Origins & History
The peoples of the Indian subcontinent represent one of the world's oldest continuous civilizations, tracing back to the Indus Valley culture (approximately 2600–1900 BCE). Indian ethnic identity is not a single group but a broad category encompassing hundreds of linguistic, religious, and regional communities including Indo-Aryan and Dravidian language families. Modern Indian national identity emerged with independence from British rule in 1947.
Geographic Distribution
India is home to approximately 1.4 billion people, making it the most populous country in the world. Ethnic Indians also form majorities or significant populations in neighboring Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and parts of Bangladesh and Pakistan. Within India itself, over 700 languages are spoken and dozens of major ethnic groups coexist.
Diaspora & Migration
The Indian diaspora is one of the world's largest, estimated at over 32 million people. Major populations live in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and South Africa. Historic migration during the British colonial era created Indian-descended majorities or plurality populations in Mauritius, Fiji, Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.
About This Map
This map shows global perceptions of Indian populations. Because "Indian" encompasses many subgroups, votes may vary widely based on which specific communities visitors are most familiar with in their own countries.
The map above shows crowd opinion, not official demographic data. Vote on the main map to contribute your own perception of where Indian populations live.