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. 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.
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. In the early 1970s 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.
Rajputs are divided by clans such as the Garewals. Hindu Rajputs are concentrated in India's northwestern state of Rajasthan, though there are Rajputs all over the country.
Though Garewal Rajputs are still in the armed forces or own land, many have moved on to other livelihoods. Wealthy Rajputs now own impressive hotels in Rajasthan where tourists can be introduced to their history and culture. Rajputs who aren't so fortunate work as small businessmen or wage laborers.
Rajputs 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.
Forward caste Hindus often become devotees of a couple of gods. Typically, Rajputs worship Shiva (the destroyer), Surya (the sun god), and Durga (the mother goddess). They also have patron gods to turn to for protection. They celebrate Dasahara, a festival dedicated to Durga. During this festival, they sacrifice a buffalo to celebrate this goddess' victory over a buffalo demon. To find spiritual answers Hindus often turn to gurus.
Garewal Rajputs are going through an identity crisis. They can no longer depend on land ownership or military careers, especially with the Indian government reserving prestigious jobs for "backward" (ie, underprivileged) castes. Believers with the right skills can help them during this time of transition.
Pray for the Garewal Rajput community to increasingly grow in awareness of Jesus and their need for Him.
Pray the Lord will give Garewal Rajputs a spiritual hunger, then satisfy that hunger.
Pray that these Rajputs 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 Garewal (Hindu traditions) in India.
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/20391/IN
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 |
Rajputs profile for Children and Family Missions Activities |
People Name General | Rajput Garewal (Hindu traditions) |
People Name in Country | Rajput Garewal (Hindu traditions) |
Alternate Names | राजपूत, गरेवाल (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स) |
Population this Country | 383,000 |
Population all Countries | 383,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 8 |
People ID | 20391 |
ROP3 Code | 116175 |
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 | 19 | |||||||||||||||
Largest States (only 15 largest shown) |
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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 | 19 |
Uttar Pradesh 176,000 | |
Bihar 43,000 | |
Madhya Pradesh 33,000 | |
Punjab 31,000 | |
Gujarat 21,000 | |
Uttarakhand 16,000 | |
Rajasthan 10,000 | |
Himachal Pradesh 8,900 | |
Haryana 7,500 | |
West Bengal 6,500 | |
Maharashtra 5,700 | |
Jammu and Kashmir 4,600 | |
Jharkhand 4,200 | |
Chhattisgarh 2,800 | |
Chandigarh 2,400 | |
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 (209,000 speakers) | |||||||||||||||
Language Code | hin Ethnologue Listing | |||||||||||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||||||||||||||
Total Languages | 29 | |||||||||||||||
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown) |
|
Primary Language | Hindi (209,000 speakers) |
Language Code | hin Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 29 |
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown) | |
Bhojpuri 22,000 | |
Punjabi, Eastern 22,000 | |
Kanauji 16,000 | |
Gujarati 15,000 | |
Kumaoni 6,000 | |
Awadhi 5,000 | |
Garhwali 4,200 | |
Bagheli 3,200 | |
Marwari 2,700 | |
Dogri 2,500 | |
Pahari, Mahasu 2,200 | |
Marathi 2,100 | |
Maithili 1,400 | |
Dhundari 1,300 | |
Chhattisgarhi 1,200 | |
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) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
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Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Photo Source |
(Representative photo) Copyrighted © 2023 Isudas All rights reserved. Used with permission |
Map Source | People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Video Source | Asia Harvest |
Profile Source | Keith Carey |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |