Gujjar (Muslim 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

Gujjars (also known as Gurjars) entered India along with White Huns in 5th century A. D. from central Asia. Some of their clan names such as Hun and Aftali indicate that they were a part of the Hun tribe. They established their rule in present day Rajasthan by the name Gurjaratra in the 7th century A. D. Mihr Bhoja became their emperor, who expanded the Gujjar area to almost the entire northwestern part of India. There are several places in India and Pakistan named after their name as well as their different clans names. Three states ruled by Gujjar kings were added to India at the time of its independence in 1947. Today the Gujjars are found living in almost all the northwestern Indian states. They also live in large numbers in Pakistan's West Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Azad Kashmir, and in eastern Afghanistan.


What Are Their Lives Like?

In Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal states, Gujjars are mostly pastoral nomads, having no villages or other permanent settlements. They roam behind their herds of cattle, sheep and goats on carts and horses. The Gujjars make their temporary settlements under tents in forest areas. They move to high altitudes in summer and return to lowland pastoral grounds in winter. In Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat a very small section of Gujjars is semi-nomadic while the rest of them in these and other areas are settled people participating in animal husbandry and agriculture. Gujjars of some areas are also viewed by other peoples as a community of criminals such as cattle thieves, horse thieves and looters. This is a misconception. Some of them are well-to-do and rich landlords. They have their own set of customary laws regarding their social life. The Gujjars are considered wrestlers and athletes from birth. In some areas while their other favorite sport is to lift huge, heavy stones. They also are known as good horse riders.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Gujjars of India are mostly Sunni Muslims. Less than 10% would call themselves Hindus. The Muslim Gujjars try to obey the teachings of the Koran and the prophet Mohammad. They believe that by following the Five Pillars of Islam that they will attain heaven when they die. However, Allah, the supreme God of the universe, determines who enters paradise. Sunnis pray five times a day facing Mecca. They fast the month of Ramadan. They attend mosque services on Friday. If a Muslim has the means, he or she will make a pilgrimage to Mecca once in his or her lifetime. Muslims are also prohibited to drink alcohol, eat pork, gamble, steal, use deceit, slander, and make idols. The two main holidays for Sunni Muslims are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the monthly fast and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah.


What Are Their Needs?

The Gujjars need more education and to shun practices such as child marriages. They need to be uplifted from their poverty by incorporating modern techniques in animal husbandry and agriculture. Most of all the Gujjar need to hear and understand the message of Jesus Christ. He alone can forgive their sins and grant them the gift of eternal life.


Prayer Points

Pray for a spiritual hunger that will give the Gujjar people a desire hear and respond to the gospel. Pray for a disciple making movement that will bless the Gujjar people this decade. Pray for the Lord to send out workers to the Gujjar people and tell them about Jesus or Isa.


Scripture Prayers for the Gujjar (Muslim traditions) in India.


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Gujjar (Muslim traditions)
People Name in Country Gujjar (Muslim traditions)
Pronunciation GOO-jur
Alternate Names Bakarwal; Dodhi; Goor; Gujar; Gujri; Manhas; Mannas; गुज्जर
Population this Country 1,144,000
Population all Countries 3,712,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 2  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 23
PeopleID3 16879
ROP3 Code 112161
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
Jammu and Kashmir
1,098,000
Himachal Pradesh
35,000
Uttar Pradesh
6,000
Haryana
2,200
Madhya Pradesh
1,300
Uttarakhand
900
Delhi
600
Rajasthan
400
Maharashtra
90
Ladakh
80
Andhra Pradesh
40
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
  Jammu and Kashmir 1,098,000
  Himachal Pradesh 35,000
  Uttar Pradesh 6,000
  Haryana 2,200
  Madhya Pradesh 1,300
  Uttarakhand 900
  Delhi 600
  Rajasthan 400
  Maharashtra 90
  Ladakh 80
  Andhra Pradesh 40
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
100.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Gujari (654,000 speakers)
Language Code gju   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 29
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Kashmiri
256,000
Dogri
33,000
Urdu
22,000
Bhadrawahi
15,000
Balti
8,300
Hindi
6,100
Khowar
5,400
Kangri
3,000
Chambeali
2,700
Pahari, Mahasu
2,000
Bhattiyali
1,500
Khah
1,000
Churahi
1,000
Bateri
900
Purig
600
Primary Language Gujari (654,000 speakers)
Language Code gju   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 29
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Kashmiri 256,000
  Dogri 33,000
  Urdu 22,000
  Bhadrawahi 15,000
  Balti 8,300
  Hindi 6,100
  Khowar 5,400
  Kangri 3,000
  Chambeali 2,700
  Pahari, Mahasu 2,000
  Bhattiyali 1,500
  Khah 1,000
  Churahi 1,000
  Bateri 900
  Purig 600
People Groups Speaking Gujari

Primary Language:  Gujari

Bible Translation Status:  Unspecified

Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Gujari Literacy & Evangelism International
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Matt Brandon  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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