Kachhi Kachhwaha in India

Introduction / History

In 1991 the Indian government declared Katchhi Kachhwaha people to be a backward caste, meaning that they were to be considered educationally and socially disadvantaged. For that reason, the Indian government offers them special privileges. Kachhi people are a part of the largest people cluster in India, the Hindi. Depending on the region, the Kachhi claim a variety of different origins.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Kachhi Kachhawa people are traditionally agrarian workers, growing crops including wheat, and lentils. Economically speaking, their main resource is the land due to their agrarian lifestyle. However, in regions like Delhi, Kachhi people are mostly small business owners. Their industries range from selling vegetables, book binding, manufacturing plastic toys or electrical parts. Some have made careers in the government or in private sector roles such as medicine or engineering. Kachhi boys and girls both get an education; however, they don't encourage women to further their studies. Their diet is traditionally vegetarian which reflects both their Hindu background and agrarian lifestyle. However as Hindu nominalism creeps in they are more likely to include meat in their diet.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Kachhi are almost entirely Hindu. A very small minority are Buddhist or adhere to some other local traditions. Kachhi Hindus predominantly worship Hanuman, Rama, Krishna Shiva, Kali and Durga. They celebrate the various major Hindu festivals and practice rituals of cremation, preferring to spread ashes in the Ganges River. In the cities, many younger Hindu Kachhi are becoming religiously nominal. In Gujarat some have started to adopt Muslim concepts and festivals like Ramadan. A small number of Buddhist Kachhi people live in Uttar Pradesh.

What Are Their Needs?

It is unclear whether there are any Christians among the Kachhi people. Their deep roots in Hinduism make evangelism difficult. There is no known active Christian witness to the Kachhi Kachhwaha people in India. They are geographically and linguistically linked to many nearby peoples, so there is opportunity.

Prayer Points

Pray that the Spirit will be working in many Kachhi and cause them to seek out the truth. Pray that Kachhi Kachhwaka people will humble themselves and come to trust in Christ as little children. Pray for a movement among this people group that will result in many church plants reproducing themselves. Pray for the Lord to bless this people group's crops as a testimony of his goodness and power.

Text Source:   Joshua Project