Jat Gil (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

Hollywood is a familiar name in the Western world for being the center of the entertainment and film industry, but throughout most of South Asia, the entertainment hub is nicknamed "Bollywood," centered in Mumbai. A name that crops up time and again in Bollywood is the surname Shergill. A number of Shergills are prominent in India's entertainment industry.

The Shergill name comes from the Gill Jat clan, mostly from India's Punjab State. The Gill Jat clan is found in the Punjab regions straddling eastern Pakistan and northwestern India. It is one of the largest and most aristocratic of the Jat clans. Historically they were renowned for their courage, honesty and bravery. During the British control of India, Sir Lepal Griffin said that "The Jat race is, for honesty, strength, and courage, second to no race on earth."


What Are Their Lives Like?

Overall, Jat Gils have a good self-image. "Men may come and men may go, but I go on forever," is a well-known Jat proverb. They are brave, hardworking people who possess both the desire and ability to rule. It has been said that no Jat wants to be ruled. Rather, he desires to have power over a group if not over an area. They take great pride in their ancestry. In fact, all the Jats in a particular village consider themselves to be the descendants of the man whom they believe founded it by the power of the sword. Traditionally Jats have dominated as the political class in Haryana and Punjab.

Conservative by nature, Jat Gils rarely marry people from other people groups. From about 1650 AD onwards marrying within same gotra (i.e., lineage or community) became more common. The modern-day litmus test that Jat people use in marriage is if the girl and boy must not have the same great-great-grandparents (not related for four generations). If they are from the same gotra but are not directly related for four generations then it is considered acceptable for them to marry.

Physically, Jat Gils are usually taller and heavier than most of their neighbors. Because of their larger build, their reputation for violence, and the fact that they control much of the land and village income, they are generally feared by other communities in South Asia.

Most Jat Gils live in rural areas, and they are usually landowners. A small percentage are traders and laborers. Today, Jat Gils are well read, and some occupy high positions in academic and technical arenas. The Jat peoples are one of the most prosperous groups in India on a per-capita basis (Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat are the wealthiest of Indian states). Haryana has the largest number of rural crorepatis (similar to "millionaires") in India, all of whom are Jats.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Of all three major Jat religious groups, the Sikhs are the most powerful and prominent in India. A number of Jat people belonging to the political classes have produced many political leaders, including the 6th Prime Minister of India, Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh.

Until recent times, the Jat Sikhs seemed to be the least meticulous in their observance of Sikh traditions. Sikh Jats observe many ceremonies, especially rites of passage such as initiation into adulthood. Wedding ceremonies are especially important to Jat Sikhs.

During the wedding ceremony, Sikhs make a square enclosure known as Chaonari and perform a fire sacrifice. The couple walks seven times around the Chaonari with their right hand inward. A Jat Sikh cannot take a wife from his own section. Widow remarriage is allowed but she cannot marry her younger brother-in-law or the near relatives of her deceased husband.


What Are Their Needs?

In every people group, there are pioneers ready to break with culture and tradition and explore something new. TV and film might be just such a venue for the gospel message.


Prayer Points

Pray for God to anoint and appoint workers to create relevant, culturally sensitive Christ-centered radio, TV, and films that will be appropriate for the Gill Sikhs of India.
Pray for the Jat Gils, especially those who work in the entertainment industry, to see their need for Jesus Christ.


Scripture Prayers for the Jat Gil (Sikh traditions) in India.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Jat Gil (Sikh traditions)
People Name in Country Jat Gil (Sikh traditions)
Pronunciation jot gill
Alternate Names Sikh Jat; जाट, गिल (सिख ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 279,000
Population all Countries 279,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 6
PeopleID3 19863
ROP3 Code 115877
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 13
Largest States
Punjab
195,000
Haryana
61,000
Rajasthan
7,600
Uttar Pradesh
5,200
Maharashtra
2,000
Delhi
1,600
Jammu and Kashmir
1,500
Chandigarh
1,400
Jharkhand
1,100
Uttarakhand
1,100
Himachal Pradesh
600
West Bengal
400
Madhya Pradesh
300
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 13
  Punjab 195,000
  Haryana 61,000
  Rajasthan 7,600
  Uttar Pradesh 5,200
  Maharashtra 2,000
  Delhi 1,600
  Jammu and Kashmir 1,500
  Chandigarh 1,400
  Jharkhand 1,100
  Uttarakhand 1,100
  Himachal Pradesh 600
  West Bengal 400
  Madhya Pradesh 300
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 Punjabi, Eastern (198,000 speakers)
Language Code pan   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
Hindi
28,000
Haryanvi
7,700
Punjabi, Western
2,500
Primary Language Punjabi, Eastern (198,000 speakers)
Language Code pan   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
  Hindi 28,000
  Haryanvi 7,700
  Punjabi, Western 2,500
People Groups Speaking Punjabi, Eastern

Primary Language:  Punjabi, Eastern

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1818-1954)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1815-2011)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1959-2021)
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 DAVAR Partners recording, complete Bible DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Recorded oral Bible Oral Bibles
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Punjabi, Eastern Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
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 Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Cru
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 direct APK download SIL
Mobile App Android Bible App: Punjabi Bible (ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਬਾਈਬਲ) Indian Revised Version (IRV) Operation Agape
Mobile App Android Bible app: Punjabi, Eastern YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible Radio app: Punjabi Bible Radio Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Open Bible Stories (Punjabi) Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Punjabi, Eastern YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible Radio App: Punjabi Bible Radio iOS Revive India
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Download scripture in this language eBible.org
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Punjabi, Eastern Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Anonymous 
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.


Joshua Project logo    Terms of Use   Privacy Policy   Contact Us   Copyright © 2024