Introduction / History

The name of the Dholi people comes from the word dhol, meaning a type of drum. This is not surprising since they have always been drummers and musicians. They play drums during weddings and other festive occasions. Most of them are now farmers.

Where Are they Located?

Almost all of the 221,000 Dholi people live rural parts of India's scenic Rajasthan state. They claim to have come from the powerful Rajput communities, but this is doubtful since they are currently a scheduled caste. Like most Hindu communities, the Dholis view themselves as being higher on the Hindu social ranking order than they actually are.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Their children usually work by the time they are 15, so education is limited. They still manage to make sure their sons and sometimes their daughters go to school at an earlier age.

These Hindus listen to the radio, and most speak Marwari or Hindi, two languages that each have many Christian resources.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Only one in 1,000 is a Christian believer in Rajasthan, and outreach is limited in this northwestern state.

Prayer Points

* Pray for the Lord to thrust workers out to the Dholi people to tell them of Jesus.
* Pray that Christian materials in Marwari and Hindi will become abundantly available to this unreached people group.
* Pray for spiritual hunger.