Zargar (Hindu traditions) in India

The Zargar (Hindu traditions) have only been reported in India
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

As late as the 19th century there were reports of highway robberies by the Zargar people. They had a reputation for being robbers and thieves. Most Hindu Zargar live in the north of India in Jammu and Kashmir. Within the Zargar there are Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs. Clans of Zargar often travel from place to place looking for work.

The Zargar people are related to the Romani (Gypsy) peoples through language and culture. Their two main languages of the Hindu Zargar of India are Dogri and Kashmiri.

The New Testament in Dogri became available in 2021. There are few if any followers of Christ among the Hindu Zargar.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Zargar do not marry between religious communities, so there is no inter-marriage between Hindu, Muslim and Sikh Zargar. Hindu Zargar marry other Hindus. Marriage to one spouse is the norm.

The nomadic lifestyle of some Zargar makes it difficult for their children to obtain an education. Many Zargar are unable is read and write beyond a rudimentary level. They also lack job skills. The majority of the Zargar do not own land. Some work as landless laborers in times of harvest.

Zargar sons inherit what little property their father owns. Sons take care of elderly parents. The government of India is encouraging the Zargar to settle down in one location so that their economic situation improves and their children are able to attend school


What Are Their Beliefs?

Zargar people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They 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 other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins.

Almost all Hindus participate in yearly celebrations like 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.


What Are Their Needs?

The Zargar peoples, be they Hindu, Muslim or Sikh, need to hear about and trust in Jesus Christ. Their children need to attend school on a regular basis. Zargar need to learn new job skills do they can join the modern Indian economy.


Prayer Points

Pray for God to open the hearts of the Hindu Zargar.

Pray for a movement of Zargar households to study the Bible and accept the blessings of Christ.

Pray for a spiritual hunger among the elders and leaders among the Hindu Zargar.

Pray for workers who are filled with the Holy Spirit to go to the Zargar people and tell them about Jesus.


Scripture Prayers for the Zargar (Hindu traditions) in India.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zargari_people


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Zargar (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Zargar (Hindu traditions)
Alternate Names ज़रगर (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 26,000
Population all Countries 26,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 18356
ROP3 Code 113910
ROP25 Code 309265
ROP25 Name Zargar
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 8
Largest States
Jammu and Kashmir
25,000
Ladakh
500
Delhi
200
Himachal Pradesh
200
Punjab
30
Haryana
30
Uttarakhand
30
Rajasthan
20
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 8
  Jammu and Kashmir 25,000
  Ladakh 500
  Delhi 200
  Himachal Pradesh 200
  Punjab 30
  Haryana 30
  Uttarakhand 30
  Rajasthan 20
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 India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Dogri (15,000 speakers)
Language Code dgo   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 6
Secondary Languages
Kashmiri
6,200
Urdu
300
Hindi
90
Khah
80
Bhadrawahi
60
Primary Language Dogri (15,000 speakers)
Language Code dgo   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 6
Secondary Languages
  Kashmiri 6,200
  Urdu 300
  Hindi 90
  Khah 80
  Bhadrawahi 60
People Groups Speaking Dogri
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.



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