Koshti in India

The Koshti have only been reported in India
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Subgroups: 38 (10 largest shown)  Show all

Subgroup Name Population
Halba 52,000
Mahratta 31,000
Bholia 21,000
Kostha 21,000
Kushti 21,000
Lad 19,000
Satsali 19,000
Devanga 16,000
Garewal 13,000
Debang 8,100

Introduction / History

According to their legends, they are descendants of a famous Hindu saint named Markandi Rishi. To make a long story short, they were blessed by the gods. No doubt this prosperous community still considers themselves blessed by the gods.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Koshti people weave fine silk and cotton cloth goods worn by the wealthy.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Koshti people 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

Pray for the few Koshti believers to have strength and faith. Pray for church-planting teams to work among them as there are no known mission agencies/churches working among them.

Pray for the setting up of income-generating projects.

Pray a good response to the Christian radio program and the JESUS Film.

Pray for a movement to Christ among this people group in the 2020s.


Scripture Prayers for the Koshti in India.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Koshti
People Name in Country Koshti
Pronunciation KOH-stee
Alternate Names Chaudhri; Cheda; Chetti; Chettiar; Dakunsali; Devanga; Devanga Brahman; Devanga Brahmin; Devangulu; Devra; Dewang; Halba; Hutgar; Jadra; Jandra; Jed; Julaha; Kashkoti-Devanga; Koli-Keskati; Koraga; Kosh; Koshta; Koshtha; Koskati; Kosti; Kusata; Kushta; Kushti; Kushtia; Kusta; Kustha; Lad; Lera; Nesevallu; Padampari; Sakuna Pakshi; Salewar; Sali; Sangunsali; Sedu; Seniar; Suler; Swakulasali; Togata; Togri; कोष्टी
Population this Country 1,321,000
Population all Countries 1,321,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 3  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 26
People ID 17275
ROP3 Code 112646
ROP25 Code 304237
ROP25 Name Kostha
Affinity Bloc South Asian Peoples
People Cluster South Asia Hindu - other
People Group Koshti
Ethnic Code CNN25
Total Subgroups 38 (only 15 largest shown)
  Halba 52,000
  Mahratta 31,000
  Bholia 21,000
  Kostha 21,000
  Kushti 21,000
  Lad 19,000
  Satsali 19,000
  Devanga 16,000
  Garewal 13,000
  Debang 8,100
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 16
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
Maharashtra
620,000
Chhattisgarh
307,000
Gujarat
106,000
Karnataka
104,000
Madhya Pradesh
67,000
Tamil Nadu
60,000
Odisha
37,000
Andhra Pradesh
12,000
Telangana
4,900
Uttar Pradesh
1,100
Delhi
300
Kerala
200
Jharkhand
200
Rajasthan
90
Dadra and Nagar Have
50
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 16
  Maharashtra 620,000
  Chhattisgarh 307,000
  Gujarat 106,000
  Karnataka 104,000
  Madhya Pradesh 67,000
  Tamil Nadu 60,000
  Odisha 37,000
  Andhra Pradesh 12,000
  Telangana 4,900
  Uttar Pradesh 1,100
  Delhi 300
  Kerala 200
  Jharkhand 200
  Rajasthan 90
  Dadra and Nagar Have 50
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.27 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.05 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.22 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.47 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Marathi (493,000 speakers)
Language Code mar   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 21
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Chhattisgarhi
168,000
Hindi
160,000
Telugu
128,000
Gujarati
78,000
Odia
27,000
Tamil
25,000
Khandesi
15,000
Kannada
8,600
Ahirani
3,600
Nimadi
2,800
Sourashtra
2,200
Malvi
1,000
Pengo
700
Konkani
500
Konkani, Goan
200
Primary Language Marathi (493,000 speakers)
Language Code mar   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 21
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Chhattisgarhi 168,000
  Hindi 160,000
  Telugu 128,000
  Gujarati 78,000
  Odia 27,000
  Tamil 25,000
  Khandesi 15,000
  Kannada 8,600
  Ahirani 3,600
  Nimadi 2,800
  Sourashtra 2,200
  Malvi 1,000
  Pengo 700
  Konkani 500
  Konkani, Goan 200
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
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Online Scripture / Bible General / Other
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 Marathi Jesus Film Project
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 Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app: Marathi YouVersion Bibles
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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