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{{Short description|Former province and state of India from 1947 to 1966}}
{{Short description|Former province of India from 1947 to 1950}}
{{About|a former state of India|the current state|Punjab, India|other uses|Punjab (disambiguation)}}
{{About|a former province of India|the current state|Punjab, India|other uses|Punjab (disambiguation)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2015}}
{{more citations needed|date=August 2015}}
{{Infobox former subdivision
{{Infobox Former Subdivision
| conventional_long_name = Province of East Punjab
|conventional_long_name = Province of East Punjab (1947-1950)<br />State of Punjab (1950-1966)
| common_name           = East Punjab
|common_name       = East Punjab
| subdivision           = [[Presidencies and provinces of British India|Former Province]]
|nation           = India
| nation                = [[Dominion of India]]
|status_text      = Former [[States and union territories of India|State]] of India
| demonym                = [[Punjabis|Punjabi]]
|era               =  
| stat_year1            = 1947–1950
|year_start       = 1947
| stat_area1            = 150361
|date_start       =
| era                   = [[Cold War]]
|event_start      =  
| year_start             = 1947
|year_end         = 1966
| date_start             = 15 August
|date_end         =  
| year_end               = 1950
|event1            = [[Patiala and East Punjab States Union|PEPSU]] merged in Punjab
| date_end               = 26 January
|date_event1      = 1956
| event_end              = [[Political integration of India|Disestablished]]
|capital           = [[Shimla]] (1947–1953)<ref name=capital>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UrZ-ibfhMyMC|title=Shimla Then & Now|date=1 January 1996|publisher=Indus Publishing|isbn=9788173870460|via=Google Books}}</ref> <br /> [[Chandigarh]] (1953–1966)<ref name=capital/>
| capital               = [[Shimla]]<ref name=capital>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UrZ-ibfhMyMC|title=Shimla Then & Now|date=1 January 1996|publisher=Indus Publishing|isbn=9788173870460|via=Google Books}}</ref>
|p1               = Punjab Province (British India)
| p1                     = Punjab Province (British India){{!}}Punjab Province
|flag_p1          = British_Raj_Red_Ensign.svg
| s1                    = Punjab, India{{!}}Punjab
|p2                = Patiala and East Punjab States Union
| image_map              = East_Punjab_Province in India (March_1948).svg
|flag_p2          = Patiala and East Punjab States Union - PEPSU logo.jpg
| image_map_caption      = Province of East Punjab in India, March 1948
|s1                = Chandigarh
| today                 = [[Punjab, India|Punjab]]<br />[[Chandigarh]]<br />[[Haryana]]<br />[[Himachal Pradesh]]
|flag_s1          = ..Chandigarh Flag(INDIA).png
| s2                    = Himachal Pradesh{{!}}Punjab Hill States Union
|s2                = Haryana
| event1                = Punjab Hill States Union formed
|flag_s2          = ..Haryana Flag(INDIA).png
| date_event1            = 15 April 1948
|s3                = Himachal Pradesh
| s5                    = Patiala and East Punjab States Union{{!}}PEPSU
|flag_s3          = Himachal Pradesh Flag, India.png
| event2                = PEPSU formed
|s4                = Punjab, India
| date_event2            = 15 July 1948
|flag_s4          = ..Punjab Flag(INDIA).png
|image_flag        =  
|image_coat        =
|image_map        = File:East-Punjab-Map.jpg
|image_map_caption = The Punjab state in India from 1956 to 1966
|stat_area1        =
|stat_year1        =
|stat_pop1        =
|today             = [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]]<br />[[Chandigarh]]<br />[[Haryana]]<br />[[Himachal Pradesh]]<br />
}}
}}


'''East Punjab''' (known simply as '''Punjab''' from 1950) was a province and later a state of India from 1947 until 1966, consisting of the parts of the [[Punjab (British India)|Punjab Province]] of [[British India]] that went to India following the [[Partition of India|partition]] of the province between India and Pakistan by the [[Radcliffe Line|Radcliffe Commission]] in 1947. The mostly Muslim western parts of the old Punjab became Pakistan's [[West Punjab]], later renamed as [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab Province]], while the mostly Hindu and Sikh eastern parts went to India.
'''East Punjab''' was a province of the [[Dominion of India]] from 1947 until 1950. It consist of parts of the [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab Province]] of [[British Raj|British India]] that remained in India following the [[Partition of India|partition of the province]] between the new dominions of [[Dominion of Pakistan|Pakistan]] and India by the [[Radcliffe Line|Radcliffe Commission]] in 1947. The mostly Muslim western parts of the old Punjab became Pakistan's [[West Punjab]], later,  renamed as [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab Province]], while the mostly Hindu and Sikh eastern parts remained with India.


==History==
==History==
Line 46: Line 37:


===Partition of India===
===Partition of India===
{{Main|Partition of India}}
{{Main|Partition of India|Partition of Punjab}}
With the partition of the [[British Indian Empire]], the Punjab province was to be divided in two as per the Indian Independence Act passed by the parliament of the United Kingdom. The province as constituted under the Government of India Act 1935 ceased to exist and two new provinces were to be constituted, to be known respectively as West Punjab & East Punjab.<ref name=salient>{{cite web|title=Salient features of the act|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1947/30/pdfs/ukpga_19470030_en.pdf|access-date=9 February 2013}}</ref> The [[princely state]]s of the [[Punjab region]] (which had not been British possessions, so could not be partitioned by the British) all (except [[Bahawalpur (princely state)]], which acceded to [[Dominion of Pakistan]]) acceded to the new [[Dominion of India]] and were combined into the [[Patiala and East Punjab States Union]] (PEPSU). The northeast Hill States of the Punjab Province banded together and were declared a union territory in 1950 as [[Himachal Pradesh]].
 
With the [[partition of India]], the Punjab province was to be divided in two as per the [[Indian Independence Act 1947]], passed by the parliament of the United Kingdom. The province was to cease to exist, and two new provinces were to be constituted, to be known respectively as West Punjab & East Punjab.<ref name=salient>{{cite web|title=Salient features of the act|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1947/30/pdfs/ukpga_19470030_en.pdf|access-date=9 February 2013}}</ref> All the [[princely state]]s of the [[Punjab States Agency]], except [[Bahawalpur (princely state)|Bahawalpur]], which acceded to the [[Dominion of Pakistan]], joined the new [[Dominion of India|Union of India]], by 10 March 1948 and were temporarily merged with the East Punjab province. Later, they were combined into the [[Patiala and East Punjab States Union]] (PEPSU) on 15 July 1948. The northeast Hill States of the Punjab Province (except Solan) banded together and were declared a Chief Commissioner's Province as Punjab Hill States Union on 15 April 1948. Later it was classified as a Part "C" state in 1950, with a new name [[Himachal Pradesh]]. On 1 November 1956, PEPSU was merged back into [[Punjab State]] under the [[States Reorganisation Act]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://indiacode.nic.in/qrydisp.asp?tfnm=195637%20&tfnm2=11 |title=States Reorganisation Act, 1956 |date=31 August 1956 |series=India Code Updated Acts |publisher=Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India|pages=section 9 |access-date=16 May 2013}}</ref>


===Renaming of the state===
===Renaming of the state===
[[File:India Administrative Divisions 1951.svg|right|thumb|300px|Administrative divisions of India in 1951]]
[[File:India Administrative Divisions 1951.svg|right|thumb|300px|Administrative divisions of India in 1951]]
The [[Constitution of India]], which came into effect in 1950, renamed the province of "East Punjab" as the state of "Punjab".{{citation needed|date=March 2019}}
The [[Constitution of India]], which came into effect in 1950, renamed the province of "East Punjab" as the state of "Punjab".<ref name="Census1951" />


===Reorganisation of Indian States===
===Reorganisation of Indian States===
{{Main|States Reorganisation Act, 1956}}
{{Main|States Reorganisation Act, 1956}}
[[States Reorganisation Act|In 1956]], the [[Patiala and East Punjab States Union|PEPSU]] was merged into an expanded Punjab state.
 
[[States Reorganisation Act|In 1956]], the [[Patiala and East Punjab States Union|PEPSU]] (including Solan) was merged into an expanded Punjab state.


===Punjabi Suba movement===
===Punjabi Suba movement===
Line 62: Line 55:
[[File:Punjabispeakers.png|thumb|right|A map of the distribution of native Punjabi speakers in India and Pakistan]]
[[File:Punjabispeakers.png|thumb|right|A map of the distribution of native Punjabi speakers in India and Pakistan]]


With effect from 1 November 1966, there was yet another reorganisation, this time on linguistic lines, when the state of Punjab as constituted in 1956 was divided into three: the mostly Hindi-speaking part became the present-day Indian state of [[Haryana]] and the mostly [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]-speaking part became the present-day [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]],<ref>S. Gajrani, ''History, Religion and Culture of India'' (2004), p. 217</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://legislativebodiesinindia.nic.in/States/Punjab/punjab_w.htm|title=Punjab Legislative Assembly|access-date=22 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113185152/http://legislativebodiesinindia.nic.in/States/Punjab/punjab_w.htm|archive-date=13 January 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> while a new union territory ([[Chandigarh]]) was also created, to serve as a capital to both states. At the same time, some parts of the former territory of Patiala and East Punjab States Union, including [[Solan district|Solan]] and [[Nalagarh]], were transferred to [[Himachal Pradesh]].
With effect from 1 November 1966, there was yet another [[Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966|Reorganisation]], this time on linguistic lines, when the state of Punjab as constituted in 1956 was divided into three: the mostly Hindi-speaking part became the present-day Indian state of [[Haryana]] and the mostly [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]-speaking part became the present-day [[Punjab, India|Punjab]],<ref>S. Gajrani, ''History, Religion and Culture of India'' (2004), p. 217</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://legislativebodiesinindia.nic.in/States/Punjab/punjab_w.htm|title=Punjab Legislative Assembly|access-date=22 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113185152/http://legislativebodiesinindia.nic.in/States/Punjab/punjab_w.htm|archive-date=13 January 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> while a new union territory ([[Chandigarh]]) was also created, to serve as a capital to both states. At the same time, some parts of the former territory of Patiala and East Punjab States Union, including [[Solan district|Solan]] and [[Nalagarh]], were transferred to [[Himachal Pradesh]].
 
== Demography ==
{{About||1931 census data|Demographics of Punjab, India#1931 census|1921 census data|Demographics of Punjab, India#1921 census|1911 census data|Demographics of Punjab, India#1911 census|1901 census data|Demographics of Punjab, India#1901 census}}
 
