The Twelver Shi'a as a Muslim Minority in India

The Twelver Shi'a as a Muslim Minority in India

How has the Twelver Shia community maintained its distinct religious identity and navigated social and political challenges while living as a minority within the larger Muslim population of India?

About the Book

The Twelver Shi'a as a Muslim Minority in India explores the history, religious practices, and socio-political experiences of the Twelver (Ithna Ashari) Shia community in the Indian subcontinent. The book examines how this minority group has preserved its theological distinctiveness, devotional traditions, and communal institutions amid the dominant Sunni majority and the broader pluralistic Indian society. It addresses issues of identity formation, relations with other Muslim groups, and responses to political changes from the medieval period through modern times.

What You Will Discover

• The historical development and settlement patterns of Twelver Shia communities in India
• Distinctive Twelver Shia beliefs, rituals, and devotional practices in the Indian context
• The challenges and strategies of maintaining religious identity as a minority within the larger Muslim population
• Interactions and relationships between Shia and Sunni communities in India
• The impact of political events, colonialism, and post-independence developments on Shia life
• The role of religious scholars, institutions, and processions in community cohesion
• Contemporary issues facing the Twelver Shia minority in multicultural India

About the Author

The book is a specialized academic study focusing on Shia minority experiences in South Asia.

Who Is This Book For?

This book is suitable for students and researchers of Shia Islam, South Asian history, and religious minorities, as well as anyone interested in the diversity of Muslim communities in India.