The Khatri are a trading and business caste, which originated in Punjab. Their name comes from the Sanskrit word "Kshatriya" which is the second of the four castes of Hinduism. In the early 19th century, they almost had a monopoly on trade in Punjab and Afghanistan. During the British times, they were the chief civil administrators.
Traditionally, they specialized in trading in cloth but now have expanded to spectacles, flour grinding mills, grain shops and work as painters and tailors. Many members belong to the middle class and have entered teaching and civil service professions. They are found largely in Punjab of India and Pakistan, but they are little known outside Punjab. They are one of the most advanced and progressive communities in India and value education. They will only eat food cooked by Brahmins or caste members.
Saraswat Brahmins and Khatris still eat together giving credence to this story. Another more recent legend, has Khatris serving as soldiers in the Dakshin wars over a thousand years ago. Many died in the war and out of pity the council of the most respected Khatri in Delhi proposed widow remarriage. The clan headmen Lallu and Jaghdar opposed the concept and the council dissolved without a decision. The emperor dismissed Khatri soldiers from military service and asked them to take up being Dalals (brokers). They proved to be excellent soldiers and governors of many states.
Men and women marry within the community. Marriage is between adults. The elders of the family negotiate marriage alliance and both families exchange gifts.
Divorce is traditionally not allowed, but due to modernization, divorce is allowed under extreme maladjustment. Both nuclear and extended family types are found. The elders command respect and authority while the younger members receive love and affection from elders. Khatri women have a reputation for outstanding beauty. Women in the north generally wear salwar-khameez.
They are both vegetarian and non-vegetarian.
Their name comes from the Sanskrit word Kshatriya, which is the second highest of the four castes [groupings] of Hinduism.
Khatris take their religion seriously. They celebrate traditional Muslim, Hindu and Sikh festivals and fasts depending on their religious community. Muslims will go to Masjid and for Haj pilgrimage. Sikhism was founded by Khatris and some of their well known leaders, Guru Nanak and Guru Govind, were Khatris.
Like all other peoples of the world, Muslim Khatris needs the blessings and guidance that only Jesus Christ can offer.
Ask God to raise up Muslim Khatris who are more desirous to know the truth than to stay in good standing with their neighbors.
Ask God to send loving, committed workers to the Khatris in the near future.
Pray the Muslim Khatris would no longer be hidden away from the influence of Christ.
Pray for dreams and visions of the risen Christ to affect Khatri elders and leaders.
Scripture Prayers for the Khatri (Muslim traditions) in India.
India Missions Association, Edited by Philipose Vaidyar, Copyrighted © Used with permission
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Khatri (Muslim traditions) |
People Name in Country | Khatri (Muslim traditions) |
Pronunciation |
KAH-tree
|
Alternate Names | Katri; Khakha; Khakha Khatri; Khakhar; Khattri; Rangara; खत्री (मुस्लिम ट्रेडिशन्स) |
Population this Country | 59,000 |
Population all Countries | 1,257,000 |
Total Countries | 2 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 17586 |
ROP3 Code | 113015 |
ROP25 Code | 303963 |
ROP25 Name | Khatri |
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 | 9 | |||||||||
Largest States |
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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 | 9 |
Gujarat 38,000 | |
Maharashtra 11,000 | |
Haryana 3,800 | |
Punjab 3,100 | |
Karnataka 1,100 | |
Madhya Pradesh 1,100 | |
Uttar Pradesh 100 | |
Himachal Pradesh 90 | |
Chandigarh 90 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
100.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
* From latest India census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Gujarati (16,000 speakers) | ||||||
Language Code | guj Ethnologue Listing | ||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | ||||||
Total Languages | 6 | ||||||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Gujarati (16,000 speakers) |
Language Code | guj Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 6 |
Secondary Languages | |
Kacchi 16,000 | |
Urdu 10,000 | |
Punjabi, Eastern 8,100 | |
Marwari 400 | |
Malvi 100 | |
People Groups | Speaking Gujarati |
Primary Language: Gujarati
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1809-1965) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1820-1985) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1823-2021) |
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) | Online |
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
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Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Photo Source |
(Representative photo) Naveed Akhtar |
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. |