Jat Sidhu (Hindu traditions) 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.

Introduction / History

Sidhu is among the largest Hindu Jat gotra (clan or lineage) found in India. There are different opinions as to the origin of the Jats, but most seem to recognize them to be from Indo-Aryan tribes native to the Punjab region that straddles modern Pakistan and India. There is a theory suggesting that they may be the predecessors of Gypsies. They probably reached Egypt with the Muslim conquerors, lived in Afghanistan before the Muslims, and invaded China with the Mongol Army. They also proved to be a threat to Tamarlane in Persia and Uzbekistan in the 1400s.

There are very few records concerning Jats prior to the 1600s. They rose to prominence following the 1669 Jat uprising against Mughal rule, and they ruled various princely states throughout the 18th century. For centuries the Jat lifestyle was designed to foster a martial spirit. Whenever they lost their kingdoms, Jat people became landlords who were ready to defend their land against any invaders.

After 1858, under the British Raj, the Jats were known for their service in the Indian Army, being categorized as a "martial race" by the British. For a couple hundred years Jats were a force that could not be ignored by South Asians or British imperialists.


Where Are they Located?

The Hindu Sidhu Jats live in the Indian states of Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab .


What Are Their Lives Like?

Overall, the Sidhu Jats have a very 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.

Conservative by nature, the Jats rarely marry people from other people groups. From about 1650 AD onwards marrying within same clan 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 clan but are not directly related for four generations then it is considered acceptable for them to marry.

Physically, the Jats 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.

Most of the Sidhu Jats live in rural areas, and they are usually landowners. A small percentage are traders and laborers. Today, the Jats 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. Ironically, because they value thriftiness and diligence, the Jats are often regarded as miserly.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Hindu Jats adhere to traditional practices as well as a wide variety of additional beliefs. They might worship one god, many gods, or none at all depending on what they believe will benefit them. They are very pragmatic in their spiritual practices. Regardless of their religious affiliation, Jats observe many ceremonies, especially rites of passage. Like many other Indian communities of good standing, the Jats have a negative view of Christianity. The only Indians they see embracing Christ come from low caste groups.


What Are Their Needs?

Many Jat communities need clean drinking water and proper health care facilities. Christian medical teams and humanitarian aid workers are needed to work among them and show them God's love in practical ways.

Missionaries, Christian broadcasts, and evangelistic literature are needed to effectively reach the Jats with the light of the gospel. Most importantly, they need people who will begin to intercede for them, tearing down the strongholds that are keeping them in spiritual bondage. Only then will their hearts be prepared to receive the good news as it is presented to them.


Prayer Points

Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out additional laborers to work among the Sidhu Jats.
Pray that Christian doctors, nurses, and humanitarian aid workers will have opportunities to share the love of Jesus with the Sidhu Jats.
Ask God to save key Jat leaders who will boldly proclaim the gospel to their own people.
Pray that churches and mission organizations will accept the challenge of adopting and reaching the Sidhu Jats.
Ask God to raise up teams of intercessors who will faithfully stand in the gap for the Jats.
Pray for a disciple making movement to emerge among every Jat clan and community.


Scripture Prayers for the Jat Sidhu (Hindu traditions) in India.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/19901/IN
https://www.jatland.com/home/Siddhu
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jat_people
https://www.jatland.com/home/Jats
https://www.jatland.com/home/Jats
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/12329/IN
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/12329/IN
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/18777/IN
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/17571/IN
https://www.facebook.com/JuttWelfareAssociationvahari/posts/409390069112769


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Jat Sidhu (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Jat Sidhu (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation jot sih-DOO
Alternate Names जाट, सिढू (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 447,000
Population all Countries 453,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 9
PeopleID3 19901
ROP3 Code 115894
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 14
Largest States
Punjab
244,000
Rajasthan
62,000
Haryana
55,000
Uttar Pradesh
35,000
Chandigarh
16,000
Delhi
16,000
Madhya Pradesh
6,100
Himachal Pradesh
4,400
Maharashtra
3,600
Uttarakhand
2,900
West Bengal
1,400
Jammu and Kashmir
1,100
Gujarat
300
Assam
50
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 14
  Punjab 244,000
  Rajasthan 62,000
  Haryana 55,000
  Uttar Pradesh 35,000
  Chandigarh 16,000
  Delhi 16,000
  Madhya Pradesh 6,100
  Himachal Pradesh 4,400
  Maharashtra 3,600
  Uttarakhand 2,900
  West Bengal 1,400
  Jammu and Kashmir 1,100
  Gujarat 300
  Assam 50
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 India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Punjabi, Eastern (180,000 speakers)
Language Code pan   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 14
Secondary Languages
Hindi
165,000
Marwari (India)
9,800
Wagdi
7,200
Haryanvi
5,300
Dhundari
3,100
Mewari
2,600
Shekhawati
1,800
Garhwali
200
Malvi
200
Marathi
200
Bengali
100
Kangri
100
Kanauji
50
Primary Language Punjabi, Eastern (180,000 speakers)
Language Code pan   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 14
Secondary Languages
  Hindi 165,000
  Marwari (India) 9,800
  Wagdi 7,200
  Haryanvi 5,300
  Dhundari 3,100
  Mewari 2,600
  Shekhawati 1,800
  Garhwali 200
  Malvi 200
  Marathi 200
  Bengali 100
  Kangri 100
  Kanauji 50
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)
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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
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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 (Representative photo)
Copyrighted © 2024  Isudas  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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