Jat Dhillon (Sikh traditions) in India

The Jat Dhillon (Sikh 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

In India, caste discrimination is forbidden by the constitution, but in actuality it pervades all religious and social structures. Socially, the most elite castes are called "forward castes," and among them are the 12 million Jats. Though most Jats are either Muslim or Hindu, those in the Punjab state are mainly Sikh. Among the Jats, there are sub-groups. The largest group is the Jat Dhillons, often called the Raja Jats due to the large number of kings, royalty, and warriors that have come from their clan. Its history dates back over 4,000 years with an impressive history in clan folklore. The Dhillon Dynasty probably founded India's capital city, Delhi, and ruled there from 800-283 B.C. The city's name is derived from the clan's name.



What Are Their Live Like?

Overall, Jat Dhillons have a good self-image. "Men may come and men may go, but I go on forever," is a well-known Jat proverb. They are brave, hardworking people who possess both the desire and ability to rule. It has been said that no Jat wants to be ruled. Rather, he desires to have power over a group if not over an area. They take great pride in their ancestry. In fact, all the Jats in a particular village consider themselves to be the descendants of the man whom they believe founded it by the power of the sword. Traditionally Jats have dominated as the political class in Haryana and Punjab.

Conservative by nature, Jat Dhillons rarely marry people from other people groups. From about 1650 AD onwards marrying within same gotra (ie, lineage or community) became more common. The modern-day litmus test that Jat people use in marriage is if the girl and boy must not have the same great-great-grandparents (not related for four generations). If they are from the same gotra but are not directly related for four generations then it is considered acceptable for them to marry.

Physically, Jat Dhillons are usually taller and heavier than most of their neighbors. Because of their larger build, their reputation for violence, and the fact that they control much of the land and village income, they are generally feared by other communities in South Asia.

Most Jat Dhillons live in rural areas, and they are usually landowners. A small percentage are traders and laborers. Today, Dhillon Jats are well read, and some occupy high positions in academic and technical arenas. The Jat peoples are one of the most prosperous groups in India on a per-capita basis (Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat are the wealthiest of Indian states). Haryana has the largest number of rural crorepatis (similar to "millionaires") in India, all of whom are Jats. Ironically, because they value thriftiness and diligence, the Jats are often regarded as miserly.


What Are Their Beliefs?

There is a strong Christian presence in India's Punjab State, home of most members of the Dhillon Jats. A church planting movement began in 2000 and had goals to have strong churches in each of its 12 districts, to have Christian workers based in each of its 491 pincode areas, and for every people group to have a church. Unfortunately, forward castes like the Jats are the least reached and least open to change. Caste is so important, especially in marriage, that some Jats advocate DNA testing to prove "Jatness" before the wedding.


What Are Their Needs?

Many Jat Dhillon communities need clean drinking water and proper health care facilities. Christian medical teams and humanitarian aid workers are needed to work among them and show them God's love in practical ways.

Missionaries, Christian broadcasts, and evangelistic literature are needed to effectively reach the Jats with the light of the gospel. Most importantly, they need people who will begin to intercede for them, tearing down the strongholds that are keeping them in spiritual bondage. Only then will their hearts be prepared to receive the good news as it is presented to them.


Prayer Points

Pray that Jat Dhillons people will have a spiritual hunger that will drive them to seek and find Jesus Christ.
Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers filled with the power and the fruit of the Holy Spirit to serve the Jat Dhillons.
Ask God to save key Jat Dhillon leaders who will begin a Disciple Making Movement among their people in the 2020s.
Pray for Jat Dhillon leaders to recognize the blessings that Christ offers their families and communities.


Scripture Prayers for the Jat Dhillon (Sikh traditions) in India.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Jat Dhillon (Sikh traditions)
People Name in Country Jat Dhillon (Sikh traditions)
Pronunciation jot DIH-lun
Alternate Names Sikh Jat; जाट, ढिल्लों (सिख ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 221,000
Population all Countries 221,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 4
People ID 19789
ROP3 Code 115854
ROP25 Code 303344
ROP25 Name Jat
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 11
Largest States
Punjab
200,000
Haryana
8,100
Rajasthan
5,700
Uttar Pradesh
2,300
Chandigarh
1,400
Maharashtra
1,200
Jammu and Kashmir
1,000
Uttarakhand
800
Madhya Pradesh
200
Delhi
200
West Bengal
200
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 11
  Punjab 200,000
  Haryana 8,100
  Rajasthan 5,700
  Uttar Pradesh 2,300
  Chandigarh 1,400
  Maharashtra 1,200
  Jammu and Kashmir 1,000
  Uttarakhand 800
  Madhya Pradesh 200
  Delhi 200
  West Bengal 200
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Other / Small
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
100.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Punjabi, Eastern (216,000 speakers)
Language Code pan   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 3
Secondary Languages
Hindi
25,000
Bagri
6,500
Primary Language Punjabi, Eastern (216,000 speakers)
Language Code pan   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 3
Secondary Languages
  Hindi 25,000
  Bagri 6,500
People Groups Speaking Punjabi, Eastern

Primary Language:  Punjabi, Eastern

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1818-1954)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1815-2011)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1959-2021)
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YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
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Amazon
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Forum Bible Agencies
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Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings DAVAR Partners recording, complete Bible DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Recorded oral Bible Oral Bibles
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 Punjabi, Eastern Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
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 Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
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: Punjabi, Eastern YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download Bible from Google Play Store Operation Agape
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Punjabi, Eastern YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Download scripture in this language eBible.org
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Punjabi, Eastern Literacy & Evangelism International
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 Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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