Jat Sindhu (Hindu traditions) 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

Sindhu is an ancient and large Jat gotra (clan or lineage) that can be Hindu, Muslim or Sikh. There are different opinions as to the origin of the Jats, but most seem to recognize them to be from Indo-Aryan tribes native to the Punjab region that straddles modern Pakistan and India. There is a theory suggesting that they may be the predecessors of Gypsies. They probably reached Egypt with the Muslim conquerors, lived in Afghanistan before the Muslims, and invaded China with the Mongol Army. They also proved to be a threat to Tamarlane in Persia and Uzbekistan in the 1400s.

There are very few records concerning Jats prior to the 1600s. They rose to prominence following the 1669 Jat uprising against Mughal rule, and they ruled various princely states throughout the 18th century. For centuries the Jat lifestyle was designed to foster a martial spirit. Whenever they lost their kingdoms, Jat people became landlords who were ready to defend their land against any invaders.

After 1858, under the British Raj, the Jats were known for their service in the Indian Army, being categorized as a "martial race" by the British. For a couple hundred years Jats were a force that could not be ignored by South Asians or British imperialists.


Where Are they Located?

The Hindu Sindhu Jats live in the Indian states of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Sindhu Jats have a very 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.

Conservative by nature, the Jats rarely marry people from other people groups. From about 1650 AD onwards marrying within same gotra (ie, clan) 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, the Jats 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.

Most of the SIndhu Jats live in rural areas, and they are usually landowners. A small percentage are traders and laborers. Today, the 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?

Hindu Jats adhere to traditional practices as well as a wide variety of additional beliefs. They might worship one god, many gods, or none at all depending on what they believe will benefit them. They are very pragmatic in their spiritual practices. Regardless of their religious affiliation, Jats observe many ceremonies, especially rites of passage. Like many other Indian communities of good standing, the Jats have a negative view of Christianity. The only Indians they see embracing Christ come from low caste groups.


What Are Their Needs?

Many rural Jat 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

Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers to work among the Hindu Sindhu Jats.
Pray that Christian doctors, nurses, and humanitarian aid workers will have opportunities to share the love of Jesus with the Sindhu Jats.
Ask God to save key Jat leaders who will boldly proclaim the gospel to their own people.
Pray that churches and mission organizations will accept the challenge of adopting and reaching the Sindhu Jats.
Ask God to raise up teams of intercessors who will faithfully stand in the gap for the Jats.
Pray for a disciple making movement to emerge among every Jat clan and community.


Scripture Prayers for the Jat Sindhu (Hindu traditions) in India.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/20012/IN
https://www.jatland.com/home/Sindhu
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jat_people
https://www.jatland.com/home/Jats
https://www.jatland.com/home/Jats#Life_and_culture_of_Jat_People
http://www.dawn.com/news/1077113
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/12329/IN
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/18777/IN
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/17571/IN
https://www.facebook.com/JuttWelfareAssociationvahari/posts/409390069112769


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Jat Sindhu (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Jat Sindhu (Hindu traditions)
Alternate Names जाट, सिंधु (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 396,000
Population all Countries 402,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 8
People ID 20012
ROP3 Code 115920
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 13
Largest States
Punjab
127,000
Haryana
86,000
Rajasthan
61,000
Delhi
52,000
Uttar Pradesh
37,000
Chandigarh
11,000
Himachal Pradesh
7,600
Madhya Pradesh
6,100
Maharashtra
3,500
Uttarakhand
3,100
West Bengal
1,400
Jammu and Kashmir
1,000
Gujarat
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 13
  Punjab 127,000
  Haryana 86,000
  Rajasthan 61,000
  Delhi 52,000
  Uttar Pradesh 37,000
  Chandigarh 11,000
  Himachal Pradesh 7,600
  Madhya Pradesh 6,100
  Maharashtra 3,500
  Uttarakhand 3,100
  West Bengal 1,400
  Jammu and Kashmir 1,000
  Gujarat 200
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 Hindi (170,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 16
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Punjabi, Eastern
123,000
Marwari
13,000
Haryanvi
9,800
Dhundari
6,600
Bagri
4,700
Shekhawati
2,400
Mewari
2,300
Kumaoni
700
Bilaspuri
400
Braj Bhasha
300
Garhwali
200
Marathi
200
Malvi
200
Punjabi, Western
200
Bengali
100
Primary Language Hindi (170,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 16
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Punjabi, Eastern 123,000
  Marwari 13,000
  Haryanvi 9,800
  Dhundari 6,600
  Bagri 4,700
  Shekhawati 2,400
  Mewari 2,300
  Kumaoni 700
  Bilaspuri 400
  Braj Bhasha 300
  Garhwali 200
  Marathi 200
  Malvi 200
  Punjabi, Western 200
  Bengali 100
People Groups Speaking Hindi

Primary Language:  Hindi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
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Bible-New Testament Yes  (1811-1998)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1818-2022)
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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 Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
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Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Kerry Olson  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
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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