Kayastha (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 literary skills of the Kayastha people were in such demand that many of them moved to regions throughout India and Bangladesh. The Kayastha were originally administrators and bookkeepers for the kingdoms of northern India. In recent times the Kayastha have taken advantage of India's educational system and branched out into many professions that require a high degree of literacy. The primary languages of the Kayastha are Hindi and Bengali. They also speak the local languages of where they live and English. Many resources are available in Hindi and Bengali including a complete Bible, radio broadcasts and the JESUS Film. Only a tiny fraction of the Kayastha claim to follow Jesus Christ.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Kayastha are well-known in India for being politicians, writers, philosophers, entertainers, and scientists. They are among the most successful and prominent castes in India and Bangladesh. The Kayastha live in cities and encourage their children to attend colleges and graduate schools. Parents and young people join together to find prospective marriage partners. Kayastha tend to marry within their group although some are marrying other higher caste persons. For many Kayastha their Hindu faith has become more cultural than religious.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The large majority of the Kayastha practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of the Indian subcontinent. According to tradition the Kayastha were created by Brahmin to help the god of death Dharamraj keep records of good and bad deeds. 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 Kayastha 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. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs. The main yearly holidays of the Kayastha 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 Kayastha fit into the Kshatriya and Vaishyas castes. Both have good status in Hindu society.


What Are Their Needs?

The Kayastha people need the blessings of Jesus Christ, the only one who can offer them abundant life and forgiveness for their sins. They need to see the love and mercy of Christ lived out before them in practical ways by higher caste followers of Christ. The Kayastha need to see that money and worldly success will not gain them the joy and peace of God.


Prayer Points

Pray for a spiritual hunger that will give the Kayastha people a willingness to accept the eternal blessings of Jesus Christ. Pray for a disciple making movement that will bless the Kayastha people this decade. Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers to serve among the Kayastha people.


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


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Kayastha (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Kayastha (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation kay-AHS-tah
Alternate Names Kact; Kaiath; Kait; Kaith; Karan; Kast; Kastha; Kayashtha; Kayasth; Kayath; Lal; Lala; Lalli; कायस्ता (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 8,297,000
Population all Countries 9,884,000
Total Countries 4
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 3  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 166
PeopleID3 17124
ROP3 Code 112470
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 34
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
West Bengal
2,714,000
Uttar Pradesh
1,971,000
Bihar
1,334,000
Assam
695,000
Madhya Pradesh
407,000
Tripura
248,000
Jharkhand
240,000
Odisha
126,000
Uttarakhand
91,000
Chhattisgarh
44,000
Maharashtra
40,000
Rajasthan
34,000
Delhi
30,000
Haryana
15,000
Andaman and Nicobar
11,000
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 34  (only 20 largest shown)
  West Bengal 2,714,000
  Uttar Pradesh 1,971,000
  Bihar 1,334,000
  Assam 695,000
  Madhya Pradesh 407,000
  Tripura 248,000
  Jharkhand 240,000
  Odisha 126,000
  Uttarakhand 91,000
  Chhattisgarh 44,000
  Maharashtra 40,000
  Rajasthan 34,000
  Delhi 30,000
  Haryana 15,000
  Andaman and Nicobar 11,000
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.03 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.03 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.94 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Hindi (3,240,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 41
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Bengali
3,020,000
Bhojpuri
712,000
Assamese
467,000
Odia
110,000
Magahi
108,000
Maithili
99,000
Kanauji
65,000
Garhwali
45,000
Awadhi
36,000
Chhattisgarhi
32,000
Bundeli
32,000
Kok Borok
12,000
Braj Bhasha
8,600
Gujarati
7,700
Marathi
5,200
Primary Language Hindi (3,240,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 41
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Bengali 3,020,000
  Bhojpuri 712,000
  Assamese 467,000
  Odia 110,000
  Magahi 108,000
  Maithili 99,000
  Kanauji 65,000
  Garhwali 45,000
  Awadhi 36,000
  Chhattisgarhi 32,000
  Bundeli 32,000
  Kok Borok 12,000
  Braj Bhasha 8,600
  Gujarati 7,700
  Marathi 5,200
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)
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 DAVAR Partners recording, Old Testament DAVAR Partners International
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 Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Hindi Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
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 The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible and Resources in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible and Resources in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible and Resources in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
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 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 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
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app direct APK download (Hindi) SIL
Mobile App Android Bible app: Bibles India Internet Publishing Sevice
Mobile App Android Bible app: Gospel Films (South Asia) Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Bible app: Hindi YouVersion Bibles
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
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Ek Rasta Hindi (Bible training) General / Other
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: JM Hindi General / Other
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Open Bible Stories (Hindi) 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 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: Hindi YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Hindi Unlocked Literal Bible Kalaam Media Ltd
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 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 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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