Khatri (Hindu traditions) in Pakistan


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

The Khatri Somvanshiya or Somvanshi are a people who live throughout northern, western and central India and in the nation of Pakistan. Experts say that the Khatri originally came from Punjab and over the centuries moved south into central India and Pakistan. The Somvanshi are one of their subgroups. While vast majority of the Khatri live in India, a small group of Hindu Khatri resides in Pakistan. Most Khatri fall in the third of the four main castes of Hinduism, the Vaishyas. Some Khatri see themselves as Kshatriya, the descendant of kings and warriors. Today Khatri are known as financiers, business owners, traders, and industrialists. Some are involved in the cotton fabric and silk trades. The Khatri also work in law enforcement, the military, medicine, entertainment, and science. The Somvanshiya are one of the most powerful, forward castes in Pakistan. The main languages of the Khatri are Hindi-Urdu, English and Eastern Punjabi.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Khatri live as members of the modern, urban Pakistani society. Somvanshi are monogamous, that is marriage to one spouse is their practice. They marry within their people group. Families arrange marriages with the consent of the young people. Parents encourage their children to graduate from universities and graduate schools. Sons inherit property upon the death of their father. Brahmin priests officiate at important family ceremonies such as births, weddings and funerals. They cremate their dead. Ashes are scattered in holy waters like the River Ganges. Caste associations settle legal disputes and promote their interests. The Khatri eat meat except for beef and pork.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Khatri practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of the Indian subcontinent. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. 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 Khatri visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians do. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs. The main yearly holidays of the Khatri 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.


What Are Their Needs?

The Somvanshi Khatri need to hear and understand the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. It is often difficult for more successful people to humble themselves before the Savior. They must see themselves as sinners in need of forgiveness from the holy, personal God.


Prayer Points

Pray that God sends Hindu background believers to the Khatri Somvanshiya to tell them about Jesus Christ. Pray that Hindi and Eastern Punjabi Bibles fall into the hands of Khatri who are seeking for truth. Pray that a strong movement to Jesus will bring whole Khatri families and communities into a rich experience of God's blessings. Pray that God will overthrow spiritual forces of darkness opposing the spread of His gospel among the Somvanshi Khatri.


Scripture Prayers for the Khatri (Hindu traditions) in Pakistan.


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Khatri (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Khatri (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation KAH-tree
Alternate Names Arora Khatri; Bahi; Bari; Bhadrawahi; Bhadri; Katri; Khakar; Khakha; Khakha Khatri; Khatri; Khattri; Sareen; Sethara; Surin; खत्री (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 14,000
Population all Countries 2,798,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 17161
ROP3 Code 112512
ROP25 Code 303963
ROP25 Name Khatri
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 4
Largest States
Punjab
14,000
Sindh
400
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
300
Balochistan
100
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 4
  Punjab 14,000
  Sindh 400
  Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 300
  Balochistan 100
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.49 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.51 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Saraiki (7,900 speakers)
Language Code skr   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 6
Secondary Languages
Punjabi, Western
4,500
Marwari (Pakistan)
1,700
Sindhi
300
Hindko, Southern
100
Dhatki
100
Primary Language Saraiki (7,900 speakers)
Language Code skr   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 6
Secondary Languages
  Punjabi, Western 4,500
  Marwari (Pakistan) 1,700
  Sindhi 300
  Hindko, Southern 100
  Dhatki 100
People Groups Speaking Saraiki
Photo Source VGrigas - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



Joshua Project logo    Joshua Project    Copyright © 2024