Khatri (Muslim traditions) 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

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.
They have a legend that when Parasurama (the sixth Avatar of Vishnu) was engaged in subduing the Kshatriyas in the interests of the Brahmins, he caused as many Kshatriya women as possible to have violent miscarriages. Some pregnant Kshatriya women took refuge with Saraswat Brahmin families who protected them to the point of eating with them to show Parasurama that they were Brahmin women. The children born of these women became the Khatri.
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.
They are found largely in Punjab of India and Pakistan, but little known outside Punjab.


What Are Their Lives Like?

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 one of the most advanced and progressive communities in India and value education.
Men and women marry within the community. Earlier, child-marriage was practiced but now adult marriage is the norm. The elders of the family negotiate marriage alliance. The giving of gifts is mutual. Adult marriages is the norm though child marriages used to be favored. 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. They are both vegetarian and non-vegetarian. Only men drink alcohol and smoke.


Their name comes from the Sanskrit word Kshatriya, which is the second highest of the four castes [groupings] of Hinduism.
What Are Their Beliefs?

Khatris take their religion seriously. They celebrate traditional Muslim, Hindu and Sikh festivals and fasts as applicable. 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.


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

Ask God to raise up Muslim Khatri leaders who are more desirous to know the truth than to stay on the broad road to death.
Ask God to send loving, committed workers to the Khatri in the near future.
Pray the Khatri community would no longer be hidden away from the influence of Christ.


Scripture Prayers for the Khatri (Muslim traditions) in Pakistan.


References


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 1,198,000
Population all Countries 1,257,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 24
People ID 17586
ROP3 Code 113015
ROP25 Code 303963
ROP25 Name Khatri
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 on file 6
Largest States
Punjab
1,071,000
Sindh
86,000
Islamabad
40,000
Gilgit-Baltistan
700
Balochistan
400
Azad Kashmir
90
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 6
  Punjab 1,071,000
  Sindh 86,000
  Islamabad 40,000
  Gilgit-Baltistan 700
  Balochistan 400
  Azad Kashmir 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 Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Punjabi, Western (614,000 speakers)
Language Code pnb   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 12
Secondary Languages
Saraiki
259,000
Hindko, Southern
121,000
Urdu
73,000
Pahari-Potwari
62,000
Sindhi
47,000
Marwari
12,000
Pashto, Central
5,400
Dhatki
1,800
Bagri
1,300
Balti
50
Hindko, Northern
20
Primary Language Punjabi, Western (614,000 speakers)
Language Code pnb   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 12
Secondary Languages
  Saraiki 259,000
  Hindko, Southern 121,000
  Urdu 73,000
  Pahari-Potwari 62,000
  Sindhi 47,000
  Marwari 12,000
  Pashto, Central 5,400
  Dhatki 1,800
  Bagri 1,300
  Balti 50
  Hindko, Northern 20
People Groups Speaking Punjabi, Western

Primary Language:  Punjabi, Western

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1885-1922)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1819-2021)
Bible-Complete No
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 DAVAR Partners recording, New Testament DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Audio Recordings Online Scripture / Bible General / Other
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Punjabi, Western 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 Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
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, Western YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Punjabi, Western YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Cartoon Gospel tract General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Punjabi, Western Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Campus Crusade for Christ
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
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.



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