Ajila in India

The Ajila 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 Ajila people are a small caste group found in India, primarily in the state of Karnataka. They are part of the broader social framework of caste-based communities that have developed over centuries in southern India. Very little detailed historical documentation exists about the Ajila, which is common for smaller, localized groups. Their identity is closely tied to regional traditions, language, and long-established patterns of rural and community life.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Ajila typically live in rural or semi-rural settings, where daily life is shaped by agriculture and small-scale labor. Families often depend on farming or related work for their livelihood, with both men and women contributing to sustaining the household.

Life is generally centered on family structure, local customs, and community cooperation. As with many small caste groups, economic opportunities can be limited, and access to education and broader employment options may be restricted. Their routines are closely tied to seasonal cycles, local markets, and village relationships.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Ajila people practice Hinduism. Their religious life includes devotion to various deities within the Hindu tradition, participation in temple worship, and observance of major festivals.

Like many rural Hindu communities, their beliefs may also include local traditions and practices alongside formal religious observances. Worship often involves offerings, rituals, and seeking blessings for health, prosperity, and protection.


What Are Their Needs?

The Ajila face both practical and spiritual needs. Economically, limited access to stable income and education can restrict long-term opportunities. Rural living conditions may also impact access to healthcare and infrastructure.

Spiritually, they have little exposure to the gospel and limited access to biblical teaching. Their deeply rooted Hindu worldview presents a barrier, and meaningful engagement requires patient, long-term relationship building and clear communication of the message of Christ.


Prayer Items

Pray that the Ajila people would come to understand the truth of the gospel and respond to Jesus Christ in faith.
Ask God to raise up faithful workers who will go to them with humility, perseverance, and love.
Pray that the Ajila would be adopted through the People Group Adoption program, leading to sustained prayer and intentional gospel outreach.
Pray that, as individuals come to faith, they would grow spiritually and begin to disciple others within their community.


Scripture Prayers for the Ajila in India.


References

https://ncbc.nic.in/Writereaddata/andhrapradesh.pdf


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Ajila
People Name in Country Ajila
Alternate Names Nalkadaya; Nalkadeya; अजिला
Population this Country 3,400
Population all Countries 3,400
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale Progress Gauge
Unreached Yes
Frontier Yes
Unengaged Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 16193
ROP3 Code 111301
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 6
Largest States
Karnataka
2,500
Goa
500
Tamil Nadu
100
Telangana
100
Odisha
90
Kerala
60
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 6
  Karnataka 2,500
  Goa 500
  Tamil Nadu 100
  Telangana 100
  Odisha 90
  Kerala 60
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Estimated Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
100.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Judaism
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Sikhism
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Malayalam (2,400 speakers)
Ethnologue Language Code mal
Ethnologue Language Familly Dravidian
Glottolog Language Family Dravidian
Written / Published Yes   (ScriptSource Listing)
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
Tulu
600
Konkani, Goan
400
Tamil
10
Primary Language Malayalam (2,400 speakers)
Ethnologue Language Code mal
Ethnologue Language Familly Dravidian
Glottolog Language Family Dravidian
Written / Published Yes   (ScriptSource Listing)
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
  Tulu 600
  Konkani, Goan 400
  Tamil 10

Primary Language:  Malayalam

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1811-1968)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1829-1995)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1841-2022)
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 Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
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 Malayalam 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 Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible and Resources in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible and Resources in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
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 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 Gospel website in this language General / Other
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Voice of the Martyrs resources Voice of the Martyrs
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app direct APK download SIL
Mobile App Android Bible app: Binoy Chacko Audio Bible (Malayalam) General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: Malayalam YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible App: Malayalam Bible (മലയാളം ബൈബിള്‍) Indian Revised Version (IRV) Operation Agape
Mobile App Android Bible app: Malayalam Bible (മലയാളം ബൈബിൾ) Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Bible app: Malayalam Contemporary Bible Biblica
Mobile App Android Bible app: Malayalam Gospel Films (മലയാളം ഗോസ്പൽ ഫിലിംസ്) Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Bible app: Malayalam Study Bible Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible app: Mar Thoma Church Great Lenten Lectionary Internet Publishing Sevice
Mobile App Android Bible app: Pastors Study Bible Malayalam Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible Radio app: Malayalam Bible Radio Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Bible Radio app: Rafa Bible Radio Malayalam General / Other
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Anish Thankachan Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Avan Krupa (അവന്‍ കൃപ) Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Binu Vadakkencherry Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: J P Vennikulam (ജെ പി വെണ്ണിക്കുളം) Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Open Bible Stories (Malayalam) Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: RSV (Visawasa Ganangal) Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Shyju Mathew Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: വി. നാഗൽ കീർത്തനങ്ങൾ (V Nagal Songs) Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Children's Bible app Bible4Kidz
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Binoy Chacko Audio Bible (Malayalam) General / Other
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Malayalam YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Bible Gateway scripture Bible Gateway
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Malayalam Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter tools for gospel conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
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.