Sikligar (Sikh traditions) in India


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Other / Small (Sikhism)
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

There was a time when the Sikligar Sikhs were extremely successful as weapon designers and manufacturers. They are traditionally known as Lohar (ironsmiths or blacksmiths) and once ruled the weapon making industry with their elaborate swords, spears, shields, and arrows. What is known as Damascus steel, used in forming some of the best swords known to man, was manufactured by Indian Lohar and shipped off to other parts of the world. The advent of contemporary weaponry hit their economy and lifestyle very hard. They were also prevented from making weapons during late colonial days. Their skills in weapon making have brought them under suspicion by India's government as well.
Sikligar are divided into three religious communities: Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs. Sikh Sikligar live in Punjab, Haryana, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.


What Are Their Lives Like?

They spend most of their time roaming about in small groups, selling small handmade wares such as knives, buckets, toys, and betelnut cutters. They are illiterate and do not own land. Today, most Sikh Sikligar are very poor, and some are dependent on charity. They often live as nomads, roaming from village to village seeking customers. Their children work with parents in their craft.
They marry within their own Sikh community. Families and clans are important just as they are for other rural South Asian communities.


What Are Their Beliefs?

They show their devotion to Sikhism by their dress and social customs. For example, they put their newborn children through a special dedication ceremony with relatives and friends gathered. They are some of the most seriously dedicated Sikhs despite the fact that they are routinely despised and overlooked in the provision of aid that is given to other poor classes. Sikligar are said to be some of the happiest, most positive-minded Sikhs.


What Are Their Needs?

Sikh Sikligar need to learn new job skills so they can compete in the modern Indian economy.


Prayer Points

Pray for a "Book of Acts" type of movement to Christ among the Sikh Sikligar communities.
Pray God will have mercy on Sikh Sikligar people, doing whatever it takes to place them in a position to receive him.
Ask God to give them dreams and visions that will lead them to the cross.
Pray for an unstoppable movement to Christ among them.


Scripture Prayers for the Sikligar (Sikh traditions) in India.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikligar
https://www.newsgram.com/general/2016/08/21/the-sikligar-sikhs-remembering-the-forgotten-people-of-india


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Sikligar (Sikh traditions)
People Name in Country Sikligar (Sikh traditions)
Alternate Names Kamgar; Karinagar; Kuchband; Lohar; Panchal; Saiqalgar; Saqqa; Shikalgar; Sigligar Sikh; Sikkligar; Sikliar; Sikligar; Siqligar; Siqligar Sikh; सिकलिगर (सिख ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 40,000
Population all Countries 40,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 18103
ROP3 Code 113606
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 7
Largest States
Haryana
14,000
Delhi
14,000
Punjab
10,000
Telangana
300
Chandigarh
300
Jammu and Kashmir
200
Himachal Pradesh
100
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 7
  Haryana 14,000
  Delhi 14,000
  Punjab 10,000
  Telangana 300
  Chandigarh 300
  Jammu and Kashmir 200
  Himachal Pradesh 100
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Other / Small (Sikhism)
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
100.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Hindi (20,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 7
Secondary Languages
Punjabi, Eastern
14,000
Haryanvi
500
Dogri
200
Marwari (India)
60
Sirmauri
40
Pahari, Mahasu
20
Primary Language Hindi (20,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 7
Secondary Languages
  Punjabi, Eastern 14,000
  Haryanvi 500
  Dogri 200
  Marwari (India) 60
  Sirmauri 40
  Pahari, Mahasu 20
People Groups Speaking Hindi

Primary Language:  Hindi

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Bible-Complete Yes  (1818-2022)
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Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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