Barwala (Hindu traditions) in India


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

Introduction / History

The Barwala people belong to a Dalit class. They live in India's far northern state of Jammu and Kashmir.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Most of them live in rural areas. Traditionally they have worked as village watchmen and messengers, overseeing the work of coolies, bearing torches and carrying palanquins at weddings. Today most of them are engaged in agriculture or as unskilled laborers.

As far as their families are concerned the Barwalas live mainly in nuclear households. The oldest son becomes the head of the household when the father dies. They allow for divorce and remarriage.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Most Barwala people in India practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians or Jews. There are other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins.

Almost all Hindus participate in yearly celebrations like 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.


What Are Their Needs?

Like all other peoples of the world, this people group needs the blessings and guidance that only Jesus Christ can offer.


Prayer Points

Ask God to raise up Barwala who are more desirous to know the truth than to stay on the broad road to death.

Ask God to send loving, committed workers to the Barwala in the near future.

Pray the Barwala would no longer be hidden away from the influence of Christ.


Scripture Prayers for the Barwala (Hindu traditions) in India.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Barwala (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Barwala (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation bar-VAH-lah
Population this Country 63,000
Population all Countries 64,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
Alternate Names Barwar; Dalwatia; Doom; Dum Bantwal; Mandla; Narwalia; Payaliya; Radha; Radhthiya; Sanjwal; Soniyal; बरवाला (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
People ID 16339
ROP3 Code 111475
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 10
Largest States
Jammu and Kashmir
39,000
Uttar Pradesh
21,000
Delhi
1,000
Uttarakhand
500
Himachal Pradesh
300
Haryana
100
Maharashtra
90
Rajasthan
70
Punjab
50
West Bengal
10
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 10
  Jammu and Kashmir 39,000
  Uttar Pradesh 21,000
  Delhi 1,000
  Uttarakhand 500
  Himachal Pradesh 300
  Haryana 100
  Maharashtra 90
  Rajasthan 70
  Punjab 50
  West Bengal 10
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.02 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.86 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.12 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Hindi (24,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 12
Secondary Languages
Dogri
18,000
Punjabi, Eastern
5,400
Bhojpuri
3,300
Kanauji
1,400
Awadhi
800
Kashmiri
600
Garhwali
300
Bundeli
200
Gujari
80
Bhadrawahi
60
Kumaoni
Primary Language Hindi (24,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 12
Secondary Languages
  Dogri 18,000
  Punjabi, Eastern 5,400
  Bhojpuri 3,300
  Kanauji 1,400
  Awadhi 800
  Kashmiri 600
  Garhwali 300
  Bundeli 200
  Gujari 80
  Bhadrawahi 60
  Kumaoni 10
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  (1835-2022)
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 DAVAR Partners recording, Old Testament DAVAR Partners International
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 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 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
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Copyrighted © 2023  Isudas  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
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. Read more