Khatri (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

The Khatri are a trading and business caste, which originated in Punjab. Their name comes from the Sanskrit word "Kshatriya" which is the second of the four castes of Hinduism. In the early 19th century, they almost had a monopoly on trade in Punjab and Afghanistan. During the British times, they were the chief civil administrators.

Traditionally, they specialized in trading in cloth but now have expanded to spectacles, flour grinding mills, grain shops and work as painters and tailors. Many members belong to the middle class and have entered teaching and civil service professions. They are found largely in Punjab of India and Pakistan, but they are little known outside Punjab. They are one of the most advanced and progressive communities in India and value education. They will only eat food cooked by Brahmins or caste members.

Saraswat Brahmins and Khatris still eat together giving credence to this story. Another more recent legend, has Khatris serving as soldiers in the Dakshin wars over a thousand years ago. Many died in the war and out of pity the council of the most respected Khatri in Delhi proposed widow remarriage. The clan headmen Lallu and Jaghdar opposed the concept and the council dissolved without a decision. The emperor dismissed Khatri soldiers from military service and asked them to take up being Dalals (brokers). They proved to be excellent soldiers and governors of many states.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Men and women marry within the community. Marriage is between adults. The elders of the family negotiate marriage alliance and both families exchange gifts.

Divorce is traditionally not allowed, but due to modernization, divorce is allowed under extreme maladjustment. Both nuclear and extended family types are found. The elders command respect and authority while the younger members receive love and affection from elders. Khatri women have a reputation for outstanding beauty. Women in the north generally wear salwar-khameez.

They are both vegetarian and non-vegetarian.


Their name comes from the Sanskrit word Kshatriya, which is the second highest of the four castes [groupings] of Hinduism.
What Are Their Beliefs?

Khatris take their religion seriously. They celebrate traditional Muslim, Hindu and Sikh festivals and fasts depending on their religious community. Muslims will go to Masjid and for Haj pilgrimage. Sikhism was founded by Khatris and some of their well known leaders, Guru Nanak and Guru Govind, were Khatris.


What Are Their Needs?

Like all other peoples of the world, Muslim Khatris needs the blessings and guidance that only Jesus Christ can offer.


Prayer Points

Ask God to raise up Muslim Khatris who are more desirous to know the truth than to stay in good standing with their neighbors.

Ask God to send loving, committed workers to the Khatris in the near future.

Pray the Muslim Khatris would no longer be hidden away from the influence of Christ.

Pray for dreams and visions of the risen Christ to affect Khatri elders and leaders.


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


References

India Missions Association, Edited by Philipose Vaidyar, Copyrighted © Used with permission


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Khatri (Muslim traditions)
People Name in Country Khatri (Muslim traditions)
Pronunciation KAH-tree
Alternate Names Katri; Khakha; Khakha Khatri; Khakhar; Khattri; Rangara; खत्री (मुस्लिम ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 56,000
Population all Countries 1,278,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 17586
ROP3 Code 113015
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 9
Largest States
Gujarat
37,000
Maharashtra
11,000
Haryana
3,600
Punjab
2,900
Madhya Pradesh
1,100
Karnataka
1,100
Uttar Pradesh
100
Chandigarh
90
Himachal Pradesh
80
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 9
  Gujarat 37,000
  Maharashtra 11,000
  Haryana 3,600
  Punjab 2,900
  Madhya Pradesh 1,100
  Karnataka 1,100
  Uttar Pradesh 100
  Chandigarh 90
  Himachal Pradesh 80
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 Gujarati (16,000 speakers)
Language Code guj   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 7
Secondary Languages
Kacchi
16,000
Urdu
9,900
Punjabi, Eastern
8,100
Marwari (India)
400
Malvi
100
Hindi
100
Primary Language Gujarati (16,000 speakers)
Language Code guj   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 7
Secondary Languages
  Kacchi 16,000
  Urdu 9,900
  Punjabi, Eastern 8,100
  Marwari (India) 400
  Malvi 100
  Hindi 100
People Groups Speaking Gujarati

Primary Language:  Gujarati

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
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Bible-New Testament Yes  (1820-1985)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1823-2021)
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Photo Source (Representative photo)
Naveed Akhtar 
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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