Subgroups: 3
Subgroup Name | Population ▼ | |
---|---|---|
Vadval | 47,000 | |
Sashtikar | 34,000 | |
Ashtagarkar | 2,300 |
The Somvanshi Khatri or Somvanshiya are a people who live throughout northern, western and central India. Experts say that the Khatri originally came from Punjab and over the centuries moved south into central India. Most Khatri fall in the third of the four main castes of Hinduism, the Vaishyas. Some Khatri see themselves as Kshatriya, the descendant of kings and warriors. Most of the Somvanshiya Khatri live in Delhi, the national capital territory and Haryana, the state west of the city. The main languages of the Khatri are Hindi, English and Eastern Punjabi. Only a very tiny group of Khatri consider themselves followers of Christ.
Today Khatri are known as financiers, business owners, traders, and industrialists. Some are involved in the cotton fabric and silk trades. The Khatri also work in law enforcement, the military, medicine, entertainment, and science. The Somvanshiya are one of the most powerful, forward castes in north central and western India. The Khatri live as members of the modern, urban Indian society. Somvanshiya are monogamous that is marriage to one spouse is their practice. They marry within their group. Families arrange marriages with the consent of the young people. Parents encourage their children to graduate from universities and graduate schools. Sons inherit property upon the death of their father. Brahmin priests officiate at important family ceremonies such as births, weddings and funerals. Caste associations settle legal disputes and promote their interests. The Khatri eat meat except for beef.
The Khatri 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. The Khatri 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 Khatri have built multiple Hindu temples in and near the city of Mumbai. Mumbai is the financial center of India. The main yearly holidays of the Khatri 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. The caste system divides Hindus into four main categories. Dalits and tribal peoples are outside of the caste system.
The Khatri need to hear and understand the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. It is often difficult for more successful people to humble themselves before the Savior. The Somvanshiya Khatri must see themselves as sinners in need of forgiveness from a holy, personal God.
Pray that God sends Hindu background believers to the Somvanshiya Khatri to tell them about Jesus Christ. Pray that Hindi and Eastern Punjabi Bibles fall into the hands of Khatri who are seeking for truth. Pray that a strong movement to Jesus will bring whole Somvanshiya Khatri families and communities into a rich experience of God's blessings. Pray that God will overthrow spiritual forces of darkness opposing the spread of His gospel among the Khatri.
Scripture Prayers for the Somvanshi in India.
Profile Source: Keith Carey |
People Name General | Somvanshi |
People Name in Country | Somvanshi |
Population this Country | 588,000 |
Population all Countries | 588,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 12 |
Alternate Names | Chaukalshi; Khatri; Panch Kalshi; Panch Kalsia; Panchkalsi; Panchkalsi Sutar; Patkar; Somvanshi Kshatriya; Wadavat; सोमवंशी |
People ID | 17882 |
ROP3 Code | 113361 |
Affinity Bloc | South Asian Peoples |
People Cluster | South Asia Hindu - other |
People Group | Somvanshi |
Ethnic Code | CNN25 |
Affinity Bloc | South Asian Peoples |
People Cluster | South Asia Hindu - other |
People Group | Somvanshi |
Ethnic Code | CNN25 |
Total Subgroups | 3 |
Vadval 47,000 | |
Sashtikar 34,000 | |
Ashtagarkar 2,300 |
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 | 10 | ||||||||||||
Largest States |
|
||||||||||||
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 | 10 |
Maharashtra 341,000 | |
Karnataka 202,000 | |
Tamil Nadu 37,000 | |
Gujarat 1,700 | |
Telangana 1,500 | |
Uttar Pradesh 300 | |
Goa 300 | |
Madhya Pradesh 200 | |
Andhra Pradesh 100 | |
Delhi 100 | |
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 | Marathi (218,000 speakers) | |||||||||
Language Code | mar Ethnologue Listing | |||||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||||||||
Total Languages | 8 | |||||||||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Marathi (218,000 speakers) |
Language Code | mar Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 8 |
Secondary Languages | |
Kannada 176,000 | |
Konkani 71,000 | |
Hindi 22,000 | |
Tulu 8,200 | |
Konkani, Goan 2,900 | |
Gujarati 900 | |
English 300 | |
People Groups | Speaking Marathi |
Primary Language: Marathi
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1807-1957) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1811-1982) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1821-2022) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Bible-NT Text | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |