Mundala in India

The Mundala 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 Mundala are a community found in India, though detailed published information about their specific historical origins and cultural background is limited. Like many smaller communities across the Indian subcontinent, their identity has likely been shaped through regional traditions, hereditary occupations, family lineage, and local social structures preserved across generations.

Communities throughout India often developed distinct identities connected to village life, religious customs, trade, agriculture, or labor patterns. Over time, modernization, migration, and changing economic conditions have influenced many traditional communities while still leaving strong ties to inherited customs and family identity. The Mundala appear to belong within this broader pattern of Indian community life shaped by longstanding cultural continuity.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The daily lives of the Mundala are likely centered around family relationships, work responsibilities, and community obligations. In many Indian communities, extended families continue to play an important role in providing emotional, social, and financial support. Respect for elders and preserving family reputation are often deeply valued.

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

Meals commonly reflect regional Indian cuisine and may include rice, lentils, vegetables, flatbreads, dairy products, and locally available foods. Weddings, religious festivals, and family ceremonies are often major social events that reinforce community identity and strengthen social bonds.

Like many traditional communities across India, the Mundala are likely experiencing the effects of urbanization, migration, modern technology, and economic pressures, especially among younger generations balancing traditional expectations with contemporary life.


What Are Their Beliefs?

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

In some communities, folk religion, ancestral customs, astrology, local spirit beliefs, and ritual purity traditions may also shape everyday spiritual life. Religious practice is often closely connected to cultural identity and inherited family tradition.

Although Hinduism contains many devotional systems and philosophies, the Mundala still need the gospel of Jesus Christ and the assurance of salvation that comes through faith in Him rather than through ritual observance or religious effort.


What Are Their Needs?

The Mundala 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 little meaningful exposure to evangelical Christianity or clear biblical teaching.

Practical needs may include educational opportunities, healthcare access, stable employment, and support for families facing economic hardship or social pressure. 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 the gospel. Strong local fellowships capable of discipling believers and strengthening families are important for long-term spiritual growth.


Prayer Items

Pray that the Mundala 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 Mundala with wisdom, compassion, and perseverance.
Pray that the Mundala 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 Mundala community.


Scripture Prayers for the Mundala 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 Mundala
People Name in Country Mundala
Alternate Names मुंडला
Population this Country 30,000
Population all Countries 30,000
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 17704
ROP3 Code 113152
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 on file 8
Largest States
Karnataka
29,000
Andhra Pradesh
400
Kerala
300
Telangana
200
Odisha
70
Goa
40
Tamil Nadu
30
Puducherry
20
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 8
  Karnataka 29,000
  Andhra Pradesh 400
  Kerala 300
  Telangana 200
  Odisha 70
  Goa 40
  Tamil Nadu 30
  Puducherry 20
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Estimated Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
100.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
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 Kannada (19,000 speakers)
Ethnologue Language Code kan
Ethnologue Language Familly Dravidian
Glottolog Language Family Dravidian
Written / Published Yes   (ScriptSource Listing)
Total Languages 6
Secondary Languages
Tulu
6,000
Konkani, Goan
2,200
Telugu
1,000
Malayalam
200
Tamil
30
Primary Language Kannada (19,000 speakers)
Ethnologue Language Code kan
Ethnologue Language Familly Dravidian
Glottolog Language Family Dravidian
Written / Published Yes   (ScriptSource Listing)
Total Languages 6
Secondary Languages
  Tulu 6,000
  Konkani, Goan 2,200
  Telugu 1,000
  Malayalam 200
  Tamil 30

Primary Language:  Kannada

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1812-1988)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1827-2023)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1827-2024)
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 Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Audio Recordings Online Scripture / Bible General / Other
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
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 Jesus Film: view in Kannada 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 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 in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
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 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: Kannada YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Kannada Bible Biblica
Mobile App Android Bible App: Kannada Bible (ಕನ್ನಡ ಬೈಬಲ್) Indian Revised Version (IRV) Operation Agape
Mobile App Android Bible app: Kannada Study Bible Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible app: Pastors Study Bible Kannada Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible Radio app: Kannada Bible Radio Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Children's Bible app Bible4Kidz
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Kannada YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible Radio App: Kannada Bible Radio iOS Revive India
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Kannada Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter The Ancient Path Live Global
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.