Bhil unspecified 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: 4

Subgroup Name Population
Barde 7,800
Maji Rana 7,200
Dindor Unknown
Kalara Unknown

Introduction / History

The Bhil are the third largest and most widely distributed tribal group in India. Although the Bhil were once thought of as a single tribe, it is now clear that they consist of many subgroups. There are two basic divisions of Bhil: the Central or "pure" Bhil, and the Eastern or part-Rajput Bhil. The Central Bhil live in the mountain regions of India, particularly in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan. The name "Bhil" was probably derived from the word villu or billu, which in most Dravidian languages is the word for "bow. " The bow has long been a characteristic weapon of the Bhil because the tribesmen always carry their bows and arrows with them. Many years ago, Bhil rajas (kings) permitted immigrants from the plains to settle in the hill regions. To safeguard their independence and rule, the Bhil fought against powerful Empires: the Moghals, the Maratha and the British Raj. The Bhils are labeled a "scheduled tribe," meaning that they have low status. Being part of a scheduled tribe means that they are given special privileges. Their language, Bhili, is a blend of Gujarati and Marathi, the two major languages in their region.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Bhil tribes inhabit some of the most remote and inaccessible areas of India. Unfortunately, their scattered settlement pattern has hindered government efforts to provide services for the people. It has also facilitated their general distrust of government officials which is already thin since they have a long history of rebelling against powerful outside forces.


The Bhil have lost much of their traditional culture, and the gospel can easily be seen as a way to replace their religion, one of the things they have left.
What Are Their Beliefs?

Almost all Bhils practice ethnic religions that have been highly influenced by Hinduism. They accept Shiva as their supreme god. Along with Hindu practices, they worship their deceased ancestors. They call upon shamans to offer sacrifices to their many gods and idols. Most of their Hindu and traditional practices are so intertwined that it is difficult to separate them. In the Hindu religious system, this is acceptable since they do not have a set of dogmas like Islam or Christianity.


What Are Their Needs?

There are three segregated classes: the Bhagat Bhil, the ordinary Bhil, and the lowest class-the Christian Bhil. To accept Christ is like becoming an outcast in Bhil society.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Bhil people to have hearts that are open to the abundant blessings of Jesus Christ. Pray for Bhil families to prosper financially and spiritually as they experience a relationship with Jesus Christ. Pray for a movement among the Bhils that will spread joy, peace and salvation to other peoples in Rajasthan. Pray for the Bhil culture to be renewed and enhanced by a work of the Holy Spirit and shaped into a God-centered and God-honoring mold.


Scripture Prayers for the Bhil unspecified in India.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

The Waiting World - The Bhil

Source:  The Waiting World      Download

People Name General Bhil
People Name in Country Bhil unspecified
Pronunciation beel
Alternate Names Arejo; Arijo; Bhil Garasia; Bhilala; Bhim; Bilalla; Billava; Billavaor; Billawa; Dholi Bhil; Dugri Garasia; Dungra Bhil; Dungri Girasia; Garasia; Pacima; Pascima; Pujari; Tulu Bhillava; भील
Population this Country 16,567,000
Population all Countries 17,187,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 3  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 331
PeopleID3 16414
ROP3 Code 111565
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 23
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
Madhya Pradesh
5,957,000
Gujarat
4,441,000
Rajasthan
3,933,000
Maharashtra
2,590,000
Dadra and Nagar Have
12,000
Karnataka
6,300
Tripura
3,100
Delhi
1,800
Uttar Pradesh
1,700
Odisha
1,400
Telangana
1,000
Chhattisgarh
700
Jharkhand
600
Jammu and Kashmir
300
Uttarakhand
200
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 23  (only 20 largest shown)
  Madhya Pradesh 5,957,000
  Gujarat 4,441,000
  Rajasthan 3,933,000
  Maharashtra 2,590,000
  Dadra and Nagar Have 12,000
  Karnataka 6,300
  Tripura 3,100
  Delhi 1,800
  Uttar Pradesh 1,700
  Odisha 1,400
  Telangana 1,000
  Chhattisgarh 700
  Jharkhand 600
  Jammu and Kashmir 300
  Uttarakhand 200
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.02 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.76 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
98.38 %
Islam
0.52 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.02 %
Unknown
0.30 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Gujarati (4,013,000 speakers)
Language Code guj   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 105
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Hindi
3,150,000
Bhili
2,667,000
Wagdi
1,788,000
Marathi
1,010,000
Nimadi
755,000
Bhilali
723,000
Vasavi
707,000
Dangi
398,000
Marwari (India)
312,000
Bareli, Pauri
311,000
Mewari
241,000
Khandesi
177,000
Bareli, Rathwi
106,000
Mawchi: Mawchi
103,000
Malvi
97,000
Primary Language Gujarati (4,013,000 speakers)
Language Code guj   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 105
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Hindi 3,150,000
  Bhili 2,667,000
  Wagdi 1,788,000
  Marathi 1,010,000
  Nimadi 755,000
  Bhilali 723,000
  Vasavi 707,000
  Dangi 398,000
  Marwari (India) 312,000
  Bareli, Pauri 311,000
  Mewari 241,000
  Khandesi 177,000
  Bareli, Rathwi 106,000
  Mawchi: Mawchi 103,000
  Malvi 97,000
People Groups Speaking Gujarati

Primary Language:  Gujarati

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1809-1965)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1820-1985)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1823-2021)
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Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Arun Sambhu Mishra - Shutterstock  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Video Source The Waiting World
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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