Maha Brahmin in India

The Maha Brahmin 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

Brahmins are the highest of the four varna (major caste groupings) in Hinduism. The historical developments of various Brahmin castes are not clear, as the history of the caste system itself is unclear. There was perhaps a caste system based on personal merit at one time before the hereditary caste system became dominant, as is seen in modern history. Brahmin castes became powerful in the early centuries of the Christian Era through alliances with kings, who granted them landed estates related to temples and temple service. There has never been a comprehensive analysis of all the different types and subgroups of Brahmins.

Traditionally Brahmins have five daily duties; to the gods, to ancestors, to all creatures, to humans, and to study. Thus daily worship (duty to gods) and chanting of sacred texts (duty to study) are an integral part of many Brahmins' lives, even if this is only a token routine for many.


Where Are they Located?

Maha Brahmins are scattered across India in dozens of jātis (castes) speaking many different languages. A high percentage of them also speak English as higher education in India is mostly English medium.

Brahmins are disproportionately represented among overseas Indians due to their higher educational attainments, so those who reach out to Indian nationals in the West are very likely reaching out to people who are extremely difficult to reach in South Asia.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Traditionally in the varna system Brahmins are considered as priests, but a temple priest is a lowly position that no Maha Brahmin family wants their sons to aspire towards. Rather, there is strong pressure for higher education, particularly in computer science and engineering. Maha Brahmins have a strong work ethic and are often leaders, whether politically, intellectually, spiritually or socially.

Maha Brahmins are deeply influenced by the traditional four stages of life; the first student stage is followed by the householder stage, where marriage, raising a family and being a productive member of society is the primary obligation of an individual. Once children are married there is time for spiritual concerns in the third stage of reclusiveness, which is followed (this is rarely practiced) by itinerant homeless wandering (sannyasa).

Often a busy Brahmin will put off spiritual discussions as an issue for later in life. The famous Bhagavad Gita text does not support this, however, as it calls for all humanity to engage in doing good to all without thought of merit or reward for such actions.


What Are Their Beliefs?

In some cases Brahmin subgroups are defined by their theological distinctions such as Madhva Brahmins, who are defined by their dualist theology, though everyone does not actually hold those beliefs. However, many Brahmin castes are made up of people who adhere to all the various philosophical and theological options espoused by modern Hindus, including hard core secularists and atheists. One can never predict what an individual Brahmin might believe or disbelieve!


What Are Their Needs?

Maha Brahmins as an influential and generally well-to-do community are not unlike the middle classes of most places. Their main needs involve relational strains that are usually kept behind closed doors. Modernization is breaking down family units which have been the glue to society for many generations, and loneliness is increasingly a problem. They are expected to "achieve it all," but ironically, achieving it all can be empty.


Prayer Points

Pray for Christ to reveal Himself to Maha Brahmin leaders.
Pray for the eyes of Maha Brahmin hearts to be open to Jesus Christ as Lord and king.
Pray for Holy Spirit directed Christ followers to go to Maha Brahmin communities.
Pray for a disciple making movement to emerge among every Brahmin community.
Pray for many to be prompted to faithfully pray for Brahmins.


Scripture Prayers for the Brahmin Maha in India.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/19958/IN


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Brahmin Maha
People Name in Country Brahmin Maha
Natural Name Maha Brahmin
Alternate Names Acharaj; Acharj; Acharya; Acharyya; Bhadaudiye; Brahman Terai; Brahmin Terai; Maha Brahman; Maha Brahmin; Mahapatra; Mohial; Mohyal; Mohyal. Mahabrahman; Muhial; ब्रामिन, महा
Population this Country 233,000
Population all Countries 233,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 5
People ID 19958
ROP3 Code 115735
ROP25 Code 301405
ROP25 Name Brahmin
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 on file 19
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
Uttar Pradesh
107,000
Delhi
43,000
Jammu and Kashmir
17,000
Bihar
12,000
West Bengal
9,800
Punjab
9,600
Gujarat
6,900
Uttarakhand
6,000
Haryana
5,900
Maharashtra
3,800
Odisha
3,300
Andhra Pradesh
2,400
Jharkhand
2,400
Madhya Pradesh
1,400
Rajasthan
1,300
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 19
  Uttar Pradesh 107,000
  Delhi 43,000
  Jammu and Kashmir 17,000
  Bihar 12,000
  West Bengal 9,800
  Punjab 9,600
  Gujarat 6,900
  Uttarakhand 6,000
  Haryana 5,900
  Maharashtra 3,800
  Odisha 3,300
  Andhra Pradesh 2,400
  Jharkhand 2,400
  Madhya Pradesh 1,400
  Rajasthan 1,300
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 Hindi (128,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 24
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Bhojpuri
16,000
Punjabi, Eastern
11,000
Dogri
9,400
Bengali
5,700
Gujarati
5,500
Awadhi
4,100
Kanauji
2,400
Odia
2,400
Telugu
2,200
Marathi
2,100
Maithili
1,800
Garhwali
1,300
Kannada
1,100
Kashmiri
1,100
Dhundari
400
Primary Language Hindi (128,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 24
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Bhojpuri 16,000
  Punjabi, Eastern 11,000
  Dogri 9,400
  Bengali 5,700
  Gujarati 5,500
  Awadhi 4,100
  Kanauji 2,400
  Odia 2,400
  Telugu 2,200
  Marathi 2,100
  Maithili 1,800
  Garhwali 1,300
  Kannada 1,100
  Kashmiri 1,100
  Dhundari 400
People Groups Speaking Hindi

Primary Language:  Hindi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1806-1962)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1811-1998)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1818-2022)
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Photo Source (Representative photo)
Copyrighted © 2024  Isudas  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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