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Christianity in Punjab, India
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Christians form 1.3% of the total population numbering around 350,000 in Punjab, India as per as the 2011 census.[citation needed] According to many media reports, demographic experts and Christian groups, there may be up to 2.77 million Christians living in Punjab, constituting up to 15% of the state population, although the authenticity of that claim is still not known.[1][2] Many converts to Christianity keep their original identity to exploit the benefits of reservation.[1] John Lowrie and William Reed were missionaries who went there in 1834.[3] The Diocese of Amritsar of the Church of North India has its seat in Punjab as does the Roman Catholic diocese of Jalandhar. There are thousands of settlements with a Christian congregation.[4] From 1881 to 1891 the Christian population of the then still united Punjab increased rapidly.[5]
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There are numerous denominations, including the United Churches of North India (UCNI), Protestant Church, Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church,[4] Roman Catholic Church, Eternal Light Ministries, Kashmir Evangelical Fellowship, the Pentecostal Mission, Pentecostal and Independent Churches.