Khandait 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
Mahanayaka 204,000

Introduction / History

The Khandai or Kandayat were traditionally soldiers and landowners in east India. "Khandai" means man of the sword or landowner. When the Moguls conquered the Orissa area, many Khandai lost their land holdings to the new rulers. They joined the Moguls' armies and regained some of the territory they had lost. During the British period, the Khandai continued to serve as military officers and soldiers.

Today the Khandai are landowners who generally have lower castes farm their property. They serve in the Indian Army and in police forces. Education is a high priority in Khandai families. Khandai have gained the highest political positions in Orissa and West Bengal.

The vast majority of Khandai speak Odia and Bengali. Most educated Khandai also speak Hindi so they can communicate with Indian citizens from central and north India.


Where Are they Located?

Most Khandai live in the east Indian states of Orissa and West Bengal.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Khandai are a Forward caste so they are not eligible for special positions in schools and government. The Khandai own land and fill high levels in east Indian society. They work in government, the military, education and business.

The Khandai marry within their gotra or clan. Cousin marriages are common. Sons inherit property with the eldest son getting the home of his parents. Brahmin priests officiate at the life rituals of birth, weddings and death. The Khandai cremate their dead.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Khandai are almost all Hindus. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They celebrate the Hindu holidays such as Holi, the festival of colors, Diwali, the festival of light and Navratri, the festival for the coming of spring.


What Are Their Needs?

The Khandai need to realize that they are sinners in need of a Savior. They need to be willing to humble themselves and see that the gods of Hinduism will not save them.


Prayer Points

Pray the Lord leads Christians to make friends with the Khandai and show them the love and care of Christ.
Pray the Khandia would be dissatisfied with Hinduism and open to the teachings of the Bible.
Pray God moves many Khandai to become Christians and that Bible believing churches are planted in their community.


Scripture Prayers for the Khandait in India.


References

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk%3AKhandayat
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khandayat


Profile Source:   David Kugel  

People Name General Khandait
People Name in Country Khandait
Pronunciation kun-DITE
Alternate Names Khandayat; Mahanayaka Khandayata; Mahanayaka Khyatriya; खंदाित
Population this Country 1,991,000
Population all Countries 2,005,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 40
People ID 17150
ROP3 Code 112500
ROP25 Code 303932
ROP25 Name Khandait
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 26
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
Odisha
1,572,000
West Bengal
316,000
Jharkhand
29,000
Andhra Pradesh
22,000
Chhattisgarh
20,000
Assam
14,000
Uttar Pradesh
5,100
Delhi
1,800
Rajasthan
1,500
Maharashtra
1,100
Telangana
1,100
Bihar
1,100
Andaman and Nicobar
900
Manipur
900
Arunachal Pradesh
700
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 26  (only 20 largest shown)
  Odisha 1,572,000
  West Bengal 316,000
  Jharkhand 29,000
  Andhra Pradesh 22,000
  Chhattisgarh 20,000
  Assam 14,000
  Uttar Pradesh 5,100
  Delhi 1,800
  Rajasthan 1,500
  Maharashtra 1,100
  Telangana 1,100
  Bihar 1,100
  Andaman and Nicobar 900
  Manipur 900
  Arunachal Pradesh 700
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.05 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.95 %
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 Odia (1,363,000 speakers)
Language Code ory   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 19
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Bengali
318,000
Hindi
58,000
Telugu
14,000
Assamese
7,700
Chhattisgarhi
3,200
Kui (India)
1,200
Santhali
800
Magahi
600
Ho
500
Mundari
300
Kuvi
300
Maithili
300
Sadri
200
Pengo
100
Bhojpuri
100
Primary Language Odia (1,363,000 speakers)
Language Code ory   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 19
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Bengali 318,000
  Hindi 58,000
  Telugu 14,000
  Assamese 7,700
  Chhattisgarhi 3,200
  Kui (India) 1,200
  Santhali 800
  Magahi 600
  Ho 500
  Mundari 300
  Kuvi 300
  Maithili 300
  Sadri 200
  Pengo 100
  Bhojpuri 100
People Groups Speaking Odia

Primary Language:  Odia

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1811-1956)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1809-2000)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1815-2021)
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YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
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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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General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source David Kugel 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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