Bagdi (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 Bagdi people were an important Hindu Bengali warrior caste. The word Bagdi comes from the word Barga which indicates their warrior status. In return for their military service the Bagdi were given land to cultivate. During the colonial period the Bagdi lost almost all of their land when the British disbanded the local armies. The some Bagdi joined the colonial army while others became fishermen, boatmen and landless agricultural workers. Bagdi caste members are found in India and Bangladesh. The large majority of Bagdi live in West Bengal and speak Bengali are their main languages. Smaller groups of Bagdi live in the nation of Bangladesh. Many resources are available in Bengali including a complete Bible. Unfortunately, many Bagdi are illiterate so the gospel will need to be shared in visual and oral forms.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Bagdi now are considered to be the fourth Hindu caste of workers. Most of the Bagdi live in poverty. Some reside in villages without electricity, clean water and access to modern medicine. The few educated Bagdi have taken government jobs and work as administrators, teachers, businesspersons and in medicine. The Bagdi marry within their group. Families arrange marriages. Sons inherit property upon their father's death. A caste association decides legal disputes and promotes their interests. Children often quit school after a few years to help their parents earn a living.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Bagdi 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 Bagdi 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. The main yearly holidays of the Bagdi 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. The Bagdi fit into the worker caste.


What Are Their Needs?

The Bagdi people need to learn new job skills in order to escape their poverty. Their children need good schools. The Bagdi who live in rural villages often need access to clean water and modern medicine. Most of all the Bagdi need to hear about the good news of Jesus Christ. He alone can forgive their sins and give them the hope of eternal life.


Prayer Points

Pray that Bagdi parents are able to provide adequately for their children. Pray that the Bagdi have a hunger for spiritual truth and a desire to investigate the claims of Christ. Pray for the Lord to send workers to the Bagdi people to help them with their spiritual and physical needs.


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


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Bagdi (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Bagdi (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation bahng-ah-DEE
Alternate Names Bagadi; Bagri; Bakti; Bangti; Bargakshatriya; Bogada; Byagra Kshatriya; Byagrakshatriya; Duley; Malia Bagdi; Mete; बागदी (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 3,263,000
Population all Countries 3,349,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 2  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 65
PeopleID3 16281
ROP3 Code 111406
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 28
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
West Bengal
3,101,000
Odisha
73,000
Jharkhand
33,000
Andaman and Nicobar
13,000
Bihar
9,600
Uttar Pradesh
6,800
Meghalaya
6,500
Nagaland
4,900
Arunachal Pradesh
3,100
Delhi
1,900
Uttarakhand
1,800
Manipur
1,400
Madhya Pradesh
1,300
Telangana
1,200
Karnataka
600
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 28  (only 20 largest shown)
  West Bengal 3,101,000
  Odisha 73,000
  Jharkhand 33,000
  Andaman and Nicobar 13,000
  Bihar 9,600
  Uttar Pradesh 6,800
  Meghalaya 6,500
  Nagaland 4,900
  Arunachal Pradesh 3,100
  Delhi 1,900
  Uttarakhand 1,800
  Manipur 1,400
  Madhya Pradesh 1,300
  Telangana 1,200
  Karnataka 600
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.04 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.09 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.86 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.01 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Bengali (2,703,000 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 22
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Hindi
117,000
Odia
60,000
Assamese
3,600
Maithili
2,100
Bhojpuri
1,800
Andaman Hindi Creole
1,600
Desiya
700
Chhattisgarhi
600
Pengo
600
Sadri
500
Nimadi
500
Bhatri
400
Kanauji
300
Kui (India)
300
Kharia
90
Primary Language Bengali (2,703,000 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 22
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Hindi 117,000
  Odia 60,000
  Assamese 3,600
  Maithili 2,100
  Bhojpuri 1,800
  Andaman Hindi Creole 1,600
  Desiya 700
  Chhattisgarhi 600
  Pengo 600
  Sadri 500
  Nimadi 500
  Bhatri 400
  Kanauji 300
  Kui (India) 300
  Kharia 90
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
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Love Story General / Other
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
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible and Resources in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Cru
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Voice of the Martyrs resources Voice of the Martyrs
General Walk with the Prophets and meet the Messiah Al Massira
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app direct APK download SIL
Mobile App Android Bible app: Bengali YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Bengali Bangla Version Bible General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: Bengali Bible Biblica
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
Mobile App Android Bible Radio app: Bengali Bible Radio Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Bangla Bible Kalaam Media Ltd
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Bengali YouVersion Bibles
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  India Missions Association  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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