Bhampta in India

The Bhampta 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.

Introduction / History

Bhamta are also known as Takaris. Members of other castes who have taken to crime are frequently known as Bhamta. The Bhamta have two main divisions, the Chhatri Bhamta, who are usually immigrants from Gujarat, and those of Maharasthra who are often known as Bhamti. Both men and women were traditionally petty thieves and pickpockets. They were well known to the police. Some gave up picking pockets and began to care for livestock to earn a living. The Bhamta were clever in adopting disguises and dressing as members of another caste. They would keep to one disguise for years, and often travelled hundreds of miles stealing from the houses of the people whose dress they adopted, or taking service with a merchant or trader. Once having gained their employer's confidence, they departed with valuable property they had not paid for. The main languages of the Bhamta are Marathi and Hindi. Most Bhamta today live in west and central India. There are currently no known believers in this people group.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Many of the Bhamta caste are now engaged in the cultivation of hemp, from which they make ropes, mats and gunny-bags. Hemp is woven by Bhamta, who also make net bags for holding cotton. They also make ropes of hemp and flax. Tenants who will not grow hemp themselves frequently give their field to a Bhamta who gives them a share of the crop. Bhamta possess knowledge about herbs and medicines. Their expertise can be utilized in the collection and development of herbs and medicinal plants which are in demand in India and elsewhere. Bhamta practice both child and adult marriages. They allow for polygamy. In theory there is no limit to the number of wives a man can have. A member of the caste can marry two sisters and brothers can marry sisters. Cousin marriages are common.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Bhamta people are entirely Hindu. As Hindus, they worship the gods and goddesses that they believe will provide them with protection and favor. They sacrifice goats and fowls to their patron gods before their weddings.


What Are Their Needs?

The Bhamta people need more markets for their hemp products. Their jaded past will diminish as they earn an honest living and thereby gain the respect of others. Illiteracy is a major issue for the Bhamta. Their children need good local schools. Bhamta villages often lack access to modern medicine and electricity.


Prayer Points

Ask the Lord to help Bhamta parents provide for their children. Pray for a disciple making movement among the Bhamta people this decade. Ask the Lord to send out workers to the Bhamta people to tell them about Jesus Christ and help meet their spiritual and physical needs.


Scripture Prayers for the Bhampta in India.


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Bhampta
People Name in Country Bhampta
Alternate Names Bhamta; Bhamti; Bhanmate; Bhanta; Dasa; Dasar; Ghantichor; Ghantichore; Pardeshi Bhamta; Rajput Bhamta; Takari; Taukari; Uchalya; Uchillian; भाँपता
Population this Country 53,000
Population all Countries 53,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 16403
ROP3 Code 111550
ROP25 Code 301126
ROP25 Name Bhamti
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 8
Largest States
Maharashtra
42,000
Madhya Pradesh
4,000
Karnataka
2,900
Gujarat
1,800
Telangana
700
Odisha
600
Kerala
500
Rajasthan
300
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 8
  Maharashtra 42,000
  Madhya Pradesh 4,000
  Karnataka 2,900
  Gujarat 1,800
  Telangana 700
  Odisha 600
  Kerala 500
  Rajasthan 300
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
100.00 %
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 (34,000 speakers)
Language Code mar   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 10
Secondary Languages
Hindi
6,400
Kannada
1,500
Konkani
1,200
Gujarati
700
Odia
500
Mewari
100
Telugu
100
Malayalam
70
Chhattisgarhi
60
Primary Language Marathi (34,000 speakers)
Language Code mar   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 10
Secondary Languages
  Hindi 6,400
  Kannada 1,500
  Konkani 1,200
  Gujarati 700
  Odia 500
  Mewari 100
  Telugu 100
  Malayalam 70
  Chhattisgarhi 60
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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Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
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 Marathi Jesus Film Project
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General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app: Marathi YouVersion Bibles
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Copyrighted © 2024  Isudas  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
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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