Traditionally the Tarkhan people were carpenters, and their status is hard to determine. Some consider them to be a "backward" Hindu community while others point to them having fairly high status. Though most live in the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, and Punjab, a small number live further west in Pakistan's Punjab Province.
The Tarkhan community have traditionally been widely engaged in carpentry, but presently they are engaged in many other trades. Marriages outside their own caste are allowed, and even encouraged to an extent. They have two endogamous (marry only within the group) subgroups and several clans. Clan names are often used as surnames. They have been described as "backward in terms of literacy, economic standards, social and cultural awareness."
The Tarkhan people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They 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 like Christians or Jews. There are other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins. Almost all Hindus participate in yearly celebrations like 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 Tarkhan people need to submit to Jesus Christ so they can experience the abundant life He offers them in John 10:10.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out Holy Spirit filled workers to go to the Tarkhan people, both in India and in Pakistan. Pray for Tarkhan elders to have a craving for spiritual truth that will lead them to the cross. Pray for a Disciple Making Movement to bless this community in both countries where they reside.
Scripture Prayers for the Tarkhan (Hindu traditions) in Pakistan.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarkhan_(Punjab)
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
Global Prayer Digest: 2009-11-07 |
People Name General | Tarkhan (Hindu traditions) |
People Name in Country | Tarkhan (Hindu traditions) |
Pronunciation | TAR-kin |
Alternate Names | Barhi; Bari; Chattarsaz; Darkhan; Dhaman; Karigar; Kharadi; Khatri; Mistri; Ramgarhia; Ramghadiya; Ranghadia; Tarakkan; Tarkhan; Tarkihar; Thirkhan; Tikhan; तर्खान (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स) |
Population this Country | 13,000 |
Population all Countries | 1,056,000 |
Total Countries | 2 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 18259 |
ROP3 Code | 113794 |
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 |
Punjab 12,000 | |
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 | Saraiki (9,600 speakers) | |||
Language Code | skr Ethnologue Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 4 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Saraiki (9,600 speakers) |
Language Code | skr Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 4 |
Secondary Languages | |
Marwari 2,800 | |
Punjabi, Western 400 | |
Urdu 100 | |
People Groups | Speaking Saraiki |
Primary Language: Saraiki
Bible Translation Status: Unspecified
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching | Global Recordings Network |
Audio Recordings | Story of Jesus audio | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Saraiki | 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 | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
Text / Printed Matter | Literacy primer for Saraiki | Literacy & Evangelism International |
Photo Source |
(Representative photo) Copyrighted © 2023 Isudas All rights reserved. Used with permission |
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. |