Gandharb (Hindu traditions) in India

The Gandharb (Hindu traditions) 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 Gandharb people, also known as the Gardharv, are a Jat community. They are an ancient people mentioned in the Vedas. In these sacred Hindu writings, they were known as singers, musicians and dancers who lived near temples. The British called the Gandharb a "martial" (military) caste. The Gandharb men fought with and against the British during the colonial period. The Gandharb often led rebellions against the Muslim rulers during the Mughals' reign. For their military services, the Gandharb were given tracts of land for farming. Unfortunately many of the Gandharb are landless agricultural laborers at the present time. The Gandharb still perform at Hindu festivals but is not a source of income.
The main languages of the Gandharb are Bhojpuri and Hindi. Many Christian resources are available in both languages including a complete Bible and JESUS Film.


Where Are they Located?

They live in the Indian states of Bihar and Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Gujarat. Most live in rural villages.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The primary occupation of the Gandharb today is agriculture and military service. Many of the young men join the Indian Army and send money to their families. The lifestyle or the Gandharb varies depending on their ownership of land. Some Gandharb possess land, which they use for farming. Other non-landowning, uneducated Gandharb live at the poverty level. The landowners tend to more educated and middle class. The landless Gandharb live at the subsistence level.

Each Gandharb marries outside of their seven clans or gotras but within the larger group. Families arrange marriages. The newly married couple lives near or with the groom's parents. Sons inherit property with the eldest son becoming head of the family upon his father's death. A caste council promotes the group's interests and settles legal disputes.
The Gandharb grow wheat, lentils, millet, cotton, corn and vegetables. They also keep animals such as chickens, goats and water buffaloes for their family's use.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Gandharb people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Hindus believe that by performing rituals and good works that they will attain moksha or freedom from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. They visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians or Jews. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs.

The main yearly holidays of the Gandharb people are Holi, the festival of colors and the start of spring / Diwali, the festival of lights / Navratri, the celebration of autumn / and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday.


What Are Their Needs?

The landless portion of the Gandharb population need help in learning new job skills and in educating their children. These Gandharb also often lack access to clean water and modern medicine. Most of all, the Gandharb need to hear and understand the message of Jesus Christ. He alone can make them right with the one true God and forgive their sins.


Prayer Points

Pray for gospel workers to catch a vision for reaching the Gandharb people for Jesus and that in God's sovereign timing their hearts would be open and ready to follow Him.
Pray for Jesus movements to bless extended Gandharb families so the gospel will spread rapidly among this people group.
Pray for the spiritual lives of the Gandharb people to become fruitful as they follow Christ.
Pray for the lives and culture of the Gandharb people to evidence the rule and reign of the Kingdom of God as they open to the gospel, and for the beauty of Jesus to be seen in them.


Scripture Prayers for the Gandharb (Hindu traditions) in India.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandharv
https://www.jatland.com/home/Gandharva
http://www.indiachildnames.com/name.aspx?name=Gandharva


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Gandharb (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Gandharb (Hindu traditions)
Alternate Names Gandharb; Gandharp; Gandharv; Gandhrap; Gandhrav; Gandhraw; गंधर्ब (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 17,000
Population all Countries 17,000
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 16811
ROP3 Code 112075
ROP25 Code 302546
ROP25 Name Gandharv / Gandharb
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 5
Largest States
Bihar
6,600
Uttar Pradesh
4,400
West Bengal
4,100
Jharkhand
1,200
Gujarat
1,000
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 5
  Bihar 6,600
  Uttar Pradesh 4,400
  West Bengal 4,100
  Jharkhand 1,200
  Gujarat 1,000
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 Bhojpuri (4,400 speakers)
Language Code bho   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 6
Secondary Languages
Hindi
4,000
Bengali
3,000
Angika
1,600
Gujarati
800
Maithili
700
Primary Language Bhojpuri (4,400 speakers)
Language Code bho   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 6
Secondary Languages
  Hindi 4,000
  Bengali 3,000
  Angika 1,600
  Gujarati 800
  Maithili 700
People Groups Speaking Bhojpuri

Primary Language:  Bhojpuri

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1911-1982)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1998-2007)
Bible-Complete No
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 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 Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Bhojpuri Jesus Film Project
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 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 Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
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: Bhojpuri YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Bhojpuri YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Bhojpuri Literacy & Evangelism International
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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