Khokhar Rajput 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 Khokhar Rajputs speak Sindhi and most of them live in Sindh Province.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Though Khokhar 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.

Khokhar 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 Khokhar 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.

Khokhar 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?

Khokhar 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 Khokhar 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 Khokhar 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 Khokhar
People Name in Country Rajput Khokhar
Natural Name Khokhar Rajput
Alternate Names
Population this Country 77,000
Population all Countries 79,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
PeopleID3 21792
ROP3 Code 118579
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 5
Largest States
Sindh
34,000
Azad Kashmir
31,000
Gilgit-Baltistan
7,800
Punjab
2,800
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
1,900
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 5
  Sindh 34,000
  Azad Kashmir 31,000
  Gilgit-Baltistan 7,800
  Punjab 2,800
  Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 1,900
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 (23,000 speakers)
Language Code snd   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 14
Secondary Languages
Hindko, Northern
16,000
Urdu
13,000
Pahari-Potwari
13,000
Punjabi, Western
4,600
Shina
3,100
Pashto, Northern
2,000
Kashmiri
1,600
Saraiki
1,100
Hindko, Southern
600
Marwari (Pakistan)
300
Gujari
200
Khowar
80
Balti
20
Primary Language Sindhi (23,000 speakers)
Language Code snd   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 14
Secondary Languages
  Hindko, Northern 16,000
  Urdu 13,000
  Pahari-Potwari 13,000
  Punjabi, Western 4,600
  Shina 3,100
  Pashto, Northern 2,000
  Kashmiri 1,600
  Saraiki 1,100
  Hindko, Southern 600
  Marwari (Pakistan) 300
  Gujari 200
  Khowar 80
  Balti 20
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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Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Sindhi Jesus Film Project
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Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Sindhi Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
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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