=== 1941 census ===
{{Pie chart
| thumb = right
| caption = Religions in East Punjab, India region (1941)<ref name="Census1941"/>{{rp|42}}{{efn|name=EastPunjab1941}}
| label1 = [[Hinduism]]{{efn|name=ad-dharmi|}}
| value1 = 46.95
| color1 = Orange
| label2 = [[Islam]]
| value2 = 30.88
| color2 = Green
| label3 = [[Sikhism]]
| value3 = 21.14
| color3 = DarkKhaki
| label4 = Christianity
| value4 = 0.69
| color4 = DodgerBlue
| label5 = Jainism
| value5 = 0.21
| color5 = Brown
| label6 = Others{{efn|name=others}}
| value6 = 0.12
| color6 = grey
}}
Prior to [[Partition of India|partition]], the eastern portion of Punjab that was ultimately awarded to India following the demarcation of the [[Radcliffe Line]] was made into a new province – East Punjab. The area includes the contemporary states of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], Haryana, and [[Himachal Pradesh]]. Below is the religious demographics of this region broken down by [[Districts of British India|district]] and [[princely state]] with an overall total as per the [[Census in British India|1941 Indian census]].
{{sticky header}}
{| class="wikitable sticky-header"
|+ Religion in the Districts & Princely States of East Punjab, India region (1941)<ref name="Census1941">{{cite web|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/saoa.crl.28215541 |jstor=saoa.crl.28215541 |access-date=19 January 2023 |title=Census of India, 1941. Vol. 6, Punjab |year=1941 |author1=India Census Commissioner |volume=6 }}</ref>{{rp|42}}{{efn|name=EastPunjab1941|1941 figure taken from [[Census in British India|census data]] by combining the total population of all [[Districts of British India|districts]] ([[Hisar district|Hisar]], [[Rohtak district|Rohtak]], [[Gurgaon district|Gurgaon]], [[Karnal district|Karnal]], [[Jalandhar district|Jalandhar]], [[Ludhiana district|Ludhiana]], [[Firozpur district|Firozpur]], [[Amritsar district|Amritsar]], [[Simla District|Simla]], [[Kangra district|Kangra]], [[Ambala district|Ambala]], [[Hoshiarpur district|Hoshiarpur]], and [[Gurdaspur district|Gurdaspur]] (minus [[Shakargarh Tehsil]])), and [[princely state]]s ([[Loharu State|Loharu]], [[Dujana]], [[Pataudi State|Pataudi]], [[Kalsia State|Kalsia]], [[Kapurthala State|Kapurthala]], [[Malerkotla State|Malerkotla]], [[Faridkot State|Faridkot]], [[Patiala State|Patiala]], [[Jind State|Jind]], [[Nabha State|Nabha]], [[Sirmur State|Sirmoor]], [[Simla Hill States|Simla Hill]], [[Bilaspur State (princely state)|Bilaspur]], [[Mandi State|Mandi]], [[Suket State|Suket]], and [[Chamba State|Chamba]]) in Punjab Province, British India that ultimately fell on the eastern side of the [[Radcliffe Line]]. See 1941 census data here:<ref name="Census1941"/>{{rp|42}}<br>Immediately following the [[Partition of India|partition of India in 1947]], these districts and princely states would ultimately make up the subdivision of East Punjab, which also included [[Patiala and East Punjab States Union]], [[Chief Commissioner's Province of Himachal Pradesh]], and [[Bilaspur State (1950–1954)|Bilaspur State]]. The states that make up this region in the contemporary era are [[Punjab, India]], Chandigarh, [[Haryana]], and [[Himachal Pradesh]].}}
! rowspan="2" |[[Districts of British India|District]]/<br>[[Princely state]]
! colspan="2" |[[Hinduism]] [[File:Om.svg|15px]]{{efn|name=ad-dharmi|Including [[Ad-Dharmi]]s}}
! colspan="2" |[[Islam]] [[File:Star and Crescent.svg|15px]]
! colspan="2" |[[Sikhism]] [[File:Khanda.svg|15px]]
! colspan="2" |Christianity [[File:Christian cross.svg|15px]]
! colspan="2" |[[Jainism]] [[File:Jain_Prateek_Chihna.svg|15px]]
! colspan="2" |Others{{efn|name=others|Including [[Buddhism]], [[Zoroastrianism]], Judaism, [[Tribal religions in India|Tribals]], others, or not stated}}
! colspan="2" |Total
|-
![[Population|{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}]]
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
|-
| [[Patiala State]]
| 597,488
| {{Percentage | 597488 | 1936259 | 2 }}
| 436,539
| {{Percentage | 436539 | 1936259 | 2 }}
| 896,021
| {{Percentage | 896021 | 1936259 | 2 }}
| 1,592
| {{Percentage | 1592 | 1936259 | 2 }}
| 3,101
| {{Percentage | 3101 | 1936259 | 2 }}
| 1,518
| {{Percentage | 1518 | 1936259 | 2 }}
! 1,936,259
! {{Percentage | 1936259 | 1936259 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Firozpur district]]
| 287,733
| {{Percentage | 287733 | 1423076 | 2 }}
| 641,448
| {{Percentage | 641448 | 1423076 | 2 }}
| 479,486
| {{Percentage | 479486 | 1423076 | 2 }}
| 12,607
| {{Percentage | 12607 | 1423076 | 2 }}
| 1,674
| {{Percentage | 1674 | 1423076 | 2 }}
| 128
| {{Percentage | 128 | 1423076 | 2 }}
! 1,423,076
! {{Percentage | 1423076 | 1423076 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Amritsar district]]
| 217,431
| {{Percentage | 217431 | 1413876 | 2 }}
| 657,695
| {{Percentage | 657695 | 1413876 | 2 }}
| 510,845
| {{Percentage | 510845 | 1413876 | 2 }}
| 25,973
| {{Percentage | 25973 | 1413876 | 2 }}
| 1,911
| {{Percentage | 1911 | 1413876 | 2 }}
| 21
| {{Percentage | 21 | 1413876 | 2 }}
! 1,413,876
! {{Percentage | 1413876 | 1413876 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Hoshiarpur district]]
| 584,080
| {{Percentage | 584080 | 1170323 | 2 }}
| 380,759
| {{Percentage | 380759 | 1170323 | 2 }}
| 198,194
| {{Percentage | 198194 | 1170323 | 2 }}
| 6,165
| {{Percentage | 6165 | 1170323 | 2 }}
| 1,125
| {{Percentage | 1125 | 1170323 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 1170323 | 2 }}
! 1,170,323
! {{Percentage | 1170323 | 1170323 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Jalandhar district]]
| 311,010
| {{Percentage | 311010 | 1127190 | 2 }}
| 509,804
| {{Percentage | 509804 | 1127190 | 2 }}
| 298,741
| {{Percentage | 298741 | 1127190 | 2 }}
| 6,233
| {{Percentage | 6233 | 1127190 | 2 }}
| 1,395
| {{Percentage | 1395 | 1127190 | 2 }}
| 7
| {{Percentage | 7 | 1127190 | 2 }}
! 1,127,190
! {{Percentage | 1127190 | 1127190 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Hisar district]]
| 652,842
| {{Percentage | 652842 | 1006709 | 2 }}
| 285,208
| {{Percentage | 285208 | 1006709 | 2 }}
| 60,731
| {{Percentage | 60731 | 1006709 | 2 }}
| 1,292
| {{Percentage | 1292 | 1006709 | 2 }}
| 6,126
| {{Percentage | 6126 | 1006709 | 2 }}
| 510
| {{Percentage | 510 | 1006709 | 2 }}
! 1,006,709
! {{Percentage | 1006709 | 1006709 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Karnal district]]
| 666,301
| {{Percentage | 666301 | 994575 | 2 }}
| 304,346
| {{Percentage | 304346 | 994575 | 2 }}
| 19,887
| {{Percentage | 19887 | 994575 | 2 }}
| 1,249
| {{Percentage | 1249 | 994575 | 2 }}
| 2,789
| {{Percentage | 2789 | 994575 | 2 }}
| 3
| {{Percentage | 3 | 994575 | 2 }}
! 994,575
! {{Percentage | 994575 | 994575 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Rohtak district]]
| 780,474
| {{Percentage | 780474 | 956399 | 2 }}
| 166,569
| {{Percentage | 166569 | 956399 | 2 }}
| 1,466
| {{Percentage | 1466 | 956399 | 2 }}
| 1,043
| {{Percentage | 1043 | 956399 | 2 }}
| 6,847
| {{Percentage | 6847 | 956399 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 956399 | 2 }}
! 956,399
! {{Percentage | 956399 | 956399 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Kangra district]]
| 846,531
| {{Percentage | 846531 | 899377 | 2 }}
| 43,249
| {{Percentage | 43249 | 899377 | 2 }}
| 4,809
| {{Percentage | 4809 | 899377 | 2 }}
| 788
| {{Percentage | 788 | 899377 | 2 }}
| 101
| {{Percentage | 101 | 899377 | 2 }}
| 3,899
| {{Percentage | 3899 | 899377 | 2 }}
! 899,377
! {{Percentage | 899377 | 899377 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Gurdaspur district]]{{efn|name="Gurdaspur1947"|Does not include [[Shakargarh Tehsil]], which was awarded to Pakistan as part of the [[Radcliffe Line]].}}
| 174,221
| {{Percentage | 174221 | 862006 | 2 }}
| 440,323
| {{Percentage | 440323 | 862006 | 2 }}
| 200,688
| {{Percentage | 200688 | 862006 | 2 }}
| 46,743
| {{Percentage | 46743 | 862006 | 2 }}
| 25
| {{Percentage | 25 | 862006 | 2 }}
| 6
| {{Percentage | 6 | 862006 | 2 }}
! 862,006
! {{Percentage | 862006 | 862006 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Gurgaon district]]
| 560,537
| {{Percentage | 560537 | 851458 | 2 }}
| 285,992
| {{Percentage | 285992 | 851458 | 2 }}
| 637
| {{Percentage | 637 | 851458 | 2 }}
| 1,673
| {{Percentage | 1673 | 851458 | 2 }}
| 2,613
| {{Percentage | 2613 | 851458 | 2 }}
| 6
| {{Percentage | 6 | 851458 | 2 }}
! 851,458
! {{Percentage | 851458 | 851458 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Ambala district]]
| 412,658
| {{Percentage | 412658 | 847745 | 2 }}
| 268,999
| {{Percentage | 268999 | 847745 | 2 }}
| 156,543
| {{Percentage | 156543 | 847745 | 2 }}
| 6,065
| {{Percentage | 6065 | 847745 | 2 }}
| 3,065
| {{Percentage | 3065 | 847745 | 2 }}
| 415
| {{Percentage | 415 | 847745 | 2 }}
! 847,745
! {{Percentage | 847745 | 847745 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Ludhiana district]]
| 171,715
| {{Percentage | 171715 | 818615 | 2 }}
| 302,482
| {{Percentage | 302482 | 818615 | 2 }}
| 341,175
| {{Percentage | 341175 | 818615 | 2 }}
| 1,913
| {{Percentage | 1913 | 818615 | 2 }}
| 1,279
| {{Percentage | 1279 | 818615 | 2 }}
| 51
| {{Percentage | 51 | 818615 | 2 }}
! 818,615
! {{Percentage | 818615 | 818615 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Kapurthala State]]
| 61,546
| {{Percentage | 61546 | 378380 | 2 }}
| 213,754
| {{Percentage | 213754 | 378380 | 2 }}
| 88,350
| {{Percentage | 88350 | 378380 | 2 }}
| 1,667
| {{Percentage | 1667 | 378380 | 2 }}
| 380
| {{Percentage | 380 | 378380 | 2 }}
| 12,683
| {{Percentage | 12683 | 378380 | 2 }}
! 378,380
! {{Percentage | 378380 | 378380 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Jind State]]
| 268,355
| {{Percentage | 268355 | 361812 | 2 }}
| 50,972
| {{Percentage | 50972 | 361812 | 2 }}
| 40,981
| {{Percentage | 40981 | 361812 | 2 }}
| 161
| {{Percentage | 161 | 361812 | 2 }}
| 1,294
| {{Percentage | 1294 | 361812 | 2 }}
| 49
| {{Percentage | 49 | 361812 | 2 }}
! 361,812
! {{Percentage | 361812 | 361812 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Simla Hill States]]
| 345,716
| {{Percentage | 345716 | 359520 | 2 }}
| 10,812
| {{Percentage | 10812 | 359520 | 2 }}
| 2,693
| {{Percentage | 2693 | 359520 | 2 }}
| 161
| {{Percentage | 161 | 359520 | 2 }}
| 126
| {{Percentage | 126 | 359520 | 2 }}
| 12
| {{Percentage | 12 | 359520 | 2 }}
! 359,520
! {{Percentage | 359520 | 359520 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Nabha State]]
| 146,518
| {{Percentage | 146518 | 344044 | 2 }}
| 70,373
| {{Percentage | 70373 | 344044 | 2 }}
| 122,451
| {{Percentage | 122451 | 344044 | 2 }}
| 221
| {{Percentage | 221 | 344044 | 2 }}
| 480
| {{Percentage | 480 | 344044 | 2 }}
| 1
| {{Percentage | 1 | 344044 | 2 }}
! 344,044
! {{Percentage | 344044 | 344044 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Mandi State]]
| 227,463
| {{Percentage | 227463 | 232593 | 2 }}
| 4,328
| {{Percentage | 4328 | 232593 | 2 }}
| 583
| {{Percentage | 583 | 232593 | 2 }}
| 11
| {{Percentage | 11 | 232593 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 232593 | 2 }}
| 208
| {{Percentage | 208 | 232593 | 2 }}
! 232,593
! {{Percentage | 232593 | 232593 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Faridkot State]]
| 21,814
| {{Percentage | 21814 | 199283 | 2 }}
| 61,352
| {{Percentage | 61352 | 199283 | 2 }}
| 115,070
| {{Percentage | 115070 | 199283 | 2 }}
| 247
| {{Percentage | 247 | 199283 | 2 }}
| 800
| {{Percentage | 800 | 199283 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 199283 | 2 }}
! 199,283
! {{Percentage | 199283 | 199283 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Chamba State]]
| 155,910
| {{Percentage | 155910 | 168908 | 2 }}
| 12,318
| {{Percentage | 12318 | 168908 | 2 }}
| 107
| {{Percentage | 107 | 168908 | 2 }}
| 190
| {{Percentage | 190 | 168908 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 168908 | 2 }}
| 383
| {{Percentage | 383 | 168908 | 2 }}
! 168,908
! {{Percentage | 168908 | 168908 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Sirmur State|Sirmoor State]]
| 146,199
| {{Percentage | 146199 | 156026 | 2 }}
| 7,374
| {{Percentage | 7374 | 156026 | 2 }}
| 2,334
| {{Percentage | 2334 | 156026 | 2 }}
| 38
| {{Percentage | 38 | 156026 | 2 }}
| 81
| {{Percentage | 81 | 156026 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 156026 | 2 }}
! 156,026
! {{Percentage | 156026 | 156026 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Bilaspur State (princely state)|Bilaspur State]]
| 108,375
| {{Percentage | 108375 | 110336 | 2 }}
| 1,498
| {{Percentage | 1498 | 110336 | 2 }}
| 453
| {{Percentage | 453 | 110336 | 2 }}
| 7
| {{Percentage | 7 | 110336 | 2 }}
| 3
| {{Percentage | 3 | 110336 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 110336 | 2 }}
! 110,336
! {{Percentage | 110336 | 110336 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Malerkotla State]]
| 23,482
| {{Percentage | 23482 | 88109 | 2 }}
| 33,881
| {{Percentage | 33881 | 88109 | 2 }}
| 30,320
| {{Percentage | 30320 | 88109 | 2 }}
| 116
| {{Percentage | 116 | 88109 | 2 }}
| 310
| {{Percentage | 310 | 88109 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 88109 | 2 }}
! 88,109
! {{Percentage | 88109 | 88109 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Suket State]]
| 69,974
| {{Percentage | 69974 | 71092 | 2 }}
| 884
| {{Percentage | 884 | 71092 | 2 }}
| 234
| {{Percentage | 234 | 71092 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 71092 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 71092 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 71092 | 2 }}
! 71,092
! {{Percentage | 71092 | 71092 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Kalsia State]]
| 29,866
| {{Percentage | 29866 | 67393 | 2 }}
| 25,049
| {{Percentage | 25049 | 67393 | 2 }}
| 12,235
| {{Percentage | 12235 | 67393 | 2 }}
| 55
| {{Percentage | 55 | 67393 | 2 }}
| 188
| {{Percentage | 188 | 67393 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 67393 | 2 }}
! 67,393
! {{Percentage | 67393 | 67393 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Simla District]]
| 29,466
| {{Percentage | 29466 | 38576 | 2 }}
| 7,022
| {{Percentage | 7022 | 38576 | 2 }}
| 1,032
| {{Percentage | 1032 | 38576 | 2 }}
| 934
| {{Percentage | 934 | 38576 | 2 }}
| 114
| {{Percentage | 114 | 38576 | 2 }}
| 8
| {{Percentage | 8 | 38576 | 2 }}
! 38,576
! {{Percentage | 38576 | 38576 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Dujana|Dujana State]]
| 23,727
| {{Percentage | 23727 | 30666 | 2 }}
| 6,939
| {{Percentage | 6939 | 30666 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 30666 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 30666 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 30666 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 30666 | 2 }}
! 30,666
! {{Percentage | 30666 | 30666 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Loharu State]]
| 23,923
| {{Percentage | 23923 | 27892 | 2 }}
| 3,960
| {{Percentage | 3960 | 27892 | 2 }}
| 7
| {{Percentage | 7 | 27892 | 2 }}
| 2
| {{Percentage | 2 | 27892 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 27892 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 27892 | 2 }}
! 27,892
! {{Percentage | 27892 | 27892 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Pataudi State]]
| 17,728
| {{Percentage | 17728 | 21520 | 2 }}
| 3,655
| {{Percentage | 3655 | 21520 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 21520 | 2 }}
| 9
| {{Percentage | 9 | 21520 | 2 }}
| 128
| {{Percentage | 128 | 21520 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 21520 | 2 }}
! 21,520
! {{Percentage | 21520 | 21520 | 2 }}
|-
!Total
!7,963,083
!{{Percentage | 7963083 | 16959758 | 2 }}
!5,237,584
!{{Percentage | 5237584 | 16959758 | 2 }}
!3,586,073
!{{Percentage | 3586073 | 16959758 | 2 }}
!117,155
!{{Percentage | 117155 | 16959758 | 2 }}
!35,955
!{{Percentage | 35955 | 16959758 | 2 }}
!19,908
!{{Percentage | 19908 | 16959758 | 2 }}
!16,959,758
!{{Percentage | 16959758 | 16959758 | 2 }}
|- class="sortbottom"
| colspan="15" | {{small|Note 1: Territory comprises the contemporary subdivisions of [[Punjab, India]], Chandigarh, [[Haryana]], and [[Himachal Pradesh]].<BR>Note 2: 186 villages and 2 towns — [[Khemkaran]] and [[Patti, Punjab|Patti]] — in [[Kasur Tehsil]] ([[Lahore District]]) fell on the eastern (Indian) side of the [[Radcliffe Line]], but their population numbers are not included here as detailed sub-tehsil religious data did not exist at the time. According to the 1951 census, [[Kasur Tehsil]] had a total of 322 villages and 3 towns, roughly half of which fell on the western (Pakistani) side of the [[Radcliffe Line]].<ref name=KasurTehsil>{{Cite book |author=Lakshmi Chandra Vashishta |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/saoa.crl.25797139 |title=Census of India, 1951: Punjab, Pepsu, Himachal Pradesh, Bilaspur & Delhi Part I-A - Report |location=India |publisher=Superintendent of Census Operations, Punjab. |pages=X<!--later editor note - the jstor entry is really annoying to navigate. good luck!--> |year=1953 |jstor=saoa.crl.25797139 }}</ref>}}
|}
 
=== 1951 census ===
{{Pie chart
| thumb = right
| caption = Religions in East Punjab, India region (1951)<ref name="Census1951"/>{{efn|name=EastPunjab1951}}
| label1 = [[Hinduism]]
| value1 = 64.62
| color1 = Orange
| label2 = [[Sikhism]]
| value2 = 32.75
| color2 = DarkKhaki
| label3 = [[Islam]]
| value3 = 1.77
| color3 = Green
| label4 = Christianity
| value4 = 0.58
| color4 = DodgerBlue
| label5 = Jainism
| value5 = 0.27
| color5 = Brown
| label6 = Others{{efn|name=others}}
| value6 = 0.02
| color6 = grey
}}
 
After Partition, East Punjab underwent significant restructuring, particularly in its [[Punjab States Agency]]. Several princely states in the region were merged in 1948 to form the [[Patiala and East Punjab States Union|Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU)]], while a number of hill states in the north were integrated to form Himachal Pradesh. [[Bilaspur State (princely state)|Bilaspur Princely state]] remained a separate entity as [[Bilaspur State (1950–1954)|Bilaspur State]]. In the 1951 census, these regions — Punjab, PEPSU, Himachal Pradesh, Bilaspur, and Delhi — were grouped together in a single volume titled ''Census of India, 1951: Punjab, Pepsu, Himachal Pradesh, Bilaspur & Delhi''. Although Delhi was included in this volume, it had become a separate province in 1911 and is not considered part of East Punjab for statistical purposes.<ref name="Census1951" /> Below is the religious demographics of this region broken down by [[Districts of British India|district]] with an overall total as per the [[1951 census of India]].
 
