Introduction / History

The Tarkhan people are carpenters. Among South Asian peoples, they have low status, but they are far from being very low. Their status is "Other Backward Castes," which indicates middle status. Most live in the Punjabi speaking regions of India, but some live in Bangladesh.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Today some Tarkhans dominate India's construction industry. Other members of this people group have gone into India's military. In 1971, Sikh Tarkhan soldiers and officers won a key battle in the war against Pakistan.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Sikhism originated from a 15th century teacher named Guru Nanak Dev as a reform movement. He rejected the Hindu caste system, taught that all people were equal and that all have equal access to God. The Sikh God is formless, without gender and is to be found in everyone. One gets closer to God by living a good life and by practicing charity. Like Hindus, Sikhs believe in reincarnation and the law of karma; you reap what you sow in your previous life. Like Muslims, the Sikhs worship only one God. One may recognize a Sikh man by his distinctive turban. All the 10 great Sikh gurus wore turbans. Sikh teaching mandates that a person not cut his or her hair. They worship their holy book, the Granth Sahib, which is a collection of hymns. There are roughly the same number of Sikhs as there are Jews in the world, but Sikhs are most concentrated in Punjab, their homeland. However, you will find smaller numbers of Sikhs all over the world. Many of the best Indian restaurants in the West are owned and operated by Sikhs.

What Are Their Needs?

The Tarkhan people need to submit to Jesus Christ so they can experience the abundant life he offers them in John 10:10.

Prayer Points

Pray for the good news to be clearly made expressed to the Tarkhan people. Pray for those who respond to be used by God to tell their friends and families about the salvation available in the carpenter who became the risen lord and king. Pray for a spiritual hunger among the Tarkhan people in India that will lead them to the cross.

Scripture Prayers for the Tarkhan (Sikh traditions) in India.