The Kshatriya Raju or Rajput are a landowning caste who live primarily in North India and Pakistan. They claim to be descendants of princes and army officers who served the various empires and dynasties of North India. For their military service, the Raju received land. As educated Pakistani the Raju speak multiple languages including Sindhi, Hindi-Urdu, English and other local languages. Complete Bibles and many other resources are available in Hindi-Urdu and Sindhi.
The Raju work as business owners, government administrators, in law enforcement and as officers of the Pakistani Armed Forces. They still own tracks of land that is frequently cultivated by lower castes. Parents encourage their sons and daughters to graduate from universities and to enter into professions. Families arrange marriages with the consent of the adult young people. Cousin marriages are common. Marriage to one spouse is the norm. Sons inherit the property of their father. The eldest son takes charge of the family. Brahmin priests officiate at important family ceremonies such as births, weddings and funerals. The Raju cremate their death and scatter the ashes in holy rivers. The Raju are not vegetarians but will not eat beef and often pork.
The Raju practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of the Indian subcontinent. They are proud of their Hindu heritage which goes back thousands of years. The Raju worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Hindus believe that by performing rituals and good works that they will attain moksha or freedom from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The Raju 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 as Christians do. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs. The main yearly holidays of the Raju people are 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. The caste system divides Hindus into four main categories. The lowest communities are outside of the caste system. The Raju fall in the second highest caste of Hinduism, the Kshatriya, the sons of kings.
The Raju need to hear and understand the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. He is their hope and the only one who can forgive their sins.
Pray that the Lord humbles the Raju and they see their need for a Savior who alone can forgive their sins. Pray the Lord will start a movement of Raju families experiencing God's blessings. Pray for workers to sow God's Word into Raju families, healing and strengthening households with God's blessings. Pray that God starts and sustains a discipleship making movement among this influential group of people.
Scripture Prayers for the Rajput (Hindu traditions) in Pakistan.
Profile Source: Keith Carey |
Rajputs profile for Children and Family Missions Activities |
People Name General | Rajput (Hindu traditions) |
People Name in Country | Rajput (Hindu traditions) |
Pronunciation |
RAHJ-put
|
Alternate Names | Bharadwaja; Chandravamsan; Chhatri; Chhetri; Gorkha; Kashrap Rajput; Kashyap; Khetri; Kshatriya; Kshatriya Raju; Kshattriya; Mavi; Mawi; Musalman Rajput; Musalman Thakur; Muslim Jeer; Muslims of Nepal; Mustigar; Musugu Rajulu; Pardeshi Rajput; Raghubansi; Rajapalayam Raju; Rajput Muslim; Raju; Rangar; Ranghar; Ravikula Kshatriya; Suryavamsa Kshatriya; Suryavamsan; Suryavanshi Kshatriya; Thakur; राजपूत |
Population this Country | 89,000 |
Population all Countries | 27,882,000 |
Total Countries | 6 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 2 |
People ID | 17928 |
ROP3 Code | 113412 |
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 | 4 | ||||||
Largest States |
|
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 | 4 |
Sindh 114,000 | |
Punjab 12,000 | |
Balochistan 200 | |
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 90 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical Unknown) |
0.61 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
99.39 %
|
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 (55,000 speakers) | ||||||
Language Code | snd Ethnologue Listing | ||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | ||||||
Total Languages | 7 | ||||||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Sindhi (55,000 speakers) |
Language Code | snd Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 7 |
Secondary Languages | |
Dhatki 41,000 | |
Marwari 10,000 | |
Saraiki 8,000 | |
Punjabi, Western 5,800 | |
Kacchi 4,200 | |
Urdu 80 | |
People Groups | Speaking Sindhi |
Primary Language: Sindhi
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1825-1981) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1890-1992) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1954) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Photo Source | Anonymous |
Map Source | People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Video Source | Asia Harvest |
Profile Source | Keith Carey |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |