Rajbansi (Hindu traditions) in Bangladesh


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

Introduction / History

The Rajbanshi are an agricultural, indigenous people who live mainly in India and Bangladesh though a smaller number live in Nepal and Bhutan. The Rajbanshi claim to be descendants of the kings of the Koch dynasties that ruled Bengali lands in the 16th century.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The primary languages of the Rajbanshi are Bengali, Rangpuri and Hindi. Many of the Rajbanshi are unable to read and write. Their culture is passed by oral tradition using songs, dances, music and poetry. Some Rajbanshi have attended universities and become leading politicians and athletes. Most Rajbanshi still live in rural villages surrounded by their farmland. Each family owns its small plot of land. Wet rice is the leading crop followed by vegetables, maize, potatoes and wheat. Families also raise goats, chickens, and sheep for sale and food. Fish also make up a big part of their diet. As Hindus the Rajbanshi do not eat beef. Men and women have separate roles. The men cultivate the land and take care of the animals while the women have domestic responsibilities. Families arrange marriages with the group. Newly wedded couples live with or near the groom's parents. Sons inherit property. Village elders and priests perform important family ceremonies such as births, weddings and funerals. Some Rajbanshi are moving to the cities in order to obtain a better education for their children and for new economic opportunities. Urban Rajbanshi work in factories, construction and in the fishing trade.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Rajbanshi practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of the Indian subcontinent. Their Hindu faith comes with a strong element of animism. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. 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 Rajbanshi visit Hindu shrines and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. The Rajbanshi believe that spirits inhabit the objects of nature such as mountains, rivers, trees and rocks. They fear offending these spirits and perform rituals to appease them. The main yearly holidays of the Rajbanshi people are Holi, the festival of colors and the start of spring, Diwali, the festival of lights, Navratri, the celebration of autumn and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday. The caste system divides Hindus into four main categories. Dalits and tribal peoples are outside of the caste system. As a tribal people, the Rajbanshi are outside of the caste system and face discrimination.


What Are Their Needs?

The Rajbanshi need to learn new job skills and how to read and write. Their children need good schools in order to improve their place in Bangladeshi society. Most of all the Rajbanshi must hear the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. He can free them from their fear of natural spirits and forgive their sins.


Prayer Points

Pray that Bangladeshi believers will befriend the Rajbanshi and tell them about the Savior. Pray that gospel radio programs and gospel recordings will lead them to the only Savior. Pray for a Holy Spirit empowered discipleship making movement to Christ among them. Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will begin breaking up the soil through intercession.


Scripture Prayers for the Rajbansi (Hindu traditions) in Bangladesh.


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

Additional Info
Global Prayer Digest: 2009-10-11
Global Prayer Digest: 2009-10-21
People Name General Rajbansi (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Rajbansi (Hindu traditions)
Alternate Names Bahey; Desi; Kocch; Koch; Konch; Paliya; Raghubansi; Rajbanshi; Rajbansim; Tajpuri; राजबांसी
Population this Country 1,602,000
Population all Countries 6,791,000
Total Countries 4
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 32
People ID 14513
ROP3 Code 108268
Country Bangladesh
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 30  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 7
Largest States
Rangpur
1,198,000
Dhaka
127,000
Rajshahi
102,000
Khulna
79,000
Chittagong
34,000
Sylhet
12,000
Barisal
2,200
Country Bangladesh
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 30  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 7
  Rangpur 1,198,000
  Dhaka 127,000
  Rajshahi 102,000
  Khulna 79,000
  Chittagong 34,000
  Sylhet 12,000
  Barisal 2,200
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.01 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.64 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
97.37 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
1.99 %
* From latest Bangladesh census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Bengali (1,505,000 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 7
Secondary Languages
Koch
52,000
Rangpuri
30,000
Sylheti
9,100
Chittagonian
5,300
Bishnupuriya
800
Kok Borok
800
Primary Language Bengali (1,505,000 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 7
Secondary Languages
  Koch 52,000
  Rangpuri 30,000
  Sylheti 9,100
  Chittagonian 5,300
  Bishnupuriya 800
  Kok Borok 800
People Groups Speaking Bengali

Primary Language:  Bengali

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1800-1980)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1801-1984)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1809-2022)
Bible-NT Audio Online
Bible-NT Text 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 Online New Testament Faith Comes by Hearing
Audio Recordings Online New Testament Faith Comes by Hearing
Audio Recordings Online New Testament Faith Comes by Hearing
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 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 Bengali 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 Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Walk with the Prophets and meet the Messiah Al Massira
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2023  International Mission Board-SBC  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Keith Carey  
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.