Charan (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 Charans are a caste living in the Rajasthan and Gujarat states of India, as well as the Sindh and Balochistan provinces of Pakistan. They are well known for their contribution to the literature of Rajasthan, Sindh, and Gujarat as well as the earliest literature of Hindi. As Akbar's historian Abul Fazl pointed out Charans are good poets and better soldiers. They were a part of the landed aristocracy in Rajasthan and Gujarat, receiving jagirs and shashans for their literary and military services. They were considered a divine community among Hindus, tracing their origins to ancient India, mentioned numerous times in Puranas, Mahabharata and Ramayan, and other sacred texts. They were pastoral in ancient times, before becoming feudal coming in contact with Rajputs in the medieval era.


Where Are they Located?

Hindu Charans mainly reside in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra (Gujarat border). A small number of Hindu Charans still live in rural eastern Sindh (Pakistan), in the Thar Parkar district. There are few villages of Hindu Charans in Haryana (Rajasthan border) also.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Charans historically received shashans and jagirs, which made them part of the feudal system in Rajasthan and Gujarat, and Amarkot (Sindh). Charans were poets, soldiers, merchants, horse traders, caravan protectors, and cattle breeders. At present, Charans are mainly engaged in government services at administrative positions. Many farm their lands and work in agriculture.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Charans believe in the Hinglaj, whose main temples are located in Balochistan and in Nagar-Thatta(Sindh) in Pakistan. Goddess Hinglaj is considered the first avatar of Shakti in Charans, laters ones being Awar Maa, Karni Ji, Tanot Rai, Khodiyar, Mogal, and many others.


Prayer Points

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


References

Kamphorst, Janet (2008). In Praise of Death: History and Poetry in Medieval Marwar. Leiden University Press. ISBN 978-90-8728-044-4.


Profile Source:   Anonymous  

People Name General Charan (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Charan (Hindu traditions)
Alternate Names Bahror; Banna; Barath; Barhat; Barhath; Barhatt; Barhatta; Charan; Gadhavi; Gadhpati; Gadhvi; Gadvi; Gadwa; Gadwi; Hukum; Kaviraj; Maldhari; चारण (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 375,000
Population all Countries 417,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 7
People ID 16571
ROP3 Code 111764
ROP25 Code 301590
ROP25 Name Charan
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 14
Largest States
Rajasthan
180,000
Gujarat
140,000
Maharashtra
40,000
Madhya Pradesh
13,000
Daman and Diu
400
Tamil Nadu
300
Dadra and Nagar Have
300
Delhi
200
Telangana
100
Chhattisgarh
80
Bihar
80
West Bengal
80
Karnataka
60
Jharkhand
20
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 14
  Rajasthan 180,000
  Gujarat 140,000
  Maharashtra 40,000
  Madhya Pradesh 13,000
  Daman and Diu 400
  Tamil Nadu 300
  Dadra and Nagar Have 300
  Delhi 200
  Telangana 100
  Chhattisgarh 80
  Bihar 80
  West Bengal 80
  Karnataka 60
  Jharkhand 20
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.95 %
Islam
0.05 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Gujarati (115,000 speakers)
Language Code guj   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 13
Secondary Languages
Hindi
72,000
Marwari
57,000
Kacchi
17,000
Dhundari
13,000
Marathi
9,600
Mewari
9,500
Haroti
6,900
Shekhawati
6,800
Konkani
6,300
Nimadi
1,200
Malvi
1,100
Wagdi
600
Primary Language Gujarati (115,000 speakers)
Language Code guj   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 13
Secondary Languages
  Hindi 72,000
  Marwari 57,000
  Kacchi 17,000
  Dhundari 13,000
  Marathi 9,600
  Mewari 9,500
  Haroti 6,900
  Shekhawati 6,800
  Konkani 6,300
  Nimadi 1,200
  Malvi 1,100
  Wagdi 600
People Groups Speaking Gujarati

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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Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Anonymous 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.