Tarkhan (Hindu traditions) in Pakistan


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

Traditionally the Tarkhan people were carpenters, and their status is hard to determine. Some consider them to be a "backward" Hindu community while others point to them having fairly high status. Though most live in the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, and Punjab, a small number live further west in Pakistan's Punjab Province.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Tarkhan community have traditionally been widely engaged in carpentry, but presently they are engaged in many other trades. Marriages outside their own caste are allowed, and even encouraged to an extent. They have two endogamous (marry only within the group) subgroups and several clans. Clan names are often used as surnames. They have been described as "backward in terms of literacy, economic standards, social and cultural awareness."


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Tarkhan people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They 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 like Christians or Jews. There are other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins. Almost all Hindus participate in yearly celebrations like 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.


What Are Their Needs?

The Tarkhan people need to submit to Jesus Christ so they can experience the abundant life He offers them in John 10:10.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to thrust out Holy Spirit filled workers to go to the Tarkhan people, both in India and in Pakistan. Pray for Tarkhan elders to have a craving for spiritual truth that will lead them to the cross. Pray for a Disciple Making Movement to bless this community in both countries where they reside.


Scripture Prayers for the Tarkhan (Hindu traditions) in Pakistan.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarkhan_(Punjab)


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Tarkhan (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Tarkhan (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation TAR-kin
Alternate Names Barhi; Bari; Chattarsaz; Darkhan; Dhaman; Karigar; Kharadi; Khatri; Mistri; Ramgarhia; Ramghadiya; Ranghadia; Tarakkan; Tarkhan; Tarkihar; Thirkhan; Tikhan; तर्खान (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 13,000
Population all Countries 1,000,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 18259
ROP3 Code 113794
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 1
  Punjab 13,000
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
100.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Saraiki (9,600 speakers)
Language Code skr   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
Marwari (Pakistan)
2,800
Punjabi, Western
400
Urdu
100
Primary Language Saraiki (9,600 speakers)
Language Code skr   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
  Marwari (Pakistan) 2,800
  Punjabi, Western 400
  Urdu 100
People Groups Speaking Saraiki
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Copyrighted © 2024  Isudas  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
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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