Mahyavanshi in Pakistan


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

Legend says Yug Purush (Man of an age) Mahya (because of his name the caste became known as Mahyavanshi) was born in Patan of north Gujarat. His parent's names were King Karnadev and Minal Solanki. Because of an unfavorable forecast by state astrologers, King Karnadev abandoned his son in the desert. Yug Purush was found by a man named Dharamsinh who called the boy Mahyo. Dharmsinh raised and trained Mahyo. Mahyo sacrificed himself for the life of people, animals and birds.
The Mahyavanshi people are found in many parts of India but are mainly located in southern Gujarat and northern Maharashtra. The Mahyavanshi were originally residents of Gujarat, but upper castes took their land and persecuted them. Many of the Mahyavanshi went to Mumbai to work for the British as butlers, cooks, drivers, etc. Now the Mahyavanshi community is well educated by self-development and also with the help of government. A small number are in Pakistan where they live as a religious minority.


What Are Their Lives Like?

According to Mahyavanshi custom, the inheritance is equally divided by the sons and unmarried daughters, and sometimes the widow gets a share.
They are a diligent people who have a high literacy rate, two factors that make them desirable employees. Most of them speak Gujarati and either Marathi or Hindu.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Most of their practices are animistic, though they call themselves Hindu. Like many Hindu communities, the Mahyavanshis have a special devotion to Ganesh, the Hindu god whom they believe helps overcome obstacles and achieve prosperity.
They are proud to be Hindu and have not changed their religion even though there have been aggressive attacks of Islam.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Holy Spirit will soften hearts as Christian workers use the JESUS Film, gospel cassettes and Christian radio to reach them, showing them Jesus, the only One Who can give true prosperity in this life and the life to come.
Pray that God will use Mahyavanshi people to lead other Dalit groups to the Savior.


Scripture Prayers for the Mahyavanshi in Pakistan.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Mahyavanshi
People Name in Country Mahyavanshi
Population this Country 24,000
Population all Countries 2,000,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
Alternate Names Dhed; Ganeshya; Ganishya; Harijan; Mahya Bansi; Mahya Vanshi Vankar; Mahyavansi Vankor; Maru Vankar; Meghwal; Muru Vankal; Vankar; महयवंशी
People ID 17410
ROP3 Code 112810
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 1
  Sindh 23,000
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 Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Sindhi (16,000 speakers)
Language Code snd   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
Dhatki
7,000
Kacchi
800
Saraiki
300
Primary Language Sindhi (16,000 speakers)
Language Code snd   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
  Dhatki 7,000
  Kacchi 800
  Saraiki 300
People Groups Speaking Sindhi
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. Read more