Rajput Chauhan (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

Starting in the 5th century, there was a massive attack by the White Huns in what is now northern and northwestern India and Pakistan. About a century later the reigning Hindu-based Gupta Empire broke up, leaving the Subcontinent vulnerable to Muslim invaders from the north. As time went on, invaders took over land and integrated with the settled peoples of this region. Tribal leaders, especially those involved with defense, were accepted as Kshatrya, the second highest varna (major type of castes) in Hindu society, while their followers became the fourth and lowest varna. Priests became the Brahmins, the highest of the four varnas.

The Rajputs, who were part of the Kshatrya varna, became politically important in the seventh century. From around 800 Rajput dynasties ruled northern India. The Chauhan Rajput clan was especially powerful in Rajasthan. Petty Rajput kingdoms were the main obstacle for Muslim domination of the Hindu subcontinent. For hundreds of years Rajputs were the warriors who defended kingdoms from invaders and conquered others. Whenever possible, Rajputs settled down, became nobles, and enjoyed the lives of landed gentry. Then and now Rajputs are divided by clan.

Over a period of a couple hundred years, invaders penetrated the Rajput wall that protected the Subcontinent. Some Rajput subgroups converted to Islam during this time. The British Empire put an end to the Moghul Empire, but they recruited Rajputs into their military units. After independence, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi abolished Rajput titles and property rights. The Rajputs have kept alive their proud history of conquest, bravery, and military might.


Where Are they Located?

Pakistan's Rajputs like the Chauhans live mostly in Punjab Province.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Though many Rajputs are still in the armed forces or own land, many have moved on to other livelihoods. Rajputs who aren't so fortunate work as small businessmen or wage laborers.

They try to marry their daughters into clans of higher rank than their own. The Rajput clans in Rajasthan have the highest status, so families want their daughters to marry men from that state. Unfortunately, Rajputs often marry their daughters off while they are very young.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Though all Rajputs were once Hindu, some members of the Chaunan clan converted to Islam starting in the early 12th century. Sufi Muslim missionaries were instrumental in winning these Hindus to Islam, though others converted to Islam for political reasons. Conversion to Islam continued into the 19th century when the British were gaining power in the Subcontinent. It is important to note that conversions happen at the group level; entire Rajput clans converted to Islam, not individuals. Those who want to see Rajputs won to Jesus Christ should remember this.

Rajputs who have embraced Islam usually retain common social practices such as having their wives secluded (purdah). Those who are devout do their five daily ritual prayers, give alms to the poor, and go on the pilgrimage (haj) to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Muslims from all communities come together on Friday afternoons to pray and hear a sermon at local mosques.


What Are Their Needs?

Chauhan Rajputs are going through an identity crisis. They can no longer depend on land ownership or military careers. Believers with the right skills can help them during this time of transition.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Muslim Chauhan Rajput community to increasingly grow in awareness of Jesus and why they need Him.
Pray the Lord will give these Rajputs a spiritual hunger, then satisfy that hunger.
Pray that these people will understand the value of becoming part of God's royal family.
Pray for a Holy Spirit led humility for all Rajput communities to fall at the feet of the King of kings.
Pray for a disciple making movement among every Rajput community.


Scripture Prayers for the Rajput Chauhan (Muslim traditions) in Pakistan.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/20235/PK
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chauhan
http://www.indianrajputs.com/history/chauhan.php
http://www.thikanarajputana.in/chauhan-history-of-chauhan-rajput/
http://allrajputyouthwing.weebly.com/muslim-rajputs-history.html
https://joshuaproject.net/index.php/people_groups/17928/IN
http://induhistory.blogspot.com/p/rajput-history.html
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Rajput
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajput


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

The Rajputs

Source:  Asia Harvest      Download

People Name General Rajput Chauhan (Muslim traditions)
People Name in Country Rajput Chauhan (Muslim traditions)
Pronunciation RAHJ-put CHOH-hahn
Alternate Names राजपूत, चौहान (मुस्लिम ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 1,485,000
Population all Countries 1,850,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 30
People ID 20235
ROP3 Code 115979
ROP25 Code 306917
ROP25 Name Rajput
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 7
Largest States
Sindh
741,000
Punjab
691,000
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
19,000
Islamabad
15,000
Azad Kashmir
13,000
Gilgit-Baltistan
5,800
Balochistan
100
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 7
  Sindh 741,000
  Punjab 691,000
  Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 19,000
  Islamabad 15,000
  Azad Kashmir 13,000
  Gilgit-Baltistan 5,800
  Balochistan 100
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 Sindhi (448,000 speakers)
Language Code snd   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 15
Secondary Languages
Punjabi, Western
402,000
Saraiki
295,000
Urdu
233,000
Marwari
33,000
Pahari-Potwari
31,000
Hindko, Southern
18,000
Hindko, Northern
12,000
Dhatki
8,500
Pashto, Central
3,000
Bagri
1,500
Pashto, Northern
1,400
Shina
1,000
Kashmiri
300
Gujari
200
Primary Language Sindhi (448,000 speakers)
Language Code snd   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 15
Secondary Languages
  Punjabi, Western 402,000
  Saraiki 295,000
  Urdu 233,000
  Marwari 33,000
  Pahari-Potwari 31,000
  Hindko, Southern 18,000
  Hindko, Northern 12,000
  Dhatki 8,500
  Pashto, Central 3,000
  Bagri 1,500
  Pashto, Northern 1,400
  Shina 1,000
  Kashmiri 300
  Gujari 200
People Groups Speaking Sindhi

Primary Language:  Sindhi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1825-1981)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1890-1992)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1954)
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YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
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Amazon
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Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
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Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Recorded oral Bible Oral Bibles
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Sindhi Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
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 Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
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General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Sindhi YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Sindhi YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Sindhi Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Video Source Asia Harvest
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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