In the following tables, 268,602 people from the Jullundur Division were not classified by religion due to missing records caused by a fire in the Jullundur Census Tabulation Office. As a result, their religious affiliation could not be included at the district level. These unclassified populations were distributed across Amritsar district (96,720 persons), Gurdaspur district (89,512 persons), Jullundur district (46,834 persons), Ferozepur district (18,283 persons), Kangra district (9,565 persons), Hoshiarpur district (6,362 persons), and Ludhiana district (1,326 persons).<ref>1951: Punjab, Pepsu, Himachal Pradesh, Bilaspur & Delhi II-A Census Book Page no. 271 - [https://www.jstor.org/stable/saoa.crl.25803729 Census of India, 1951: Punjab, Pepsu, Himachal Pradesh, Bilaspur & Delhi II-A Jstor.com] or [[iarchive:dli.ernet.425679|Internet Archive]] or [https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/30477 Census India Gov]</ref> While their district level religious details were omitted, the number was included on the overall provincial tabulation. According to consolidated data, out of the 268,602 individuals, 117,186 persons were Hindus and others, 149,758 persons were Sikhs, and 1,658 persons were Muslims.<ref>1951: Punjab, Pepsu, Himachal Pradesh, Bilaspur & Delhi Census book In Last Page no. (XLii) - [https://www.jstor.org/stable/saoa.crl.25797139 Census of India, 1951: Punjab, Pepsu, Himachal Pradesh, Bilaspur & Delhi I-A Jstor.com] or [https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/31763 Census India gov.]</ref> Therefore, the actual total population of the province/state was not 16,975,754 as shown in the tables below, but 17,244,356 after including these 268,602 individuals.
 
{{sticky header}}
{| class="wikitable sticky-header"
|+ Religion in the Districts of East Punjab, India region (1951)<ref name="Census1951">{{cite web|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/saoa.crl.25803729 |jstor=saoa.crl.25803729 |access-date=12 May 2024 |title=Census of India, 1951: Punjab, Pepsu, Himachal Pradesh, Bilaspur & Delhi |year=1951 |pages=298 |last1=Vashishta |first1=Lakshmi Chandra |last2=India. Superintendent Of Census Operations |first2=Punjab |volume=3 }}</ref>{{efn|name=EastPunjab1951|Immediately following the [[Partition of India|partition of India in 1947]], [[Districts of British India|districts]] and [[Princely state]]s that ultimately fell on the eastern side of the [[Radcliffe Line]] formed up the subdivision of East Punjab, which included [[Patiala and East Punjab States Union]], [[Chief Commissioner's Province of Himachal Pradesh]], and [[Bilaspur State (1950–1954)|Bilaspur State]].<ref name="Census1951"/> The states that make up this region in the contemporary era are [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], [[Haryana]], [[Himachal Pradesh]], and the [[Union Territory of Chandigarh]].}}
! rowspan="2" |District
! colspan="2" |[[Hinduism]] [[File:Om.svg|15px]]
! colspan="2" |[[Sikhism]] [[File:Khanda.svg|15px]]
! colspan="2" |[[Islam]] [[File:Star and Crescent.svg|15px]]
! colspan="2" |[[Christianity]] [[File:Christian cross.svg|15px]]
! colspan="2" |[[Jainism]] [[File:Jain_Prateek_Chihna.svg|15px]]
! colspan="2" |Others{{efn|name=others}}
! colspan="2" |Total responses
! colspan="2" |Total population
|-
![[Population|{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}]]
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
|-
| [[Firozpur district]]
| 505,937
| {{Percentage | 505937 | 1308237 | 2 }}
| 780,024
| {{Percentage | 780024 | 1308237 | 2 }}
| 4,805
| {{Percentage | 4805 | 1308237 | 2 }}
| 11,976
| {{Percentage | 11976 | 1308237 | 2 }}
| 5,475
| {{Percentage | 5475 | 1308237 | 2 }}
| 20
| {{Percentage | 20 | 1308237 | 2 }}
! 1,308,237
! {{Percentage | 1308237 | 1326520 | 2 }}
! 1,326,520
! {{Percentage | 1326520 | 1326520 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Amritsar district]]
| 351,710
| {{Percentage | 351710 | 1270320 | 2 }}
| 897,309
| {{Percentage | 897309 | 1270320 | 2 }}
| 4,237
| {{Percentage | 4237 | 1270320 | 2 }}
| 14,753
| {{Percentage | 14753 | 1270320 | 2 }}
| 2,115
| {{Percentage | 2115 | 1270320 | 2 }}
| 196
| {{Percentage | 196 | 1270320 | 2 }}
! 1,270,320
! {{Percentage | 1270320 | 1367040 | 2 }}
! 1,367,040
! {{Percentage | 1367040 | 1367040 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Rohtak district]]
| 1,105,046
| {{Percentage | 1105046 | 1122046 | 2 }}
| 7,907
| {{Percentage | 7907 | 1122046 | 2 }}
| 2,562
| {{Percentage | 2562 | 1122046 | 2 }}
| 153
| {{Percentage | 153 | 1122046 | 2 }}
| 5,878
| {{Percentage | 5878 | 1122046 | 2 }}
| 500
| {{Percentage | 500 | 1122046 | 2 }}
! 1,122,046
! {{Percentage | 1122046 | 1122046 | 2 }}
! 1,122,046
! {{Percentage | 1122046 | 1122046 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Hoshiarpur district]]
| 794,688
| {{Percentage | 794688 | 1085624 | 2 }}
| 283,720
| {{Percentage | 283720 | 1085624 | 2 }}
| 1,353
| {{Percentage | 1353 | 1085624 | 2 }}
| 4,027
| {{Percentage | 4027 | 1085624 | 2 }}
| 1,823
| {{Percentage | 1823 | 1085624 | 2 }}
| 13
| {{Percentage | 13 | 1085624 | 2 }}
! 1,085,624
! {{Percentage | 1085624 | 1091986 | 2 }}
! 1,091,986
! {{Percentage | 1091986 | 1091986 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Karnal district]]
| 974,959
| {{Percentage | 974959 | 1079379 | 2 }}
| 96,458
| {{Percentage | 96458 | 1079379 | 2 }}
| 3,658
| {{Percentage | 3658 | 1079379 | 2 }}
| 490
| {{Percentage | 490 | 1079379 | 2 }}
| 3,813
| {{Percentage | 3813 | 1079379 | 2 }}
| 1
| {{Percentage | 1 | 1079379 | 2 }}
! 1,079,379
! {{Percentage | 1079379 | 1079379 | 2 }}
! 1,079,379
! {{Percentage | 1079379 | 1079379 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Hisar district|Hissar district]]
| 954,714
| {{Percentage | 954714 | 1045645 | 2 }}
| 80,394
| {{Percentage | 80394 | 1045645 | 2 }}
| 3,312
| {{Percentage | 3312 | 1045645 | 2 }}
| 609
| {{Percentage | 609 | 1045645 | 2 }}
| 6,609
| {{Percentage | 6609 | 1045645 | 2 }}
| 7
| {{Percentage | 7 | 1045645 | 2 }}
! 1,045,645
! {{Percentage | 1045645 | 1045645 | 2 }}
! 1,045,645
! {{Percentage | 1045645 | 1045645 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Jalandhar district]]
| 429,747
| {{Percentage | 429747 | 1008766 | 2 }}
| 569,487
| {{Percentage | 569487 | 1008766 | 2 }}
| 2,569
| {{Percentage | 2569 | 1008766 | 2 }}
| 5,969
| {{Percentage | 5969 | 1008766 | 2 }}
| 985
| {{Percentage | 985 | 1008766 | 2 }}
| 9
| {{Percentage | 9 | 1008766 | 2 }}
! 1,008,766
! {{Percentage | 1008766 | 1055600 | 2 }}
! 1,055,600
! {{Percentage | 1055600 | 1055600 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Gurgaon district]]
| 794,019
| {{Percentage | 794019 | 967664 | 2 }}
| 6,310
| {{Percentage | 6310 | 967664 | 2 }}
| 163,663
| {{Percentage | 163663 | 967664 | 2 }}
| 769
| {{Percentage | 769 | 967664 | 2 }}
| 2,722
| {{Percentage | 2722 | 967664 | 2 }}
| 181
| {{Percentage | 181 | 967664 | 2 }}
! 967,664
! {{Percentage | 967664 | 967664 | 2 }}
! 967,664
! {{Percentage | 967664 | 967664 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Ambala district]]
| 681,477
| {{Percentage | 681477 | 943734 | 2 }}
| 232,456
| {{Percentage | 232456 | 943734 | 2 }}
| 23,106
| {{Percentage | 23106 | 943734 | 2 }}
| 3,690
| {{Percentage | 3690 | 943734 | 2 }}
| 2,983
| {{Percentage | 2983 | 943734 | 2 }}
| 22
| {{Percentage | 22 | 943734 | 2 }}
! 943,734
! {{Percentage | 943734 | 943734 | 2 }}
! 943,734
! {{Percentage | 943734 | 943734 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Kangra district]]
| 898,564
| {{Percentage | 898564 | 926477 | 2 }}
| 18,401
| {{Percentage | 18401 | 926477 | 2 }}
| 6,426
| {{Percentage | 6426 | 926477 | 2 }}
| 604
| {{Percentage | 604 | 926477 | 2 }}
| 1,199
| {{Percentage | 1199 | 926477 | 2 }}
| 1,283
| {{Percentage | 1283 | 926477 | 2 }}
! 926,477
! {{Percentage | 926477 | 936042 | 2 }}
! 936,042
! {{Percentage | 936042 | 936042 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Ludhiana district]]
| 301,398
| {{Percentage | 301398 | 806779 | 2 }}
| 497,419
| {{Percentage | 497419 | 806779 | 2 }}
| 3,360
| {{Percentage | 3360 | 806779 | 2 }}
| 1,200
| {{Percentage | 1200 | 806779 | 2 }}
| 3,397
| {{Percentage | 3397 | 806779 | 2 }}
| 5
| {{Percentage | 5 | 806779 | 2 }}
! 806,779
! {{Percentage | 806779 | 808105 | 2 }}
! 808,105
! {{Percentage | 808105 | 808105 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Gurdaspur district]]
| 346,884
| {{Percentage | 346884 | 761782 | 2 }}
| 354,681
| {{Percentage | 354681 | 761782 | 2 }}
| 9,370
| {{Percentage | 9370 | 761782 | 2 }}
| 50,457
| {{Percentage | 50457 | 761782 | 2 }}
| 388
| {{Percentage | 388 | 761782 | 2 }}
| 2
| {{Percentage | 2 | 761782 | 2 }}
! 761,782
! {{Percentage | 761782 | 851294 | 2 }}
! 851,294
! {{Percentage | 851294 | 851294 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Bhatinda district]]
| 144,305
| {{Percentage | 144305 | 666809 | 2 }}
| 521,045
| {{Percentage | 521045 | 666809 | 2 }}
| 416
| {{Percentage | 416 | 666809 | 2 }}
| 450
| {{Percentage | 450 | 666809 | 2 }}
| 574
| {{Percentage | 574 | 666809 | 2 }}
| 19
| {{Percentage | 19 | 666809 | 2 }}
! 666,809
! {{Percentage | 666809 | 666809 | 2 }}
! 666,809
! {{Percentage | 666809 | 666809 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Sangrur district]]
| 420,218
| {{Percentage | 420218 | 642934 | 2 }}
| 215,023
| {{Percentage | 215023 | 642934 | 2 }}
| 3,741
| {{Percentage | 3741 | 642934 | 2 }}
| 341
| {{Percentage | 341 | 642934 | 2 }}
| 3,610
| {{Percentage | 3610 | 642934 | 2 }}
| 1
| {{Percentage | 1 | 642934 | 2 }}
! 642,934
! {{Percentage | 642934 | 642934 | 2 }}
! 642,934
! {{Percentage | 642934 | 642934 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Barnala district]]
| 112,635
| {{Percentage | 112635 | 536728 | 2 }}
| 380,811
| {{Percentage | 380811 | 536728 | 2 }}
| 41,673
| {{Percentage | 41673 | 536728 | 2 }}
| 113
| {{Percentage | 113 | 536728 | 2 }}
| 1,484
| {{Percentage | 1484 | 536728 | 2 }}
| 12
| {{Percentage | 12 | 536728 | 2 }}
! 536,728
! {{Percentage | 536728 | 536728 | 2 }}
! 536,728
! {{Percentage | 536728 | 536728 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Patiala district]]
| 273,087
| {{Percentage | 273087 | 524269 | 2 }}
| 246,953
| {{Percentage | 246953 | 524269 | 2 }}
| 2,893
| {{Percentage | 2893 | 524269 | 2 }}
| 499
| {{Percentage | 499 | 524269 | 2 }}
| 689
| {{Percentage | 689 | 524269 | 2 }}
| 148
| {{Percentage | 148 | 524269 | 2 }}
! 524,269
! {{Percentage | 524269 | 524269  | 2 }}
! 524,269
! {{Percentage | 524269 | 524269  | 2 }}
|-
| [[Mahendragarh district|Mohinder Garh district]]
| 438,347
| {{Percentage | 438347 | 443074 | 2 }}
| 2,615
| {{Percentage | 2615 | 443074 | 2 }}
| 1,450
| {{Percentage | 1450 | 443074 | 2 }}
| 5
| {{Percentage | 5 | 443074 | 2 }}
| 657
| {{Percentage | 657 | 443074 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 443074 | 2 }}
! 443,074
! {{Percentage | 443074 | 443074 | 2 }}
! 443,074
! {{Percentage | 443074 | 443074 | 2 }}
|-
| Mahasu district
| 327,998
| {{Percentage | 327998 | 330614 | 2 }}
| 730
| {{Percentage | 730 | 330614 | 2 }}
| 1,795
| {{Percentage | 1795 | 330614 | 2 }}
| 85
| {{Percentage | 85 | 330614 | 2 }}
| 4
| {{Percentage | 4 | 330614 | 2 }}
| 2
| {{Percentage | 2 | 330614 | 2 }}
! 330,614
! {{Percentage | 330614 | 330614 | 2 }}
! 330,614
! {{Percentage | 330614 | 330614 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Mandi district]]
| 308,302
| {{Percentage | 308302 | 310626 | 2 }}
| 1,056
| {{Percentage | 1056 | 310626 | 2 }}
| 1,268
| {{Percentage | 1268 | 310626 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 310626 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 310626 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 310626 | 2 }}
! 310,626
! {{Percentage | 310626 | 310626 | 2 }}
! 310,626
! {{Percentage | 310626 | 310626 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Kapurthala district]]
| 104,679
| {{Percentage | 104679 | 295071 | 2 }}
| 187,568
| {{Percentage | 187568 | 295071 | 2 }}
| 854
| {{Percentage | 854 | 295071 | 2 }}
| 1,547
| {{Percentage | 1547 | 295071 | 2 }}
| 269
| {{Percentage | 269 | 295071 | 2 }}
| 154
| {{Percentage | 154 | 295071 | 2 }}
! 295,071
! {{Percentage | 295071 | 295071 | 2 }}
! 295,071
! {{Percentage | 295071 | 295071 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Fatehgarh Sahib district]]
| 80,141
| {{Percentage | 80141 | 237397 | 2 }}
| 154,714
| {{Percentage | 154714 | 237397 | 2 }}
| 2,269
| {{Percentage | 2269 | 237397 | 2 }}
| 267
| {{Percentage | 267 | 237397 | 2 }}
| 6
| {{Percentage | 6 | 237397 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 237397 | 2 }}
! 237,397
! {{Percentage | 237397 | 237397 | 2 }}
! 237,397
! {{Percentage | 237397 | 237397 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Chamba district]]
| 170,333
| {{Percentage | 170333 | 176050 | 2 }}
| 300
| {{Percentage | 300 | 176050 | 2 }}
| 5,208
| {{Percentage | 5208 | 176050 | 2 }}
| 208
| {{Percentage | 208 | 176050 | 2 }}
| 1
| {{Percentage | 1 | 176050 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 176050 | 2 }}
! 176,050
! {{Percentage | 176050 | 176050 | 2 }}
! 176,050
! {{Percentage | 176050 | 176050 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Sirmaur district|Sirmoor district]]
| 157,815
| {{Percentage | 157815 | 166077 | 2 }}
| 2,626
| {{Percentage | 2626 | 166077 | 2 }}
| 5,588
| {{Percentage | 5588 | 166077 | 2 }}
| 19
| {{Percentage | 19 | 166077 | 2 }}
| 29
| {{Percentage | 29 | 166077 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 166077 | 2 }}
! 166,077
! {{Percentage | 166077 | 166077 | 2 }}
! 166,077
! {{Percentage | 166077 | 166077 | 2 }}
|-
| Kohistan district
| 130,937
| {{Percentage | 130937 | 147403 | 2 }}
| 13,206
| {{Percentage | 13206 | 147403 | 2 }}
| 2,617
| {{Percentage | 2617 | 147403 | 2 }}
| 343
| {{Percentage | 343 | 147403 | 2 }}
| 289
| {{Percentage | 289 | 147403 | 2 }}
| 11
| {{Percentage | 11 | 147403 | 2 }}
! 147,403
! {{Percentage | 147403 | 147403 | 2 }}
! 147,403
! {{Percentage | 147403 | 147403 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh|Bilaspur district]]
| 124,393
| {{Percentage | 124393 | 126099 | 2 }}
| 307
| {{Percentage | 307 | 126099 | 2 }}
| 1,394
| {{Percentage | 1394 | 126099 | 2 }}
| 5
| {{Percentage | 5 | 126099 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 126099 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 126099 | 2 }}
! 126,099
! {{Percentage | 126099 | 126099 | 2 }}
! 126,099
! {{Percentage | 126099 | 126099 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Simla district]]
| 37,287
| {{Percentage | 37287 | 46150 | 2 }}
| 7,417
| {{Percentage | 7417 | 46150 | 2 }}
| 659
| {{Percentage | 659 | 46150 | 2 }}
| 596
| {{Percentage | 596 | 46150 | 2 }}
| 131
| {{Percentage | 131 | 46150 | 2 }}
| 60
| {{Percentage | 60 | 46150 | 2 }}
! 46,150
! {{Percentage | 46150 | 46150 | 2 }}
! 46,150
! {{Percentage | 46150 | 46150 | 2 }}
|-
! Total responses
! 10,969,620
! {{Percentage | 10969620 | 16975754 | 2 }}
! 5,558,937
! {{Percentage | 5558937 | 16975754 | 2 }}
! 300,246
! {{Percentage | 300246 | 16975754 | 2 }}
! 99,175
! {{Percentage | 99175 | 16975754 | 2 }}
! 45,130
! {{Percentage | 45130 | 16975754 | 2 }}
! 2,646
! {{Percentage | 2646 | 16975754 | 2 }}
! 16,975,754
! {{Percentage | 16975754 | 17244356 | 2 }}
!{{N/a}}
!{{N/a}}
|- class="sortbottom"
! Total population
!{{N/a}}
!{{N/a}}
!{{N/a}}
!{{N/a}}
!{{N/a}}
!{{N/a}}
!{{N/a}}
!{{N/a}}
!{{N/a}}
!{{N/a}}
!{{N/a}}
!{{N/a}}
!{{N/a}}
!{{N/a}}
! 17,244,356
! {{Percentage | 17244356 | 17244356 | 2 }}
|- class="sortbottom"
| colspan="20" | {{small|Note: Territory comprises the contemporary subdivisions of [[Punjab, India]], [[Chandigarh]], [[Haryana]], and [[Himachal Pradesh]].}}
|}
 
