During the news interview, Rajit, a Rastogi man spoke directly into the microphone while beads of sweat on his forehead betrayed his nervousness. He said, "One reason for the peaceful nature of the city of Lucknow, India, is the network of economic dependency which cuts across religion and caste. This is especially true of the local embroidery industry, known as Chikan. This is a traditional Muslim craft, but it is traded mostly by our Hindu Rastoogi businessmen." Sameer, a prominent news reporter responded, "However, it seems this is changing. Just the other day I heard there were more riots because some Muslim loom owners said Hindus tried to destroy their businesses." Rajit replied, "I pray that Surya (the Hindu Sun God) will protect us and bring us continued prosperity."
Most of the 63,000 Hindu Rastoogi people live in northern India, primarily Uttar Pradesh.
This prominent caste traces its Hindu beliefs back to when they selected "Surya" the Hindu sun god as their clan deity. Surya is portrayed as a red man with three eyes and four arms, riding in a chariot. They worship him as the god of healing and fortune. His picture is in Rastoogi-owned shops and homes because they firmly believe he will bring them blessings.
* Scripture Prayers for the Bania Rastaogi in India.
With almost no known followers of Christ in Uttar Pradesh, the Rastoogi people need an influx of missionaries to tell them about Christ's glory. Pray that many Rastoogi people will come to know God's truth, life, and ways.
Some information from "The Scheduled Castes" K. S. Singh, ed. Oxford University Press, USA (1994)
Profile Source: Global Prayer Digest |
Global Prayer Digest: 2011-08-10 |
People Name General | Bania Rastaogi |
People Name in Country | Bania Rastaogi |
Natural Name | Rastaogi Bania |
Population this Country | 57,000 |
Population all Countries | 57,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
Alternate Names | Rastaugi; बनिया, रस्त्गी |
People ID | 19720 |
ROP3 Code | 115173 |
Country | India | ||||||
Region | Asia, South | ||||||
Continent | Asia | ||||||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||||||
National Bible Society | Website | ||||||
Persecution Rank | 10 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | ||||||
Total States on file | 6 | ||||||
Largest States |
|
||||||
Specialized Website | South Asia Peoples |
Country | India |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 10 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Total States | 6 |
Uttar Pradesh 49,000 | |
Rajasthan 4,600 | |
Bihar 1,700 | |
Delhi 900 | |
Madhya Pradesh 800 | |
Uttarakhand 600 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Language | Hindi (44,000 speakers) | |||||||||
Language Code | hin Ethnologue Listing | |||||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||||||||
Total Languages | 9 | |||||||||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Hindi (44,000 speakers) |
Language Code | hin Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 9 |
Secondary Languages | |
Marwari 6,300 | |
Awadhi 2,100 | |
Bhojpuri 2,000 | |
Kanauji 1,600 | |
Dhundari 1,300 | |
Garhwali 300 | |
Mewari 100 | |
Marwari 10 | |
People Groups | Speaking Hindi |
Primary Language: Hindi
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1806-1962) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1811-1998) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1835-2012) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Bible-NT Text | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name |
---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching (GRN) |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament (FCBH) |
Audio Recordings | Online Scripture (Talking Bibles) |
Audio Recordings | Oral Bible stories in Hindi |
Audio Recordings | Story of Jesus audio (Jesus Film Project) |
Film / Video | A Beautiful Hope (EngSub) |
Film / Video | Coconuts |
Film / Video | Creation to Christ |
Film / Video | Father's Love Letter |
Film / Video | Following Jesus (India, JF Project) |
Film / Video | God's Story Video |
Film / Video | Indigitube.tv Video / Animation |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Hindi |
Film / Video | Magdalena (Jesus Film Project) |
Film / Video | My Last Day (Jesus Film Project Anime) |
Film / Video | Rivka (Jesus Film Project) |
Film / Video | Story of Jesus for Children (JF Project) |
Film / Video | The Hope Video |
General | Bible Visuals |
General | Four Spiritual Laws |
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 India census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Map Source | People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Profile Source | Global Prayer Digest |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Read more |