Thakkar 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.

Subgroups: 2

Subgroup Name Population
Ka Thakur 61,000
Ma Thakur 57,000

Introduction / History

The Thakkar or Thakrar are descendants of the ancient Hindu Lohana people. The Lohana were rulers, administrators and warriors of north and west India for over three millennia. They were members of the Kshatriya caste, the second highest caste in Hinduism. In the 18th century the Lohana were defeated by the Muslim armies and became merchants and traders. Some Lohana converted to Islam while most continued to be Hindus. These Hindu businessmen are the Thakkar of today.

The Thakkar encourage their children to go to universities. Many of the Thakkar have become physicians, attorneys, engineers and government leaders. Many are involved in the entertainment field. Some Thakkar have left India and live in Britain, east Africa and in the United States. They form a worldwide business network for other Thakkar.

The primary language of the Thakkar is Marathi. They also speak English and other regional languages.


Where Are they Located?

The vast majority of Thakkar live in the west Indian state of Maharashtra. Smaller numbers live throughout India and in Pakistan.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Thakkar are members of modern Indian society. They live in cities and often are leaders in government and industry.

The Thakkar tend to be people who marry within their Kshatriya caste. Marrying outside of their caste is becoming more common. Traditionally, a newly married Thakkar couple would live with or near the groom's parents. In modern life this is becoming less common. Brahmin priests are hired to officiate their important life ceremonies like births, weddings and funerals.

The Thakkar are not vegetarian but as Hindus they do not eat beef.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Thakkar practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Shiva, the destroyer god, and Vishnu in his avatars or Rama and Krishna are given special emphasis. The sun god Surya is a patron deity. 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 Thakkar visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers and incense to their gods.

The main yearly holidays of the Thakkar people are Holi, the festival of colors, Diwali, the festival of lights and Navratri, the celebration of autumn.


What Are Their Needs?

The Thakkar need to see that material riches cannot bring them forgiveness or peace of mind. They need to hear and understand the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. They need to see the gospel of Christ lived out before them by Christians.


Prayer Points

Pray the Lord will give the Thakkar a spiritual hunger, then satisfy that hunger with the Word of God.
Pray that the Thakkar will understand the value of becoming part of God's family.
Pray for a Holy Spirit led humility for all Thakkar communities to fall at the feet of the King of kings.
Pray that God raises up a disciple making movement in every Thakkar community.


Scripture Prayers for the Thakkar in India.


References

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lohana
thakrar.family.blog/2018/08/22/the-history-of-lohanas-and-the-thakrar-family-surname/
mylohana.com/page/lohana-history


Profile Source:   David Kugel  

People Name General Thakkar
People Name in Country Thakkar
Pronunciation TUH-kur
Alternate Names Thakar; Thakur; Thekur; Thokkar; ठक्कर
Population this Country 658,000
Population all Countries 671,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 3  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 13
PeopleID3 18245
ROP3 Code 113777
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 16
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
Maharashtra
640,000
Gujarat
6,100
Madhya Pradesh
4,800
Rajasthan
2,000
Goa
1,300
Chhattisgarh
900
Karnataka
800
Delhi
800
Uttar Pradesh
700
Telangana
600
Uttarakhand
100
West Bengal
80
Dadra and Nagar Have
70
Tamil Nadu
30
Kerala
20
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 16
  Maharashtra 640,000
  Gujarat 6,100
  Madhya Pradesh 4,800
  Rajasthan 2,000
  Goa 1,300
  Chhattisgarh 900
  Karnataka 800
  Delhi 800
  Uttar Pradesh 700
  Telangana 600
  Uttarakhand 100
  West Bengal 80
  Dadra and Nagar Have 70
  Tamil Nadu 30
  Kerala 20
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.04 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.03 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.53 %
Islam
0.24 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.03 %
Unknown
0.14 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Marathi (466,000 speakers)
Language Code mar   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 33
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Konkani
65,000
Hindi
30,000
Gujarati
6,100
Sindhi
4,700
Konkani, Goan
3,600
Ahirani
3,100
Khandesi
2,900
Nimadi
700
Kannada
400
Tamil
400
Nepali
300
Telugu
300
Wagdi
300
Bhili
200
Kacchi
100
Primary Language Marathi (466,000 speakers)
Language Code mar   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 33
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Konkani 65,000
  Hindi 30,000
  Gujarati 6,100
  Sindhi 4,700
  Konkani, Goan 3,600
  Ahirani 3,100
  Khandesi 2,900
  Nimadi 700
  Kannada 400
  Tamil 400
  Nepali 300
  Telugu 300
  Wagdi 300
  Bhili 200
  Kacchi 100
People Groups Speaking Marathi

Primary Language:  Marathi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1807-1957)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1811-1982)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1821-2024)
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YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
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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 Marathi Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
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General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
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Mobile App Android Bible app direct APK download SIL
Mobile App Android Bible app: Marathi YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible App: Marathi Bible (मराठी बायबल) Indian Revised Version (IRV) Operation Agape
Mobile App Android Bible app: Marathi Contemporary Bible Biblica
Mobile App Android Bible app: Marathi Study Bible Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible Radio app: Marathi Bible Radio Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
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Mobile App iOS Bible app: Marathi YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible Radio App: Marathi Bible Radio iOS Revive India
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Marathi Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
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 Thakkar Hitesh Rana - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source David Kugel 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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