Jat Kharral (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

Kharral is a Jat gotra (clan or lineage) that can be Hindu or Muslim. There are different opinions as to the origin of the Jats, but most seem to recognize them to be from Indo-Aryan tribes native to the Punjab region that straddles modern Pakistan and India. There is a theory suggesting that they may be the predecessors of Gypsies. They probably reached Egypt with the Muslim conquerors, lived in Afghanistan before the Muslims, and invaded China with the Mongol Army. They also proved to be a threat to Tamarlane in Persia and Uzbekistan in the 1400s.

There are very few records concerning Jats prior to the 1600s. They rose to prominence following the 1669 Jat uprising against Mughal rule, and they ruled various princely states throughout the 18th century. For centuries the Jat lifestyle was designed to foster a martial spirit. Whenever they lost their kingdoms, Jat people became landlords who were ready to defend their land against any invaders.

After 1858, under the British Raj, the Jats were known for their service in the Indian Army, being categorized as a "martial race" by the British. For a couple hundred years Jats were a force that could not be ignored by South Asians or British imperialists.


Where Are they Located?

Muslim members of the Kharral clan live in Pakistan's Punjab Province.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Overall Muslim Kharral Jats have a very good self-image. "Men may come and men may go, but I go on forever," is a well-known Jat proverb. They are brave, hardworking people who possess both the desire and ability to rule. It has been said that no Jat wants to be ruled. Rather, he desires to have power over a group if not over an area. They take great pride in their ancestry. In fact, all the Jats in a particular village consider themselves to be the descendants of the man whom they believe founded it by the power of the sword.

Conservative by nature, the Jats rarely marry people from other people groups. From about 1650 AD onwards marrying within same clan became more common. The modern-day litmus test that Jat people use in marriage is if the girl and boy must not have the same great-great-grandparents (not related for four generations). If they are from the same clan but are not directly related for four generations then it is considered acceptable for them to marry.

Physically, the Jats are usually taller and heavier than most of their neighbors. Because of their larger build, their reputation for violence, and the fact that they control much of the land and village income, they are generally feared by other communities.

Most of the Jats live in rural areas, and they are usually landowners. A small percentage are traders and laborers. Today, the Jats are well read, and some occupy high positions in academic and technical arenas. The Jat peoples are one of the most prosperous groups in India on a per-capita basis (Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat are the wealthiest of Indian states). Haryana has the largest number of rural crorepatis (similar to "millionaires") in India, all of whom are Jats. Ironically, because they value thriftiness and diligence, the Jats are often regarded as miserly.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Though Jats were all originally Hindu, some Jat gotras converted to Islam. Most of these Islamic Jats trace their conversion to Sufi saints like Baba Fariduddin Ganjshakar in the 12th century. Muslim Jats have their own culture, which includes poems, songs, and stories of romance.

Though the Muslim Jats are Sunnis, they are known to have a strong tradition of worshiping many local saints. Jats observe many ceremonies, especially rites of passage such as circumcision and initiation into adulthood. Like many other South Asian communities of good standing, Muslim Jats have a negative view of Christianity, because it is associated with people of low status and caste.


What Are Their Needs?

Many Jat communities need clean drinking water and proper health care facilities. Christian medical teams and humanitarian aid workers are needed to work among them and show them God's love in practical ways.

Missionaries, Christian broadcasts, and evangelistic literature are needed to effectively reach the Jats with the light of the gospel. Most importantly, they need people who will begin to intercede for them, tearing down the strongholds that are keeping them in spiritual bondage. Only then will their hearts be prepared to receive the good news as it is presented to them.


Prayer Points

Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out additional laborers to work among the Kharral Jats.
Pray that Christian doctors, nurses, and humanitarian aid workers will have opportunities to share the love of Jesus with the Kharral Jats.
Ask God to save key Jat leaders who will boldly proclaim the gospel to their own people.
Pray that churches and mission organizations will accept the challenge of adopting and reaching the Kharral Jats.
Ask God to raise up teams of intercessors who will faithfully stand in the gap for the Jats.
Pray for a disciple making movement to emerge among every Jat clan and community.


Scripture Prayers for the Jat Kharral (Muslim traditions) in Pakistan.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/19881/PK
https://www.jatland.com/home/Kharal
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kharal
http://indpaedia.com/ind/index.php/The_Kharral
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jat_people
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Jat
https://www.jatland.com/home/Jats
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/12329/IN
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/18777/IN
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/17571/IN
http://www.dawn.com/news/1077113
https://www.jatland.com/home/Jats
https://www.facebook.com/JuttWelfareAssociationvahari/posts/409390069112769


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Jat Kharral (Muslim traditions)
People Name in Country Jat Kharral (Muslim traditions)
Alternate Names Kharral; जाट, खर्राल (मुस्लिम ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 1,215,000
Population all Countries 1,217,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 24
People ID 19881
ROP3 Code 115884
ROP25 Code 303344
ROP25 Name Jat
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 5
Largest States
Punjab
935,000
Sindh
218,000
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
36,000
Azad Kashmir
25,000
Balochistan
700
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 5
  Punjab 935,000
  Sindh 218,000
  Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 36,000
  Azad Kashmir 25,000
  Balochistan 700
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 Saraiki (645,000 speakers)
Language Code skr   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 16
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Punjabi, Western
204,000
Sindhi
140,000
Urdu
103,000
Marwari
64,000
Hindko, Northern
24,000
Pahari-Potwari
16,000
Dhatki
7,800
Bagri
4,900
Hindko, Southern
3,200
Pashto, Northern
600
Shina
200
Pashto, Central
200
Balochi, Western
200
Shina, Kohistani
80
Balochi, Eastern
40
Primary Language Saraiki (645,000 speakers)
Language Code skr   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 16
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Punjabi, Western 204,000
  Sindhi 140,000
  Urdu 103,000
  Marwari 64,000
  Hindko, Northern 24,000
  Pahari-Potwari 16,000
  Dhatki 7,800
  Bagri 4,900
  Hindko, Southern 3,200
  Pashto, Northern 600
  Shina 200
  Pashto, Central 200
  Balochi, Western 200
  Shina, Kohistani 80
  Balochi, Eastern 40
People Groups Speaking Saraiki
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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