Bisati in India

The Bisati 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

The Bisati believe they originally came from Pakistan and migrated to north India during the Mughal period. They are peddlers or sellers of merchandise. Their name mean to sell goods spread out on a carpet or mat not in a shop. They sell all types of merchandise such as stationery, bangles, glassware, cotton cloth, needles, pins, knives and other small hardware. Some Bisati have prospered and own large retail stores. Others sell their goods at open markets and village squares.

The main language of the Bisati is Urdu. They also speak Hindi and other regional languages.


Where Are they Located?

Most Bisati today live in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. A smaller number lives in Bihar and Uttarakhand. Some Bisati also reside in Pakistan.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The lives of the Bisati revolve around their Sunni Muslim faith and the selling of goods to others. They are considered a lower to middle class Muslim community in India. In Uttar Pradesh they are classified as a Scheduled Caste and receive special benefits from the government such a public jobs and college admission.

The Bisati are endogamous, that is, they strongly prefer to marry within their caste or clan. Cousin marriages are common. Unfortunately, child marriage of girls is still prevalent. Boys receive the equivalent of a high school education while girls receive only a primary education. Sons inherit the father's property with the eldest son taking responsibility for the family home, his mother and younger siblings. Muslim priests officiate at important family events such as births, wedding and funerals.

The Bisati dead bury their dead.

The Bisati are not vegetarian. As followers of Islam, they do not eat pork. Their main foods are rice, wheat, millet, lentils, dairy products and seasonal fruits and vegetables.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Bisati are Sunni Muslims. They strive to follow the teaching of the Qur 'an and the prophet Muhammad. They attempt to obey the five Pillars of Islam in order to achieve salvation. If they have the means they try to make a Hadj or pilgrimage to Mecca one time in their lives. They participate in the yearly monthly fast of Ramadan and the holiday of breaking the fast called Eid al Fitr. Their other main holy day is Eid al Adha, the feast of the sacrifice, which commemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son.


What Are Their Needs?

The Bisati need to hear the life-changing message about Jesus Christ in a way they can understand. They need to see the love and mercy of Christ lived out in a practical way before them by Christ followers. They must realize that Jesus or Isa is much more than a human prophet as Islam asserts.


Prayer Points

Pray for Christian laborers to have wisdom in applying the pattern Jesus gave in Matthew 10 and Luke 10, leading to blessing among Bisati households.
Pray the Lord will start a movement of Bisati families experiencing God's rich blessings.
Pray the Lord opens the hearts of the Bisati elders so they might receive the forgiveness of sins that only Jesus offers.


Scripture Prayers for the Bisati in India.


References

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisati
revolvy.com/main/index.php?s=Bisati
peoplegroupsindia.com/profiles/manihar/


Profile Source:   David Kugel  

People Name General Bisati
People Name in Country Bisati
Alternate Names Feriwala; Manihar; Pathera; Tikulihara; बिसाती
Population this Country 9,400
Population all Countries 9,400
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 16466
ROP3 Code 111631
ROP25 Code 301258
ROP25 Name Bisati
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 3
Largest States
Uttar Pradesh
7,400
Bihar
1,300
Uttarakhand
600
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 3
  Uttar Pradesh 7,400
  Bihar 1,300
  Uttarakhand 600
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
100.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Urdu (7,800 speakers)
Language Code urd   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Garhwali
80
Primary Language Urdu (7,800 speakers)
Language Code urd   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Garhwali 80
People Groups Speaking Urdu

Primary Language:  Urdu

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1747-1894)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1758-2000)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1843-2022)
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 Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Love Story General / Other
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Urdu Jesus Film Project
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 Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
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 Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source David Kugel 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



Joshua Project logo    Joshua Project    Copyright © 2024