Rajput Ponwar (Hindu 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

In Sanskrit Rajput means, "son of a ruler or king." The Rajput communities fall into the second highest caste of Hinduism, the Kshatriyas, one step below the Brahmins, the high priestly caste. Over the centuries, the Rajputs acquired land as a payment for their military service to the rulers of South Asia. Though there are a few Hindu Rajput communities in Pakistan, most of them are Sunni Muslims. Among the Hindus are the Ponwar.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Today the Rajput of Pakistan are primarily an agricultural community. Some educated Rajputs operate at the top level of Pakistani society as professors, entertainers, athletes, and business owners. Rajputs farm their land themselves and frequently hire lower caste people to help them. The Rajputs are traditionally the landowner caste of Pakistan. Those who lose their land become employed in service and even wage labor jobs. Rajput women earn money through weaving, embroidery and by making of handkerchiefs. Taking care of children is primarily the women's responsibility. For women, toe-rings, nose-pins and glass bangles are common symbols for being married. Hindu Rajputs like the Ponwar marry within their group.
Hindu Rajputs are non-vegetarian but they avoid beef and pork. They enjoy foods like wheat, rice, vegetables and dairy products.
The military tradition is still strong among the Rajputs. Many Rajputs serve today in the Pakistani Armed Forces, but this is more common among the Muslim Rajput communities than it is among the Hindus.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Though it is much safer to be Muslim in Pakistan, some of the Rajputs, including the Ponwar, are Hindu. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians or Jews. There are other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins.
Almost all Hindus participate in yearly celebrations like Holi, the festival of colors and the start of spring / Diwali, the festival of lights / Navratri, the celebration of autumn / and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday.


What Are Their Needs?

As people of influence and social status, the Rajputs are a key Pakistani people to reach with the gospel. Praise God that some Hindu Rajputs have become followers of Christ, but very few if any of these are included among the Ponwar subgroup. Pride at one's high place in society can be a hindrance to following Isa or Jesus.


Prayer Points

Pray the Ponwar would understand they can enjoy abundant life if they put their trust in Jesus Christ.
Pray for the Lord to intervene in Ponwar families, calling people to his side and blessing them in every way.
Pray for loving workers to go to the Ponwar Rajputs.
Pray for their hearts to be drawn to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Pray for a church planting movement to thrive in their communities in this decade.


Scripture Prayers for the Rajput Ponwar (Hindu traditions) in Pakistan.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baloch_people
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Baloch
https://www.atlasofhumanity.com/baloch
https://www.quora.com/What-is-your-opinion-about-Baloch-people


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

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 6,800
Population all Countries 1,530,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 20421
ROP3 Code 116205
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)
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 1
  Sindh 6,800
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 Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Sindhi (5,200 speakers)
Language Code snd   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 5
Secondary Languages
Dhatki
1,100
Kacchi
300
Urdu
60
Marwari
50
Primary Language Sindhi (5,200 speakers)
Language Code snd   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 5
Secondary Languages
  Dhatki 1,100
  Kacchi 300
  Urdu 60
  Marwari 50
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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Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
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Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Sindhi Jesus Film Project
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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
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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  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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