=== 1961 census ===
{{Pie chart
| thumb = right
| caption = Religions in East Punjab, India region (1961)<ref name="Census1961"/><ref name="Census1961Punjab"/><ref name="Census1961Himachal"/>{{efn|name=EastPunjab1961}}
| label1 = [[Hinduism]]
| value1 = 65.75
| color1 = Orange
| label2 = [[Sikhism]]
| value2 = 31.29
| color2 = DarkKhaki
| label3 = [[Islam]]
| value3 = 1.93
| color3 = Green
| label4 = Christianity
| value4 = 0.69
| color4 = DodgerBlue
| label5 = Jainism
| value5 = 0.23
| color5 = Brown
| label6 = Others{{efn|name=others}}
| value6 = 0.1
| color6 = grey
}}
 
The 1961 Census data reflects the post-reorganization administrative boundaries. By this time, the [[Patiala and East Punjab States Union|Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU)]] had been fully merged into Punjab on 1 November 1956 under the States Reorganisation Act. Additionally, the former princely state of Bilaspur, a Part-C state, was merged into Himachal Pradesh in 1954. Therefore, the 1961 census tables include populations from the territories of both Punjab (including the former PEPSU regions) and Himachal Pradesh (including Bilaspur), as per their reorganized state boundaries.
 
The religious demography of the East Punjab region including the contemporary subdivisions of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], [[Haryana]], [[Himachal Pradesh]], and the [[Union Territory of Chandigarh]] is broken down below by district with an overall total as per the [[1961 census of India]].<ref name="Census1961" /><ref name="Census1961Punjab" /><ref name="Census1961Himachal" />
 
{{sticky header}}
{| class="wikitable sticky-header"
|+ Religion in the Districts of East Punjab, India region (1961)<ref name="Census1961">{{cite web|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/31326 |title=Paper No 1 of 1963, India - Census 1961 |website=Census Digital Library |pages=4–9 |access-date=1 January 2025}}</ref><ref name="Census1961Punjab">{{cite web|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/32026|title=Social and Cultural Tables, Part II-C(i), Vol-XIII, Punjab - Census 1961 |website=Census Digital Library|pages=349|access-date=1 January 2025}}</ref><ref name="Census1961Himachal">{{cite web|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/28305|title=Cultural & Migration Tables, Part II-C, Volume-XX, Himachal Pradesh - Census 1961 |website=Census Digital Library|pages=143|access-date=1 January 2025}}</ref>{{efn|name=EastPunjab1961|Immediately following the [[Partition of India|partition of India in 1947]], [[Districts of British India|districts]] and [[Princely state]]s that ultimately fell on the eastern side of the [[Radcliffe Line]] formed the subdivision of East Punjab, which included [[Patiala and East Punjab States Union]], [[Chief Commissioner's Province of Himachal Pradesh]], and [[Bilaspur State (1950–1954)|Bilaspur State]].<ref name="Census1951"/> The states that make up this region in the contemporary era are [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], [[Haryana]], [[Himachal Pradesh]], and the [[Union Territory of Chandigarh]].}}
! rowspan="2" |District
! colspan="2" |[[Hinduism]] [[File:Om.svg|15px]]
! colspan="2" |[[Sikhism]] [[File:Khanda.svg|15px]]
! colspan="2" |[[Islam]] [[File:Star and Crescent.svg|15px]]
! colspan="2" |[[Christianity]] [[File:Christian cross.svg|15px]]
! colspan="2" |[[Jainism]] [[File:Jain_Prateek_Chihna.svg|15px]]
! colspan="2" |Others{{efn|name=others}}
! colspan="2" |Total
|-
![[Population|{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}]]
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
|-
| [[Firozpur district]]
| 657,712
| {{Percentage | 657712 | 1619116 | 2 }}
| 936,953
| {{Percentage | 936953 | 1619116 | 2 }}
| 3,369
| {{Percentage | 3369 | 1619116 | 2 }}
| 19,234
| {{Percentage | 19234 | 1619116 | 2 }}
| 1,746
| {{Percentage | 1746 | 1619116 | 2 }}
| 102
| {{Percentage | 102 | 1619116 | 2 }}
! 1,619,116
! {{Percentage | 1619116 | 1619116 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Hisar district|Hissar district]]
| 1,374,258
| {{Percentage | 1374258 | 1540508 | 2 }}
| 152,719
| {{Percentage | 152719 | 1540508 | 2 }}
| 6,203
| {{Percentage | 6203 | 1540508 | 2 }}
| 1,022
| {{Percentage | 1022 | 1540508 | 2 }}
| 6,021
| {{Percentage | 6021 | 1540508 | 2 }}
| 285
| {{Percentage | 285 | 1540508 | 2 }}
! 1,540,508
! {{Percentage | 1540508 | 1540508 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Amritsar district]]
| 506,170
| {{Percentage | 506170 | 1534916 | 2 }}
| 990,344
| {{Percentage | 990344 | 1534916 | 2 }}
| 2,401
| {{Percentage | 2401 | 1534916 | 2 }}
| 33,739
| {{Percentage | 33739 | 1534916 | 2 }}
| 1,987
| {{Percentage | 1987 | 1534916 | 2 }}
| 275
| {{Percentage | 275 | 1534916 | 2 }}
! 1,534,916
! {{Percentage | 1534916 | 1534916 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Karnal district]]
| 1,293,354
| {{Percentage | 1293354 | 1490430 | 2 }}
| 177,602
| {{Percentage | 177602 | 1490430 | 2 }}
| 14,159
| {{Percentage | 14159 | 1490430 | 2 }}
| 2,094
| {{Percentage | 2094 | 1490430 | 2 }}
| 3,207
| {{Percentage | 3207 | 1490430 | 2 }}
| 14
| {{Percentage | 14 | 1490430 | 2 }}
! 1,490,430
! {{Percentage | 1490430 | 1490430 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Sangrur district]]
| 738,816
| {{Percentage | 738816 | 1424688 | 2 }}
| 622,227
| {{Percentage | 622227 | 1424688 | 2 }}
| 55,738
| {{Percentage | 55738 | 1424688 | 2 }}
| 577
| {{Percentage | 577 | 1424688 | 2 }}
| 7,328
| {{Percentage | 7328 | 1424688 | 2 }}
| 2
| {{Percentage | 2 | 1424688 | 2 }}
! 1,424,688
! {{Percentage | 1424688 | 1424688 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Rohtak district]]
| 1,400,347
| {{Percentage | 1400347 | 1420391 | 2 }}
| 6,439
| {{Percentage | 6439 | 1420391 | 2 }}
| 7,349
| {{Percentage | 7349 | 1420391 | 2 }}
| 355
| {{Percentage | 355 | 1420391 | 2 }}
| 5,471
| {{Percentage | 5471 | 1420391 | 2 }}
| 430
| {{Percentage | 430 | 1420391 | 2 }}
! 1,420,391
! {{Percentage | 1420391 | 1420391 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Ambala district]]
| 981,288
| {{Percentage | 981288 | 1373477 | 2 }}
| 340,968
| {{Percentage | 340968 | 1373477 | 2 }}
| 40,351
| {{Percentage | 40351 | 1373477 | 2 }}
| 4,877
| {{Percentage | 4877 | 1373477 | 2 }}
| 5,318
| {{Percentage | 5318 | 1373477 | 2 }}
| 675
| {{Percentage | 675 | 1373477 | 2 }}
! 1,373,477
! {{Percentage | 1373477 | 1373477 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Gurgaon district]]
| 1,011,862
| {{Percentage | 1011862 | 1240706 | 2 }}
| 8,362
| {{Percentage | 8362 | 1240706 | 2 }}
| 216,767
| {{Percentage | 216767 | 1240706 | 2 }}
| 730
| {{Percentage | 730 | 1240706 | 2 }}
| 2,930
| {{Percentage | 2930 | 1240706 | 2 }}
| 55
| {{Percentage | 55 | 1240706 | 2 }}
! 1,240,706
! {{Percentage | 1240706 | 1240706 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Hoshiarpur district]]
| 835,436
| {{Percentage | 835436 | 1233493 | 2 }}
| 381,965
| {{Percentage | 381965 | 1233493 | 2 }}
| 7,050
| {{Percentage | 7050 | 1233493 | 2 }}
| 7,207
| {{Percentage | 7207 | 1233493 | 2 }}
| 1,794
| {{Percentage | 1794 | 1233493 | 2 }}
| 41
| {{Percentage | 41 | 1233493 | 2 }}
! 1,233,493
! {{Percentage | 1233493 | 1233493 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Jalandhar district]]
| 662,631
| {{Percentage | 662631 | 1227367 | 2 }}
| 550,232
| {{Percentage | 550232 | 1227367 | 2 }}
| 3,184
| {{Percentage | 3184 | 1227367 | 2 }}
| 8,733
| {{Percentage | 8733 | 1227367 | 2 }}
| 2,278
| {{Percentage | 2278 | 1227367 | 2 }}
| 309
| {{Percentage | 309 | 1227367 | 2 }}
! 1,227,367
! {{Percentage | 1227367 | 1227367 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Kangra district]]
| 1,043,387
| {{Percentage | 1043387 | 1062518 | 2 }}
| 8,854
| {{Percentage | 8854 | 1062518 | 2 }}
| 6,701
| {{Percentage | 6701 | 1062518 | 2 }}
| 1,251
| {{Percentage | 1251 | 1062518 | 2 }}
| 127
| {{Percentage | 127 | 1062518 | 2 }}
| 2,198
| {{Percentage | 2198 | 1062518 | 2 }}
! 1,062,518
! {{Percentage | 1062518 | 1062518 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Bhatinda district]]
| 285,967
| {{Percentage | 285967 | 1055177 | 2 }}
| 762,677
| {{Percentage | 762677 | 1055177 | 2 }}
| 3,340
| {{Percentage | 3340 | 1055177 | 2 }}
| 956
| {{Percentage | 956 | 1055177 | 2 }}
| 2,209
| {{Percentage | 2209 | 1055177 | 2 }}
| 28
| {{Percentage | 28 | 1055177 | 2 }}
! 1,055,177
! {{Percentage | 1055177 | 1055177 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Patiala district]]
| 480,086
| {{Percentage | 480086 | 1048778 | 2 }}
| 553,438
| {{Percentage | 553438 | 1048778 | 2 }}
| 11,714
| {{Percentage | 11714 | 1048778 | 2 }}
| 1,565
| {{Percentage | 1565 | 1048778 | 2 }}
| 1,944
| {{Percentage | 1944 | 1048778 | 2 }}
| 31
| {{Percentage | 31 | 1048778 | 2 }}
! 1,048,778
! {{Percentage | 1048778 | 1048778 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Ludhiana district]]
| 365,429
| {{Percentage | 365429 | 1022519 | 2 }}
| 644,266
| {{Percentage | 644266 | 1022519 | 2 }}
| 4,686
| {{Percentage | 4686 | 1022519 | 2 }}
| 2,638
| {{Percentage | 2638 | 1022519 | 2 }}
| 5,110
| {{Percentage | 5110 | 1022519 | 2 }}
| 390
| {{Percentage | 390 | 1022519 | 2 }}
! 1,022,519
! {{Percentage | 1022519 | 1022519 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Gurdaspur district]]
| 494,635
| {{Percentage | 494635 | 987994 | 2 }}
| 424,190
| {{Percentage | 424190 | 987994 | 2 }}
| 5,566
| {{Percentage | 5566 | 987994 | 2 }}
| 62,231
| {{Percentage | 62231 | 987994 | 2 }}
| 69
| {{Percentage | 69 | 987994 | 2 }}
| 1,303
| {{Percentage | 1303 | 987994 | 2 }}
! 987,994
! {{Percentage | 987994 | 987994 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Mahendragarh district]]
| 543,480
| {{Percentage | 543480 | 547850 | 2 }}
| 2,222
| {{Percentage | 2222 | 547850 | 2 }}
| 1,456
| {{Percentage | 1456 | 547850 | 2 }}
| 29
| {{Percentage | 29 | 547850 | 2 }}
| 663
| {{Percentage | 663 | 547850 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 547850 | 2 }}
! 547,850
! {{Percentage | 547850 | 547850 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Mandi district]]
| 380,453
| {{Percentage | 380453 | 384259 | 2 }}
| 1,759
| {{Percentage | 1759 | 384259 | 2 }}
| 1,868
| {{Percentage | 1868 | 384259 | 2 }}
| 28
| {{Percentage | 28 | 384259 | 2 }}
| 10
| {{Percentage | 10 | 384259 | 2 }}
| 141
| {{Percentage | 141 | 384259 | 2 }}
! 384,259
! {{Percentage | 384259 | 384259 | 2 }}
|-
| Mahasu district
| 354,247
| {{Percentage | 354247 | 358969 | 2 }}
| 793
| {{Percentage | 793 | 358969 | 2 }}
| 2,958
| {{Percentage | 2958 | 358969 | 2 }}
| 203
| {{Percentage | 203 | 358969 | 2 }}
| 9
| {{Percentage | 9 | 358969 | 2 }}
| 759
| {{Percentage | 759 | 358969 | 2 }}
! 358,969
! {{Percentage | 358969 | 358969 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Kapurthala district]]
| 140,828
| {{Percentage | 140828 | 343778 | 2 }}
| 200,117
| {{Percentage | 200117 | 343778 | 2 }}
| 856
| {{Percentage | 856 | 343778 | 2 }}
| 1,535
| {{Percentage | 1535 | 343778 | 2 }}
| 416
| {{Percentage | 416 | 343778 | 2 }}
| 26
| {{Percentage | 26 | 343778 | 2 }}
! 343,778
! {{Percentage | 343778 | 343778 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Chamba district]]
| 197,821
| {{Percentage | 197821 | 210579 | 2 }}
| 398
| {{Percentage | 398 | 210579 | 2 }}
| 10,512
| {{Percentage | 10512 | 210579 | 2 }}
| 105
| {{Percentage | 105 | 210579 | 2 }}
| 10
| {{Percentage | 10 | 210579 | 2 }}
| 1,733
| {{Percentage | 1733 | 210579 | 2 }}
! 210,579
! {{Percentage | 210579 | 210579 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Sirmaur district|Sirmur district]]
| 185,020
| {{Percentage | 185020 | 197551 | 2 }}
| 3,867
| {{Percentage | 3867 | 197551 | 2 }}
| 8,203
| {{Percentage | 8203 | 197551 | 2 }}
| 221
| {{Percentage | 221 | 197551 | 2 }}
| 64
| {{Percentage | 64 | 197551 | 2 }}
| 176
| {{Percentage | 176 | 197551 | 2 }}
! 197,551
! {{Percentage | 197551 | 197551 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh|Bilaspur district]]
| 155,094
| {{Percentage | 155094 | 158806 | 2 }}
| 1,593
| {{Percentage | 1593 | 158806 | 2 }}
| 2,078
| {{Percentage | 2078 | 158806 | 2 }}
| 35
| {{Percentage | 35 | 158806 | 2 }}
| 2
| {{Percentage | 2 | 158806 | 2 }}
| 4
| {{Percentage | 4 | 158806 | 2 }}
! 158,806
! {{Percentage | 158806 | 158806 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Simla district]]
| 104,784
| {{Percentage | 104784 | 112653 | 2 }}
| 5,392
| {{Percentage | 5392 | 112653 | 2 }}
| 1,214
| {{Percentage | 1214 | 112653 | 2 }}
| 1,059
| {{Percentage | 1059 | 112653 | 2 }}
| 135
| {{Percentage | 135 | 112653 | 2 }}
| 69
| {{Percentage | 69 | 112653 | 2 }}
! 112,653
! {{Percentage | 112653 | 112653 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Kinnaur district]]
| 37,384
| {{Percentage | 37384 | 40980 | 2 }}
| 27
| {{Percentage | 27 | 40980 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 40980 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 40980 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 40980 | 2 }}
| 3,569
| {{Percentage | 3569 | 40980 | 2 }}
! 40,980
! {{Percentage | 40980 | 40980 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Lahaul and Spiti district]]
| 9,575
| {{Percentage | 9575 | 20453 | 2 }}
| 162
| {{Percentage | 162 | 20453 | 2 }}
| 1,210
| {{Percentage | 1210 | 20453 | 2 }}
| 2
| {{Percentage | 2 | 20453 | 2 }}
| 1
| {{Percentage | 1 | 20453 | 2 }}
| 9,503
| {{Percentage | 9503 | 20453 | 2 }}
! 20,453
! {{Percentage | 20453 | 20453 | 2 }}
|-
! Total
! 14,240,064
! {{Percentage | 14240064 | 21657956 | 2 }}
! 6,777,566
! {{Percentage | 6777566 | 21657956 | 2 }}
! 418,933
! {{Percentage | 418933 | 21657956 | 2 }}
! 150,426
! {{Percentage | 150426 | 21657956 | 2 }}
! 48,849
! {{Percentage | 48849 | 21657956 | 2 }}
! 22,118
! {{Percentage | 22118 | 21657956 | 2 }}
! 21,657,956
! {{Percentage | 21657956 | 21657956 | 2 }}
|- class="sortbottom"
| colspan="15" | {{small|Note: Territory comprises the contemporary subdivisions of [[Punjab, India]], [[Chandigarh]], [[Haryana]], and [[Himachal Pradesh]].}}
|}
 
