Rajput Lok in India

The Rajput Lok have only been reported in India
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Introduction / History

Starting in the 5th century there was a massive attack by the White Huns in what is now northern and northwestern India and Pakistan. About a century later the reigning Hindu-based Gupta Empire broke up, leaving the Subcontinent vulnerable to Muslim invaders from the north. As time went on, invaders took over land and integrated with the settled peoples of this region. Tribal leaders, especially those involved with defense, were accepted as Kshatriya, the second highest varna (major type of castes) in Hindu society, while their followers became the fourth and lowest varna. Priests became the Brahmins, the highest of the four varnas.
The Rajputs, who were part of the Kshatriya varna, became politically important in the seventh century. From around 800CE Rajput dynasties ruled northern India. Petty Rajput kingdoms were the main obstacle for Muslim domination of the Hindu subcontinent. For hundreds of years Rajputs were the warriors who defended kingdoms from invaders and conquered others. When possible, Rajputs settled down, became nobles, and enjoyed the lives of landed gentry.
Over a period of a couple hundred years, invaders penetrated the Rajput wall that protected the Subcontinent. Some Rajput subgroups converted to Islam during this time. The British Empire put an end to the Moghul Empire, but they recruited Rajputs into their military units. In the early 1970s, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi abolished Rajput titles and property rights. The Rajputs have kept alive their proud history of conquest, bravery and military might.
The Lok Rajput clan lives entirely in Rajasthan, a highly unreached state in northwestern India.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Though Lok Rajputs are still in the armed forces or own land, many have moved on to other livelihoods. Wealthy Rajputs now own impressive hotels in Rajasthan where tourists can be introduced to their history and culture. Rajputs who aren't so fortunate work as small businessmen or wage laborers.
Rajputs often try to marry their daughters into clans of higher rank than their own. The Rajput clans in Rajasthan have the highest status, so families want their daughters to marry men from that state. Unfortunately, Rajputs often marry their daughters off while they are very young.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Forward caste Hindus often become devotees of a couple of gods. Typically, Rajputs worship Shiva (the destroyer), Surya (the sun god), and Durga (the mother goddess). They also have patron gods to turn to for protection. They celebrate Dasahara, a festival dedicated to Durga. During this festival, they sacrifice a buffalo to celebrate this goddess' victory over a buffalo demon. To find spiritual answers, Hindus often turn to gurus.


What Are Their Needs?

Lok Rajputs are going through an identity crisis. They can no longer depend on land ownership or military careers, especially with the Indian government reserving prestigious jobs for "backward" (i.e., underprivileged) castes. Believers with the right skills can help them during this time of transition.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Lok Rajput community to increasingly grow in awareness of Jesus, his life and his sacrifice for them.
Pray the Holy Spirit will give Lok Rajputs a spiritual hunger, then satisfy that hunger.
Pray that these Rajputs will understand the value of becoming part of God's royal family.
Pray for a Holy Spirit led humility for all Rajput communities to fall at the feet of the King of kings.
Pray for a disciple making movement among every Rajput community.


Scripture Prayers for the Rajput Lok in India.


References

https://www.quora.com/Who-are-superior-between-rajputs-and-marathas
https://books.google.com/books?id=PqsMAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA289&lpg=PA289&dq=Mahratta+Rajputs&source=bl&ots=g80Yu-QwKF&sig=NjK-cc93WrTt29xx-AkRdFm_4K8&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjC2NeojPXRAhWqj1QKHZ0ZA-gQ6AEIPDAF
http://induhistory.blogspot.com/p/rajput-history.html
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Rajput
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajput


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Rajput Lok
People Name in Country Rajput Lok
Alternate Names
Population this Country 40,000
Population all Countries 40,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 22308
ROP3 Code 119120
ROP25 Code 306917
ROP25 Name Rajput
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 2
Largest States
Rajasthan
40,000
Haryana
40
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 2
  Rajasthan 40,000
  Haryana 40
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 Marwari (India) (12,000 speakers)
Language Code rwr   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 9
Secondary Languages
Hindi
11,000
Mewari
3,400
Dhundari
3,000
Shekhawati
2,700
Dogri
500
Bagri
300
Haroti
80
Punjabi, Eastern
80
Primary Language Marwari (India) (12,000 speakers)
Language Code rwr   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 9
Secondary Languages
  Hindi 11,000
  Mewari 3,400
  Dhundari 3,000
  Shekhawati 2,700
  Dogri 500
  Bagri 300
  Haroti 80
  Punjabi, Eastern 80
People Groups Speaking Marwari (India)
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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