Anuppan in India

The Anuppan have only been reported 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.

Subgroups: 1

Subgroup Name Population
Allikulam Unknown

Introduction / History

The Anuppan people are a small caste group found in southern India, historically concentrated in regions such as Tamil Nadu, including areas like Madurai and Tirunelveli. They are believed to have migrated from areas such as Mysore or South Canara and have long been associated with Kannada (Canarese) linguistic roots, though their speech has developed into localized forms over time.

Their history is not extensively documented, but like many small caste communities, their identity has been shaped by regional migration, agriculture, and internal clan structures. They have traditionally been organized into subgroups and governed by local leadership systems that helped regulate social and community life.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Anuppan have traditionally been agriculturalists, working as farmers and cultivators. Their livelihoods are tied to the land, with daily life centered on farming cycles, seasonal labor, and family cooperation.

Community structure is important, with internal divisions and clan relationships influencing marriage and social organization. Village leadership and caste councils have historically played a role in maintaining order and resolving disputes. Life is typically rural, with strong dependence on agriculture and limited access to broader economic opportunities.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Anuppan people practice Hinduism, with some identifying as Shaivites (devotees of Shiva) and others as Vaishnavites (devotees of Vishnu).

Their religious life includes participation in ritual practices, and observance of traditional ceremonies tied to birth, marriage, and death. As with many rural Hindu communities, their beliefs may also include local deities and traditions alongside broader Hindu teachings.


What Are Their Needs?

The Anuppan face both practical and spiritual challenges. As a small rural caste group, economic opportunities are often limited and tied heavily to agriculture, which can be unstable. Access to education and broader development opportunities may also be restricted.

Spiritually, they have little exposure to the gospel and limited access to biblical teaching. Their established Hindu framework and traditional practices present barriers to understanding the message of Christ. Meaningful engagement requires long-term, relational investment and clear communication of the gospel in culturally understandable ways.


Prayer Items

Pray that the Anuppan people would come to understand the truth of the gospel and place their faith in Jesus Christ.
Ask God to raise up faithful workers who will go to the Anuppan and live among them with perseverance and love.
Pray that the Anuppan would be adopted through the People Group Adoption program, leading to sustained prayer and intentional gospel outreach.
Pray that, as individuals come to faith, they would grow in spiritual maturity and disciple others within their community.


Scripture Prayers for the Anuppan in India.


References

https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Castes_and_Tribes_of_Southern_India/Anuppan
https://peoplegroups.org/people_groups/pg049199/


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Anuppan
People Name in Country Anuppan
Alternate Names Anapan; अनुप्पन
Population this Country 1,100
Population all Countries 1,100
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale Progress Gauge
Unreached Yes
Frontier Yes
Unengaged Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 16214
ROP3 Code 111325
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 12  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 2
Largest States
Tamil Nadu
700
Karnataka
300
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 12  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 2
  Tamil Nadu 700
  Karnataka 300
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Estimated Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
100.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Judaism
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Sikhism
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Kannada (700 speakers)
Ethnologue Language Code kan
Ethnologue Language Familly Dravidian
Glottolog Language Family Dravidian
Written / Published Yes   (ScriptSource Listing)
Total Languages 3
Secondary Languages
Tamil
200
Konkani, Goan
200
Primary Language Kannada (700 speakers)
Ethnologue Language Code kan
Ethnologue Language Familly Dravidian
Glottolog Language Family Dravidian
Written / Published Yes   (ScriptSource Listing)
Total Languages 3
Secondary Languages
  Tamil 200
  Konkani, Goan 200

Primary Language:  Kannada

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1812-1988)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1827-2023)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1827-2024)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Audio Recordings Online Scripture / Bible General / Other
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories Story Runners
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Kannada Jesus Film Project
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
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
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
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
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
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
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
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links 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
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app: Kannada YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Kannada Bible Biblica
Mobile App Android Bible App: Kannada Bible (ಕನ್ನಡ ಬೈಬಲ್) Indian Revised Version (IRV) Operation Agape
Mobile App Android Bible app: Kannada Study Bible Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible app: Pastors Study Bible Kannada Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible Radio app: Kannada Bible Radio Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Children's Bible app Bible4Kidz
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 iOS Bible app: Kannada YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible Radio App: Kannada Bible Radio iOS Revive India
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Kannada Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter The Ancient Path Live Global
Text / Printed Matter tools for gospel conversations Cru
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.