=== 1971 census ===
{{Pie chart
| thumb = right
| caption = Religions in East Punjab, India region (1971)<ref name="Census1971Punjab"/><ref name="Census1971Haryana"/><ref name="Census1971Himachal"/><ref name="Census1971Chandigarh"/>{{efn|name=EastPunjab1971}}
| label1 = [[Hinduism]]
| value1 = 64.28
| color1 = Orange
| label2 = [[Sikhism]]
| value2 = 32.6
| color2 = DarkKhaki
| label3 = [[Islam]]
| value3 = 2.1
| color3 = Green
| label4 = Christianity
| value4 = 0.65
| color4 = DodgerBlue
| label5 = Jainism
| value5 = 0.2
| color5 = Brown
| label6 = Others{{efn|name=others}}
| value6 = 0.17
| color6 = grey
}}
 
By the time of the 1971 Census, the administrative boundaries of the region had changed significantly following the [[Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966|Punjab Reorganisation Act of 1966]], which came into effect on 1 November 1966. Under this Act, the state of [[Haryana]] was created out of the southeastern portion of Punjab, and several hilly regions were transferred to Himachal Pradesh. Additionally, an area comprising the city of Chandigarh Capital Project, Manimajra and 36 villages from [[Kharar, SAS Nagar|Kharar]] Tehsil was separated from Punjab to form the [[Chandigarh|Union Territory of Chandigarh.]] The 1971 Census was conducted according to the same administrative boundaries that exist today for [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], [[Haryana]], [[Himachal Pradesh]], and [[Chandigarh Union Territory]].
 
The religious demography of the East Punjab region including the contemporary states of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], [[Haryana]], [[Himachal Pradesh]], and the [[Union Territory of Chandigarh]] is broken down below by district with an overall total as per the [[1971 census of India]].<ref name="Census1971Punjab" /><ref name="Census1971Haryana" /><ref name="Census1971Himachal" /><ref name="Census1971Chandigarh" />
 
{{sticky header}}
{| class="wikitable sticky-header"
|+ Religion in the Districts of East Punjab, India region (1971)<ref name="Census1971Punjab">{{cite web|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/28585 |title=Distribution of Population Religion and Scheduled Castes, Part II-C(i) and Part V-A, Series-17, Punjab - Census 1971 |website=Census Digital Library|pages=9|access-date=5 January 2025}}</ref><ref name="Census1971Haryana">{{cite web|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/32065 |title=Social and Cultural Tables & Special Tables on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Part II-C (i), Part V-A, Series-6, Haryana - Census 1971 |website=Census Digital Library |pages=12 |access-date=5 January 2025}}</ref><ref name="Census1971Himachal">{{cite web|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/32055 |title=Social and Cultural Tables, Part-II-C(i), Series-7, Himachal Pradesh - Census 1971 |website=Census Digital Library|pages=26|access-date=5 January 2025}}</ref><ref name="Census1971Chandigarh">{{cite web|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/32066 |title=Social and Cultural Tables & Special Tables for Scheduled Castes, Part II-C(i), Part VA & Part II-C(ii), Series-25, Chandigarh - Census 1971 |website=Census Digital Library|pages=12|access-date=5 January 2025}}</ref>{{efn|name=EastPunjab1971|Immediately following the [[Partition of India|partition of India in 1947]], [[Districts of British India|districts]] and [[Princely state]]s that ultimately fell on the eastern side of the [[Radcliffe Line]] formed the subdivision of East Punjab, which included [[Patiala and East Punjab States Union]], [[Chief Commissioner's Province of Himachal Pradesh]], and [[Bilaspur State (1950–1954)|Bilaspur State]].<ref name="Census1951"/> The states that make up this region in the contemporary era are [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], [[Haryana]], [[Himachal Pradesh]], and the [[Union Territory of Chandigarh]].}}
! rowspan="2" |District
! colspan="2" |[[Hinduism]] [[File:Om.svg|15px]]
! colspan="2" |[[Sikhism]] [[File:Khanda.svg|15px]]
! colspan="2" |[[Islam]] [[File:Star and Crescent.svg|15px]]
! colspan="2" |[[Christianity]] [[File:Christian cross.svg|15px]]
! colspan="2" |[[Jainism]] [[File:Jain_Prateek_Chihna.svg|15px]]
! colspan="2" |Others{{efn|name=others}}
! colspan="2" |Total
|-
![[Population|{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}]]
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
|-
| [[Hisar district]]
| 1,893,125
| {{Percentage | 1893125 | 2132948 | 2 }}
| 218,854
| {{Percentage | 218854 | 2132948 | 2 }}
| 12,211
| {{Percentage | 12211 | 2132948 | 2 }}
| 1,732
| {{Percentage | 1732 | 2132948 | 2 }}
| 6,239
| {{Percentage | 6239 | 2132948 | 2 }}
| 787
| {{Percentage | 787 | 2132948 | 2 }}
! 2,132,948
! {{Percentage | 2132948 | 2132948 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Karnal district]]
| 1,714,103
| {{Percentage | 1714103 | 1981303 | 2 }}
| 232,237
| {{Percentage | 232237 | 1981303 | 2 }}
| 27,523
| {{Percentage | 27523 | 1981303 | 2 }}
| 2,693
| {{Percentage | 2693 | 1981303 | 2 }}
| 4,112
| {{Percentage | 4112 | 1981303 | 2 }}
| 635
| {{Percentage | 635 | 1981303 | 2 }}
! 1,981,303
! {{Percentage | 1981303 | 1981303 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Firozpur district]]
| 639,911
| {{Percentage | 639911 | 1905833 | 2 }}
| 1,240,218
| {{Percentage | 1240218 | 1905833 | 2 }}
| 6,340
| {{Percentage | 6340 | 1905833 | 2 }}
| 16,158
| {{Percentage | 16158 | 1905833 | 2 }}
| 1,084
| {{Percentage | 1084 | 1905833 | 2 }}
| 2,122
| {{Percentage | 2122 | 1905833 | 2 }}
! 1,905,833
! {{Percentage | 1905833 | 1905833 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Amritsar district]]
| 430,019
| {{Percentage | 430019 | 1835500 | 2 }}
| 1,362,291
| {{Percentage | 1362291 | 1835500 | 2 }}
| 3,044
| {{Percentage | 3044 | 1835500 | 2 }}
| 37,703
| {{Percentage | 37703 | 1835500 | 2 }}
| 2,295
| {{Percentage | 2295 | 1835500 | 2 }}
| 148
| {{Percentage | 148 | 1835500 | 2 }}
! 1,835,500
! {{Percentage | 1835500 | 1835500 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Rohtak district]]
| 1,758,569
| {{Percentage | 1758569 | 1785534 | 2 }}
| 7,591
| {{Percentage | 7591 | 1785534 | 2 }}
| 11,053
| {{Percentage | 11053 | 1785534 | 2 }}
| 432
| {{Percentage | 432 | 1785534 | 2 }}
| 7,565
| {{Percentage | 7565 | 1785534 | 2 }}
| 324
| {{Percentage | 324 | 1785534 | 2 }}
! 1,785,534
! {{Percentage | 1785534 | 1785534 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Gurgaon district]]
| 1,387,102
| {{Percentage | 1387102 | 1707369 | 2 }}
| 15,889
| {{Percentage | 15889 | 1707369 | 2 }}
| 298,499
| {{Percentage | 298499 | 1707369 | 2 }}
| 1,799
| {{Percentage | 1799 | 1707369 | 2 }}
| 3,704
| {{Percentage | 3704 | 1707369 | 2 }}
| 376
| {{Percentage | 376 | 1707369 | 2 }}
! 1,707,369
! {{Percentage | 1707369 | 1707369 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Jalandhar district]]
| 784,048
| {{Percentage | 784048 | 1454501 | 2 }}
| 653,018
| {{Percentage | 653018 | 1454501 | 2 }}
| 3,362
| {{Percentage | 3362 | 1454501 | 2 }}
| 10,705
| {{Percentage | 10705 | 1454501 | 2 }}
| 2,660
| {{Percentage | 2660 | 1454501 | 2 }}
| 708
| {{Percentage | 708 | 1454501 | 2 }}
! 1,454,501
! {{Percentage | 1454501 | 1454501 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Ludhiana district]]
| 471,519
| {{Percentage | 471519 | 1419421 | 2 }}
| 932,712
| {{Percentage | 932712 | 1419421 | 2 }}
| 5,620
| {{Percentage | 5620 | 1419421 | 2 }}
| 3,027
| {{Percentage | 3027 | 1419421 | 2 }}
| 6,176
| {{Percentage | 6176 | 1419421 | 2 }}
| 367
| {{Percentage | 367 | 1419421 | 2 }}
! 1,419,421
! {{Percentage | 1419421 | 1419421 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Kangra district]]
| 1,292,152
| {{Percentage | 1292152 | 1327211 | 2 }}
| 19,238
| {{Percentage | 19238 | 1327211 | 2 }}
| 11,787
| {{Percentage | 11787 | 1327211 | 2 }}
| 787
| {{Percentage | 787 | 1327211 | 2 }}
| 185
| {{Percentage | 185 | 1327211 | 2 }}
| 3,062
| {{Percentage | 3062 | 1327211 | 2 }}
! 1,327,211
! {{Percentage | 1327211 | 1327211 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Bhatinda district]]
| 297,382
| {{Percentage | 297382 | 1318134 | 2 }}
| 1,014,091
| {{Percentage | 1014091 | 1318134 | 2 }}
| 3,829
| {{Percentage | 3829 | 1318134 | 2 }}
| 752
| {{Percentage | 752 | 1318134 | 2 }}
| 2,072
| {{Percentage | 2072 | 1318134 | 2 }}
| 8
| {{Percentage | 8 | 1318134 | 2 }}
! 1,318,134
! {{Percentage | 1318134 | 1318134 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Gurdaspur district]]
| 590,290
| {{Percentage | 590290 | 1229249 | 2 }}
| 550,996
| {{Percentage | 550996 | 1229249 | 2 }}
| 6,868
| {{Percentage | 6868 | 1229249 | 2 }}
| 79,732
| {{Percentage | 79732 | 1229249 | 2 }}
| 152
| {{Percentage | 152 | 1229249 | 2 }}
| 1,211
| {{Percentage | 1211 | 1229249 | 2 }}
! 1,229,249
! {{Percentage | 1229249 | 1229249 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Patiala district]]
| 539,128
| {{Percentage | 539128 | 1215100 | 2 }}
| 659,020
| {{Percentage | 659020 | 1215100 | 2 }}
| 13,644
| {{Percentage | 13644 | 1215100 | 2 }}
| 1,696
| {{Percentage | 1696 | 1215100 | 2 }}
| 1,380
| {{Percentage | 1380 | 1215100 | 2 }}
| 232
| {{Percentage | 232 | 1215100 | 2 }}
! 1,215,100
! {{Percentage | 1215100 | 1215100 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Sangrur district]]
| 311,197
| {{Percentage | 311197 | 1146650 | 2 }}
| 767,071
| {{Percentage | 767071 | 1146650 | 2 }}
| 64,448
| {{Percentage | 64448 | 1146650 | 2 }}
| 806
| {{Percentage | 806 | 1146650 | 2 }}
| 2,982
| {{Percentage | 2982 | 1146650 | 2 }}
| 146
| {{Percentage | 146 | 1146650 | 2 }}
! 1,146,650
! {{Percentage | 1146650 | 1146650 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Ambala district]]
| 907,075
| {{Percentage | 907075 | 1098405 | 2 }}
| 138,018
| {{Percentage | 138018 | 1098405 | 2 }}
| 45,407
| {{Percentage | 45407 | 1098405 | 2 }}
| 3,051
| {{Percentage | 3051 | 1098405 | 2 }}
| 4,541
| {{Percentage | 4541 | 1098405 | 2 }}
| 313
| {{Percentage | 313 | 1098405 | 2 }}
! 1,098,405
! {{Percentage | 1098405 | 1098405 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Hoshiarpur district]]
| 623,413
| {{Percentage | 623413 | 1052153 | 2 }}
| 414,323
| {{Percentage | 414323 | 1052153 | 2 }}
| 3,456
| {{Percentage | 3456 | 1052153 | 2 }}
| 8,594
| {{Percentage | 8594 | 1052153 | 2 }}
| 1,602
| {{Percentage | 1602 | 1052153 | 2 }}
| 765
| {{Percentage | 765 | 1052153 | 2 }}
! 1,052,153
! {{Percentage | 1052153 | 1052153 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Mahendragarh district]]
| 684,763
| {{Percentage | 684763 | 691639 | 2 }}
| 2,462
| {{Percentage | 2462 | 691639 | 2 }}
| 3,380
| {{Percentage | 3380 | 691639 | 2 }}
| 17
| {{Percentage | 17 | 691639 | 2 }}
| 782
| {{Percentage | 782 | 691639 | 2 }}
| 235
| {{Percentage | 235 | 691639 | 2 }}
! 691,639
! {{Percentage | 691639 | 691639 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Jind district]]
| 611,573
| {{Percentage | 611573 | 639610 | 2 }}
| 15,997
| {{Percentage | 15997 | 639610 | 2 }}
| 7,650
| {{Percentage | 7650 | 639610 | 2 }}
| 78
| {{Percentage | 78 | 639610 | 2 }}
| 4,230
| {{Percentage | 4230 | 639610 | 2 }}
| 82
| {{Percentage | 82 | 639610 | 2 }}
! 639,610
! {{Percentage | 639610 | 639610 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Rupar district]]
| 237,016
| {{Percentage | 237016 | 545005 | 2 }}
| 303,102
| {{Percentage | 303102 | 545005 | 2 }}
| 2,978
| {{Percentage | 2978 | 545005 | 2 }}
| 1,212
| {{Percentage | 1212 | 545005 | 2 }}
| 655
| {{Percentage | 655 | 545005 | 2 }}
| 42
| {{Percentage | 42 | 545005 | 2 }}
! 545,005
! {{Percentage | 545005 | 545005 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Mandi district]]
| 505,476
| {{Percentage | 505476 | 515180 | 2 }}
| 5,692
| {{Percentage | 5692 | 515180 | 2 }}
| 3,132
| {{Percentage | 3132 | 515180 | 2 }}
| 131
| {{Percentage | 131 | 515180 | 2 }}
| 26
| {{Percentage | 26 | 515180 | 2 }}
| 723
| {{Percentage | 723 | 515180 | 2 }}
! 515,180
! {{Percentage | 515180 | 515180 | 2 }}
|-
| Mahasu district
| 434,625
| {{Percentage | 434625 | 440118 | 2 }}
| 1,547
| {{Percentage | 1547  | 440118 | 2 }}
| 2,927
| {{Percentage | 2927 | 440118 | 2 }}
| 272
| {{Percentage | 272 | 440118 | 2 }}
| 27
| {{Percentage | 27 | 440118 | 2 }}
| 720
| {{Percentage | 720 | 440118 | 2 }}
! 440,118
! {{Percentage | 440118 | 440118 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Kapurthala district]]
| 163,312
| {{Percentage | 163312 | 429514 | 2 }}
| 263,130
| {{Percentage | 263130 | 429514 | 2 }}
| 858
| {{Percentage | 858 | 429514 | 2 }}
| 1,817
| {{Percentage | 1817 | 429514 | 2 }}
| 325
| {{Percentage | 325 | 429514 | 2 }}
| 72
| {{Percentage | 72 | 429514 | 2 }}
! 429,514
! {{Percentage | 429514 | 429514 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Chandigarh Union Territory]]
| 184,395
| {{Percentage | 184395 | 257251 | 2 }}
| 65,472
| {{Percentage | 65472 | 257251 | 2 }}
| 3,720
| {{Percentage | 3720 | 257251 | 2 }}
| 2,504
| {{Percentage | 2504 | 257251 | 2 }}
| 1,016
| {{Percentage | 1016 | 257251 | 2 }}
| 144
| {{Percentage | 144 | 257251 | 2 }}
! 257,251
! {{Percentage | 257251 | 257251 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Chamba district]]
| 237,104
| {{Percentage | 237104 | 255233 | 2 }}
| 878
| {{Percentage | 878 | 255233 | 2 }}
| 14,207
| {{Percentage | 14207 | 255233 | 2 }}
| 505
| {{Percentage | 505 | 255233 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 255233 | 2 }}
| 2,539
| {{Percentage | 2539 | 255233 | 2 }}
! 255,233
! {{Percentage | 255233 | 255233 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Sirmaur district]]
| 226,905
| {{Percentage | 226905 | 245033 | 2 }}
| 5,350
| {{Percentage | 5350 | 245033 | 2 }}
| 10,938
| {{Percentage | 10938 | 245033 | 2 }}
| 391
| {{Percentage | 391 | 245033 | 2 }}
| 130
| {{Percentage | 130 | 245033 | 2 }}
| 1,319
| {{Percentage | 1319 | 245033 | 2 }}
! 245,033
! {{Percentage | 245033 | 245033 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Simla district]]
| 200,658
| {{Percentage | 200658 | 217129 | 2 }}
| 9,744
| {{Percentage | 9744 | 217129 | 2 }}
| 4,349
| {{Percentage | 4349 | 217129 | 2 }}
| 970
| {{Percentage | 970 | 217129 | 2 }}
| 221
| {{Percentage | 221 | 217129 | 2 }}
| 1,187
| {{Percentage | 1187 | 217129 | 2 }}
! 217,129
! {{Percentage | 217129 | 217129 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh|Bilaspur district]]
| 190,877
| {{Percentage | 190877 | 194786 | 2 }}
| 1,333
| {{Percentage | 1333 | 194786 | 2 }}
| 2,523
| {{Percentage | 2523 | 194786 | 2 }}
| 32
| {{Percentage | 32 | 194786 | 2 }}
| 12
| {{Percentage | 12 | 194786 | 2 }}
| 9
| {{Percentage | 9 | 194786 | 2 }}
! 194,786
! {{Percentage | 194786 | 194786 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Kullu district|Kulu district]]
| 185,523
| {{Percentage | 185523 | 192371 | 2 }}
| 832
| {{Percentage | 832 | 192371 | 2 }}
| 409
| {{Percentage | 409 | 192371 | 2 }}
| 334
| {{Percentage | 334 | 192371 | 2 }}
| 17
| {{Percentage | 17 | 192371 | 2 }}
| 5,256
| {{Percentage | 5256 | 192371 | 2 }}
! 192,371
! {{Percentage | 192371 | 192371 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Kinnaur district]]
| 42,486
| {{Percentage | 42486 | 49835 | 2 }}
| 193
| {{Percentage | 193 | 49835 | 2 }}
| 28
| {{Percentage | 28 | 49835 | 2 }}
| 35
| {{Percentage | 35 | 49835 | 2 }}
| 7
| {{Percentage | 7 | 49835 | 2 }}
| 7,086
| {{Percentage | 7086 | 49835 | 2 }}
! 49,835
! {{Percentage | 49835 | 49835 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Lahaul and Spiti district|Lahul and Spiti district]]
| 8,821
| {{Percentage | 8821 | 23538 | 2 }}
| 107
| {{Percentage | 107 | 23538 | 2 }}
| 27
| {{Percentage | 27 | 23538 | 2 }}
| 99
| {{Percentage | 99 | 23538 | 2 }}
| 1
| {{Percentage | 1 | 23538 | 2 }}
| 14,483
| {{Percentage | 14483 | 23538 | 2 }}
! 23,538
! {{Percentage | 23538 | 23538 | 2 }}
|-
! Total
! 17,552,567
! {{Percentage | 17552567 | 27305553 | 2 }}
! 8,901,406
! {{Percentage | 8901406 | 27305553 | 2 }}
! 574,217
! {{Percentage | 574217 | 27305553 | 2 }}
! 178,064
! {{Percentage | 178064 | 27305553 | 2 }}
! 54,198
! {{Percentage | 54198 | 27305553 | 2 }}
! 45,101
! {{Percentage | 45101 | 27305553 | 2 }}
! 27,305,553
! {{Percentage | 27305553 | 27305553 | 2 }}
|- class="sortbottom"
| colspan="15" | {{small|Note: Territory comprises the contemporary subdivisions of [[Punjab, India]], [[Chandigarh]], [[Haryana]], and [[Himachal Pradesh]].}}
|}
 
