Rajput Baria (Muslim traditions) in Pakistan


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

Starting in the 5th century, there was a massive attack by the White Huns in what is now northern and northwestern India and Pakistan. About a century later the reigning Hindu-based Gupta Empire broke up, leaving the Subcontinent vulnerable to Muslim invaders from the north. As time went on, invaders took over land and integrated with the settled peoples of this region. Tribal leaders, especially those involved with defense, were accepted as Kshatrya, the second highest varna (major type of castes) in Hindu society, while their followers became the fourth and lowest varna. Priests became the Brahmins, the highest of the four varnas.

The Rajputs, who were part of the Kshatrya varna, became politically important in the seventh century. From around 800CE Rajput dynasties ruled northern India. Petty Rajput kingdoms were the main obstacle for Muslim domination of the Hindu subcontinent. For more than 500 years Rajputs were the warriors who defended kingdoms from invaders and conquered others. When possible, Rajputs settled down, became nobles, and enjoyed the lives of landed gentry.

Over a period of a couple hundred years, invaders penetrated the Rajput wall that protected the Subcontinent. Some Rajput subgroups converted to Islam during this time. The British Raj took over the Islamic Moghul Empire in South Asia. During their rule, which ended in 1947, the British recruited Rajputs into their military units. By the 1930s the Indian census stopped noting that someone is Rajput, so Rajput lineage has been less clear ever since. The Rajputs have kept alive their proud history of conquest, bravery, and military might.


Where Are they Located?

The Baria clan get their name from the town of Baria, India, now in India's Gujarat State. This was where they originated. Most Rajput communities in Pakistan like the Barias live in Punjab Province.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Though Baria Rajputs are still in the armed forces or own land, many have moved on to other livelihoods. Rajputs who aren't so fortunate work as small businessmen or wage laborers.

They try to marry their daughters into clans of higher rank than their own. The Rajput clans in Rajasthan have the highest status, so families want their daughters to marry men from that state. Unfortunately, Rajputs often marry their daughters off while they are very young.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Though all Rajputs were once Hindu, some clans like the Barias converted to Islam starting in the early 12th century. Sufi Muslim missionaries were instrumental in winning these Hindus to Islam, though others converted to Islam for political reasons. Conversion to Islam continued into the 19th century when the British were gaining power in the Subcontinent. It is important to note that conversions happen at the group level; entire Rajput clans converted to Islam, not individuals. Those who want to see Rajputs won to Jesus Christ should remember this.

Rajputs who have embraced Islam usually retain common social practices such as having their wives secluded (purdah). Those who are devout do their five daily ritual prayers, give alms to the poor, and go on the pilgrimage (haj) to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Muslims from all communities come together on Friday afternoons to pray and hear a sermon at local mosques.


What Are Their Needs?

Baria Rajputs are going through an identity crisis. They can no longer depend on land ownership or military careers. Believers with the right skills can help them during this time of transition.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Muslim Baria Rajput community to increasingly grow in awareness of Jesus, his life and his sacrifice for them.
Pray the Lord will give Baria Rajputs a spiritual hunger, then satisfy that hunger.
Pray that these Rajputs will understand the value of becoming part of God's royal family.
Pray for a Holy Spirit led humility for all Rajput communities to fall at the feet of the King of kings.
Pray for a disciple making movement among every Rajput community.


Scripture Prayers for the Rajput Baria (Muslim traditions) in Pakistan.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/20232/PK
http://research.omicsgroup.org/index.php/Baria_caste
http://allrajputyouthwing.weebly.com/muslim-rajputs-history.html
https://joshuaproject.net/index.php/people_groups/17928/IN
http://induhistory.blogspot.com/p/rajput-history.html
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Rajput
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajput


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

The Rajputs

Source:  Asia Harvest      Download

People Name General Rajput Baria (Muslim traditions)
People Name in Country Rajput Baria (Muslim traditions)
Alternate Names राजपूत, बरिया
Population this Country 268,000
Population all Countries 271,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 5
PeopleID3 20232
ROP3 Code 115976
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 4
Largest States
Punjab
169,000
Sindh
97,000
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
1,400
Islamabad
600
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 4
  Punjab 169,000
  Sindh 97,000
  Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 1,400
  Islamabad 600
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
100.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Punjabi, Western (89,000 speakers)
Language Code pnb   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 11
Secondary Languages
Saraiki
66,000
Sindhi
59,000
Urdu
33,000
Marwari (Pakistan)
6,100
Hindko, Southern
3,100
Pahari-Potwari
1,800
Dhatki
1,600
Hindko, Northern
600
Bagri
300
Pashto, Northern
60
Primary Language Punjabi, Western (89,000 speakers)
Language Code pnb   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 11
Secondary Languages
  Saraiki 66,000
  Sindhi 59,000
  Urdu 33,000
  Marwari (Pakistan) 6,100
  Hindko, Southern 3,100
  Pahari-Potwari 1,800
  Dhatki 1,600
  Hindko, Northern 600
  Bagri 300
  Pashto, Northern 60
People Groups Speaking Punjabi, Western

Primary Language:  Punjabi, Western

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1885-1922)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1819-2021)
Bible-Complete No
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Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings DAVAR Partners recording, New Testament DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Audio Recordings Online Scripture / Bible General / Other
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Punjabi, Western Jesus Film Project
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General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
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Mobile App Android Bible app: Punjabi, Western YouVersion Bibles
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Text / Printed Matter Cartoon Gospel tract General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Punjabi, Western 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  
Video Source Asia Harvest
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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