Mahishya in India
Photo Source:
Anonymous
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Map Source:
People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.
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| People Name: | Mahishya |
| Country: | India |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 11,690,000 |
| World Population: | 12,442,000 |
| Primary Language: | Bengali |
| Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
| Christian Adherents: | 0.35 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.00 % |
| Scripture: | Complete Bible |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | South Asia Hindu - Mahishya |
| Affinity Bloc: | South Asian Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
The Mahishya or Sadgop people are also known as Chasa or Chasi. The name Sadgop is derived from the two Sanskrit words: Sad means good and Gop means milkman. They believe they are the descendants of lord Krishna. The titles they use are Sarkar, Roy, Majumdar, Biswas, Mallik, Khan and Mandal. Mahishya have several clans such as Sandilya, Kashyap, Bharadwaj, Moudgulya and Alambayan.
In the varna system, they are known as vaisyas and as the members of Nabashakha group. They live mostly in West Bengal and surrounding states but they are also represented throughout most of India.
What Are Their Lives Like?
The Mahishya are a land owning community. Agriculture is their traditional and primary occupation. Rice and wheat are their staple food. They drink alcohol and chew tobacco locally known as Khaine and Guraku. Their mother tongue is Bengali. They are also conversant with the Hindi and Oriya languages.
Marriages are negotiated and monogamy is common among them. Married women have a significant role to play in the ritual performances. The Sadgop are expert in Alpana or floor painting on pujas.
What Are Their Beliefs?
The Mahishya are Hindu, so they depend on Brahmin priests and astrologers as their sacred specialists on special occasions.
They propitiate Hari and Lakshmi as their family deities. Women worship the goddess Lakshmi each day. Their village deities are Dharmaraj, Manasa and Shiva among others. Gaya and Vrindaban are their pilgrim centers. Durgapuja, Kalipuja and Dharmarajer are their major festivals.
What Are Their Needs?
Like all other peoples of the world, the Mahishya people needs the blessings and guidance that only Jesus Christ can offer.
Prayer Points
Pray for a movement to Christ among the Mahishya people.
Pray for God to send several Christian workers among them and meet their spiritual and physical needs.
Pray for Mahishya elders to be spiritually open to the truth of Christ and ready to respond.