=== 2011 census ===
==== Religion ====
{{Pie chart
| thumb = right
| caption = Religion in East Punjab (2011)<ref name="C-01">{{Cite web |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11361 |date=21 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250304032824/https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11361 |archive-date=4 March 2025 |title=C-01: Population by religious community, 2011 |access-date=8 July 2025}}</ref>
| label1 = [[Hinduism]]
| value1 = 65.94
| color1 = Orange
| label2 = [[Sikhism]]
| value2 = 28.63
| color2 = DarkKhaki
| label3 = [[Islam]]
| value3 = 4.13
| color3 = Green
| label4 = Others
| value4 = 1.3
| color4 = Grey
}}
East Punjab comprising the states of ([[Punjab, India|Punjab]], Haryana, [[Himachal Pradesh]] and Union territory of [[Chandigarh]]) had a population of 61,014,852 people as of 2011 census report of India. The Hindus form a majority in East Punjab region with 40,234,605 adherents comprising (65.94%), Sikhs are 17,466,731 comprising (28.62%) of the region, Muslims are 2,518,159 comprising (4.12%) of the region and others are 795,357 including Christians, Buddhists, Jains, and atheists together comprising remaining (1.3%) of the region.
 
Sikhs are the majority in Punjab, while Hindus form the majority in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh. Muslims survived in districts of [[Malerkotla district|Malerkotla]] and [[Nuh district|Nuh]]. Christians have dominance in Punjab while Bhuddhist dominate [[Lahaul and Spiti district]] of Himachal Pradesh.<ref name="C-01"/>


===Religious landscape of East Punjab region===
==== Language ====
{{Pie chart
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
| thumb = right
|caption = Religion in East Punjab (2011)
| caption = Languages spoken in East Punjab (2011)<ref name="C-16">{{Cite web |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10191 |date=4 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219122350/https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10191 |archive-date=19 February 2025 |title=C-16: Population by mother tongue, 2011 |access-date=8 July 2025}}</ref>
|label1 = [[Hinduism]]
| label1 = [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]
|value1 = 65.94
| value1 = 46.16
|color1 = Orange
| color1 = blue
|label2 = [[Sikhism]]
| label2 = [[Hindi Language|Hindi]]
|value2 = 28.63
| value2 = 26.64
|color2 = yellow
| color2 = Orange
|label3 = [[Islam]]
| label3 = [[Haryanvi language|Haryanvi]]
|value3 = 4.13
| value3 = 15.44
|color3 = Green
| color3 = Red
|label4 = Others
| label4 = [[Western Pahari|Pahari languages]]
|value4 = 1.3
| value4 = 7.53
|color4 = brown}}
| color4 = yellow
East Punjab comprising the states of [[Punjab,India|Punjab]], [[Haryana]], [[Himachal Pradesh]] and [[Chandigarh]] had a population of 61,014,852 people as of 2011 census report of India. The Hindus form a majority in East Punjab region with 40,234,605 adherents comprising (65.94%), Sikhs are 17,466,731 comprising (28.62%) of the region, Muslims are 2,518,159 comprising (4.12%) of the region and others are 795,357 including Christians, Buddhists, Jains, and atheists together comprising remaining (1.3%) of the region. Sikhs are the majority in Punjab, while Hindus form the majority in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh.
| label5 = Others
| value5 = 4.23
| color5 = green
}}
 
As per 2011 census, [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] is the most spoken language and is spoken by 28,166,306 people, followed by [[Hindi language|Hindi]] which is spoken by 16,259,205 people, [[Haryanvi language|Haryanvi]] by 9,423,138 people and [[Western Pahari]] language by 4,599,283 people. While 2,580,928 people speaks other languages like [[Nepali language|Nepali]].<ref name="C-16"/>


==Modern usage==
==Modern usage==
Since it ceased to be the name of a state, "East Punjab" has been used in India to refer to the eastern part of the present Punjab state, while in Pakistan it means the eastern part of Pakistan's [[Punjab (Pakistan)|Punjab province]], although Pakistanis also sometimes refer to the current Indian Punjab as "East Punjab".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://beta.dawn.com/news/349976/ties-will-grow-says-indian-punjab-cm|title=Ties will grow, says Indian Punjab CM|date=31 January 2004}}</ref>
Since it ceased to be the name of a state, "East Punjab" has been used in India to refer to the eastern part of the present Punjab state, while in Pakistan it means the eastern part of Pakistan's [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab province]], although Pakistanis also sometimes refer to the current Indian Punjab as "East Punjab".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://beta.dawn.com/news/349976/ties-will-grow-says-indian-punjab-cm|title=Ties will grow, says Indian Punjab CM|date=31 January 2004}}</ref>
Terms East and West Punjab are also often used in modern India and Pakistan when making a comparison between the two territories.
Terms East and West Punjab are also often used in modern India and Pakistan when making a comparison between the two territories.
==Administrative division==
There are 22 districts in the State of Punjab.


==See also==
==See also==
*[[History of Punjab]]
* [[West Punjab]]
* [[West Punjab]]
* [[Punjab region]]
* [[Punjab region]]
== Notes ==
{{notelist}}


==References==
==References==
Line 101: Line 2,236:


[[Category:1947 establishments in India]]
[[Category:1947 establishments in India]]
[[Category:1966 disestablishments in India]]
[[Category:1950 disestablishments in India]]
[[Category:Geography of Punjab, India]]
[[Category:Geography of Punjab, India]]
[[Category:History of Punjab, India (1947–present)]]
[[Category:1940s in East Punjab]]
[[Category:Former states and territories of India]]
[[Category:Former states and territories of India]]
[[Category:Punjab]]

Latest revision as of 17:33, 10 March 2026


This article is about a former province of India. For the current state, see Punjab, India. For other uses, see Punjab (disambiguation).

Province of East Punjab
Former Province of Dominion of India
1947–1950

Province of East Punjab in India, March 1948
CapitalShimla[1]
DemonymPunjabi
Area 
• 1947–1950
150,361 km2 (58,055 sq mi)
History
Historical eraCold War
• Established
15 August 1947
• Punjab Hill States Union formed
15 April 1948
• PEPSU formed
15 July 1948
26 January 1950
Preceded by		 Succeeded by
Punjab Province
Punjab
Punjab Hill States Union
PEPSU
Today part ofPunjab
Chandigarh
Haryana
Himachal Pradesh

East Punjab was a province of the Dominion of India from 1947 until 1950. It consist of parts of the Punjab Province of British India that remained in India following the partition of the province between the new dominions of Pakistan and India by the Radcliffe Commission in 1947. The mostly Muslim western parts of the old Punjab became Pakistan's West Punjab, later, renamed as Punjab Province, while the mostly Hindu and Sikh eastern parts remained with India.

History[edit | edit source]

See also: History of the Punjab

Partition of India[edit | edit source]

Main articles: Partition of India and Partition of Punjab

With the partition of India, the Punjab province was to be divided in two as per the Indian Independence Act 1947, passed by the parliament of the United Kingdom. The province was to cease to exist, and two new provinces were to be constituted, to be known respectively as West Punjab & East Punjab.[2] All the princely states of the Punjab States Agency, except Bahawalpur, which acceded to the Dominion of Pakistan, joined the new Union of India, by 10 March 1948 and were temporarily merged with the East Punjab province. Later, they were combined into the Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU) on 15 July 1948. The northeast Hill States of the Punjab Province (except Solan) banded together and were declared a Chief Commissioner's Province as Punjab Hill States Union on 15 April 1948. Later it was classified as a Part "C" state in 1950, with a new name Himachal Pradesh. On 1 November 1956, PEPSU was merged back into Punjab State under the States Reorganisation Act.[3]

Renaming of the state[edit | edit source]

Administrative divisions of India in 1951

The Constitution of India, which came into effect in 1950, renamed the province of "East Punjab" as the state of "Punjab".[4]

Reorganisation of Indian States[edit | edit source]

Main article: States Reorganisation Act, 1956

In 1956, the PEPSU (including Solan) was merged into an expanded Punjab state.

