Karadia in India

The Karadia have only been reported in India
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian *
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Introduction / History

The Karadia people are found primarily in western India, especially in Gujarat and parts of Rajasthan. Their primary language is generally Gujarati, though some also speak Hindi or regional dialects depending on where they live. Historically, the Karadia have been connected to agriculture, animal husbandry, village labor, and regional trade activities that supported rural communities across western India. Information about the community is limited, but they are recognized as a distinct social group with longstanding roots in the region.

For generations, many Karadia families lived in farming villages where life revolved around seasonal agriculture, livestock care, water management, and close-knit family relationships. Like many caste-based communities in India, their identity developed through hereditary occupations, marriage customs, clan relationships, and village traditions passed down over time. Economic modernization and urban migration have gradually altered traditional lifestyles, leading some younger people to seek work in towns and cities while still maintaining ties to their ancestral communities.

Despite these social changes, family loyalty, cultural traditions, and community identity remain important among the Karadia. Their history reflects adaptation to changing economic conditions while preserving regional customs and longstanding social structures.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Many Karadia families continue to live in villages where agriculture and manual labor remain important sources of income. Men commonly work as farmers, agricultural laborers, livestock handlers, construction workers, drivers, or daily wage earners, while women often care for the household and may assist with farming, animal care, or informal labor activities. Economic conditions vary, but many households face unstable income and limited opportunities for advancement.

Family and community relationships are highly valued. Extended families often maintain close contact, and marriages are generally arranged within the community. Weddings, religious festivals, village gatherings, and seasonal celebrations remain central to social life and help preserve community identity. Meals commonly include flatbreads, rice, lentils, vegetables, dairy products, and regional Gujarati foods.

In poorer rural areas, access to healthcare, sanitation, stable employment, and higher education may remain limited. Younger generations increasingly pursue education and urban employment opportunities while still maintaining strong cultural and family ties to village life and inherited traditions.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Karadia are primarily Hindu and participate in religious traditions commonly practiced throughout Gujarat and western India. Religious life often includes devotion to Hindu gods and goddesses, temple worship, household rituals, observance of major festivals, and ceremonies connected to marriage, birth, death, and agricultural seasons.

Alongside mainstream Hindu worship, local folk traditions and village customs may also influence spiritual life. Some families observe rituals connected to ancestral remembrance, local deities, blessings, protective ceremonies, vows, and practices intended to bring prosperity, healing, or protection from misfortune. Religious identity is often closely tied to family heritage and community belonging.

Concepts such as karma, dharma, ritual purity, and rebirth commonly shape religious thinking and daily life. Very few Karadia have had meaningful exposure to biblical Christianity or a clear explanation of salvation through Jesus Christ alone. In many places, there is little sustained Christian witness among them.


What Are Their Needs?

The Karadia people face both practical and spiritual challenges. Many families struggle with unstable agricultural income, limited educational opportunities, inadequate healthcare access, and economic uncertainty connected to rural life and seasonal employment. Some communities also face challenges related to water availability, sanitation, and long-term financial stability.

Spiritually, the Karadia remain largely unreached with the gospel. There is a need for faithful Christian workers willing to build long-term relationships, serve communities with humility and compassion, and clearly communicate biblical truth in culturally understandable ways. Strong local churches and discipleship efforts are needed so that future believers can grow spiritually and share the gospel within their own communities.

Practical ministries involving literacy programs, healthcare outreach, vocational training, education support, agricultural assistance, and family encouragement can also help address real-life needs while opening doors for meaningful gospel witness among the Karadia people.


Prayer Items

Pray that the Karadia people would hear the gospel clearly and come to faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Pray for Christian workers to serve among the Karadia with wisdom, humility, compassion, and perseverance.
Pray that the Karadia people would be adopted through the People Group Adoption program so that ongoing prayer, outreach, discipleship, and future gospel engagement would continue among them.
Pray that believers in western India would faithfully share biblical truth with the Karadia and demonstrate the love of Christ through both word and action.


Scripture Prayers for the Karadia in India.


References

https://www.peoplegroups.org/explore/GroupDetails.aspx?peid=45906
https://censusindia.gov.in
https://www.britannica.com/place/Gujarat-state-India
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gujarati_people


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Karadia
People Name in Country Karadia
Alternate Names Kapadi; Kapadia; Kapali; Kapariya; Karad; करादिया
Population this Country 45,000
Population all Countries 45,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale Progress Gauge
Unreached Yes
Frontier Yes
Unengaged Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 17091
ROP3 Code 112431
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 12  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 3
Largest States
Gujarat
43,000
Daman and Diu
2,000
Dadra and Nagar Have
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 12  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 3
  Gujarat 43,000
  Daman and Diu 2,000
  Dadra and Nagar Have 40
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Estimated Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.82 %
Islam
0.00 %
Judaism
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.18 %
Sikhism
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Gujarati (42,000 speakers)
Ethnologue Language Code guj
Ethnologue Language Familly Indo-European
Glottolog Language Family Indo-European
Written / Published Yes   (ScriptSource Listing)
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Hindi
1,500
Primary Language Gujarati (42,000 speakers)
Ethnologue Language Code guj
Ethnologue Language Familly Indo-European
Glottolog Language Family Indo-European
Written / Published Yes   (ScriptSource Listing)
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Hindi 1,500

Primary Language:  Gujarati

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1809-1965)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1820-1985)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1823-2021)
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YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
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Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Gujarati Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
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General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
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Mobile App Android Bible app direct APK download SIL
Mobile App Android Bible app: Gujarati YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible App: Gujarati Bible (ગુજરાતી બાઇબલ) Indian Revised Version (IRV) Operation Agape
Mobile App Android Bible app: Gujarati Study Bible Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible Radio app: Gujarati Bible Radio Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Children's Bible app Bible4Kidz
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Gujarati YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible Radio App: Gujarati Bible Radio iOS Revive India
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Gujarati Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
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Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.