Rajput Ponwar (Hindu 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 Hindu Rajput Ponwar or Panwar 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. However, most Ponwar stayed Hindu.

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 Hindu Ponwar is Hindi. As educated Indians they also speak English and other regional Indian languages.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Rajput Ponwar enjoy a high status in Indian society. They encourage their children to pursue higher education. 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 with the eldest son inheriting his parents' home and father's title. Ponwar are non-vegetarians but as Hindus they do not eat beef.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Ponwar practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon especially Vishnu, the preserver and Shiva, the destroyer. Hindus believe that by performing rituals and good works that they will attain moksha or freedom from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The Ponwar visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers and incense to their gods. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs.

The main yearly holidays of the Ponwar people are Holi, the festival of colors, Diwali, the festival of lights, Navratri, the celebration of autumn and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday.


What Are Their Needs?

The Ponwar need to hear the life-changing message of Jesus Christ in a way they can understand. They need to understand they are sinners and must have a Savior to forgive their sins. Ponwar need to see the love and mercy of Christ lived out before them in practical ways.


Prayer Points

Pray the Lord sends believers to befriend the Rajput Ponwar and show them the love and grace of God.
Pray that Rajputs living outside of India would become believers 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 (Hindu 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  

The Rajputs

Source:  Asia Harvest      Download

People Name General Rajput Ponwar (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Rajput Ponwar (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation RAHJ-put pun-WAHR
Alternate Names Panwar; Parmar Rajput; राजपूत, पोंवार (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 1,523,000
Population all Countries 1,530,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 30
People ID 20421
ROP3 Code 116205
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 23
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
Madhya Pradesh
330,000
Uttar Pradesh
324,000
Bihar
194,000
Rajasthan
186,000
Maharashtra
140,000
Gujarat
88,000
Uttarakhand
65,000
Himachal Pradesh
45,000
West Bengal
32,000
Jammu and Kashmir
22,000
Haryana
21,000
Jharkhand
21,000
Andhra Pradesh
16,000
Delhi
11,000
Chhattisgarh
9,600
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 23  (only 20 largest shown)
  Madhya Pradesh 330,000
  Uttar Pradesh 324,000
  Bihar 194,000
  Rajasthan 186,000
  Maharashtra 140,000
  Gujarat 88,000
  Uttarakhand 65,000
  Himachal Pradesh 45,000
  West Bengal 32,000
  Jammu and Kashmir 22,000
  Haryana 21,000
  Jharkhand 21,000
  Andhra Pradesh 16,000
  Delhi 11,000
  Chhattisgarh 9,600
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 (783,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 38
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Bhojpuri
93,000
Marwari
71,000
Gujarati
63,000
Marathi
58,000
Kanauji
23,000
Garhwali
22,000
Kumaoni
21,000
Awadhi
20,000
Bengali
18,000
Chhattisgarhi
17,000
Dogri
9,900
Maithili
8,900
Bundeli
8,000
Malvi
6,100
Dhundari
5,900
Primary Language Hindi (783,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 38
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Bhojpuri 93,000
  Marwari 71,000
  Gujarati 63,000
  Marathi 58,000
  Kanauji 23,000
  Garhwali 22,000
  Kumaoni 21,000
  Awadhi 20,000
  Bengali 18,000
  Chhattisgarhi 17,000
  Dogri 9,900
  Maithili 8,900
  Bundeli 8,000
  Malvi 6,100
  Dhundari 5,900
People Groups Speaking Hindi

Primary Language:  Hindi

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Bible-Complete Yes  (1818-2022)
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Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Video Source Asia Harvest
Profile Source David Kugel 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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