This is the largest religion in Asia and the world’s third largest, in terms of numbers of followers with approximately 806 million worldwide. About 400,000 – 555,000 followers are based in the UK. These tend to be descendants of Hindu immigrants.
It is the main religion of India, where it began. From there it spread, about 1000 years ago, east along the trade routes to other lands. In some places other religions later became more important In others, like Sri Lanka and Malaysia, it is still the main religion.