Punjabi Suba movement[edit | edit source]

Main article: Punjabi Suba movement
A map of the distribution of native Punjabi speakers in India and Pakistan

With effect from 1 November 1966, there was yet another Reorganisation, this time on linguistic lines, when the state of Punjab as constituted in 1956 was divided into three: the mostly Hindi-speaking part became the present-day Indian state of Haryana and the mostly Punjabi-speaking part became the present-day Punjab,[5][6] while a new union territory (Chandigarh) was also created, to serve as a capital to both states. At the same time, some parts of the former territory of Patiala and East Punjab States Union, including Solan and Nalagarh, were transferred to Himachal Pradesh.

Demography[edit | edit source]

For 1931 census data, see Demographics of Punjab, India § 1931 census. For 1921 census data, see Demographics of Punjab, India § 1921 census. For 1911 census data, see Demographics of Punjab, India § 1911 census. For 1901 census data, see Demographics of Punjab, India § 1901 census.

1941 census[edit | edit source]

Religions in East Punjab, India region (1941)[7]:42[lower-alpha 1]

  Hinduism[lower-alpha 2] (46.95%)
  Islam (30.88%)
  Sikhism (21.14%)
  Christianity (0.69%)
  Jainism (0.21%)
  Others[lower-alpha 3] (0.12%)

Prior to partition, the eastern portion of Punjab that was ultimately awarded to India following the demarcation of the Radcliffe Line was made into a new province – East Punjab. The area includes the contemporary states of Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. Below is the religious demographics of this region broken down by district and princely state with an overall total as per the 1941 Indian census. Page Template:Sticky header/styles.css has no content.

Religion in the Districts & Princely States of East Punjab, India region (1941)[7]:42[lower-alpha 1]
District/
Princely state 		Hinduism [lower-alpha 2] Islam Sikhism Christianity Jainism Others[lower-alpha 3] Total
Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. %
Patiala State 597,488 30.86% 436,539 22.55% 896,021 46.28% 1,592 0.08% 3,101 0.16% 1,518 0.08% 1,936,259 100%
Firozpur district 287,733 20.22% 641,448 45.07% 479,486 33.69% 12,607 0.89% 1,674 0.12% 128 0.01% 1,423,076 100%
Amritsar district 217,431 15.38% 657,695 46.52% 510,845 36.13% 25,973 1.84% 1,911 0.14% 21 0% 1,413,876 100%
Hoshiarpur district 584,080 49.91% 380,759 32.53% 198,194 16.93% 6,165 0.53% 1,125 0.1% 0 0% 1,170,323 100%
Jalandhar district 311,010 27.59% 509,804 45.23% 298,741 26.5% 6,233 0.55% 1,395 0.12% 7 0% 1,127,190 100%
Hisar district 652,842 64.85% 285,208 28.33% 60,731 6.03% 1,292 0.13% 6,126 0.61% 510 0.05% 1,006,709 100%
Karnal district 666,301 66.99% 304,346 30.6% 19,887 2% 1,249 0.13% 2,789 0.28% 3 0% 994,575 100%
Rohtak district 780,474 81.61% 166,569 17.42% 1,466 0.15% 1,043 0.11% 6,847 0.72% 0 0% 956,399 100%
Kangra district 846,531 94.12% 43,249 4.81% 4,809 0.53% 788 0.09% 101 0.01% 3,899 0.43% 899,377 100%
Gurdaspur district[lower-alpha 4] 174,221 20.21% 440,323 51.08% 200,688 23.28% 46,743 5.42% 25 0% 6 0% 862,006 100%
Gurgaon district 560,537 65.83% 285,992 33.59% 637 0.07% 1,673 0.2% 2,613 0.31% 6 0% 851,458 100%
Ambala district 412,658 48.68% 268,999 31.73% 156,543 18.47% 6,065 0.72% 3,065 0.36% 415 0.05% 847,745 100%
Ludhiana district 171,715 20.98% 302,482 36.95% 341,175 41.68% 1,913 0.23% 1,279 0.16% 51 0.01% 818,615 100%
Kapurthala State 61,546 16.27% 213,754 56.49% 88,350 23.35% 1,667 0.44% 380 0.1% 12,683 3.35% 378,380 100%
Jind State 268,355 74.17% 50,972 14.09% 40,981 11.33% 161 0.04% 1,294 0.36% 49 0.01% 361,812 100%
Simla Hill States 345,716 96.16% 10,812 3.01% 2,693 0.75% 161 0.04% 126 0.04% 12 0% 359,520 100%
Nabha State 146,518 42.59% 70,373 20.45% 122,451 35.59% 221 0.06% 480 0.14% 1 0% 344,044 100%
Mandi State 227,463 97.79% 4,328 1.86% 583 0.25% 11 0% 0 0% 208 0.09% 232,593 100%
Faridkot State 21,814 10.95% 61,352 30.79% 115,070 57.74% 247 0.12% 800 0.4% 0 0% 199,283 100%
Chamba State 155,910 92.3% 12,318 7.29% 107 0.06% 190 0.11% 0 0% 383 0.23% 168,908 100%
Sirmoor State 146,199 93.7% 7,374 4.73% 2,334 1.5% 38 0.02% 81 0.05% 0 0% 156,026 100%
Bilaspur State 108,375 98.22% 1,498 1.36% 453 0.41% 7 0.01% 3 0% 0 0% 110,336 100%
Malerkotla State 23,482 26.65% 33,881 38.45% 30,320 34.41% 116 0.13% 310 0.35% 0 0% 88,109 100%
Suket State 69,974 98.43% 884 1.24% 234 0.33% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 71,092 100%
Kalsia State 29,866 44.32% 25,049 37.17% 12,235 18.15% 55 0.08% 188 0.28% 0 0% 67,393 100%
Simla District 29,466 76.38% 7,022 18.2% 1,032 2.68% 934 2.42% 114 0.3% 8 0.02% 38,576 100%
Dujana State 23,727 77.37% 6,939 22.63% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 30,666 100%
Loharu State 23,923 85.77% 3,960 14.2% 7 0.03% 2 0.01% 0 0% 0 0% 27,892 100%
Pataudi State 17,728 82.38% 3,655 16.98% 0 0% 9 0.04% 128 0.59% 0 0% 21,520 100%
Total 7,963,083 46.95% 5,237,584 30.88% 3,586,073 21.14% 117,155 0.69% 35,955 0.21% 19,908 0.12% 16,959,758 100%
Note 1: Territory comprises the contemporary subdivisions of Punjab, India, Chandigarh, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh.
Note 2: 186 villages and 2 towns — Khemkaran and Patti — in Kasur Tehsil (Lahore District) fell on the eastern (Indian) side of the Radcliffe Line, but their population numbers are not included here as detailed sub-tehsil religious data did not exist at the time. According to the 1951 census, Kasur Tehsil had a total of 322 villages and 3 towns, roughly half of which fell on the western (Pakistani) side of the Radcliffe Line.[8]

1951 census[edit | edit source]

Religions in East Punjab, India region (1951)[4][lower-alpha 5]

  Hinduism (64.62%)
  Sikhism (32.75%)
  Islam (1.77%)
  Christianity (0.58%)
  Jainism (0.27%)
  Others[lower-alpha 3] (0.02%)

After Partition, East Punjab underwent significant restructuring, particularly in its Punjab States Agency. Several princely states in the region were merged in 1948 to form the Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU), while a number of hill states in the north were integrated to form Himachal Pradesh. Bilaspur Princely state remained a separate entity as Bilaspur State. In the 1951 census, these regions — Punjab, PEPSU, Himachal Pradesh, Bilaspur, and Delhi — were grouped together in a single volume titled Census of India, 1951: Punjab, Pepsu, Himachal Pradesh, Bilaspur & Delhi. Although Delhi was included in this volume, it had become a separate province in 1911 and is not considered part of East Punjab for statistical purposes.[4] Below is the religious demographics of this region broken down by district with an overall total as per the 1951 census of India.

In the following tables, 268,602 people from the Jullundur Division were not classified by religion due to missing records caused by a fire in the Jullundur Census Tabulation Office. As a result, their religious affiliation could not be included at the district level. These unclassified populations were distributed across Amritsar district (96,720 persons), Gurdaspur district (89,512 persons), Jullundur district (46,834 persons), Ferozepur district (18,283 persons), Kangra district (9,565 persons), Hoshiarpur district (6,362 persons), and Ludhiana district (1,326 persons).[9] While their district level religious details were omitted, the number was included on the overall provincial tabulation. According to consolidated data, out of the 268,602 individuals, 117,186 persons were Hindus and others, 149,758 persons were Sikhs, and 1,658 persons were Muslims.[10] Therefore, the actual total population of the province/state was not 16,975,754 as shown in the tables below, but 17,244,356 after including these 268,602 individuals.

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Religion in the Districts of East Punjab, India region (1951)[4][lower-alpha 5]
District Hinduism Sikhism Islam Christianity Jainism Others[lower-alpha 3] Total responses Total population
Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. %
Firozpur district 505,937 38.67% 780,024 59.62% 4,805 0.37% 11,976 0.92% 5,475 0.42% 20 0% 1,308,237 98.62% 1,326,520 100%
Amritsar district 351,710 27.69% 897,309 70.64% 4,237 0.33% 14,753 1.16% 2,115 0.17% 196 0.02% 1,270,320 92.92% 1,367,040 100%
Rohtak district 1,105,046 98.48% 7,907 0.7% 2,562 0.23% 153 0.01% 5,878 0.52% 500 0.04% 1,122,046 100% 1,122,046 100%
Hoshiarpur district 794,688 73.2% 283,720 26.13% 1,353 0.12% 4,027 0.37% 1,823 0.17% 13 0% 1,085,624 99.42% 1,091,986 100%
Karnal district 974,959 90.33% 96,458 8.94% 3,658 0.34% 490 0.05% 3,813 0.35% 1 0% 1,079,379 100% 1,079,379 100%
Hissar district 954,714 91.3% 80,394 7.69% 3,312 0.32% 609 0.06% 6,609 0.63% 7 0% 1,045,645 100% 1,045,645 100%
Jalandhar district 429,747 42.6% 569,487 56.45% 2,569 0.25% 5,969 0.59% 985 0.1% 9 0% 1,008,766 95.56% 1,055,600 100%
Gurgaon district 794,019 82.06% 6,310 0.65% 163,663 16.91% 769 0.08% 2,722 0.28% 181 0.02% 967,664 100% 967,664 100%
Ambala district 681,477 72.21% 232,456 24.63% 23,106 2.45% 3,690 0.39% 2,983 0.32% 22 0% 943,734 100% 943,734 100%
Kangra district 898,564 96.99% 18,401 1.99% 6,426 0.69% 604 0.07% 1,199 0.13% 1,283 0.14% 926,477 98.98% 936,042 100%
Ludhiana district 301,398 37.36% 497,419 61.65% 3,360 0.42% 1,200 0.15% 3,397 0.42% 5 0% 806,779 99.84% 808,105 100%
Gurdaspur district 346,884 45.54% 354,681 46.56% 9,370 1.23% 50,457 6.62% 388 0.05% 2 0% 761,782 89.49% 851,294 100%
Bhatinda district 144,305 21.64% 521,045 78.14% 416 0.06% 450 0.07% 574 0.09% 19 0% 666,809 100% 666,809 100%
Sangrur district 420,218 65.36% 215,023 33.44% 3,741 0.58% 341 0.05% 3,610 0.56% 1 0% 642,934 100% 642,934 100%
Barnala district 112,635 20.99% 380,811 70.95% 41,673 7.76% 113 0.02% 1,484 0.28% 12 0% 536,728 100% 536,728 100%
Patiala district 273,087 52.09% 246,953 47.1% 2,893 0.55% 499 0.1% 689 0.13% 148 0.03% 524,269 100% 524,269 100%
Mohinder Garh district 438,347 98.93% 2,615 0.59% 1,450 0.33% 5 0% 657 0.15% 0 0% 443,074 100% 443,074 100%
Mahasu district 327,998 99.21% 730 0.22% 1,795 0.54% 85 0.03% 4 0% 2 0% 330,614 100% 330,614 100%
Mandi district 308,302 99.25% 1,056 0.34% 1,268 0.41% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 310,626 100% 310,626 100%
Kapurthala district 104,679 35.48% 187,568 63.57% 854 0.29% 1,547 0.52% 269 0.09% 154 0.05% 295,071 100% 295,071 100%
Fatehgarh Sahib district 80,141 33.76% 154,714 65.17% 2,269 0.96% 267 0.11% 6 0% 0 0% 237,397 100% 237,397 100%
Chamba district 170,333 96.75% 300 0.17% 5,208 2.96% 208 0.12% 1 0% 0 0% 176,050 100% 176,050 100%
Sirmoor district 157,815 95.03% 2,626 1.58% 5,588 3.36% 19 0.01% 29 0.02% 0 0% 166,077 100% 166,077 100%
Kohistan district 130,937 88.83% 13,206 8.96% 2,617 1.78% 343 0.23% 289 0.2% 11 0.01% 147,403 100% 147,403 100%
Bilaspur district 124,393 98.65% 307 0.24% 1,394 1.11% 5 0% 0 0% 0 0% 126,099 100% 126,099 100%
Simla district 37,287 80.8% 7,417 16.07% 659 1.43% 596 1.29% 131 0.28% 60 0.13% 46,150 100% 46,150 100%
Total responses 10,969,620 64.62% 5,558,937 32.75% 300,246 1.77% 99,175 0.58% 45,130 0.27% 2,646 0.02% 16,975,754 98.44% N/A N/A
Total population N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 17,244,356 100%
Note: Territory comprises the contemporary subdivisions of Punjab, India, Chandigarh, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh.

1961 census[edit | edit source]

Religions in East Punjab, India region (1961)[11][12][13][lower-alpha 6]

  Hinduism (65.75%)
  Sikhism (31.29%)
  Islam (1.93%)
  Christianity (0.69%)
  Jainism (0.23%)
  Others[lower-alpha 3] (0.1%)

The 1961 Census data reflects the post-reorganization administrative boundaries. By this time, the Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU) had been fully merged into Punjab on 1 November 1956 under the States Reorganisation Act. Additionally, the former princely state of Bilaspur, a Part-C state, was merged into Himachal Pradesh in 1954. Therefore, the 1961 census tables include populations from the territories of both Punjab (including the former PEPSU regions) and Himachal Pradesh (including Bilaspur), as per their reorganized state boundaries.

