Rajwar in India


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Subgroups: 8

Subgroup Name Population
Bhogta 30,000
Rajbansi 30,000
Nakshedia 29,000
Lathaur 26,000
Angar 11,000
Bhumihar 11,000
Jhuintihar 11,000
Khorriar 11,000

Introduction / History

Most Rajwars are from a low class caste in northeast India, although those from Uttarakhand are from the Rajput community. They are a recognized Scheduled Caste, which means the Rajwar are eligible for special public jobs and college admissions. Since the Middle Ages, the Rajwar have served as soldiers in the armies of northeast India.

Today, most Rajwar work as landless farm laborers. Illiteracy is a major problem for them. Without a basic education there is little hope they can move beyond the mere subsistence level. Some educated young Rajwar have moved to the cities and taken jobs in factories and in public service. Unfortunately, many Rajwar still live in primitive conditions in rural villages without electricity or indoor plumbing.

The primary languages of Rajwar are Hindi, Bengali and Magahi. They also speak other regional languages.


Where Are they Located?

The large majority of the Rajwar live in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand and
West Bengal. Smaller groups of Rajwar live in other areas of India and in Bangladesh.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Poverty is a huge problem for the Rajwar people. Much of this issue has to do with their lack of education and Hindu religion. The low class castes "deserve" their low status due their sins in their previous lives according to the tenets of Hinduism. Even though they are Hindus, they are often denied entrance into Hindu temples and the services of Brahmin priests.

Most Rajwar live in villages without the blessings of modern life. They are endogamous, that is, they marry within their own group. Families arrange marriages, which are officiated by their priests not Brahmins. Sons inherit what little property a father may possess.

The Rajwar are not vegetarians. However, due to their economic condition, meat is reserved for special days. As Hindus, they will not eat beef. Their main foods are rice, wheat and vegetables.

The Rajwar cremate adults who die and buy dead children.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Rajwar practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Since they cannot enter Hindu temples, they building their own shrines to their gods. The Rajwar offer food, flowers, prayers and incense to their gods. They believe that by performing rituals and living a good life, they can attain a better life in their next reincarnation. They also engage in folk religion to ward off evil spirits.

The Rajwar participate in the yearly Hindu holidays of Holi, the festival of colors, Diwali, the festival of lights and Navratri, the nine-day celebration of autumn.


What Are Their Needs?

The needs of the Rajwar people are great. Most of all they need to hear and believe the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. They need help in the education of adults and children. They need job training so they are break out of the cycle of poverty. They need to see that there is hope in Jesus.


Prayer Points

Pray that Indian Christians would be moved to reach out and share the gospel with the gospel with the Rajwar.
Pray that the Rajwar will turn away from Hinduism and embrace the hope that only the God of the Bible can offer.
Pray that Bible-believing churches would begin in the Rajwar community.


Scripture Prayers for the Rajwar in India.


References

peoplegroups.org/Explore/groupdetails.aspx?peid=41445


Profile Source:   David Kugel  

People Name General Rajwar
People Name in Country Rajwar
Alternate Names Rachawar; Rajaur; Rajhar; Rajjar; Rajjhar; Rujjar; Rujjhar; रजवार
Population this Country 721,000
Population all Countries 731,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 14
People ID 17934
ROP3 Code 113422
ROP25 Code 306919
ROP25 Name Rajuar
Affinity Bloc South Asian Peoples
People Cluster South Asia Dalit - other
People Group Rajwar
Ethnic Code CNN25
Total Subgroups 8
  Bhogta 30,000
  Rajbansi 30,000
  Nakshedia 29,000
  Lathaur 26,000
  Angar 11,000
  Bhumihar 11,000
  Jhuintihar 11,000
  Khorriar 11,000
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 17
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
Bihar
339,000
Jharkhand
233,000
West Bengal
134,000
Odisha
4,200
Maharashtra
3,600
Chhattisgarh
3,000
Madhya Pradesh
1,900
Tripura
700
Andaman and Nicobar
700
Delhi
500
Meghalaya
400
Nagaland
200
Uttar Pradesh
100
Mizoram
100
Uttarakhand
80
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 17
  Bihar 339,000
  Jharkhand 233,000
  West Bengal 134,000
  Odisha 4,200
  Maharashtra 3,600
  Chhattisgarh 3,000
  Madhya Pradesh 1,900
  Tripura 700
  Andaman and Nicobar 700
  Delhi 500
  Meghalaya 400
  Nagaland 200
  Uttar Pradesh 100
  Mizoram 100
  Uttarakhand 80
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.04 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.16 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.79 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.01 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Hindi (296,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 18
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Magahi
116,000
Bengali
112,000
Bhojpuri
74,000
Maithili
4,500
Chhattisgarhi
2,500
Odia
2,300
Sadri
400
Marathi
200
Santhali
90
Kumaoni
60
Mundari
50
Angika
30
Munda
20
Naga, Ao Koya
Primary Language Hindi (296,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 18
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Magahi 116,000
  Bengali 112,000
  Bhojpuri 74,000
  Maithili 4,500
  Chhattisgarhi 2,500
  Odia 2,300
  Sadri 400
  Marathi 200
  Santhali 90
  Kumaoni 60
  Mundari 50
  Angika 30
  Munda 20
  Naga, Ao 0
  Koya 0
People Groups Speaking Hindi

Primary Language:  Hindi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1806-1962)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1811-1998)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1818-2022)
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YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
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Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
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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
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 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 Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
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General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
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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
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 David Kugel 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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