Shiites Social and Cultural Conditions in Current India

The Shia of India makes up one of the largest Shiite communities in the world. The antiquity of their existence starts from more than 13 centuries ago. Though they have been always considered as an Indian religious minority، they have experienced an era living with authority and cultural efflorescence. The events of resent two centuries، such as، English Colonialism (1800-1947)، the destruction of local Shiite administrations، the separation of a large part of Muslim living areas of India in 1947 (the emergence of Pakistan)، policies of non-religious central government and etc، has changed the socio-economic ruling conditions against them and lead them to isolation. Meanwhile، although the Islamic revolution of iran- which can be considered as a Shiite revolution- lead to victory، and Indian Shiites have been encouraged to have more dynamism، they have limited activities yet. Hence، the recognition of cultural، social and economic conditions of new generation of Indian Shiites and their confronting challenges، can be considered as an important or imperative issue in Shiite international community''s cultural relations. Therefore، answering questions، such as، «How is the scope and frequency of the Shiite population in India?»; «Today، how is the Sociopolitical or economic conditions of Indian Shiite community?»; and «How is the current religious-cultural structures of Indian Shiites?» have an important role to make a correct cultural interaction with them، which underlies benefitting from their potential capacities for promoting the Islamic school of «Ahl-Ul-Bayt» globally. This article is to give a brief report of sociocultural situation of current Indian Shiites through answering the mentioned questions.