Sondhia in India

The Sondhia 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: 2

Subgroup Name Population
Bhabani Mandi 24,000
Pirawa 24,000

Introduction / History

The Sondhia or Sondhya are a people group who live in west central India They consider themselves to be Rajputs or sons of rulers but are not accepted by other Rajputs as Rajputs. They are seen as workers by other castes. Their main occupation is farming. They are a community of peasant farmers who own small plots of land. They cultivate rice, lentils, sorghum, vegetables and fruit.

Illiteracy is a problem with the Sondhia. Over 20% of Sondhia men and 40% of their women can not read or write. They are considered to be a Backward Caste and eligible for special treatment in obtaining government jobs and university admission.

The primary language of the Sondhia is Hindi. They also speak Malvi, Nimadi and other regional languages of India.


Where Are they Located?

The Sondhia live in the Indian states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The lives of the Sondhia are dominated by the monsoon seasons and their Hindu religion. Most Sondhia live in rural villages much like their ancestors. They marry within their caste but not within their own clan or gotra. Families arrange marriages with the newly married couple living with or near the groom's parents. Sons inherit the property of their father. Some Sondhia have moved to cities to improve the educational level of their children and to find a new life in business.

The Sondhia are not vegetarians but they do not eat pork or beef. Jowar or sorghum is their principle food along with rice, vegetables and fruit.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Sondhia practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Their patron deity is Vishnu, the preserver god. 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 Sondhia visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers and incense to Vishnu and other gods.

The main yearly holidays of the Sondhia people are Holi, the festival of colors, Diwali, the festival of lights and Navratri, the celebration of autumn.


What Are Their Needs?

The Sondhia need to hear the life-changing message of Jesus Christ in a way they can understand. Fortunately, the Bible and other resources are available in Hindi. They need help in learning new job skills and in increasing the yield of their crops.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Holy Spirit to work powerfully through those Christians ministering to the Sondhia people.
Pray the Lord leads the Sondhia away from Vishnu and to the true God of the Bible.
Pray the Lord will start a movement of Sondhia families experiencing God's blessings.


Scripture Prayers for the Sondhia in India.


References

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sondhia


Profile Source:   David Kugel  

The Rajputs

Source:  Asia Harvest      Download

People Name General Sondhia
People Name in Country Sondhia
Pronunciation sohn-dee-AH
Alternate Names सोंधिया
Population this Country 664,000
Population all Countries 664,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 13
People ID 20438
ROP3 Code 113660
ROP25 Code 307650
ROP25 Name Sondhia / Sondhi
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 2
Largest States
Madhya Pradesh
530,000
Rajasthan
134,000
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 2
  Madhya Pradesh 530,000
  Rajasthan 134,000
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.94 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.06 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Hindi (323,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 12
Secondary Languages
Malvi
129,000
Nimadi
79,000
Dhundari
13,000
Haroti
6,000
Marathi
2,700
Marwari
2,500
Mewari
700
Gujarati
300
Bundeli
200
Shekhawati
200
Bagheli
70
Primary Language Hindi (323,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 12
Secondary Languages
  Malvi 129,000
  Nimadi 79,000
  Dhundari 13,000
  Haroti 6,000
  Marathi 2,700
  Marwari 2,500
  Mewari 700
  Gujarati 300
  Bundeli 200
  Shekhawati 200
  Bagheli 70
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)
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
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
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
Photo Source Suyash Dwivedi - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Video Source Asia Harvest
Profile Source David Kugel 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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