Mahtam (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 traditional occupations of the Mahtam Sikh were farming, hunting wild boars, fishing and liquor distillation. They were associated with rope making, since ropes were used by them with their hunting efforts. They have been known as cultivators and clearers of the jungle, and there are many differing stories of their origins. This community is scattered all over India. The Mahtam or Rai Sikh speak Punjabi and read and write in Gurumukhi. The term Mahtam is usually for Hindus or Muslims, so Rai Sikhs might be a more accurate description of this community.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Today they are primarily farmers, but many are engaged in other trades as well. In Rajasthan the Rai Sikh are mainly landowners. Many hold either blue or white collar jobs. They maintain cordial relationships with the scheduled castes and other artisan and service castes of the nearby villages. A committee settles social disputes for them. They have the All India Rai Sikh Welfare Association to put pressure on governments to address their needs. They allow for divorce and remarriage. Sons inherit the family property. Upon the death of the father, the oldest son becomes the family head.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The word Sikh in the Punjabi language means disciple. They are disciples of their founder, Guru Nanak (1469) and nine other successive gurus; the final one died in 1708. They believe there is only one God and he is the same God for all people and all religions. They condemn rituals such as fasting, visiting places of pilgrimage, superstitions, worship of the dead, and idol worship. They believe that salvation is achieved through meditation, the guru's grace, and service to a guru or service to people. Some later decided to follow the teachings of Radha Soami. His teachings have led to less alcoholism and less meat consumption.


What Are Their Needs?

The Rai Sikhs need to seek and find the Lord of lords who alone can forgive sin and offer life to the full.


Prayer Points

Pray for workers and intercessors. Pray for spiritual hunger that will lead them to the only Savior. Pray that Indian believers will lead the Rai Sikh to begin their own movement to Christ.


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


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

Additional Info
Global Prayer Digest: 2013-08-09
People Name General Mahtam (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Mahtam (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation mah-TAHM
Alternate Names Rai Sikh; महटाम (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 165,000
Population all Countries 172,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 3
People ID 17407
ROP3 Code 112807
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
Punjab
120,000
Delhi
16,000
Haryana
12,000
Chandigarh
5,700
Himachal Pradesh
5,000
Gujarat
4,300
Dadra and Nagar Have
30
Daman and Diu
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 8
  Punjab 120,000
  Delhi 16,000
  Haryana 12,000
  Chandigarh 5,700
  Himachal Pradesh 5,000
  Gujarat 4,300
  Dadra and Nagar Have 30
  Daman and Diu 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
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 Punjabi, Eastern (93,000 speakers)
Language Code pan   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 11
Secondary Languages
Hindi
34,000
Bagri
5,000
Gujarati
2,700
Kangri
1,400
Mandeali
800
Haryanvi
700
Pahari, Mahasu
300
Bilaspuri
200
Bhattiyali
200
Churahi
60
Primary Language Punjabi, Eastern (93,000 speakers)
Language Code pan   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 11
Secondary Languages
  Hindi 34,000
  Bagri 5,000
  Gujarati 2,700
  Kangri 1,400
  Mandeali 800
  Haryanvi 700
  Pahari, Mahasu 300
  Bilaspuri 200
  Bhattiyali 200
  Churahi 60
People Groups Speaking Punjabi, Eastern

Primary Language:  Punjabi, Eastern

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1818-1954)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1815-2011)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1959-2021)
Bible-NT Audio 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 DAVAR Partners recording, complete Bible DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Recorded oral Bible Oral Bibles
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 Jesus Film: view in Punjabi, Eastern Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text, audio, video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text, audio, 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: Punjabi, Eastern YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download Bible from Google Play Store Operation Agape
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Punjabi, Eastern YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Download scripture in this language eBible.org
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Punjabi, Eastern Literacy & Evangelism International
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.