Rajbansi (Hindu traditions) 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

The Rajbansi are an agricultural, indigenous people who live in India and Bangladesh. Smaller groups of Rajbansi live in Nepal and Bhutan. The Rajbansi claim to be descendants of the kings of the Koch Dynasty that ruled Bengali lands in the 16th century.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The primary languages of the Rajbansi are Bengali, Rangpuri and Hindi. Many of the Rajbansi are unable to read and write. Their culture is passed on by oral tradition using songs, dances, music and poetry. Some Rajbansi have attended universities and become leading politicians and athletes. Most Rajbansi still live in rural villages surrounded by their farmland. Each family owns its small plot of land. Wet rice is the leading crop followed by vegetables, maize, potatoes, and wheat. Families also raise goats, chickens, sheep, and pigs for food and to sell. Fish also makes up a big part of their diet. As Hindus the Rajbansi do not eat beef. Men and women have separate roles. The men cultivate the land and take care of the animals while the women have domestic responsibilities. Families arrange marriages with the group. Newly wedded couples live with or near the groom's parents. Sons inherit property. Village elders and priests perform important family ceremonies such as births, weddings and funerals. Some Rajbansi are moving to the cities in order to obtain a better education for their children and for new economic opportunities. Urban Rajbansi work in factories, construction and in the fishing trade.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Rajbansi practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India along with a strong element of animism. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. 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 Rajbansi visit Hindu shrines and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. The Rajbansi believe that spirits inhabit the objects of nature such as mountains, rivers, trees and rocks. They fear offending these spirits and perform rituals to appease them. The main yearly holidays of the Rajbansi people are 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. The caste system divides Hindus into four main categories. The lowest communities are outside of the caste system. As a tribal people, the Rajbansi are assigned low status in Hindu society.


What Are Their Needs?

The Rajbansi need to learn new job skills and how to read and write. Their children need good schools in order to improve their place in Indian society. Most of all the Rajbansi must hear the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. He can free them from their fear of natural spirits and forgive their sins.


Prayer Points

Pray that Indian believers will befriend the Rajbansi and tell them about the Savior. Pray that gospel radio programs and gospel recordings will lead them to salvation. Pray for a Holy Spirit empowered disciple making movement to Christ among them. Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will begin breaking up the soil through intercession.


Scripture Prayers for the Rajbansi (Hindu traditions) in India.


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Rajbansi (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Rajbansi (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation rahj-VAHN-see
Alternate Names Bahey; Desi; Kocch; Koch; Konch; Paliya; Raghubansi; Rajbanshi; Rajbansim; Tajpuri; राजबांसी
Population this Country 5,661,000
Population all Countries 7,425,000
Total Countries 4
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 3  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 113
PeopleID3 14513
ROP3 Code 108268
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 34
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
West Bengal
3,823,000
Bihar
579,000
Assam
229,000
Jharkhand
147,000
Odisha
25,000
Andaman and Nicobar
13,000
Meghalaya
12,000
Delhi
11,000
Nagaland
11,000
Maharashtra
11,000
Uttar Pradesh
11,000
Arunachal Pradesh
10,000
Chhattisgarh
9,800
Madhya Pradesh
4,800
Manipur
4,400
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 34  (only 20 largest shown)
  West Bengal 3,823,000
  Bihar 579,000
  Assam 229,000
  Jharkhand 147,000
  Odisha 25,000
  Andaman and Nicobar 13,000
  Meghalaya 12,000
  Delhi 11,000
  Nagaland 11,000
  Maharashtra 11,000
  Uttar Pradesh 11,000
  Arunachal Pradesh 10,000
  Chhattisgarh 9,800
  Madhya Pradesh 4,800
  Manipur 4,400
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.04 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.47 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
98.96 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.53 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Bengali (3,560,000 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 27
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Rajbanshi
607,000
Hindi
248,000
Maithili
192,000
Assamese
74,000
Rangpuri
27,000
Odia
12,000
Koch
9,900
Sadri
3,300
Amri Karbi
1,800
Bhojpuri
1,600
Surjapuri
1,500
Magahi
1,300
Andaman Hindi Creole
1,100
Santhali
600
Kurux
500
Primary Language Bengali (3,560,000 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 27
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Rajbanshi 607,000
  Hindi 248,000
  Maithili 192,000
  Assamese 74,000
  Rangpuri 27,000
  Odia 12,000
  Koch 9,900
  Sadri 3,300
  Amri Karbi 1,800
  Bhojpuri 1,600
  Surjapuri 1,500
  Magahi 1,300
  Andaman Hindi Creole 1,100
  Santhali 600
  Kurux 500
People Groups Speaking Bengali

Primary Language:  Bengali

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1800-1980)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1801-1984)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1809-2022)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
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Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
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Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
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Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Bengali Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
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Mobile App Android Bible app: Bengali Bangla Version Bible General / Other
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Mobile App Android Bible App: Bengali Bible (Common Language Version) Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Android Bible App: Bengali Bible (বাঙালি বাইবেল) Indian Revised Version (IRV) Operation Agape
Mobile App Android Bible app: Bengali Mussolmani Bible General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: Kitabul Muqaddas (Bangla) General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: পবিত্র বাইবেল (Holy Bible) General / Other
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Text / Printed Matter Bible: Comic Book Version Super Bible / Comic Bible Society
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Christ for the Nations General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Bengali Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Online New Testament (Bibles India) Operation Agape
Text / Printed Matter The Ancient Path Live Global
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  International Mission Board-SBC  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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