Utkal 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. The Utkal Brahmins were important Hindu priests during in the Utkala Kingdom, located in the state of Odisha.


Where Are they Located?

Utkal Brahmins have their origins in the state of Odisha, but today they are scattered across India in dozens of jātis (castes) speaking many local languages. A high percentage of them speak English 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 Utkal Brahmin family wants their sons to aspire towards. This may be a source of stress for the Utkal Brahmins who have very deep roots in their roles as priests. There is strong pressure for higher education, particularly in computer science and engineering. Utkal Brahmins have a strong work ethic and are often leaders, whether politically, intellectually, spiritually or socially.

Utkal 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?

Utkal 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 Utkal 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 Utkal 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 Utkal in India.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/19985/IN
https://www.revolvy.com/main/index.php?s=Utkala+Brahmin
http://www.liquisearch.com/utkala_brahmin/the_oriya_brahmin_surnames
http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/features/01-10/features1601.htm
http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/features/01-10/features1602.htm


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Brahmin Utkal
People Name in Country Brahmin Utkal
Natural Name Utkal Brahmin
Alternate Names Bahun; Bajey; Brahman Terai; Brahmin Terai; Jharkhandi; Oriya Brahman; Oriya Brahmin; Oriya Vaidik; Vaidic Brahman; Vaidic Brahmin; Vaidik; ब्रामिन, उत्कल
Population this Country 210,000
Population all Countries 214,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 4
PeopleID3 19985
ROP3 Code 115769
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 10
Largest States
West Bengal
140,000
Odisha
24,000
Bihar
20,000
Uttar Pradesh
16,000
Assam
6,100
Uttarakhand
3,600
Jharkhand
600
Andaman and Nicobar
400
Tripura
200
Gujarat
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 10
  West Bengal 140,000
  Odisha 24,000
  Bihar 20,000
  Uttar Pradesh 16,000
  Assam 6,100
  Uttarakhand 3,600
  Jharkhand 600
  Andaman and Nicobar 400
  Tripura 200
  Gujarat 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 Bengali (123,000 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 8
Secondary Languages
Hindi
30,000
Odia
22,000
Bhojpuri
5,400
Assamese
2,500
Maithili
1,800
Garhwali
800
Kanauji
40
Primary Language Bengali (123,000 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 8
Secondary Languages
  Hindi 30,000
  Odia 22,000
  Bhojpuri 5,400
  Assamese 2,500
  Maithili 1,800
  Garhwali 800
  Kanauji 40
People Groups Speaking Bengali

Primary Language:  Bengali

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Bible-Complete Yes  (1809-2022)
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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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