Acharaj 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

Acharaj is a Hindu title for a teacher or guru. 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?

The Acharaj Brahmins are concentrated in New Delhi, but they also live in West Bengal, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Maharashtra.

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 Brahmin family wants their sons to aspire towards. Rather, there is strong pressure for higher education, particularly in computer science and engineering. Most likely this causes problems in Acharaj families that have a tradition of being Hindu gurus and teachers.

Acharaj 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?

The Acharaj 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 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 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 Acharaj in India.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/20345/IN
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acharya


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Brahmin Acharaj
People Name in Country Brahmin Acharaj
Natural Name Acharaj Brahmin
Alternate Names Acharya; Bhura Brahman; Bhura Brahmin; Charaj; Charaj,; Daivajna; Ganak; Graha Bipra; Gujarati Brahman; Gujarati Brahmin; Kriyagari; Maha; Mahabrahman; Mohyal; Sakadwipi Brahman; Sakadwipi Brahmin; ब्रामिन, अचरज
Population this Country 65,000
Population all Countries 66,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 20345
ROP3 Code 116129
ROP25 Code 300031
ROP25 Name Acharaj
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
Haryana
27,000
Delhi
13,000
Punjab
9,500
West Bengal
6,400
Rajasthan
4,700
Himachal Pradesh
1,900
Maharashtra
1,700
Gujarat
600
Odisha
300
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 10
  Haryana 27,000
  Delhi 13,000
  Punjab 9,500
  West Bengal 6,400
  Rajasthan 4,700
  Himachal Pradesh 1,900
  Maharashtra 1,700
  Gujarat 600
  Odisha 300
  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 (39,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 14
Secondary Languages
Punjabi, Eastern
7,000
Bengali
3,700
Haryanvi
1,400
Marwari
1,200
Marathi
1,100
Gujarati
500
Kangri
400
Mandeali
300
Dhundari
300
Odia
200
Pahari, Kullu
200
Bilaspuri
80
Bagri
30
Primary Language Hindi (39,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 14
Secondary Languages
  Punjabi, Eastern 7,000
  Bengali 3,700
  Haryanvi 1,400
  Marwari 1,200
  Marathi 1,100
  Gujarati 500
  Kangri 400
  Mandeali 300
  Dhundari 300
  Odia 200
  Pahari, Kullu 200
  Bilaspuri 80
  Bagri 30
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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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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