Arain (Sikh traditions) in India

Introduction / History

The Arain are a land-owning, agricultural caste that live in north India and Pakistan. The Arain caste is made up of Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus. Some Hindu and Muslim Arain became Sikhs in the reform movement of Guru Nanak Dev in the 15th century. During the colonial period the British favored the Arain as they considered them hard working and disciplined. Today, the Sikh Arain still own large tracts of farmland.

The main language of the Sikh Arain is Eastern Punjabi. Many of them also speak Hindu, English and local languages. Many Christian resources are available in Eastern Punjabi including a complete Bible and the JESUS Film.

Where Are they Located?

The Sikh Arain people live in Punjab and Uttarakhand states in northern India.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Sikh Arain have used the wealth from their land holdings to provide university educations for their sons and daughters. Many Sikhs have pursued law, politics and government administration. Many of the highest government officials in the Punjabi state have been members or the Sikh Arain.

Monogamy or marriage to one person is the norm among Sikhs. Sikh women enjoy a higher status than most women in India. Sikhs tend to be quite devoted to their family and fellow Sikhs.

The Sikhs are most concentrated in Punjab, their homeland. However, you will find smaller numbers of Sikhs all over the world. Many of the best Indian restaurants in the West are owned and operated by Sikhs.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Sikhism originated from a 15th century teacher named Guru Nanak Dev as a reform movement. He rejected the Hindu caste system, taught that all people were equal and that all have equal access to God. The Sikh God is formless, without gender and is to be found in everyone. One gets closer to God by living a good life and by practicing charity. Like Hindus, Sikhs believe in reincarnation and the law of karma; you reap what you sow in your previous life. Like Muslims, the Sikhs worship only one God.

One may recognize a Sikh man by his distinctive turban. All the 10 great Sikh gurus wore turbans. Sikh teaching mandates that a person not cut his or her hair. They read and study their holy book, the Granth Sahib, which is a collection of hymns.

What Are Their Needs?

The Sikh Arain need to see that no religious system will get them right with God. The Arain need to see Christianity lived out before them in practical ways. The Arain must understand that coming to Christ will not destroy their families and culture.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Holy Spirit to give the Sikh Arain people teachable and understanding hearts.
Pray that a strong movement of the Holy Spirit will bring entire Arain families into a rich experience of God's blessing.
Pray for Arain families to be drawn by the Holy Spirit to seek forgiveness and to understand the adequacy of Christ's work on the cross.
Pray for teams of believers to do sustained, focused prayer for the Lord to open the hearts of Arain family leaders to experience God's blessing through a movement of family-based discovery Bible studies.

Text Source:   Keith Carey