Balai (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 Balai or Balahi live in the central states of India. "Balai" means weaver in Hindi. Their traditional occupations were that of landless farm laborers, weavers and village watchmen. The Balahi are a Scheduled Caste, which means they are eligible for special benefits from the Indian government because of their poverty. This includes reserved places in education and public jobs. Their traditional occupations were that of landless farm laborers, weavers and village watchmen. Currently Balai are grow cotton and other crops.

Some Balai have risen in Indian society to careers as masons, carpenters and business owners. Unfortunately, many Balai are still illiterate.

The primary language of the Balai is Hindi. They also speak other regional languages such as Dhundari, Nimadi, Mewari and Malvi.


Where Are they Located?

The large majority of Balai live in the Indian states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajastan. Many also live in the Capital Territory of Delhi.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Most Balai people are very poor by Indian standards. Although they can eat meat except for beef and pork, they seldom can afford it. Their diet consists of rice, grains and whatever roots and vegetables they can obtain.

Balai do not marry members of their families such as cousins. They do marry within their gotra or clan and community. Brahmin priests perform the weddings. Adult marriage is the general practice. Brides go to live with the groom's family. Sons inherit family property. Women often work as domestic servants to supplement family income. The Balai live in multi-caste villages in their own areas. They bury their dead.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Almost all Balai are Hindus. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Balai give special service and attention to Durga, the mother-warrior goddess. They visit her temples and travel to her shrines. Balai celebrate the traditional Hindu holidays such a Holi, the festival of colors, Diwali, the festival of lights and Navratri, the festival of the beginning of spring.

A tiny minority of Balai are Christians.


What Are Their Needs?

The Balai need to hear the life-changing gospel of Christ in a way they can understand. They need to see that true spiritual wealth is found in Jesus not in the gods of Hinduism. They need help in becoming literate so they can read the Bible in Hindi and raise their position in Indian society.


Prayer Points

Pray that the small group of Balai Christians would be built up and trained to share the gospel with their brothers and sisters.
Pray the Lord sends Christian workers to live among the Balai and demonstrate the love and care of our Father and Savior.
Pray that God is honored by the planting of many Bible-believing churches in the Balai community.


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


References

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balai
indianetzone.com/50/balahi_caste.htm


Profile Source:   David Kugel  

People Name General Balai (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Balai (Hindu traditions)
Alternate Names Bakhoalhai; Balahi; Balai; Bulai; Meghbansi; Meghwal; Mehra; बलाई (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 2,538,000
Population all Countries 2,540,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 51
PeopleID3 16309
ROP3 Code 111438
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 11
Largest States
Madhya Pradesh
1,509,000
Rajasthan
893,000
Delhi
111,000
Maharashtra
19,000
Odisha
2,200
Gujarat
1,300
Uttar Pradesh
1,200
Uttarakhand
800
Chhattisgarh
300
Goa
30
Haryana
20
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 11
  Madhya Pradesh 1,509,000
  Rajasthan 893,000
  Delhi 111,000
  Maharashtra 19,000
  Odisha 2,200
  Gujarat 1,300
  Uttar Pradesh 1,200
  Uttarakhand 800
  Chhattisgarh 300
  Goa 30
  Haryana 20
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.04 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.30 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.61 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.05 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Hindi (1,470,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 20
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Wagdi
228,000
Malvi
128,000
Nimadi
116,000
Mewari
94,000
Shekhawati
69,000
Dhundari
64,000
Marwari (India)
47,000
Haroti: Harauti
11,000
Marathi
5,500
Punjabi, Eastern
2,500
Khandesi
2,000
Odia
1,800
Gujarati
1,700
Garhwali
400
Konkani
200
Primary Language Hindi (1,470,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 20
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Wagdi 228,000
  Malvi 128,000
  Nimadi 116,000
  Mewari 94,000
  Shekhawati 69,000
  Dhundari 64,000
  Marwari (India) 47,000
  Haroti: Harauti 11,000
  Marathi 5,500
  Punjabi, Eastern 2,500
  Khandesi 2,000
  Odia 1,800
  Gujarati 1,700
  Garhwali 400
  Konkani 200
People Groups Speaking Hindi

Primary Language:  Hindi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1806-1962)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1811-1998)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1818-2022)
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YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
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General Gospel website in this language General / Other
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links (Hindi) Scripture Earth
General Voice of the Martyrs resources Voice of the Martyrs
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
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Mobile App Android Bible app direct APK download (Hindi) SIL
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Mobile App Android Bible App: Hindi Bible (हिंदी बाइबिल) Indian Revised Version (IRV) Operation Agape
Mobile App Android Bible app: Hindi Study Bible Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible app: Hindi Word General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: Sab Ki Bible Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible app: पवित्र बाइबिल Hindi Bible Biblica
Mobile App Android Bible Radio app: Hindi Bible Radio Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Ek Rasta (Bible training) General / Other
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Mobile App Android Book Reading app: JM Hindi General / Other
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Open Bible Stories (Hindi) Shalom Design S2dio
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Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
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Text / Printed Matter Christ for the Nations General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Hindi Bible General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Hindi Literacy & Evangelism International
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 Anonymous 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source David Kugel 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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