Nikhad Gadaria 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 name Gadaria means "one who tends sheep." Taking care of and rearing sheep and goats has been the traditional occupation of the Gadaria people of north India. A sub-group of the larger Gadaria people who live in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh is the Nikhad Gadaria. They speak the languages of the area where they live. Their main language is Hindi. A revised copy of the Hindi Bible became available in 2012. The Nikhad are a primarily oral culture so the gospel must be presented to them in audio and visual form.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Today most Nikhad Gadaria still follow the profession of their ancestors, the herding sheep and goats. They sell the animals, wool, hides, milk, and meat to purchase things that they cannot make for themselves. Women also weave woolen blankets to sell. Many Nikhad own small and medium size plots of land where they grow vegetables and fruit. Their women help the men with the animals and tend to the crops along with taking care of the children. Many Gadaria children quit school early to help their parents earn a living. Some of the Nikhad have left their traditional occupation and have become construction and factory workers. Some educated Gadaria work for the government and teach for a living. The Nikhad Gadaria marry within their group but not within the same village. Marriage to one spouse is the norm although a man may take another wife if his first wife is unable to have children. Sons inherit the property of their father. They use both modern and traditional medicines. Each village has a shaman or village priest who gives out medical remedies and helps protect the Nikhad from "evil spirits."


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Nikhad Gadaria practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Their form of Hinduism is mixed with animism or the belief in spirits inhabiting the objects of nature. The Nikhad give special reverence to Vishnu and his avatars Krishna and Rama. Hindus believe that by performing rituals and good works that they will attain moksha or freedom from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The Nikhad visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hope of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians do with their heavenly Father. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs. The main yearly holidays of the Nikhad people are Holi, the festival of colors and the start of spring, Diwali, the festival of lights, Navratri, the celebration of autumn and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday. The caste system divides Hindus into four main categories. The lowest communities are outside of the caste system. The Nikhad Gadaria consider themselves to be Vaishyas but other Hindus see them as the working caste.


What Are Their Needs?

Rural Nikhad need good schools for their children. The villages where the Nikhad live may not have access to clean water or electricity. Most of all, the Nikhad need to hear and understand a clear presentation of the gospel. Jesus is much more than another Hindu god or guru. He alone can forgive their sins and grant them eternal life.


Prayer Points

Ask the Lord to send workers to the Nikhad Gadaria to meet their spiritual and physical needs. Pray that Nikhad parents are able to adequately provide for their children. Pray for Nikhad families and communities to discover and embrace the free gift of life found by trusting Christ and His finished work. Ask the Lord to raise up a Disciple Making Movement among the Nikhad Gadaria in this decade.


Scripture Prayers for the Gadaria Nikhad in India.


References

https://peoplegroupsindia.com/profiles/gadaria/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadaria  https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/now-gadaria-in-scheduled-caste-category-109862       


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Gadaria Nikhad
People Name in Country Gadaria Nikhad
Natural Name Nikhad Gadaria
Pronunciation ni-KAED gah-DRREE-ah
Alternate Names
Population this Country 1,530,000
Population all Countries 1,530,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 31
PeopleID3 21719
ROP3 Code 118507
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 9
Largest States
Uttar Pradesh
1,493,000
Bihar
14,000
Madhya Pradesh
12,000
Uttarakhand
5,900
Delhi
2,200
Chhattisgarh
1,800
Rajasthan
600
Maharashtra
200
Assam
50
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 9
  Uttar Pradesh 1,493,000
  Bihar 14,000
  Madhya Pradesh 12,000
  Uttarakhand 5,900
  Delhi 2,200
  Chhattisgarh 1,800
  Rajasthan 600
  Maharashtra 200
  Assam 50
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 (1,147,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 14
Secondary Languages
Kanauji
101,000
Bhojpuri
65,000
Awadhi
25,000
Bundeli
11,000
Garhwali
3,700
Malvi
1,200
Haryanvi
1,100
Chhattisgarhi
1,000
Maithili
1,000
Bengali
400
Braj Bhasha
300
Angika
300
Wagdi
Primary Language Hindi (1,147,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 14
Secondary Languages
  Kanauji 101,000
  Bhojpuri 65,000
  Awadhi 25,000
  Bundeli 11,000
  Garhwali 3,700
  Malvi 1,200
  Haryanvi 1,100
  Chhattisgarhi 1,000
  Maithili 1,000
  Bengali 400
  Braj Bhasha 300
  Angika 300
  Wagdi 10
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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Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
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Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
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Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Hindi Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
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Film / Video Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
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General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
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General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
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General Gospel website in this language General / Other
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links (Hindi) Scripture Earth
General Voice of the Martyrs resources Voice of the Martyrs
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
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Mobile App Android Bible app direct APK download (Hindi) SIL
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Mobile App Android Bible app: Hindi YouVersion Bibles
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
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Open Bible Stories (Hindi) Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Hindi YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Hindi Unlocked Literal Bible Kalaam Media Ltd
Text / Printed Matter Bible: Comic Book Version Super Bible / Comic Bible Society
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
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 Shreyans Bhansali - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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