Sandhai in India

The Sandhai have only been reported in India
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian *
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Introduction / History

The Sandhai are a community found in India, though detailed public information about their specific historical origins and social development is limited. Like many smaller Indian communities, their identity has likely been shaped over generations through regional customs, hereditary occupations, family lineage, and local social structures preserved within close-knit social networks.

Communities throughout India often formed distinct identities connected to village life, agriculture, trade, labor, and religious traditions. Oral history, marriage customs, and inherited cultural practices helped preserve these identities across generations. The Sandhai appear to belong within this broader framework of Indian community life shaped by longstanding regional traditions and strong family connections.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The daily life of the Sandhai is likely centered around family responsibilities, work, and community relationships. In many Indian communities, extended family systems remain important for emotional support, financial stability, and preserving cultural traditions. Respect for elders and maintaining family honor commonly shape social expectations and household life.

Depending on where they live, Sandhai families may work in agriculture, labor, local trade, transportation, crafts, fishing, or small business activities. Rural communities are often closely tied to seasonal agricultural work and village networks, while younger generations may increasingly seek education and employment opportunities in larger towns and cities.

Meals generally reflect regional Indian cuisine and commonly include rice, lentils, vegetables, flatbreads, dairy products, and locally available foods. Weddings, festivals, and family ceremonies often serve as important community gatherings that reinforce social identity and preserve inherited customs.

Like many traditional communities in India, the Sandhai are likely experiencing the effects of modernization, migration, technology, and economic change. These developments can create both new opportunities and tension between traditional expectations and contemporary lifestyles.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Sandhai are associated primarily with Hindu religious traditions. Hindu religious life commonly includes devotion to gods and goddesses, temple worship, sacred festivals, ritual ceremonies, and household religious practices connected to major life events and family life.

In some communities, folk religion, local spirit beliefs, astrology, ancestral customs, and ritual purity traditions may also influence everyday spiritual practices. Religious identity is often deeply connected to family heritage and community belonging, with beliefs and customs passed down through generations.

Although Hinduism contains many devotional systems and philosophical traditions, the Sandhai still need the gospel of Jesus Christ and the assurance of salvation that comes through faith in Him rather than through ritual observance, inherited religion, or personal effort.


What Are Their Needs?

The Sandhai need greater access to Scripture, biblical discipleship, and faithful Christian witness presented with humility, compassion, and cultural understanding. Many smaller communities in India continue to have limited meaningful exposure to evangelical Christianity or clear explanations of the gospel.

Practical needs may include educational opportunities, healthcare access, stable employment, and support for families facing financial hardship or social pressures. Rural and marginalized communities may also struggle with limited infrastructure and reduced access to resources and services.

There is a need for mature believers who will demonstrate Christ's love through compassionate service while faithfully sharing biblical truth. Strong local fellowships capable of discipling believers and strengthening families are important for long-term spiritual growth and lasting gospel witness.


Prayer Items

Pray that the Sandhai people would hear the gospel clearly and come to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
Pray that God would raise up faithful Christian workers who will serve among the Sandhai with wisdom, humility, love, and perseverance.
Pray that the Sandhai would be adopted through the People Group Adoption program so that sustained prayer, discipleship, and long-term gospel outreach would continue among them.
Pray for strengthened families, educational opportunity, practical provision, and spiritual openness within the Sandhai community.


Scripture Prayers for the Sandhai in India.


References

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hinduism
https://www.britannica.com/place/India/People
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_India


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Sandhai
People Name in Country Sandhai
Alternate Names Sindhi Muslim; संधई
Population this Country 1,600
Population all Countries 1,600
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale Progress Gauge
Unreached Yes
Frontier Yes
Unengaged Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 18012
ROP3 Code 113506
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 12  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
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 12  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 1
  Gujarat 1,600
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Estimated Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
100.00 %
Judaism
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Sikhism
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Gujarati (1,100 speakers)
Ethnologue Language Code guj
Ethnologue Language Familly Indo-European
Glottolog Language Family Indo-European
Written / Published Yes   (ScriptSource Listing)
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Kacchi
400
Primary Language Gujarati (1,100 speakers)
Ethnologue Language Code guj
Ethnologue Language Familly Indo-European
Glottolog Language Family Indo-European
Written / Published Yes   (ScriptSource Listing)
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Kacchi 400

Primary Language:  Gujarati

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1809-1965)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1820-1985)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1823-2021)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Online Scripture / Bible General / Other
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories Story Runners
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Gujarati Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Voice of the Martyrs resources Voice of the Martyrs
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app direct APK download SIL
Mobile App Android Bible app: Gujarati YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible App: Gujarati Bible (ગુજરાતી બાઇબલ) Indian Revised Version (IRV) Operation Agape
Mobile App Android Bible app: Gujarati Study Bible Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible Radio app: Gujarati Bible Radio Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Children's Bible app Bible4Kidz
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Gujarati YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible Radio App: Gujarati Bible Radio iOS Revive India
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Gujarati Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Text / Printed Matter tools for gospel conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.