunni

Minority Shia

Languages
Majority:-Odia & Urdu Minority:- Hindi

Odia Muslims are a community of people hailing from the Indian state of Odisha who follow Islam. They mostly descend from indigenous converts to Islam along with a small proportion that migrated from northern India.

History[edit | edit source]

Arrival and Early Contacts[edit | edit source]

It is uncertain when Islam first arrived in Odisha. It is believed that the first significant Islamic presence dates from the invasion of the Bengal general, Kalapahad. Commanding the army of Sultan Sulaiman Khan Karrani, the Sultan of Bengal, Kalapahad defeated Raja Mukund Deva of Cuttack in 1568, the Afghan ruler Sulaiman Khan Karrani of Bengal sent his general Kalapahad to invade Odisha. The defeat and death of the Hindu king Mukunda Deva ended the rule of the Eastern Ganga and Bhoi dynasties as independent powers, bringing parts of Odisha under Afghan control. This marked the first sustained Muslim political presence in the region.[1][2]

Mughal Annexation[edit | edit source]

In 1592, the Mughal emperor Akbar annexed Odisha after defeating the Afghans, integrating it into the Bengal Subah. The Mughals organized the province into five sarkars—Jaleshwar, Bhadrak, Katak, Soro, and Rahangpur—and introduced Islamic administrative, legal, and architectural practices.[3]

Cuttack, the provincial capital, became the main centre of Mughal administration, housing mosques, madrasas, and Sufi shrines.[4]

Cultural and Religious Exchange[edit | edit source]

During Mughal rule, Odisha experienced a period of religious syncretism. Muslim saints and scholars established dargahs such as the Qadam-e-Rasool in Cuttack, revered by both Muslims and Hindus.[5] The Satyapir cult emerged, blending Islamic and Hindu devotional traditions. The Odia language absorbed numerous Persian and Arabic loanwords, and Muslim poets like Salabega composed bhajans in praise of Lord Jagannath, further illustrating cross-faith cultural integration.[6]

Decline of Mughal Power and Maratha Rule[edit | edit source]

By the mid-18th century, Mughal authority in Odisha waned, and in 1751 the Maratha Empire took control after a treaty with the Nawab of Bengal. Under the Marathas, Muslim institutions survived, though political influence diminished. Many Mughal-period mosques, tombs, and madrasas continued to be maintained through endowments (waqf).[7]

British Annexation[edit | edit source]

The Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803) brought Odisha under British East India Company rule. Under the British, Muslims in Odisha lost most of their political privileges but retained cultural and religious autonomy through community institutions. Some prominent Muslim families adapted to new roles as landowners, traders, and artisans. Religious sites such as the Kaipadar shrine and Qadam-e-Rasool continued to attract pilgrims from across religious lines.[8]

Role in Late Colonial Period[edit | edit source]

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Odisha’s Muslim community remained a small minority but participated in broader anti-colonial and reform movements. Muslim educational institutions, including traditional madrasas and modern schools, were active in Cuttack, Balasore, and Kendrapara. Local leaders engaged with the Indian National Congress and regional movements for Odia language and identity, while maintaining religious networks through waqf boards and Sufi orders.[9]

Demographics[edit | edit source]

Islam has had a very slow rate of growth in Odisha even during the Muslim rule as there had never been any major Muslim missionary work. The current population of Muslims in Odisha is 911,670 (2011 census), roughly 2.2% of the total population. The city of Bhadrak has the maximum number of Muslims as a percentage of the total population (about 35%).[10]Template:Verification failed

Most Odisha Muslims are Sunni while a small minority are Shia, belonging to such groups as the Khoja and Dawoodi Bohra.[11]

Historical Muslim Population of Odisha
YearPop.±%
1951 176,338—    
1961 215,319+22.1%
1971 326,507+51.6%
1981 422,266+29.3%
YearPop.±%
1991 577,775+36.8%
2001 761,985+31.9%
2011 911,670+19.6%
Source: [12][13][14][15][16][17]


Places with the largest proportions[edit | edit source]

The figures indicate percentage of Muslims within the districts:[18]

Denominations[edit | edit source]

Sunni Muslims[edit | edit source]

The majority of the Muslim population in Odisha are adherents of Sunni Islam, predominantly following the Hanafi school of jurisprudence. Within the Sunni community, there are notable subgroups such as the Barelvi and Deobandi movements. These groups are primarily concentrated in urban centres like Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, reflecting historical influences and migration patterns.[19]

Shia Muslims[edit | edit source]

A smaller segment of the Muslim community in Odisha adheres to Shia Islam. Communities such as the Khoja and Dawoodi Bohra have established their presence in key urban areas, contributing to the state's religious diversity.[20]

