Agri in India

The Agri have only been reported in India
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Subgroups: 3

Subgroup Name Population
Das 14,000
Dhol 7,700
Varap 7,600

Introduction / History

The Agri are an ethnic community native to Mumbai. They migrated to Mumbai during the 13th century during the reign of Raja Bhimdev. The name Agri (pronounced agari) comes from Agar, a salt-pan. A legend states that two sons, Agla and Mangla, were born to the sage Agasti. The former become the ancestor of the Agris, the latter of the Mangelas (fishermen). The first was told to support himself by the manufacture of salt from the sea, the latter by fishing. The god Parashuram, intending to throw back the sea, was prevented by the intervention of Agri and Mangela women. At their request he consented to throw it back only 27 miles and the strip thus formed become the Konkan, a strip of coastal land. At present the Agri are distributed in Rajasthan, Delhi, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. The Agri of Maharashtra are also known as Agle and Kharpatil.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Agri people are business oriented. People have extensive real estate property which was earlier used for farming. They are fond of gold and Agri women wear gold ornaments. Salt making, fishing and rice farming are the major occupations of this community. Rice bread, steamed rice with meat and fish is their daily diet. Not just men but women also help in earning the daily bread. Women take care of their house as well as manage the professional transactions. This is the major reason why there is no dowry system in this community. The Haldi ceremony is held before the wedding day. On this day men and women gather and dance freely. All young and elderly women are given the freedom to dance. A major turning point in an individual's life is when he or she marries. Giving or receiving a dowry is considered a taboo among the Agri people. If we go through India's history, we find many cases of dominating and suppressing women for dowry. But women in this community are safe.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The large majority of the Agri practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Hindus believe that by performing rituals and good works that they will attain "moksha" or freedom from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The Agri visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods as Christians do. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs. They celebrate Ganesh Utsav, Navratri, Hanuman Jayanti and Ram Navmi and fairs with devotion. This community is gifted with lovely and traditional customs along with their adventurous and prosperous occupation of fishing.


What Are Their Needs?

The Agri people need to put all their trust in Jesus Christ so they can experience life to the full. The Santal would benefit by learning new job skills and improved literacy.


Prayer Points

Pray for a spiritual hunger that will give the Agri people a willingness to seek the eternal blessings of Jesus Christ. Pray for a disciple making movement among the Agri people this decade. Pray for the Lord to send out workers to the Agri people.


Scripture Prayers for the Agri in India.


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Agri
People Name in Country Agri
Pronunciation AH-gree
Alternate Names Aagri; Agle; Kharpatil; Mith Agri; Shilpakar; Silpkar Agri; अग्री
Population this Country 519,000
Population all Countries 519,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 10
People ID 16180
ROP3 Code 111284
ROP25 Code 300112
ROP25 Name Agri
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 14
Largest States
Maharashtra
425,000
Gujarat
74,000
Goa
6,800
Uttarakhand
3,300
Madhya Pradesh
3,200
Rajasthan
3,100
Uttar Pradesh
1,200
Chhattisgarh
900
Delhi
800
Karnataka
700
Punjab
100
West Bengal
90
Dadra and Nagar Have
70
Tamil Nadu
40
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 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 14
  Maharashtra 425,000
  Gujarat 74,000
  Goa 6,800
  Uttarakhand 3,300
  Madhya Pradesh 3,200
  Rajasthan 3,100
  Uttar Pradesh 1,200
  Chhattisgarh 900
  Delhi 800
  Karnataka 700
  Punjab 100
  West Bengal 90
  Dadra and Nagar Have 70
  Tamil Nadu 40
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
2.27 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
97.73 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Marathi (182,000 speakers)
Language Code mar   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 16
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Konkani, Goan
83,000
Konkani
82,000
Gujarati
69,000
Hindi
11,000
Sindhi
5,900
Garhwali
2,200
Kacchi
1,200
Marwari
600
Kannada
200
Dhundari
100
Kumaoni
100
Punjabi, Eastern
80
Bengali
60
Mewari
50
Wagdi
20
Primary Language Marathi (182,000 speakers)
Language Code mar   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 16
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Konkani, Goan 83,000
  Konkani 82,000
  Gujarati 69,000
  Hindi 11,000
  Sindhi 5,900
  Garhwali 2,200
  Kacchi 1,200
  Marwari 600
  Kannada 200
  Dhundari 100
  Kumaoni 100
  Punjabi, Eastern 80
  Bengali 60
  Mewari 50
  Wagdi 20
People Groups Speaking Marathi

Primary Language:  Marathi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1807-1957)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1811-1982)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1821-2022)
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Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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