The Mahatam live in Punjab in India. They call themselves Rai Sikh. They speak Punjabi and read and write in Gurmukhi. Sikhism is their religion. They are non-vegetarian and eat wheat, maize and rice as cereals.

The Mahatam are endogamous, meaning they prefer to marry within their group. Divorce is allowed on certain grounds such as adultery and not being able to have children. Marrying again is allowed but not for older widows. On the death of the father, sons inherit the property with the oldest son becoming in charge of the home.

Many of the Mahatam work in agriculture and laboring and others in government service. Only boys get educated among them. They use modern medicine and family planning.

* Scripture Prayers for the Mazhabi (Sikh traditions) in India.

* Pray that Indian Christians will lead the Mahatam to Jesus Christ.
* Pray that gospel materials and the internet will lead them to salvation.

Singh, K. S., ed. "India's Communities A-Z", Oxford University Press, USA 1999