Bhamta are also known as Takaris. Members of other castes who have taken to crime are frequently known as Bhamta. The Bhamta have two main divisions, the Chhatri Bhamta, who are usually immigrants from Gujarat, and those of Maharasthra who are often known as Bhamti. Both men and women were traditionally petty thieves and pickpockets. They were well known to the police. Some gave up picking pockets and began to care for livestock to earn a living. The Bhamta were clever in adopting disguises and dressing as members of another caste. They would keep to one disguise for years, and often travelled hundreds of miles stealing from the houses of the people whose dress they adopted, or taking service with a merchant or trader. Once having gained their employer's confidence, they departed with valuable property they had not paid for. The main languages of the Bhamta are Marathi and Hindi. Most Bhamta today live in west and central India. There are currently no known believers in this people group.
Many of the Bhamta caste are now engaged in the cultivation of hemp, from which they make ropes, mats and gunny-bags. Hemp is woven by Bhamta, who also make net bags for holding cotton. They also make ropes of hemp and flax. Tenants who will not grow hemp themselves frequently give their field to a Bhamta who gives them a share of the crop. Bhamta possess knowledge about herbs and medicines. Their expertise can be utilized in the collection and development of herbs and medicinal plants which are in demand in India and elsewhere. Bhamta practice both child and adult marriages. They allow for polygamy. In theory there is no limit to the number of wives a man can have. A member of the caste can marry two sisters and brothers can marry sisters. Cousin marriages are common.
The Bhamta people are entirely Hindu. As Hindus, they worship the gods and goddesses that they believe will provide them with protection and favor. They sacrifice goats and fowls to their patron gods before their weddings.
The Bhamta people need more markets for their hemp products. Their jaded past will diminish as they earn an honest living and thereby gain the respect of others. Illiteracy is a major issue for the Bhamta. Their children need good local schools. Bhamta villages often lack access to modern medicine and electricity.
Ask the Lord to help Bhamta parents provide for their children. Pray for a disciple making movement among the Bhamta people this decade. Ask the Lord to send out workers to the Bhamta people to tell them about Jesus Christ and help meet their spiritual and physical needs.
Scripture Prayers for the Bhampta in India.
Profile Source: Keith Carey |
People Name General | Bhampta |
People Name in Country | Bhampta |
Alternate Names | Bhamta; Bhamti; Bhanmate; Bhanta; Dasa; Dasar; Ghantichor; Ghantichore; Pardeshi Bhamta; Rajput Bhamta; Takari; Taukari; Uchalya; Uchillian; भाँपता |
Population this Country | 53,000 |
Population all Countries | 53,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 16403 |
ROP3 Code | 111550 |
ROP25 Code | 301126 |
ROP25 Name | Bhamti |
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 | 8 | |||||||||
Largest States |
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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 | 8 |
Maharashtra 42,000 | |
Madhya Pradesh 4,000 | |
Karnataka 2,900 | |
Gujarat 1,800 | |
Telangana 700 | |
Odisha 600 | |
Kerala 500 | |
Rajasthan 300 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
100.00 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
* From latest India census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Marathi (34,000 speakers) | |||||||||
Language Code | mar Ethnologue Listing | |||||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||||||||
Total Languages | 10 | |||||||||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Marathi (34,000 speakers) |
Language Code | mar Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 10 |
Secondary Languages | |
Hindi 6,400 | |
Kannada 1,500 | |
Konkani 1,200 | |
Gujarati 700 | |
Odia 500 | |
Mewari 100 | |
Telugu 100 | |
Malayalam 70 | |
Chhattisgarhi 60 | |
People Groups | Speaking Marathi |
Primary Language: Marathi
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1807-1957) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1811-1982) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1821-2022) |
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 |
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 | Keith Carey |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |