Kalwar Jaiswal in India

Kalwar Jaiswal
Photo Source:  Anonymous 
Map Source:  People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project
People Name: Kalwar Jaiswal
Country: India
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 1,152,000
World Population: 1,158,600
Primary Language: Hindi
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Christian Adherents: 0.00 %
Evangelicals: 0.00 %
Scripture: Complete Bible
Online Audio NT: Yes
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
People Cluster: South Asia Hindu - other
Affinity Bloc: South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Jaiswal Kalwar live in central India. Jaiswal is a subgroup of the greater Kalwar community. The name Jaiswal comes from a district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh where this people originated. They were traditionally involved in the distillation and sale of liquor. The primary language of the Kalwar is Hindi.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Since the alcohol business was considered degrading by many Hindus and Muslims, the Jaiswal Kalwar became active in other occupations like politics, trade, education, agriculture, law enforcement and the military.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Jaiswal Kalwar people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They 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 other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins.

Almost all Hindus participate in yearly celebrations like 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.

What Are Their Needs?

When Jaiswal become believers in Christ, their families may shun them. They may lose income in their businesses by following Christ. Bibles, literature and radio programs exist in Hindi. Hindu background believers can share with the Jaiswal the blessings of knowing God through Christ.

Prayer Points

Pray the Lord will start a movement of Jaiswal families experiencing God's blessings, spiritually and economically.

Pray for Jaiswal families and communities to discover and embrace the free gift of life found by trusting Christ and his finished work.

Pray that many Jaiswal families will come to love God with their whole being and will walk in His ways as a testimony of Christ's transforming power.

Text Source:   Joshua Project