Bhalla in India

The Bhalla have only been reported in India
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

The Bhalla often call themselves Bhule or Bhulo, meaning "one who habitually forgets." They claim to have a Brahmin background. According to their legend, one of their ancestors left his sacred cord on a leaf while bathing. That is how they lost their Brahmin status.

In the recent past they were soldiers hired by the zamindars. Once the zamindari system was ended, some Bhalla people became robbers.

There are no subgroups and only two clans: Kashyap and Khunerashi.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Bhalla villages are blessed with many useful trees: mango, banana, jackfruit, banyan, coconut and bel. With the trees come birds, rats, squirrels and snakes. They not only grow crops but also keep ducks and chickens for the eggs and meat.

Marriages are determined by clans and family leaders. At one time they married as children, but this is no longer the case. Usually there is one husband and one wife. They still practice the dowry system. The Bhalla community is known for the dance-drama called raibeshe. This features music, songs and gymnastic feats. They often preform these at weddings.

Once married, a wife takes responsibility in the home and in child rearing. She has little to say in local political matters. Within the family, parents show much affection to their children.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Bhalla women are very involved with Hindu religious rituals. They have pollution rituals after a baby is born.

They have no family or clan deity, but the tortoise is their family totem. Therefore, they do not eat tortoise meat.

As Hindus, they celebrate all the regular festivals such as Holi. Religious festivals are important to them, especially ones that honor the Hindu goddesses Durga and Kali. Their religious beliefs do not change very much from generation to generation.


What Are Their Needs?

They need the Holy Spirit to open their eyes so they can see Jesus as he is.


Prayer Points

Pray for many from this unreached people group to understand both God’s judgment and his majestic glory.

Pray for loving workers to go to the Bhalla people, and for their hearts to be ready to receive their savior.

Pray for a chain reaction of families reaching families that result in thousands of new disciples who share their faith with others.

Pray for grace and truth expanding into their entire society as all believers learn to love others.


Scripture Prayers for the Bhalla in India.


References

People of India, Vol 25. K.S. Singh. 2003


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Bhalla
People Name in Country Bhalla
Alternate Names Bholar jat; Bhole; Bhule; Bhulo; भल्ला
Population this Country 4,700
Population all Countries 4,700
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 16480
ROP3 Code 111648
ROP25 Code 301124
ROP25 Name Bhalla
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (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 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 1
  West Bengal 4,700
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 India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Bengali (4,700 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Bengali (4,700 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Bengali

Primary Language:  Bengali

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1800-1980)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1801-1984)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1809-2022)
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 Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Love Story General / Other
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Bengali Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
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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
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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
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.



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