The religious demography of the East Punjab region including the contemporary subdivisions of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh is broken down below by district with an overall total as per the 1961 census of India.[11][12][13]

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Religion in the Districts of East Punjab, India region (1961)[11][12][13][lower-alpha 6]
District Hinduism Sikhism Islam Christianity Jainism Others[lower-alpha 3] Total
Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. %
Firozpur district 657,712 40.62% 936,953 57.87% 3,369 0.21% 19,234 1.19% 1,746 0.11% 102 0.01% 1,619,116 100%
Hissar district 1,374,258 89.21% 152,719 9.91% 6,203 0.4% 1,022 0.07% 6,021 0.39% 285 0.02% 1,540,508 100%
Amritsar district 506,170 32.98% 990,344 64.52% 2,401 0.16% 33,739 2.2% 1,987 0.13% 275 0.02% 1,534,916 100%
Karnal district 1,293,354 86.78% 177,602 11.92% 14,159 0.95% 2,094 0.14% 3,207 0.22% 14 0% 1,490,430 100%
Sangrur district 738,816 51.86% 622,227 43.67% 55,738 3.91% 577 0.04% 7,328 0.51% 2 0% 1,424,688 100%
Rohtak district 1,400,347 98.59% 6,439 0.45% 7,349 0.52% 355 0.02% 5,471 0.39% 430 0.03% 1,420,391 100%
Ambala district 981,288 71.45% 340,968 24.83% 40,351 2.94% 4,877 0.36% 5,318 0.39% 675 0.05% 1,373,477 100%
Gurgaon district 1,011,862 81.56% 8,362 0.67% 216,767 17.47% 730 0.06% 2,930 0.24% 55 0% 1,240,706 100%
Hoshiarpur district 835,436 67.73% 381,965 30.97% 7,050 0.57% 7,207 0.58% 1,794 0.15% 41 0% 1,233,493 100%
Jalandhar district 662,631 53.99% 550,232 44.83% 3,184 0.26% 8,733 0.71% 2,278 0.19% 309 0.03% 1,227,367 100%
Kangra district 1,043,387 98.2% 8,854 0.83% 6,701 0.63% 1,251 0.12% 127 0.01% 2,198 0.21% 1,062,518 100%
Bhatinda district 285,967 27.1% 762,677 72.28% 3,340 0.32% 956 0.09% 2,209 0.21% 28 0% 1,055,177 100%
Patiala district 480,086 45.78% 553,438 52.77% 11,714 1.12% 1,565 0.15% 1,944 0.19% 31 0% 1,048,778 100%
Ludhiana district 365,429 35.74% 644,266 63.01% 4,686 0.46% 2,638 0.26% 5,110 0.5% 390 0.04% 1,022,519 100%
Gurdaspur district 494,635 50.06% 424,190 42.93% 5,566 0.56% 62,231 6.3% 69 0.01% 1,303 0.13% 987,994 100%
Mahendragarh district 543,480 99.2% 2,222 0.41% 1,456 0.27% 29 0.01% 663 0.12% 0 0% 547,850 100%
Mandi district 380,453 99.01% 1,759 0.46% 1,868 0.49% 28 0.01% 10 0% 141 0.04% 384,259 100%
Mahasu district 354,247 98.68% 793 0.22% 2,958 0.82% 203 0.06% 9 0% 759 0.21% 358,969 100%
Kapurthala district 140,828 40.96% 200,117 58.21% 856 0.25% 1,535 0.45% 416 0.12% 26 0.01% 343,778 100%
Chamba district 197,821 93.94% 398 0.19% 10,512 4.99% 105 0.05% 10 0% 1,733 0.82% 210,579 100%
Sirmur district 185,020 93.66% 3,867 1.96% 8,203 4.15% 221 0.11% 64 0.03% 176 0.09% 197,551 100%
Bilaspur district 155,094 97.66% 1,593 1% 2,078 1.31% 35 0.02% 2 0% 4 0% 158,806 100%
Simla district 104,784 93.01% 5,392 4.79% 1,214 1.08% 1,059 0.94% 135 0.12% 69 0.06% 112,653 100%
Kinnaur district 37,384 91.22% 27 0.07% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 3,569 8.71% 40,980 100%
Lahaul and Spiti district 9,575 46.81% 162 0.79% 1,210 5.92% 2 0.01% 1 0% 9,503 46.46% 20,453 100%
Total 14,240,064 65.75% 6,777,566 31.29% 418,933 1.93% 150,426 0.69% 48,849 0.23% 22,118 0.1% 21,657,956 100%
Note: Territory comprises the contemporary subdivisions of Punjab, India, Chandigarh, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh.

1971 census[edit | edit source]

Religions in East Punjab, India region (1971)[14][15][16][17][lower-alpha 7]

  Hinduism (64.28%)
  Sikhism (32.6%)
  Islam (2.1%)
  Christianity (0.65%)
  Jainism (0.2%)
  Others[lower-alpha 3] (0.17%)

By the time of the 1971 Census, the administrative boundaries of the region had changed significantly following the Punjab Reorganisation Act of 1966, which came into effect on 1 November 1966. Under this Act, the state of Haryana was created out of the southeastern portion of Punjab, and several hilly regions were transferred to Himachal Pradesh. Additionally, an area comprising the city of Chandigarh Capital Project, Manimajra and 36 villages from Kharar Tehsil was separated from Punjab to form the Union Territory of Chandigarh. The 1971 Census was conducted according to the same administrative boundaries that exist today for Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh Union Territory.

The religious demography of the East Punjab region including the contemporary states of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh is broken down below by district with an overall total as per the 1971 census of India.[14][15][16][17]

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Religion in the Districts of East Punjab, India region (1971)[14][15][16][17][lower-alpha 7]
District Hinduism Sikhism Islam Christianity Jainism Others[lower-alpha 3] Total
Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. %
Hisar district 1,893,125 88.76% 218,854 10.26% 12,211 0.57% 1,732 0.08% 6,239 0.29% 787 0.04% 2,132,948 100%
Karnal district 1,714,103 86.51% 232,237 11.72% 27,523 1.39% 2,693 0.14% 4,112 0.21% 635 0.03% 1,981,303 100%
Firozpur district 639,911 33.58% 1,240,218 65.07% 6,340 0.33% 16,158 0.85% 1,084 0.06% 2,122 0.11% 1,905,833 100%
Amritsar district 430,019 23.43% 1,362,291 74.22% 3,044 0.17% 37,703 2.05% 2,295 0.13% 148 0.01% 1,835,500 100%
Rohtak district 1,758,569 98.49% 7,591 0.43% 11,053 0.62% 432 0.02% 7,565 0.42% 324 0.02% 1,785,534 100%
Gurgaon district 1,387,102 81.24% 15,889 0.93% 298,499 17.48% 1,799 0.11% 3,704 0.22% 376 0.02% 1,707,369 100%
Jalandhar district 784,048 53.9% 653,018 44.9% 3,362 0.23% 10,705 0.74% 2,660 0.18% 708 0.05% 1,454,501 100%
Ludhiana district 471,519 33.22% 932,712 65.71% 5,620 0.4% 3,027 0.21% 6,176 0.44% 367 0.03% 1,419,421 100%
Kangra district 1,292,152 97.36% 19,238 1.45% 11,787 0.89% 787 0.06% 185 0.01% 3,062 0.23% 1,327,211 100%
Bhatinda district 297,382 22.56% 1,014,091 76.93% 3,829 0.29% 752 0.06% 2,072 0.16% 8 0% 1,318,134 100%
Gurdaspur district 590,290 48.02% 550,996 44.82% 6,868 0.56% 79,732 6.49% 152 0.01% 1,211 0.1% 1,229,249 100%
Patiala district 539,128 44.37% 659,020 54.24% 13,644 1.12% 1,696 0.14% 1,380 0.11% 232 0.02% 1,215,100 100%
Sangrur district 311,197 27.14% 767,071 66.9% 64,448 5.62% 806 0.07% 2,982 0.26% 146 0.01% 1,146,650 100%
Ambala district 907,075 82.58% 138,018 12.57% 45,407 4.13% 3,051 0.28% 4,541 0.41% 313 0.03% 1,098,405 100%
Hoshiarpur district 623,413 59.25% 414,323 39.38% 3,456 0.33% 8,594 0.82% 1,602 0.15% 765 0.07% 1,052,153 100%
Mahendragarh district 684,763 99.01% 2,462 0.36% 3,380 0.49% 17 0% 782 0.11% 235 0.03% 691,639 100%
Jind district 611,573 95.62% 15,997 2.5% 7,650 1.2% 78 0.01% 4,230 0.66% 82 0.01% 639,610 100%
Rupar district 237,016 43.49% 303,102 55.61% 2,978 0.55% 1,212 0.22% 655 0.12% 42 0.01% 545,005 100%
Mandi district 505,476 98.12% 5,692 1.1% 3,132 0.61% 131 0.03% 26 0.01% 723 0.14% 515,180 100%
Mahasu district 434,625 98.75% 1,547 0.35% 2,927 0.67% 272 0.06% 27 0.01% 720 0.16% 440,118 100%
Kapurthala district 163,312 38.02% 263,130 61.26% 858 0.2% 1,817 0.42% 325 0.08% 72 0.02% 429,514 100%
Chandigarh Union Territory 184,395 71.68% 65,472 25.45% 3,720 1.45% 2,504 0.97% 1,016 0.39% 144 0.06% 257,251 100%
Chamba district 237,104 92.9% 878 0.34% 14,207 5.57% 505 0.2% 0 0% 2,539 0.99% 255,233 100%
Sirmaur district 226,905 92.6% 5,350 2.18% 10,938 4.46% 391 0.16% 130 0.05% 1,319 0.54% 245,033 100%
Simla district 200,658 92.41% 9,744 4.49% 4,349 2% 970 0.45% 221 0.1% 1,187 0.55% 217,129 100%
Bilaspur district 190,877 97.99% 1,333 0.68% 2,523 1.3% 32 0.02% 12 0.01% 9 0% 194,786 100%
Kulu district 185,523 96.44% 832 0.43% 409 0.21% 334 0.17% 17 0.01% 5,256 2.73% 192,371 100%
Kinnaur district 42,486 85.25% 193 0.39% 28 0.06% 35 0.07% 7 0.01% 7,086 14.22% 49,835 100%
Lahul and Spiti district 8,821 37.48% 107 0.45% 27 0.11% 99 0.42% 1 0% 14,483 61.53% 23,538 100%
Total 17,552,567 64.28% 8,901,406 32.6% 574,217 2.1% 178,064 0.65% 54,198 0.2% 45,101 0.17% 27,305,553 100%
Note: Territory comprises the contemporary subdivisions of Punjab, India, Chandigarh, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh.

2011 census[edit | edit source]

Religion[edit | edit source]

Religion in East Punjab (2011)[18]

  Hinduism (65.94%)
  Sikhism (28.63%)
  Islam (4.13%)
  Others (1.3%)

East Punjab comprising the states of (Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Union territory of Chandigarh) had a population of 61,014,852 people as of 2011 census report of India. The Hindus form a majority in East Punjab region with 40,234,605 adherents comprising (65.94%), Sikhs are 17,466,731 comprising (28.62%) of the region, Muslims are 2,518,159 comprising (4.12%) of the region and others are 795,357 including Christians, Buddhists, Jains, and atheists together comprising remaining (1.3%) of the region.

Sikhs are the majority in Punjab, while Hindus form the majority in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh. Muslims survived in districts of Malerkotla and Nuh. Christians have dominance in Punjab while Bhuddhist dominate Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh.[18]

Language[edit | edit source]

Languages spoken in East Punjab (2011)[19]

  Punjabi (46.16%)
  Hindi (26.64%)
  Haryanvi (15.44%)
  Pahari languages (7.53%)
  Others (4.23%)

As per 2011 census, Punjabi is the most spoken language and is spoken by 28,166,306 people, followed by Hindi which is spoken by 16,259,205 people, Haryanvi by 9,423,138 people and Western Pahari language by 4,599,283 people. While 2,580,928 people speaks other languages like Nepali.[19]

Modern usage[edit | edit source]

Since it ceased to be the name of a state, "East Punjab" has been used in India to refer to the eastern part of the present Punjab state, while in Pakistan it means the eastern part of Pakistan's Punjab province, although Pakistanis also sometimes refer to the current Indian Punjab as "East Punjab".[20] Terms East and West Punjab are also often used in modern India and Pakistan when making a comparison between the two territories.

See also[edit | edit source]

Notes[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1941 figure taken from census data by combining the total population of all districts (Hisar, Rohtak, Gurgaon, Karnal, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Firozpur, Amritsar, Simla, Kangra, Ambala, Hoshiarpur, and Gurdaspur (minus Shakargarh Tehsil)), and princely states (Loharu, Dujana, Pataudi, Kalsia, Kapurthala, Malerkotla, Faridkot, Patiala, Jind, Nabha, Sirmoor, Simla Hill, Bilaspur, Mandi, Suket, and Chamba) in Punjab Province, British India that ultimately fell on the eastern side of the Radcliffe Line. See 1941 census data here:[7]:42
    Immediately following the partition of India in 1947, these districts and princely states would ultimately make up the subdivision of East Punjab, which also included Patiala and East Punjab States Union, Chief Commissioner's Province of Himachal Pradesh, and Bilaspur State. The states that make up this region in the contemporary era are Punjab, India, Chandigarh, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Including Ad-Dharmis
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Including Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Tribals, others, or not stated
  4. ↑ Does not include Shakargarh Tehsil, which was awarded to Pakistan as part of the Radcliffe Line.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Immediately following the partition of India in 1947, districts and Princely states that ultimately fell on the eastern side of the Radcliffe Line formed up the subdivision of East Punjab, which included Patiala and East Punjab States Union, Chief Commissioner's Province of Himachal Pradesh, and Bilaspur State.[4] The states that make up this region in the contemporary era are Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Immediately following the partition of India in 1947, districts and Princely states that ultimately fell on the eastern side of the Radcliffe Line formed the subdivision of East Punjab, which included Patiala and East Punjab States Union, Chief Commissioner's Province of Himachal Pradesh, and Bilaspur State.[4] The states that make up this region in the contemporary era are Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Immediately following the partition of India in 1947, districts and Princely states that ultimately fell on the eastern side of the Radcliffe Line formed the subdivision of East Punjab, which included Patiala and East Punjab States Union, Chief Commissioner's Province of Himachal Pradesh, and Bilaspur State.[4] The states that make up this region in the contemporary era are Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Shimla Then & Now. Indus Publishing. 1 January 1996. ISBN 9788173870460 – via Google Books.
  2. ↑ "Salient features of the act" (PDF). Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  3. ↑ "States Reorganisation Act, 1956". India Code Updated Acts. Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India. 31 August 1956. pp. section 9. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Vashishta, Lakshmi Chandra; India. Superintendent Of Census Operations, Punjab (1951). "Census of India, 1951: Punjab, Pepsu, Himachal Pradesh, Bilaspur & Delhi". p. 298. JSTOR saoa.crl.25803729. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  5. ↑ S. Gajrani, History, Religion and Culture of India (2004), p. 217
  6. ↑ "Punjab Legislative Assembly". Archived from the original on 13 January 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 India Census Commissioner (1941). "Census of India, 1941. Vol. 6, Punjab". JSTOR saoa.crl.28215541. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  8. ↑ Lakshmi Chandra Vashishta (1953). Census of India, 1951: Punjab, Pepsu, Himachal Pradesh, Bilaspur & Delhi Part I-A - Report. India: Superintendent of Census Operations, Punjab. pp. X. JSTOR saoa.crl.25797139.
  9. ↑ 1951: Punjab, Pepsu, Himachal Pradesh, Bilaspur & Delhi II-A Census Book Page no. 271 - Census of India, 1951: Punjab, Pepsu, Himachal Pradesh, Bilaspur & Delhi II-A Jstor.com or Internet Archive or Census India Gov
  10. ↑ 1951: Punjab, Pepsu, Himachal Pradesh, Bilaspur & Delhi Census book In Last Page no. (XLii) - Census of India, 1951: Punjab, Pepsu, Himachal Pradesh, Bilaspur & Delhi I-A Jstor.com or Census India gov.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 "Paper No 1 of 1963, India - Census 1961". Census Digital Library. pp. 4–9. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 "Social and Cultural Tables, Part II-C(i), Vol-XIII, Punjab - Census 1961". Census Digital Library. p. 349. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 "Cultural & Migration Tables, Part II-C, Volume-XX, Himachal Pradesh - Census 1961". Census Digital Library. p. 143. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 "Distribution of Population Religion and Scheduled Castes, Part II-C(i) and Part V-A, Series-17, Punjab - Census 1971". Census Digital Library. p. 9. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 "Social and Cultural Tables & Special Tables on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Part II-C (i), Part V-A, Series-6, Haryana - Census 1971". Census Digital Library. p. 12. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 "Social and Cultural Tables, Part-II-C(i), Series-7, Himachal Pradesh - Census 1971". Census Digital Library. p. 26. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 "Social and Cultural Tables & Special Tables for Scheduled Castes, Part II-C(i), Part VA & Part II-C(ii), Series-25, Chandigarh - Census 1971". Census Digital Library. p. 12. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "C-01: Population by religious community, 2011". 21 January 2021. Archived from the original on 4 March 2025. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "C-16: Population by mother tongue, 2011". 4 July 2022. Archived from the original on 19 February 2025. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  20. ↑ "Ties will grow, says Indian Punjab CM". 31 January 2004.


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