Bhat (Hindu traditions) in Pakistan


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 Bhat believe they are an offshoot of Brahmins, as their name is merely a corruption of the term Brahmin. The Bhat served in administrative positions during and before the British colonial period. Some Bhat have moved to the West where they occupy positions in the fields of medicine, science and education.

The primary language of the Bhat in Pakistan is Sindhi. Many of their men also speak Urdu, the national language of Pakistan. Many Christian resources are available in Sindhi including a complete Bible and the JESUS Film. There may be few or no followers of Christ today among the Hindu Bhat of Pakistan.

During the Partition of India in 1947 many Hindus in Pakistan moved to India while many Muslims in India moved to Pakistan. The vast majority of the Hindu Bhat people make their home in India. Much smaller groups live in Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Bhat are a landowning community. Lower castes work the land as Bhat refrain from manual labor. The Bhat often work in Hindu temples as priests. Literacy is low among the Bhat women. The Bhat are also known for being poets, singers, entertainers and story-tellers.

Parents encourage their sons to attend universities and obtain graduate degrees. Many Bhat occupy a high status in Indian society as writers, athletes, entertainers, politicians and scientists.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Bhat consider themselves to be devout Hindus. Hinduism is 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 as Christians do. 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?

The pride of the Bhat can often be a hindrance in trusting Christ as Savior and Lord. Pride among Hindus in a Muslim country could potentially bring about persecution from Islamists.


Prayer Points

Pray for Christian workers to carry the good news of Jesus to the Bhat community in Pakistan.
Pray that a strong movement to Jesus will bring whole Bhat families and clans into a rich experience of God's blessings.
Pray that the elders and leaders in the Bhat community in Pakistan would read the Bible.
Pray each individual in the Bhat community who is capable of deciding about Christ will be given at least one opportunity to do so.


Scripture Prayers for the Bhat (Hindu traditions) in Pakistan.


References

https://www.rferl.org/a/pakista-hindu-minority/30901165.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhatia_caste


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Bhat (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Bhat (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation buh-HAHT
Alternate Names Baghmundi; Bahi Bhati; Bahrot; Baram Bhatt; Batera; Battera; Batterha; Bhaat; Bhaot; Bhat; Bhat Brahman; Bhat Brahmin; Bhata; Bhatra; Bhatraju; Bhatrazu; Bhatrose; Bhats; Bhatta Goswami; Bhatu; Biram Bhatt; Bohrot; Brahm Bhatt; Brahma Bhat; Brahmabhat; Brahmabhatta; Brahmbhatt; Chara; Charan; Chare; Dabaut; Darpi; Dasund; Digpal; Jaga; Jagabhat; Jagawa; Jasondhi; Jathikirthulu; Jyotshi; Kanjar; Karvan Bhat; Kavi; Kavi Brahman; Kavi Brahmin; Maru; Mary; Naik; Panchakat; Rai; Rai Bhatt; Raj Bhat; Raju; Ramavat; Ramiya; Ramiya Rathor; Ran; Rana; Rao; Rathor; Rathore; Rau; Salui; Salvi; Sivachandi; Sotiya; Swali; Takur; Thakur; भाट (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 31,000
Population all Countries 1,599,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 16406
ROP3 Code 111555
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 3
Largest States
Sindh
29,000
Balochistan
900
Punjab
600
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 3
  Sindh 29,000
  Balochistan 900
  Punjab 600
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
100.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Sindhi (26,000 speakers)
Language Code snd   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 7
Secondary Languages
Saraiki
1,300
Dhatki
1,000
Marwari (Pakistan)
900
Punjabi, Western
500
Urdu
400
Kacchi
200
Primary Language Sindhi (26,000 speakers)
Language Code snd   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 7
Secondary Languages
  Saraiki 1,300
  Dhatki 1,000
  Marwari (Pakistan) 900
  Punjabi, Western 500
  Urdu 400
  Kacchi 200
People Groups Speaking Sindhi

Primary Language:  Sindhi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1825-1981)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1890-1992)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1954)
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 Recorded oral Bible Oral Bibles
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Sindhi Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
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 Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Sindhi YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Sindhi YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Sindhi Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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