Rajput Tonwar (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 Kshatriya, the second highest varna (major categories of castes) in Hindu society, while their followers became the fourth and lowest varna. Priests became the Brahmins, the highest of the four varnas.

Rajputs, who were part of the Kshatriya varna, became politically important in the seventh century. From around 800 AD Rajput dynasties ruled northern India. Petty Rajput kingdoms were the main obstacle to Muslim domination of the Hindu subcontinent. For hundreds of 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 Empire put an end to the Moghul Empire, but they recruited Rajputs into their military units. The Rajputs have kept alive their proud history of conquest, bravery and military might.

Rajputs are concentrated in India's northwestern state of Rajasthan, though there are Rajputs all over India. Pakistan also has Rajput communities, mostly in Punjab Province. However, the Tonwar Rajputs speak Sindhi and they live in Sindh as well as Punjab Province. They are also scattered in northern Indian states like Uttar Pradesh.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Though Tonwar Rajputs are still in the armed forces or own land, many have moved on to other livelihoods. Some work as small businessmen or wage laborers.

Tonwar Rajputs 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. Rajputs often marry their daughters off while they are very young.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Though Rajputs were once Hindu, some converted to Islam starting in the early 12th century. That includes the Tonwar Rajput community. 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.

Tonwar 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?

Tonwar Rajputs are admired in South Asia for their historical and military accomplishments. Rajputs presently are going through something of an identity crisis. They can no longer depend on land ownership or military careers, especially with the Indian government reserving prestigious jobs for underprivileged castes. Believers with the right skills can help them during this time of transition.


Prayer Points

Pray for Rajput communities to increasingly grow in awareness of Jesus, his life and his sacrifice for them.
Pray the Lord will give Tonwar Rajput leaders spiritual hunger, then satisfy that hunger with Christ.
Pray these people will understand the value of becoming part of God's royal family.
Pray for Holy Spirit led humility for all Rajput communities to fall at the feet of the King of kings.
Pray for Rajput families to accept the abundant blessings and guidance offered only by Jesus Christ.


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


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Rajput_clans
http://induhistory.blogspot.com/p/rajput-history.html
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Rajput
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajput
http://allrajputyouthwing.weebly.com/muslim-rajputs-


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Rajput Tonwar (Muslim traditions)
People Name in Country Rajput Tonwar (Muslim traditions)
Alternate Names Torwal; राजपूत टोनवार (मुस्लिम ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 382,000
Population all Countries 423,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 8
PeopleID3 21523
ROP3 Code 118327
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 6
Largest States
Sindh
263,000
Punjab
94,000
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
12,000
Azad Kashmir
11,000
Balochistan
1,600
Islamabad
900
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 6
  Sindh 263,000
  Punjab 94,000
  Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 12,000
  Azad Kashmir 11,000
  Balochistan 1,600
  Islamabad 900
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 Sindhi (203,000 speakers)
Language Code snd   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 16
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Punjabi, Western
68,000
Urdu
44,000
Saraiki
24,000
Hindko, Northern
11,000
Dhatki
7,600
Marwari (Pakistan)
6,400
Pahari-Potwari
5,100
Pashto, Northern
1,600
Pashto, Central
1,100
Khowar
900
Hindko, Southern
600
Kacchi
300
Torwali
300
Kashmiri
200
Bagri
200
Primary Language Sindhi (203,000 speakers)
Language Code snd   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 16
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Punjabi, Western 68,000
  Urdu 44,000
  Saraiki 24,000
  Hindko, Northern 11,000
  Dhatki 7,600
  Marwari (Pakistan) 6,400
  Pahari-Potwari 5,100
  Pashto, Northern 1,600
  Pashto, Central 1,100
  Khowar 900
  Hindko, Southern 600
  Kacchi 300
  Torwali 300
  Kashmiri 200
  Bagri 200
People Groups Speaking Sindhi

Primary Language:  Sindhi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1825-1981)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1890-1992)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1954)
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Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
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