Dhakad in India

The Dhakad have only been reported in India
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian *
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Introduction / History

The Dhakad are a community found primarily in central and northern India, especially in regions such as Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Historically associated with agriculture and rural village life, the Dhakad have long been connected to farming, land cultivation, and local trade. Their identity developed within the broader social framework of Hindu society, where family lineage, regional customs, and caste relationships shaped community structure over many generations.

The history of the Dhakad is closely tied to the agricultural development of the regions where they settled. Many families have maintained strong connections to the land and village traditions, even as modernization and urban migration have gradually changed aspects of daily life. While some Dhakad families have entered business, education, government service, or urban employment, rural identity and community relationships continue to remain important within much of the population.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Many Dhakad families continue to live in rural or semi-urban communities where farming remains an important occupation. Crops such as wheat, millet, rice, pulses, and vegetables are commonly cultivated depending on the local climate and region. Some families also engage in livestock care, small business activity, transportation work, or wage labor.

Family life is generally centered around strong kinship ties and community cooperation. Respect for elders, arranged marriages, and participation in festivals and social gatherings remain important cultural values. Meals commonly include flatbreads, lentils, rice, vegetables, and regional foods typical of central and northern India.

Educational opportunities and economic conditions vary widely. Some families have benefited from urban growth and modern education, while others still face challenges related to poverty, inconsistent employment, healthcare access, and limited infrastructure in rural areas. Younger generations increasingly encounter pressures from modernization, migration, and changing social expectations.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Dhakad are primarily influenced by Hindu traditions and religious practices. Worship may include devotion to Hindu gods and goddesses, participation in festivals, temple attendance, household rituals, and observance of customs tied to family and community identity.

Alongside formal Hindu worship, folk beliefs and regional spiritual traditions may also influence daily life. Practices involving astrology, ritual blessings, protection from harmful spirits, ancestral customs, and local deities can remain deeply rooted within the culture. In some cases, these beliefs create spiritual fear and reinforce dependence on ritual rather than on the truth of Scripture.

Those who become followers of Christ may face social resistance, family pressure, or fear of losing community acceptance. New believers need strong biblical discipleship, fellowship, and encouragement so their faith is firmly grounded in God's Word rather than mixed with older religious traditions.


What Are Their Needs?

The Dhakad need greater access to the gospel through faithful Christian witness, Scripture, and discipleship that clearly explains salvation through Jesus Christ alone. Many have limited understanding of biblical Christianity and need opportunities to encounter the gospel through trusted relationships and compassionate ministry.

Practical needs also affect many Dhakad communities. Rural families may struggle with healthcare limitations, educational barriers, unstable employment, water access issues, and economic uncertainty. Younger generations especially need hope, stability, and wise guidance as they navigate rapid social and cultural change.



Believers among the Dhakad need spiritually healthy local churches, trained leaders, and biblical teaching that equips them to grow in maturity and share the gospel with neighboring communities. Ministry that combines truth, compassion, and long-term commitment can help build trust and open doors for lasting gospel impact.


Prayer Items

Pray that the Dhakad people would hear the gospel clearly and come to saving faith in Jesus Christ.
Pray that Christian workers serving among the Dhakad would have wisdom, humility, endurance, and loving relationships that open hearts to biblical truth.
Pray that the Dhakad would be adopted through the People Group Adoption program so that sustained prayer, discipleship, and future gospel engagement would continue among them.
Pray that believers among the Dhakad would grow in biblical maturity, reject fear-based spiritual practices, and become faithful witnesses within their families and communities.


Scripture Prayers for the Dhakad in India.


References

https://peoplegroups.org/explore/GroupDetails.aspx?peid=42185
https://www.ethnologue.com/
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hinduism
https://www.britannica.com/place/Madhya-Pradesh
https://india.gov.in/


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Dhakad
People Name in Country Dhakad
Pronunciation dah-KAHD
Alternate Names Chhetri; Dhadi; Dhakar; Dharabole; धाकड़
Population this Country 752,000
Population all Countries 752,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale Progress Gauge
Unreached Yes
Frontier Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 15
PeopleID3 16697
ROP3 Code 111926
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 12  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 4
Largest States
Rajasthan
491,000
Madhya Pradesh
260,000
Uttar Pradesh
600
Maharashtra
400
Districts Interactive map, listing and data download
Specialized Website South Asia Peoples
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 12  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 4
  Rajasthan 491,000
  Madhya Pradesh 260,000
  Uttar Pradesh 600
  Maharashtra 400
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Estimated Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
100.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Judaism
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Sikhism
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Hindi (486,000 speakers)
Ethnologue Language Code hin
Ethnologue Language Familly Indo-European
Glottolog Language Family Indo-European
Written / Published Yes   (ScriptSource Listing)
Total Languages 10
Secondary Languages
Haroti: Harauti
65,000
Mewari
53,000
Wagdi
32,000
Malvi
31,000
Dhundari
24,000
Marwari (India)
13,000
Shekhawati
2,500
Bundeli
300
Braj Bhasha
100
Primary Language Hindi (486,000 speakers)
Ethnologue Language Code hin
Ethnologue Language Familly Indo-European
Glottolog Language Family Indo-European
Written / Published Yes   (ScriptSource Listing)
Total Languages 10
Secondary Languages
  Haroti: Harauti 65,000
  Mewari 53,000
  Wagdi 32,000
  Malvi 31,000
  Dhundari 24,000
  Marwari (India) 13,000
  Shekhawati 2,500
  Bundeli 300
  Braj Bhasha 100

Primary Language:  Hindi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1806-1962)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1811-1998)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1818-2026)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings DAVAR Partners recording, Old Testament DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Hindi Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Tetelestai:  Creation to Christ Light in Action
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Productions
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible and Resources in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible and Resources in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible and Resources in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible Study Helper app Bible Study Helper
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links (Hindi) Scripture Earth
General Voice of the Martyrs resources Voice of the Martyrs
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app direct APK download (Hindi) SIL
Mobile App Android Bible app: Bibles India Internet Publishing Sevice
Mobile App Android Bible app: Gospel Films (South Asia) Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Bible app: Hindi YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible App: Hindi Bible (हिंदी बाइबिल) Indian Revised Version (IRV) Operation Agape
Mobile App Android Bible app: Hindi Study Bible Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible app: Hindi Word General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: Sab Ki Bible Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible app: पवित्र बाइबिल Hindi Bible Biblica
Mobile App Android Bible Radio app: Hindi Bible Radio Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Ek Rasta (Bible training) General / Other
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Ek Rasta Hindi (Bible training) General / Other
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: JM Hindi General / Other
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Open Bible Stories (Hindi) Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Children's Bible app Bible4Kidz
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Hindi YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Hindi Unlocked Literal Bible Kalaam Media Ltd
Text / Printed Matter Bible: Comic Book Version Super Bible / Comic Bible Society
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Hindi Bible General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Hindi Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter The Ancient Path Live Global
Text / Printed Matter tools for gospel conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.