Tirgar (Hindu traditions) in India

The Tirgar (Hindu traditions) have only been reported 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 Tirgar are a relatively small group of people who live in western India. Their name comes from words "arrow maker." The traditional occupation of the Tirgar was making bows and arrows for the armies of west and north India. Most Tirgar today work as agricultural laborers, often on land owned by higher castes. The Tirgar claim to be descendants of Rajputs or rulers but are seen by others as the lowest of the four castes in the Hindu system.

The main languages of the Tirgar are Gujarati and Hindi. Many Christian resources are available in both of these major languages.


Where Are they Located?

The Hindu Tirgar people are scattered throughout western India, especially in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Tirgar's ancient profession of making bows and arrows has disappeared in the modern age. Most have taken to agriculture. Some Tirgar own the land they work on but most live as landless farm laborers. Illiteracy is a major issue for the Tirgar. Their children, especially the girls, quit school after a few years to help their parents make a living.

The Tirgar marry within their group but outside of their clan or gotra. Families arrange marriages with the consent of the young people. Sons inherit their father's property. A cast council settles legal issues and promotes the Tirgar's interests.

The main foods of the Tirgar are rice, wheat, lentils, vegetables, and dairy products. As Hindus they will not eat beef.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Tirgar people practice Hinduism mixed with animism. They pay special devotion to the gods Thakurji, Shundamata, Krishna, and Rama. The Tirgar 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. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs.

The main yearly holidays of the Tirgar 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.


What Are Their Needs?

The Tirgar need to see believers in Christ demonstrating the victorious life in practical ways. They need schools where they children can learn to read and write. Many Tirgar lack access to modern medicine. The Tirgar would benefit by learning new job skills as farm laborers often make only a subsistent wage. Most of all, the Tirgar need to hear and respond to the message of Jesus Christ. He alone can forgive their sins and bring them hope of a better life.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Holy Spirit to give the Tirgar people teachable and understanding hearts.
Pray that a strong movement of the Holy Spirit will bring entire Tirgar families into a rich experience of God's blessing.
Pray for Tirgar families to be drawn by the Holy Spirit to seek forgiveness, and to understand the adequacy of Christ's work on the cross.
Pray for teams of believers to do sustained, focused prayer for the Lord to open the hearts of Tirgar family leaders to experience God's blessing through a movement of family-based discovery Bible studies.


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


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tirgar


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Tirgar (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Tirgar (Hindu traditions)
Alternate Names Agni Vanni; Kamangar; Tirbanda; Tirbonda; Tirgala; तिरगार (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 18,000
Population all Countries 18,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 18256
ROP3 Code 113790
ROP25 Code 308178
ROP25 Name Tirgar
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 6
Largest States
Gujarat
10,000
Rajasthan
6,200
Madhya Pradesh
1,000
Tamil Nadu
200
Karnataka
100
Maharashtra
80
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 6
  Gujarat 10,000
  Rajasthan 6,200
  Madhya Pradesh 1,000
  Tamil Nadu 200
  Karnataka 100
  Maharashtra 80
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.03 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.93 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.05 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Gujarati (8,500 speakers)
Language Code guj   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 9
Secondary Languages
Hindi
3,600
Marwari
1,900
Mewari
700
Kannada
200
Marathi
80
Tamil
40
Haroti
30
Kacchi
Primary Language Gujarati (8,500 speakers)
Language Code guj   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 9
Secondary Languages
  Hindi 3,600
  Marwari 1,900
  Mewari 700
  Kannada 200
  Marathi 80
  Tamil 40
  Haroti 30
  Kacchi 10
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)
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YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
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Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Online Scripture / Bible General / Other
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories Story Runners
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 Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Gujarati Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
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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
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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: Gujarati YouVersion Bibles
Photo Source Anonymous 
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.



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