Sawaria Brahmin 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

Brahmins are the highest of the four varna (major caste groupings) in Hinduism. The historical developments of various Brahmin castes are not clear, as the history of the caste system itself is unclear. There was perhaps a caste system based on personal merit at one time before the hereditary caste system became dominant, as is seen in modern history. Brahmin castes became powerful in the early centuries of the Christian Era through alliances with kings, who granted them landed estates related to temples and temple service. There has never been a comprehensive analysis of all the different types and subgroups of Brahmins.

Traditionally Brahmins have five daily duties; to the gods, to ancestors, to all creatures, to humans, and to study. Thus daily worship (duty to gods) and chanting of sacred texts (duty to study) are an integral part of many Brahmins' lives, even if this is only a token routine for many.


Where Are they Located?

Sawaria Brahmins are one of the largest Brahmin communities. They are scattered across India in dozens of jātis (castes) speaking many different local languages. A high percentage of them speak English as higher education in India is mostly English medium.

Brahmins are disproportionately represented among overseas Indians due to their higher educational attainments, so those who reach out to Indian nationals in the West are very likely reaching out to people who are extremely difficult to reach in South Asia.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Traditionally in the varna system Brahmins are considered as priests, but a temple priest is a lowly position that no Sawaria Brahmin family wants their sons to aspire towards. Rather, there is strong pressure for higher education, particularly in computer science and engineering. Sawaria Brahmins have a strong work ethic and are often leaders, whether politically, intellectually, spiritually or socially.

Sawaria Brahmins are deeply influenced by the traditional four stages of life; the first student stage is followed by the householder stage, where marriage, raising a family and being a productive member of society is the primary obligation of an individual. Once children are married there is time for spiritual concerns in the third stage of reclusiveness, which is followed (this is rarely practiced) by itinerant homeless wandering (sannyasa).

Often a busy Brahmin will put off spiritual discussions as an issue for later in life. The famous Bhagavad Gita text does not support this, however, as it calls for all humanity to engage in doing good to all without thought of merit or reward for such actions.


What Are Their Beliefs?

In some cases Brahmin subgroups are defined by their theological distinctions such as Madhva Brahmins, who are defined by their dualist theology, though everyone does not actually hold those beliefs. However, many Brahmin castes are made up of people who adhere to all the various philosophical and theological options espoused by modern Hindus, including hard core secularists and atheists. One can never predict what an individual Brahmin might believe or disbelieve!


What Are Their Needs?

The Brahmins as an influential and generally well-to-do community are not unlike the middle classes of most places. Their main needs involve relational strains that are usually kept behind closed doors. Modernization is breaking down family units which have been the glue to society for many generations, and loneliness is increasingly a problem. They are expected to "achieve it all," but ironically, achieving it all can be empty.


Prayer Points

Pray for Christ to reveal Himself to Sawaria Brahmin leaders.
Pray for the eyes of Brahmin hearts to be open to Jesus Christ as Lord and king.
Pray for Holy Spirit directed Christ followers to go to Sawaria Brahmin communities.
Pray for a disciple making movement to emerge among every Brahmin community.
Pray for many to be prompted to faithfully pray for Brahmins.


Scripture Prayers for the Brahmin Sawaria in India.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/19978/IN


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Brahmin Sawaria
People Name in Country Brahmin Sawaria
Natural Name Sawaria Brahmin
Pronunciation sah-VARE-ee-ah BRAH-min
Alternate Names Brahman Terai; Brahmin Terai; Saruyada; Sarvad; Savade; ब्रह्मन, सवरिअ
Population this Country 5,093,000
Population all Countries 5,102,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 102
People ID 19978
ROP3 Code 115759
ROP25 Code 301405
ROP25 Name Brahmin
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 18
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
Uttar Pradesh
3,312,000
Madhya Pradesh
493,000
Bihar
466,000
Maharashtra
293,000
Rajasthan
164,000
Uttarakhand
141,000
Gujarat
116,000
Chhattisgarh
54,000
Delhi
42,000
Jharkhand
6,400
Karnataka
3,700
Telangana
1,300
Tamil Nadu
700
Daman and Diu
400
Andhra Pradesh
100
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 18
  Uttar Pradesh 3,312,000
  Madhya Pradesh 493,000
  Bihar 466,000
  Maharashtra 293,000
  Rajasthan 164,000
  Uttarakhand 141,000
  Gujarat 116,000
  Chhattisgarh 54,000
  Delhi 42,000
  Jharkhand 6,400
  Karnataka 3,700
  Telangana 1,300
  Tamil Nadu 700
  Daman and Diu 400
  Andhra Pradesh 100
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 Hindi (3,240,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 29
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Bhojpuri
424,000
Gujarati
159,000
Marathi
146,000
Kumaoni
40,000
Awadhi
39,000
Bundeli
38,000
Dhundari
32,000
Marwari
29,000
Chhattisgarhi
28,000
Garhwali
27,000
Maithili
21,000
Konkani
18,000
Bagheli
18,000
Shekhawati
12,000
Malvi
5,400
Primary Language Hindi (3,240,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 29
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Bhojpuri 424,000
  Gujarati 159,000
  Marathi 146,000
  Kumaoni 40,000
  Awadhi 39,000
  Bundeli 38,000
  Dhundari 32,000
  Marwari 29,000
  Chhattisgarhi 28,000
  Garhwali 27,000
  Maithili 21,000
  Konkani 18,000
  Bagheli 18,000
  Shekhawati 12,000
  Malvi 5,400
People Groups Speaking Hindi

Primary Language:  Hindi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
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Bible-New Testament Yes  (1811-1998)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1818-2022)
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Photo Source (Representative photo)
Copyrighted © 2024  Isudas  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
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.



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