Gujar (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 Gujar are comprised of three very closely related people groups that are known collectively as the Gujar Rajasthani.
They are located in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and several states in northeastern India (Himachal, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu, Kashmir, and Rajasthan). In addition, the Gujarat district of western India is named after the historic Gujar peoples.

As various Muslim groups began invading India and Pakistan in the eleventh century, the Gujar Hindus converted to Islam. When this happened, their resentful Hindu neighbors began to rise up and take control of the area. The Gujar were forced to leave the region and search for good pastures elsewhere. Their wanderings took them into Pakistan and Afghanistan, where thousands have remained until this day.

The partition of Pakistan and India in 1947 also caused many tribal migrations. Masses of Muslims immigrated to Pakistan, while the Hindus flocked to India.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Ever since their conversion to Islam in the eleventh century, the Gujar have been bound by a life of poverty, illiteracy, and social oppression. In general, they are a simple, inoffensive people with a generous, hospitable nature. Today, most of the Gujar living in India live as law-abiding shepherds and farmers. Unfortunately, they are still belittled by those of higher castes (social classes), and often labeled as thieves and vagrants.

The Gujar living in the mountain forests of northeastern India raise buffalo. Unfortunately, the Indian government has imposed regulations on the number of buffalo one family can keep, and on how long they can live in the forests. This has been distressing for the Gujar, since this is their main source of income. For this reason, these nomads are constantly searching for new pastures for their herds.

The Gujar nomads who live in the state of Jammu and Kashmir are often cheated by the middlemen, who take their agricultural products to the city markets and sell them as their own.

The Gujar castes are broadly divided along religious and geographic lines into two groups: the Muslim Gujar and the Hindu Gujar. The Muslims are seasonal nomads who live in windowless, one-room houses during sedentary growing seasons; whereas, the Hindus are settled farmers who live in the same place all year.

Most of the Gujar in Afghanistan are traveling groups, who earn their living as tinkers (traveling menders of household goods), musicians, tradesmen, or fortune-tellers. Many are extremely poor and have resorted to begging and crime. Others are nomadic goat herders who travel the eastern valleys during the summer months. Unfortunately, conflicts between Afghanistan and Russia in recent years have damaged the economy for those who work in agriculture and trade.

The Gujar living in the forested mountain regions usually build their homes in clearings along the mountain fringes. The dwellings have one, two, or three rooms and are built with flat roofs. In contrast, the homes of those living in Jammu and Kashmir typically have angular roofs. Since they cook inside over open fires, their homes are often dark and smoky.

The Gujar are divided into hundreds of clans. Their societies are patrilineal, which means that inheritances are passed down through the males. Marriages are usually arranged by the parents, and a bride price of either cash or buffalo is paid to the girl's family. They are permitted to marry outside their clans, and young couples generally live near the grooms' parents.

All three Gujar groups speak Gujari, an Indo-Aryan language. This common factor has helped to identify them as a distinct sub-group. The Gujar of Afghanistan also speak Pashto and/or Dari, which are Persian languages (and are spoken by three-quarters of the Afghani population).


What Are Their Beliefs?

A majority of the Gujar are Hindu, but there is also a signficant number of Muslims among the Gujar, as well as a smaller number of Sikhs.

Because the Muslim Gujar share Hindu customs, they are not generally accepted by other Muslims. Nevertheless, in their desire for a unified front against the Hindus, the Muslim Kashmiri have agreed to accept the nomadic Gujar Muslims who recently entered Jammu and Kashmir.


Prayer Points

Ask the Lord to send forth laborers into India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan to share Christ with the Gujar.
Pray that God will encourage the small number of Gujar believers and give them a vision to reach their own people.
Ask God to send Christian teachers to live and work among the Gujar.
Ask the Holy Spirit to soften the hearts of the Gujar so that they will be receptive to the Gospel.
Pray that God will open the hearts of the governmental leaders of India, Afghanistan, and Pakistan to the Gospel.


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


Profile Source:   Bethany World Prayer Center  

People Name General Gujar (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Gujar (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation GOO-jar
Alternate Names Chaudhari; Gujarani; Gurjar; गुजर (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 8,488,000
Population all Countries 8,768,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 170
People ID 16878
ROP3 Code 112160
ROP25 Code 302843
ROP25 Name Gujar
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 19
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
Rajasthan
3,324,000
Uttar Pradesh
1,583,000
Madhya Pradesh
1,347,000
Haryana
913,000
Delhi
630,000
Maharashtra
317,000
Punjab
192,000
Uttarakhand
107,000
Odisha
22,000
Chandigarh
13,000
Telangana
10,000
Karnataka
9,200
Chhattisgarh
7,300
Himachal Pradesh
6,900
Gujarat
5,400
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 19
  Rajasthan 3,324,000
  Uttar Pradesh 1,583,000
  Madhya Pradesh 1,347,000
  Haryana 913,000
  Delhi 630,000
  Maharashtra 317,000
  Punjab 192,000
  Uttarakhand 107,000
  Odisha 22,000
  Chandigarh 13,000
  Telangana 10,000
  Karnataka 9,200
  Chhattisgarh 7,300
  Himachal Pradesh 6,900
  Gujarat 5,400
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.81 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.19 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Hindi (4,628,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 42
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Dhundari
612,000
Marwari
357,000
Mewari
335,000
Punjabi, Eastern
332,000
Shekhawati
175,000
Marathi
143,000
Malvi
112,000
Haroti
103,000
Haryanvi
95,000
Khandesi
66,000
Nimadi
45,000
Bundeli
27,000
Ahirani
24,000
Garhwali
17,000
Awadhi
16,000
Primary Language Hindi (4,628,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 42
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Dhundari 612,000
  Marwari 357,000
  Mewari 335,000
  Punjabi, Eastern 332,000
  Shekhawati 175,000
  Marathi 143,000
  Malvi 112,000
  Haroti 103,000
  Haryanvi 95,000
  Khandesi 66,000
  Nimadi 45,000
  Bundeli 27,000
  Ahirani 24,000
  Garhwali 17,000
  Awadhi 16,000
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  (1818-2022)
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Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Bethany World Prayer Center 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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