Khandelwal Brahmin 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

Brahmins are the highest of the four varna (major caste groupings) in Hinduism. The historical developments of various Brahmin castes are not clear, as the history of the caste system itself is unclear. There was perhaps a caste system based on personal merit at one time before the hereditary caste system became dominant, as is seen in modern history. Brahmin castes became powerful in the early centuries of the Christian Era through alliances with kings, who granted them landed estates related to temples and temple service. There has never been a comprehensive analysis of all the different types and subgroups of Brahmins.

Traditionally Brahmins have five daily duties; to the gods, to ancestors, to all creatures, to humans, and to study. Thus daily worship (duty to gods) and chanting of sacred texts (duty to study) are an integral part of many Brahmins' lives, even if this is only a token routine for many.


Where Are they Located?

Khandelwal Brahmins are scattered across India in dozens of jātis (castes) speaking many different languages. A high percentage of them speak English also as higher education in India is mostly English medium.

Brahmins are disproportionately represented among overseas Indians due to their higher educational attainments, so those who reach out to Indian nationals in the West are very likely reaching out to people who are extremely difficult to reach in South Asia.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Traditionally in the varna system Brahmins are considered as priests, but a temple priest is a lowly position that no Khandelwal Brahmin family wants their sons to aspire towards. Rather, there is strong pressure for higher education, particularly in computer science and engineering. Khandelwal Brahmins have a strong work ethic and are often leaders, whether politically, intellectually, spiritually or socially.

Khandelwal Brahmins are still deeply influenced by the traditional four stages of life; the first student stage is followed by the householder stage, where marriage, raising a family and being a productive member of society is the primary obligation of an individual. Once children are married there is time for spiritual concerns in the third stage of reclusiveness, which is followed (this is rarely practiced) by itinerant homeless wandering (sannyasa).

Often a busy Brahmin will put off spiritual discussions as an issue for later in life. The famous Bhagavad Gita text does not support this, however, as it calls for all humanity to engage in doing good to all without thought of merit or reward for such actions.


What Are Their Beliefs?

In some cases Brahmin subgroups are defined by their theological distinctions such as Madhva Brahmins, who are defined by their dualist theology, though everyone does not actually hold those beliefs. However, many Brahmin castes are made up of people who adhere to all the various philosophical and theological options espoused by modern Hindus, including hard core secularists and atheists. One can never predict what an individual Brahmin might believe or disbelieve!


What Are Their Needs?

Khandelwal Brahmins as an influential and generally well-to-do community are not unlike the middle classes of most places. Their main needs involve relational strains that are usually kept behind closed doors. Modernization is breaking down family units which have been the glue to society for many generations, and loneliness is increasingly a problem. They are expected to "achieve it all," but ironically, achieving it all can be empty.


Prayer Points

Pray for Christ to reveal Himself to Khandelwal Brahmin leaders.
Pray for the eyes of Brahmin hearts to be open to Jesus Christ as Lord and king.
Pray for Holy Spirit directed Christ followers to go to Khandelwal Brahmin communities.
Pray for a disciple making movement to emerge among every Brahmin community.
Pray for many to be prompted to faithfully pray for Brahmins.


Scripture Prayers for the Brahmin Khandelwal in India.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/19956/IN
http://khandelwal-brahmin.blogspot.com/2007/10/khandelwal-brahmingotras.html


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Brahmin Khandelwal
People Name in Country Brahmin Khandelwal
Natural Name Khandelwal Brahmin
Alternate Names Brahman Terai; Brahmin Terai; Sunga; ब्रह्मन, खंडेलवाल
Population this Country 339,000
Population all Countries 341,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 7
People ID 19956
ROP3 Code 115732
ROP25 Code 301405
ROP25 Name Brahmin
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 14
Largest States
Rajasthan
161,000
Bihar
81,000
West Bengal
24,000
Uttar Pradesh
21,000
Jharkhand
17,000
Maharashtra
11,000
Uttarakhand
8,700
Madhya Pradesh
5,100
Karnataka
3,500
Himachal Pradesh
2,600
Delhi
1,400
Odisha
1,300
Telangana
900
Chandigarh
300
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 14
  Rajasthan 161,000
  Bihar 81,000
  West Bengal 24,000
  Uttar Pradesh 21,000
  Jharkhand 17,000
  Maharashtra 11,000
  Uttarakhand 8,700
  Madhya Pradesh 5,100
  Karnataka 3,500
  Himachal Pradesh 2,600
  Delhi 1,400
  Odisha 1,300
  Telangana 900
  Chandigarh 300
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 India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Hindi (138,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 20
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Marwari
45,000
Dhundari
28,000
Bhojpuri
20,000
Shekhawati
15,000
Bengali
12,000
Maithili
10,000
Bagri
5,600
Mewari
4,400
Marathi
2,000
Garhwali
1,500
Punjabi, Eastern
600
Gujarati
600
Kumaoni
400
Angika
300
Magahi
300
Primary Language Hindi (138,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 20
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Marwari 45,000
  Dhundari 28,000
  Bhojpuri 20,000
  Shekhawati 15,000
  Bengali 12,000
  Maithili 10,000
  Bagri 5,600
  Mewari 4,400
  Marathi 2,000
  Garhwali 1,500
  Punjabi, Eastern 600
  Gujarati 600
  Kumaoni 400
  Angika 300
  Magahi 300
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  (1818-2022)
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YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
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Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings DAVAR Partners recording, Old Testament DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
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 Hindi Jesus Film Project
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Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
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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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