Chitpavan Brahmin 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

The Brahmin Chitpavan live in west central India. Their name Chitpavan means those "pure of mind." They were the leading nobles of the Maratha Empire (1674 to 1818), the dominant state in 18th century India. The Peshwa or Prime Minister of the Maratha Empire was a Chitpavan and he rewarded the fellow member of his caste with high positions and land. When the British took control of the empire in 1818, the Brahmin Chitpavan lost much of their influence and power. They began learning English and soon became officials in the British East India Company and later British Empire.

There has been a fierce rivalry between the Brahmin Deshastha and the Brahmin Chitpavan for hundreds of years. The Deshastha consider the Chitpavan inferior to themselves.

The man who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi in 1948 was a member of the Brahmin Chitpavan caste. This action led to strong feelings against all Brahmins by the lower castes.

The primary language of the Chitpavan is Marathi. They also speak English, Hindi and other local Indian languages.


Where Are they Located?

The majority of the Brahmin Chitpavan today lives in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Others also live Kanarkata, Gujarat and other regions of India.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Brahmin Chitpavan encourage their children to obtain university educations. Modern Chitpavan still work in their traditional occupation as priests and Hindu scholars. Many have entered the fields of computer science, engineering, law, the military and private business. There is a strong work ethic among the Chitpavan. As a result they strive for leadership in any area where they are employed.

The Brahmin Chitpavan are endogamous, that is they marry within their group or with other Brahmins. Families arrange marriages with the consent of the young people. Sons inherit property with the eldest son gaining his father's titles and home.

The Chitpavan are vegetarians. Their main foods are rice, wheat, lentils, vegetables and fruit.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Chitpavan practice Hinduism, the ancient religion and culture of India. They worship and serve the many gods of the Hindu pantheon. The Chitpavan believe that Moksha, freedom from the endless cycle of reincarnation, can be achieved through rituals and good works.

The Chitpavan participate in and often lead the yearly Hindu holidays of Holi, the festival of colors, Diwali, the festival of lights and Navratri the nine-day celebration of autumn.


What Are Their Needs?

The Brahmin Chitpavan as an influential and generally well-to-do community. Their main needs involve relational strains that are usually kept behind closed doors. Modernization is breaking down family units that have been the glue to society for many generations, and loneliness is increasingly a problem. They are expected to "achieve it all," but ironically, achieving it all can be empty. Most of all, the Chitpavan need to hear the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ in a way they can understand.


Prayer Points

Pray for Christ to reveal Himself to Brahman Chitpavan leaders.
Pray for Holy Spirit directed Christ followers to go to Brahmin Chitpavan communities.
Pray for a disciple making movement to emerge among every Brahmin Chitpavan community.


Scripture Prayers for the Brahmin Chitpavan in India.


References

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chitpavan


Profile Source:   David Kugel  

People Name General Brahmin Chitpavan
People Name in Country Brahmin Chitpavan
Natural Name Chitpavan Brahmin
Alternate Names Chitpavan; Chitpavan Brahman; Chitpavan Brahmin; Chitpawan Brahman; Chitpawan Brahmin; Citpawan Brahman; Citpawan Brahmin; Konkanastha; Parashuramshristi; Smartha Brahman; Smartha Brahmin; Smata Brahman; Smata Brahmin; ब्रामिन, चितपवन
Population this Country 543,000
Population all Countries 543,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 11
PeopleID3 19935
ROP3 Code 115708
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
Maharashtra
429,000
Karnataka
57,000
Gujarat
22,000
Goa
10,000
Madhya Pradesh
8,400
Delhi
6,800
Telangana
6,200
Chhattisgarh
1,300
Andhra Pradesh
1,000
Tamil Nadu
400
West Bengal
400
Dadra and Nagar Have
90
Daman and Diu
60
Rajasthan
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 14
  Maharashtra 429,000
  Karnataka 57,000
  Gujarat 22,000
  Goa 10,000
  Madhya Pradesh 8,400
  Delhi 6,800
  Telangana 6,200
  Chhattisgarh 1,300
  Andhra Pradesh 1,000
  Tamil Nadu 400
  West Bengal 400
  Dadra and Nagar Have 90
  Daman and Diu 60
  Rajasthan 20
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 Marathi (307,000 speakers)
Language Code mar   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 9
Secondary Languages
Konkani
71,000
Hindi
38,000
Kannada
24,000
Gujarati
22,000
Konkani, Goan
17,000
Khandesi
2,500
Telugu
600
Chhattisgarhi
200
Primary Language Marathi (307,000 speakers)
Language Code mar   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 9
Secondary Languages
  Konkani 71,000
  Hindi 38,000
  Kannada 24,000
  Gujarati 22,000
  Konkani, Goan 17,000
  Khandesi 2,500
  Telugu 600
  Chhattisgarhi 200
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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Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source David Kugel 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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