Rajput Ponwar (Muslim traditions) 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 Rajputs Ponwar live in the north and central states of India. Rajput means "son of a ruler" in Sanskrit. Ponwar means descendants of the Paramara dynasty. This middle-sized kingdom flourished in the late medieval period in north central India. All Rajput Ponwar or Panwar were originally Hindus. With the coming of the Muslim sultanates, some Ponwar converted to Islam for spiritual and political reasons. They converted to Islam by clans not as individuals.

The Ponwar take pride in their warrior history. The British recruited them as soldiers during the colonial period. The Ponwar became landholders of large estates. Some Rajput Ponwar are wealthy landowners who have other castes work their land. Some are less wealthy and till the soil themselves. Their military tradition continues in the Indian Army. They hold positions of leadership in government.

The primary language of the Ponwar is Urdu. They also speak other regional Indian languages.


Where Are they Located?

Most Indian Rajput Ponwar live in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Some also live in Haryana and other north and central Indian states.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Rajput Ponwar enjoy a high status in Indian society. They encourage their young people to pursue higher education. As Muslims, their women are often secluded in the home. When the women go out, they wear very modest clothing that covers their heads and bodies. Families arrange marriages within the Rajput caste but not within the near clan members. The ancient practice of child marriage is no longer followed. Sons inherit property. They are non-vegetarians but as Muslims they do not eat pork.

The Rajput Ponwar lives revolve around the five daily prayers. They attend services at their local mosque on Fridays where they mingle with other groups of Muslims.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Rajput Ponwar are Sunni Muslims, the large majority portion of Islam. Once in their lives they make a pilgrimage to Mecca that is called the Hajj. During the Hajj they perform certain rituals that reinforce their identities as Muslims.

The Rajputs participate in the two yearly Muslim holidays of Eid al-Fitr, the celebration of the breaking of the monthly fast of Ramadan and Eid al-Adha or Feast of Sacrifice that celebrates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son. Since the holidays are based on the lunar calendar, the dates change every year.


What Are Their Needs?

The Rajput Ponwar need humility and God's grace to see themselves as sinners who need a Savior. They must realize that no human works will ever satisfy a holy God. They need to see the love of Christ lived out before them.


Prayer Points

Pray the Lord sends Christians to befriend the Rajput Ponwar and show them the love and mercy of God.
Pray that Rajputs living outside of India would become Christians and return to India to share the gospel with their people.
Pray that the Holy Spirit leads many Rajputs to Christ and that growing
churches are planted among them.


Scripture Prayers for the Rajput Ponwar (Muslim traditions) in India.


References

britannica.com/place/India/The-Rajputs#ref976107
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panhwar
induhistory.blogspot.com/p/rajput-history.html


Profile Source:   David Kugel  

People Name General Rajput Ponwar (Muslim traditions)
People Name in Country Rajput Ponwar (Muslim traditions)
Pronunciation RAHJ-put pun-WAHR
Alternate Names Panwar; राजपूत पोंवार (मुस्लिम ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 80,000
Population all Countries 830,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
People ID 20226
ROP3 Code 115970
ROP25 Code 306917
ROP25 Name Rajput
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 10
Largest States
Uttar Pradesh
63,000
Haryana
7,900
Delhi
2,500
Jammu and Kashmir
2,400
Gujarat
2,300
Uttarakhand
1,000
Punjab
400
Himachal Pradesh
200
Maharashtra
200
Chandigarh
20
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 10
  Uttar Pradesh 63,000
  Haryana 7,900
  Delhi 2,500
  Jammu and Kashmir 2,400
  Gujarat 2,300
  Uttarakhand 1,000
  Punjab 400
  Himachal Pradesh 200
  Maharashtra 200
  Chandigarh 20
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 India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Urdu (60,000 speakers)
Language Code urd   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 12
Secondary Languages
Bhojpuri
2,500
Punjabi, Eastern
1,700
Gujarati
1,000
Kashmiri
700
Awadhi
600
Kanauji
300
Dogri
300
Marwari
300
Bagri
100
Garhwali
100
Khah
40
Primary Language Urdu (60,000 speakers)
Language Code urd   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 12
Secondary Languages
  Bhojpuri 2,500
  Punjabi, Eastern 1,700
  Gujarati 1,000
  Kashmiri 700
  Awadhi 600
  Kanauji 300
  Dogri 300
  Marwari 300
  Bagri 100
  Garhwali 100
  Khah 40
People Groups Speaking Urdu

Primary Language:  Urdu

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
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Bible-New Testament Yes  (1758-2000)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1843-2022)
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Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source David Kugel 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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