Ahmadiyya Community[edit | edit source]

The Ahmadiyya community, though numerically smaller, actively engages in interfaith outreach and community initiatives. For instance, in regions like Soro, Ahmadi Muslims have participated in social and religious activities, underscoring their role in the local socio-religious landscape.[21]

Sufi Traditions[edit | edit source]

Main article: Sufism in India
See also: Bhujakhia Pir and Tarbha Wale Baba

Historically, Sufi traditions have significantly influenced Odisha's cultural and spiritual heritage. The establishment of dargahs (shrines) and the integration of syncretic practices into local customs highlight the enduring impact of Sufi mysticism in the region. Although Sufi practices are not classified as a separate denomination, they are interwoven with both Sunni and Shia traditions in Odisha.[22]

Education[edit | edit source]

Jamia Islamia Markazul Uloom, a centre of Deobandi Islamic study in Odisha, was founded in 1946 by Muhammad Ismail Katki, the third president of Jamiat Ulema Odisha.[23] Important Barelvi Madrasa are located at Bhadrak.

Notable people[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Mughal-Afghan Conflict in Odisha". History of Odisha. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  2. ↑ History of Modern Orissa: 1936-2000 page:5 by Kartik Chandra Rout, Published by Anmol Publications PVT. LTD., 2004, ISBN 81-261-2006-1, ISBN 978-81-261-2006-2
  3. ↑ "Medieval History of Odisha". GradsApp. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  4. ↑ "Indo-Islamic Art and Architecture in Eastern India". Studocu. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  5. ↑ "Qadam-e-Rasool to get new look". Archived from the original on 3 June 2025. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  6. ↑ "Impact of Islam on Odia Language and Literature". History of Odisha. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  7. ↑ "Religions in Odisha: Top 9 Popular Religions in the History of Orissa". History Discussion. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  8. ↑ "Amalgamation of Muslim Mystics & Hindu Religion at Kaipadar". Bhubaneswar Buzz. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  9. ↑ "Impact of Islam on Odia Language and Literature". History of Odisha. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  10. ↑ "Census GIS HouseHold". Archived from the original on 6 July 2010. Retrieved 15 June 2007.
  11. ↑ Weekes, Richard V. (1984). Muslim Peoples [2 Volumes]: A World Ethnographic Survey. Bloomsbury Academic. p. 587. ISBN 978-0-313-23392-0.
  12. ↑ "C-01: Population by religious community (2011)". Census India. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  13. ↑ "C-01: Population by religious community (2001)". Census India. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  14. ↑ "C-9 Religion (1991)". Census India. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  15. ↑ "Portrait of Population - Census 1981" (PDF). Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  16. ↑ "Census Atlas, Vol-XII-Part IX-A, Orissa - Census 1961" (PDF). Census India. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  17. ↑ "General Population, Social and Cultural and Land Tables, Part II-A, Tables, Volume-XI, Orissa - Census 1951" (PDF). Census India. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  18. ↑ "Orissa Hindu Muslim Population". www.census2011.co.in. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
  19. ↑ Weekes, Richard V. (21 December 1984). Muslim Peoples [2 Volumes]: A World Ethnographic Survey. Bloomsbury Academic. ISBN 978-0-313-23392-0.
  20. ↑ "The Influence of Sufism and Shia Traditions in Odisha" (PDF). Orissa Review. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
  21. ↑ "Ahmadi Muslims Distribute Water during Ram Navami Procession in Odisha". Light of Islam. 14 April 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
  22. ↑ "The Influence of Sufism and Shia Traditions in Odisha" (PDF). Orissa Review. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
  23. ↑ Rūhul Amīn, Muhammad (5 December 2021). "Munāzir e Islām Maulāna Muhammad Ismāil Katki Qāsmi: Life and Works". Baseerat online (in اردو). Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  24. ↑ Nazish, Motiullah (2023). Odisha Ke Mujaahideen e Aazadi (in اردو) (1st ed.). Sanskruti Bhawan, BJB Nagar, Bhubaneswar: Odisha Urdu Academy. pp. 263–266.
  25. ↑ Mayurbhanji, Muhammad Rūhul Amīn (16 September 2023). "Prof. Maulana Sayed Kafeel Ahmed Qasmi: Biographical Sketch". qindeelonline.com (in اردو). Qandeel Online. Archived from the original on 16 December 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  26. ↑ Katki, Sayed Abdul Hafiz (June 2004). Majlis-e-Shūra, Jamia Rashidia Riyazul Uloom Sungra (in اردو). Gohalipur, Cuttack district: Department of Broadcasting, Jamia Rashidia Riyazul Uloom Sungra. pp. 7, 12–18.

Further reading[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

Template:Muhajir communities

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