Rajput (Hindu traditions) in Nepal


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 Kshatriya Rajput or Raju are a landowning caste who live primarily in the North India and in the mountain nation of Nepal. They claim to be descendants of princes and army officers who served the various empires and dynasties of North India. For their military service, the Raju received land. As educated Nepali the Raju speak multiple languages including Maithili, Hindi, and English. A complete Bibles is available in Hindi and the New Testament in Maithili.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Raju work as business owners, government administrators, in law enforcement and as members of the Nepali Armed Forces. They still own tracks of land that is frequently cultivated by lower castes. Parents encourage their sons and daughters to graduate from universities and to enter into professions. Families arrange marriages with the consent of the adult young people. Cousin marriages are common. Marriage to one spouse is the norm. Sons inherit the property of their father. The eldest son takes charge of the family. Brahmin priests officiate at important families ceremonies such as births, weddings and funerals. The Raju cremate their death and scatter the ashes in holy rivers. The Raju are not vegetarian but will not eat beef and sometimes pork.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Raju practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of the Indian subcontinent. They are proud of their Hindu heritage which goes back thousands of years. The Raju 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 Raju 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 many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs. The main yearly holidays of the Raju 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 Rajput fall in the second highest caste of Hinduism, the Kshatriya.


What Are Their Needs?

The Raju need to hear and understand the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. He is their hope and the only one who can forgive their sins.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Lord humbles the Raju and they see their need for the Savior who only can forgive their sins. Pray the Lord will start a movement of Raju families experiencing God's blessings. Pray for workers to sow God's Word into Raju families, healing and strengthening households with God's blessings. Pray the Lord begins a disciple making movement among this influential people.


Scripture Prayers for the Rajput (Hindu traditions) in Nepal.


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

The Rajputs

Source:  Asia Harvest      Download

People Name General Rajput (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Rajput (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation RAHJ-put
Alternate Names Bharadwaja; Chandravamsan; Chhatri; Chhetri; Gorkha; Kashrap Rajput; Kashyap; Khetri; Kshatriya; Kshatriya Raju; Kshattriya; Mavi; Mawi; Musalman Rajput; Musalman Thakur; Muslim Jeer; Muslims of Nepal; Mustigar; Musugu Rajulu; Pardeshi Rajput; Raghubansi; Rajapalayam Raju; Rajput Muslim; Raju; Rangar; Ranghar; Ravikula Kshatriya; Suryavamsa Kshatriya; Suryavamsan; Suryavanshi Kshatriya; Thakur; राजपूत
Population this Country 44,000
Population all Countries 31,586,000
Total Countries 6
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 17928
ROP3 Code 113412
Country Nepal
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States on file 12
Largest States
Narayani
13,000
Janakpur
12,000
Sagarmatha
7,000
Kosi
5,300
Bagmati
2,500
Lumbini
2,100
Mechi
700
Bheri
700
Seti
300
Mahakali
200
Gandaki
90
Rapti
60
Country Nepal
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States 12
  Narayani 13,000
  Janakpur 12,000
  Sagarmatha 7,000
  Kosi 5,300
  Bagmati 2,500
  Lumbini 2,100
  Mechi 700
  Bheri 700
  Seti 300
  Mahakali 200
  Gandaki 90
  Rapti 60
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.45 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.55 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest Nepal census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Maithili (22,000 speakers)
Language Code mai   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 14
Secondary Languages
Bhojpuri
6,500
Marwari (India)
5,000
Hindi
2,500
Awadhi
1,200
Angika
300
Haryanvi
200
Punjabi, Eastern
100
English
100
Sindhi
80
Bagheli
40
Kumaoni
30
Garhwali
10
Nepali
10
Primary Language Maithili (22,000 speakers)
Language Code mai   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 14
Secondary Languages
  Bhojpuri 6,500
  Marwari (India) 5,000
  Hindi 2,500
  Awadhi 1,200
  Angika 300
  Haryanvi 200
  Punjabi, Eastern 100
  English 100
  Sindhi 80
  Bagheli 40
  Kumaoni 30
  Garhwali 10
  Nepali 10
People Groups Speaking Maithili

Primary Language:  Maithili

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes
Bible-New Testament Yes  (2010)
Bible-Complete No
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 Oral Bible stories One Story
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Maithili Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible and Resources in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
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 Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
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: Maithili YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Maithili Bible General / Other
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Maithili YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Maithili Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter The Ancient Path Live Global
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  
Video Source Asia Harvest
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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