The Rajput Saithwar or Mall are an ancient noble people of Nepal and India. The Buddha is thought by many to be a member of this group. Rajput means son of a king or ruler. Saithwar comes from Sanskrit words that mean an assembly of nobles. The Saithwar are members of the Kshatriya Varna or caste the second highest rank in Hinduism. The Saithwar served as nobles, large landowners and warriors in the dynasties of north India and Nepal for hundreds of years.
Today many Saithwar still own land that is cultivated by themselves and lower castes. They also serve in the Nepali armed forces. Others have become leaders in business, education, science and technology.
The primary language of the Saithwar is Bhojpuri. They also speak English and other regional languages.
The Saithwar live in south central Nepal. A much larger population of Saithwar lives in north India.
Though many Rajputs are still in the armed forces or own land, many have moved on to other livelihoods. Some Rajputs now own impressive hotels where tourists can be introduced to their history and culture. Rajputs who aren't so fortunate work as small businessmen or farmers
They try to marry their daughters into clans of higher rank than their own.
Some Rajput clans have a higher status, so families want their daughters to marry men from group. The Saithwar are endogamous, that is they will only marry persons from their caste. Families arrange marriages with the consent of the young people. Brahmin priests officiate at important life events like births, weddings and funerals.
Forward caste Hindus like the Saithwar often becomes devotees of three Hindu gods. Typically Rajputs worship Shiva (the destroyer), Surya (the sun god), and Durga (the mother goddess). They also have patron gods to turn to for protection. They celebrate Dasahara, a festival dedicated to Durga. During this festival they sacrifice a buffalo to celebrate this goddess' victory over a buffalo demon. Besides Dasahara, the main yearly holidays of the Saithwar people are Holi, the festival of colors, Diwali, the festival of lights and Navratri, the celebration of autumn.
All Rajputs including the Saithwar need to hear the life-changing message of Jesus Christ in a way they can understand. The Rajputs are going through an identity crisis. They can no longer depend on land ownership or military careers, especially with the Indian government reserving prestigious jobs for "backward" (i.e., underprivileged) castes. Believers with the right skills can help them during this time of transition.
Pray for the Rajput Saithwar community to increasingly grow in awareness of Jesus, his life and his sacrifice for them.
Pray the Lord will give the Saithwar a spiritual hunger for the Word of God and for his truth.
Pray for a Holy Spirit led humility for all Rajput communities to fall at the feet of the King of kings.
Pray that God raises up a disciple making movement among every Rajput Saithwar community.
Scripture Prayers for the Rajput Saithwar in Nepal.
http://sainthwarisgreat.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-origin-of-sainthwar-saithwar.html
quora.com/Who-is-Sainthwar-Do-they-belong-to-Kshatriya-varna-or-are-they-Kurmi
http://gana.santhagara8.tripod.com/8.9-the-clans-and-villages-of-mall-sainthwar-community.html
Profile Source: David Kugel |
Rajputs profile for Children and Family Missions Activities |
People Name General | Rajput Saithwar |
People Name in Country | Rajput Saithwar |
Natural Name | Saithwar Rajput |
Alternate Names | Kanghikar; Kanghikir; Kurmi; Mall; Sai; Sainthwar; Saithwar; Saitwal; Sarthi; Sayee; Shis; Sut; राजपूत, सैइतवार |
Population this Country | 700 |
Population all Countries | 571,000 |
Total Countries | 2 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 17999 |
ROP3 Code | 113491 |
Country | Nepal | ||
Region | Asia, South | ||
Continent | Asia | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
National Bible Society | Website | ||
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Country | Nepal |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Total States | 1 |
Lumbini 600 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
100.00 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
* From latest Nepal census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Bhojpuri (700 speakers) |
Language Code | bho Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Bhojpuri (700 speakers) |
Language Code | bho Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Bhojpuri |
Primary Language: Bhojpuri
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1911-1982) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1998-2007) |
Bible-Complete | No |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Photo Source | Anonymous |
Map Source | People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project. |
Video Source | Asia Harvest |
Profile Source | David Kugel |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |