Khandelwal 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

Brahmins are the highest of the four varna (major caste groupings) in Hinduism. The historical developments of various Brahmin castes are not clear, as the history of the caste system itself is unclear. There was perhaps a caste system based on personal merit at one time before the hereditary caste system became dominant, as is seen in modern history. Brahmin castes became powerful in the early centuries of the Christian Era through alliances with kings, who granted them landed estates related to temples and temple service. There has never been a comprehensive analysis of all the different types and subgroups of Brahmins.

Traditionally Brahmins have five daily duties; to the gods, to ancestors, to all creatures, to humans, and to study. Thus daily worship (duty to gods) and chanting of sacred texts (duty to study) are an integral part of many Brahmins' lives, even if this is only a token routine for many.


Where Are they Located?

Khandelwal Brahmins are scattered across India in dozens of jātis (castes) speaking many different languages. A high percentage of them speak English also as higher education in India is mostly English medium.

Brahmins are disproportionately represented among overseas Indians due to their higher educational attainments, so those who reach out to Indian nationals in the West are very likely reaching out to people who are extremely difficult to reach in South Asia.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Traditionally in the varna system Brahmins are considered as priests, but a temple priest is a lowly position that no Khandelwal Brahmin family wants their sons to aspire towards. Rather, there is strong pressure for higher education, particularly in computer science and engineering. Khandelwal Brahmins have a strong work ethic and are often leaders, whether politically, intellectually, spiritually or socially.

Khandelwal Brahmins are still deeply influenced by the traditional four stages of life; the first student stage is followed by the householder stage, where marriage, raising a family and being a productive member of society is the primary obligation of an individual. Once children are married there is time for spiritual concerns in the third stage of reclusiveness, which is followed (this is rarely practiced) by itinerant homeless wandering (sannyasa).

Often a busy Brahmin will put off spiritual discussions as an issue for later in life. The famous Bhagavad Gita text does not support this, however, as it calls for all humanity to engage in doing good to all without thought of merit or reward for such actions.


What Are Their Beliefs?

In some cases Brahmin subgroups are defined by their theological distinctions such as Madhva Brahmins, who are defined by their dualist theology, though everyone does not actually hold those beliefs. However, many Brahmin castes are made up of people who adhere to all the various philosophical and theological options espoused by modern Hindus, including hard core secularists and atheists. One can never predict what an individual Brahmin might believe or disbelieve!


What Are Their Needs?

Khandelwal Brahmins as an influential and generally well-to-do community are not unlike the middle classes of most places. Their main needs involve relational strains that are usually kept behind closed doors. Modernization is breaking down family units which 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.


Prayer Points

Pray for Christ to reveal Himself to Khandelwal Brahmin leaders.
Pray for the eyes of Brahmin hearts to be open to Jesus Christ as Lord and king.
Pray for Holy Spirit directed Christ followers to go to Khandelwal Brahmin communities.
Pray for a disciple making movement to emerge among every Brahmin community.
Pray for many to be prompted to faithfully pray for Brahmins.


Scripture Prayers for the Brahmin Khandelwal in India.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/19956/IN
http://khandelwal-brahmin.blogspot.com/2007/10/khandelwal-brahmingotras.html


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Brahmin Khandelwal
People Name in Country Brahmin Khandelwal
Natural Name Khandelwal Brahmin
Alternate Names Brahman Terai; Brahmin Terai; Sunga; ब्रह्मन, खंडेलवाल
Population this Country 323,000
Population all Countries 325,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 6
PeopleID3 19956
ROP3 Code 115732
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)
Rajasthan
153,000
Bihar
77,000
West Bengal
23,000
Uttar Pradesh
20,000
Jharkhand
16,000
Maharashtra
10,000
Uttarakhand
8,200
Madhya Pradesh
4,800
Karnataka
3,400
Himachal Pradesh
2,500
Delhi
1,300
Odisha
1,300
Telangana
900
Chandigarh
300
Assam
100
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
  Rajasthan 153,000
  Bihar 77,000
  West Bengal 23,000
  Uttar Pradesh 20,000
  Jharkhand 16,000
  Maharashtra 10,000
  Uttarakhand 8,200
  Madhya Pradesh 4,800
  Karnataka 3,400
  Himachal Pradesh 2,500
  Delhi 1,300
  Odisha 1,300
  Telangana 900
  Chandigarh 300
  Assam 100
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 Hindi (135,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 19
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Wagdi
43,000
Bhojpuri
24,000
Marwari (India)
22,000
Bengali
12,000
Dhundari
12,000
Shekhawati
10,000
Maithili
10,000
Mewari
4,400
Marathi
2,000
Garhwali
1,500
Punjabi, Eastern
600
Gujarati
500
Angika
300
Magahi
300
Malvi
200
Primary Language Hindi (135,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 19
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Wagdi 43,000
  Bhojpuri 24,000
  Marwari (India) 22,000
  Bengali 12,000
  Dhundari 12,000
  Shekhawati 10,000
  Maithili 10,000
  Mewari 4,400
  Marathi 2,000
  Garhwali 1,500
  Punjabi, Eastern 600
  Gujarati 500
  Angika 300
  Magahi 300
  Malvi 200
People Groups Speaking Hindi

Primary Language:  Hindi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1806-1962)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1811-1998)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1818-2022)
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Mobile App Android Bible App: Hindi Bible (हिंदी बाइबिल) Indian Revised Version (IRV) Operation Agape
Mobile App Android Bible app: Hindi Study Bible Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible app: Hindi Word General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: Sab Ki Bible Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible app: पवित्र बाइबिल Hindi Bible Biblica
Mobile App Android Bible Radio app: Hindi Bible Radio Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Ek Rasta (Bible training) General / Other
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Mobile App Android Book Reading app: JM Hindi General / Other
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Text / Printed Matter Christ for the Nations General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Hindi Bible General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Hindi Literacy & Evangelism International
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 Anonymous 
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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