Thakkar in Pakistan


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

The Thakkar or Thakrar are descendants of the ancient Hindu Lohana people. The Lohana were rulers, administrators and warriors of north and west India for over three millennia. They were members of the Kshatriya caste, the second highest caste in Hinduism. In the 18th century the Lohana were defeated by the Muslim armies and became merchants and traders. Some Lohana converted to Islam while most continued to be Hindus. These Hindu businessmen are the Thakkar of today. The Thakkar encourage their children to go to universities. Many of the Thakkar have become physicians, attorneys, engineers, and government leaders. Many are involved in the entertainment field. Some Thakkar have left India and live in Britain, east Africa and in the United States. They form a worldwide business network for other Thakkar.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Thakkar are members of modern society. They live in cities and often are leaders in government and industry. The Thakkar tend to marry within their Kshatriya caste though marrying outside of their caste is becoming more common. Traditionally, a newly married Thakkar couple would live with or near the groom's parents. In modern life this is becoming less common. Brahmin priests are hired to officiate their important life ceremonies like births, weddings and funerals. The Thakkar are not vegetarian but as Hindus they do not eat beef.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Thakkar practice Hinduism. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Shiva, the destroyer god, and Vishnu in his avatars or Rama and Krishna are given special emphasis. The sun god Surya is a patron deity. 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 Thakkar visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods. The main yearly holidays of the Thakkar people are Holi, the festival of colors, Diwali, the festival of lights and Navratri, the celebration of autumn.


What Are Their Needs?

The Thakkar need to see that material riches cannot bring them forgiveness or peace of mind. They need to hear and understand the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. They need to see the gospel of Christ lived out before them by true followers of Christ.


Prayer Points

Pray the Lord will give the Thakkar a spiritual hunger, then satisfy that hunger with the Word of God. Pray that the Thakkar will understand the value of becoming part of God's family. Pray for a Holy Spirit led humility for all Thakkar communities to fall at the feet of the King of kings. Pray that God raises up a Disciple Making Movement in the Thakkar community in Pakistan.


Scripture Prayers for the Thakkar in Pakistan.


References

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szmDmi5F4tw


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Thakkar
People Name in Country Thakkar
Pronunciation TUH-kur
Population this Country 12,000
Population all Countries 705,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
Alternate Names Thakar; Thakur; Thekur; Thokkar; ठक्कर
People ID 18245
ROP3 Code 113777
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 2
Largest States
Sindh
12,000
Balochistan
200
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 2
  Sindh 12,000
  Balochistan 200
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
1.44 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
98.56 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Sindhi (10,000 speakers)
Language Code snd   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
Dhatki
1,900
Kacchi
100
Koli, Wadiyari
30
Primary Language Sindhi (10,000 speakers)
Language Code snd   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
  Dhatki 1,900
  Kacchi 100
  Koli, Wadiyari 30
People Groups Speaking Sindhi
Photo Source Thakkar Hitesh Rana - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project  
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Read more