Agri 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.

Subgroups: 3

Subgroup Name Population
Das 14,000
Dhol 7,700
Varap 7,600

Introduction / History

The Agri are an ethnic community native to Mumbai. They migrated to Mumbai during the 13th century during the reign of Raja Bhimdev. The name Agri (pronounced agari) comes from Agar, a salt-pan. A legend states that two sons, Agla and Mangla, were born to the sage Agasti. The former become the ancestor of the Agris, the latter of the Mangelas (fishermen). The first was told to support himself by the manufacture of salt from the sea, the latter by fishing. The god Parashuram, intending to throw back the sea, was prevented by the intervention of Agri and Mangela women. At their request he consented to throw it back only 27 miles and the strip thus formed become the Konkan, a strip of coastal land. At present the Agri are distributed in Rajasthan, Delhi, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. The Agri of Maharashtra are also known as Agle and Kharpatil.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Agri people are business oriented. People have extensive real estate property which was earlier used for farming. They are fond of gold and Agri women wear gold ornaments. Salt making, fishing and rice farming are the major occupations of this community. Rice bread, steamed rice with meat and fish is their daily diet. Not just men but women also help in earning the daily bread. Women take care of their house as well as manage the professional transactions. This is the major reason why there is no dowry system in this community. The Haldi ceremony is held before the wedding day. On this day men and women gather and dance freely. All young and elderly women are given the freedom to dance. A major turning point in an individual's life is when he or she marries. Giving or receiving a dowry is considered a taboo among the Agri people. If we go through India's history, we find many cases of dominating and suppressing women for dowry. But women in this community are safe.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The large majority of the Agri practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. 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 Agri 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 as Christians do. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs. They celebrate Ganesh Utsav, Navratri, Hanuman Jayanti and Ram Navmi and fairs with devotion. This community is gifted with lovely and traditional customs along with their adventurous and prosperous occupation of fishing.


What Are Their Needs?

The Agri people need to put all their trust in Jesus Christ so they can experience life to the full. The Santal would benefit by learning new job skills and improved literacy.


Prayer Points

Pray for a spiritual hunger that will give the Agri people a willingness to seek the eternal blessings of Jesus Christ. Pray for a disciple making movement among the Agri people this decade. Pray for the Lord to send out workers to the Agri people.


Scripture Prayers for the Agri in India.


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Agri
People Name in Country Agri
Pronunciation AH-gree
Alternate Names Aagri; Agle; Kharpatil; Mith Agri; Shilpakar; Silpkar Agri; अग्री
Population this Country 494,000
Population all Countries 494,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 10
PeopleID3 16180
ROP3 Code 111284
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 14
Largest States
Maharashtra
404,000
Gujarat
70,000
Goa
6,500
Uttarakhand
3,100
Madhya Pradesh
3,100
Rajasthan
3,000
Uttar Pradesh
1,400
Chhattisgarh
800
Delhi
700
Karnataka
600
Punjab
100
West Bengal
90
Dadra and Nagar Have
70
Tamil Nadu
30
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 14
  Maharashtra 404,000
  Gujarat 70,000
  Goa 6,500
  Uttarakhand 3,100
  Madhya Pradesh 3,100
  Rajasthan 3,000
  Uttar Pradesh 1,400
  Chhattisgarh 800
  Delhi 700
  Karnataka 600
  Punjab 100
  West Bengal 90
  Dadra and Nagar Have 70
  Tamil Nadu 30
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
2.27 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
97.73 %
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 Marathi (182,000 speakers)
Language Code mar   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 15
Secondary Languages
Konkani, Goan
83,000
Konkani
82,000
Gujarati
69,000
Hindi
12,000
Sindhi
5,400
Garhwali
2,200
Kacchi
1,200
Wagdi
500
Marwari (India)
400
Kannada
200
Punjabi, Eastern
80
Bengali
60
Mewari
50
Bhojpuri
30
Primary Language Marathi (182,000 speakers)
Language Code mar   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 15
Secondary Languages
  Konkani, Goan 83,000
  Konkani 82,000
  Gujarati 69,000
  Hindi 12,000
  Sindhi 5,400
  Garhwali 2,200
  Kacchi 1,200
  Wagdi 500
  Marwari (India) 400
  Kannada 200
  Punjabi, Eastern 80
  Bengali 60
  Mewari 50
  Bhojpuri 30
People Groups Speaking Marathi

Primary Language:  Marathi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1807-1957)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1811-1982)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1821-2024)
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Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Anonymous 
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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