Rajput Janjua (Hindu traditions) in India

The Rajput Janjua (Hindu traditions) have only been reported 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

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 800CE Rajput dynasties ruled northern India. Petty Rajput kingdoms were the main obstacle for Muslim domination of the Hindu subcontinent. For more than 500 years Rajputs were the warriors who defended kingdoms from invaders and conquered others. When 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 Raj took over the Islamic Moghul Empire in South Asia. During their rule, which ended in 1947, the British recruited Rajputs into their military units. By the 1930s the Indian census did not note that someone is Rajput, so Rajput lineage has been less clear ever since.

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.


Where Are they Located?

Rajputs are divided by clans. Among these are the Janjua clan, which lives mainly in western Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Though Hindu Janjua 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 wealthy work as small businessmen or wage laborers.

Hindu Janjua 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.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Forward caste Hindus like the Janjua Rajputs 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.


What Are Their Needs?

Janjua 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 difficult time of transition.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Hindu Janjua Rajput community to increasingly grow in awareness of Jesus and why they need Him.
Pray the Lord will give Janjua 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 Janjua (Hindu traditions) in India.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/20398/IN
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janjua
https://newpakhistorian.wordpress.com/tag/janjua-rajputs/
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 Janjua (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Rajput Janjua (Hindu traditions)
Alternate Names राजपूत, जॅंज्यूये (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 102,000
Population all Countries 102,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
People ID 20399
ROP3 Code 116183
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 18
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
Bihar
24,000
Uttar Pradesh
18,000
Gujarat
11,000
Delhi
10,000
Madhya Pradesh
8,900
Uttarakhand
7,900
Himachal Pradesh
4,900
Punjab
4,500
West Bengal
3,500
Rajasthan
2,300
Maharashtra
2,100
Jharkhand
1,800
Jammu and Kashmir
1,200
Odisha
400
Haryana
400
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 18
  Bihar 24,000
  Uttar Pradesh 18,000
  Gujarat 11,000
  Delhi 10,000
  Madhya Pradesh 8,900
  Uttarakhand 7,900
  Himachal Pradesh 4,900
  Punjab 4,500
  West Bengal 3,500
  Rajasthan 2,300
  Maharashtra 2,100
  Jharkhand 1,800
  Jammu and Kashmir 1,200
  Odisha 400
  Haryana 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 (55,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 22
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Gujarati
8,100
Bhojpuri
8,000
Punjabi, Eastern
3,200
Garhwali
2,300
Bengali
1,700
Kumaoni
1,200
Kanauji
900
Dogri
800
Marathi
700
Dhundari
700
Kangri
600
Maithili
500
Pahari, Mahasu
400
Mandeali
400
Kacchi
400
Primary Language Hindi (55,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 22
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Gujarati 8,100
  Bhojpuri 8,000
  Punjabi, Eastern 3,200
  Garhwali 2,300
  Bengali 1,700
  Kumaoni 1,200
  Kanauji 900
  Dogri 800
  Marathi 700
  Dhundari 700
  Kangri 600
  Maithili 500
  Pahari, Mahasu 400
  Mandeali 400
  Kacchi 400
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  
Video Source Asia Harvest
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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