Starting in the 5th century, there was a massive attack by the White Huns in what is now northern and northwestern India and Pakistan. About a century later the reigning Hindu-based Gupta Empire broke up, leaving the Subcontinent vulnerable to Muslim invaders from the north. As time went on, invaders took over land and integrated with the settled peoples of this region. Tribal leaders, especially those involved with defense, were accepted as Kshatrya, the second highest varna (major type of castes) in Hindu society, while their followers became Shudras, the fourth and lowest varna. Priests became the Brahmins, the highest of the four varnas.
The Rajputs, who were part of the Kshatrya varna, became politically important in the seventh century. From around 800 Rajput dynasties ruled northern India. Petty Rajput kingdoms were the main obstacle for Muslim domination of the Hindu subcontinent. For hundreds of years Rajputs were the warriors who defended kingdoms from invaders and conquered others. When possible, Rajputs settled down, became nobles, and enjoyed the lives of landed gentry.
Over a period of a couple hundred years, invaders penetrated the Rajput wall that protected the Subcontinent. Some Rajput subgroups converted to Islam during this time. The British Empire put an end to the Moghul Empire, but they recruited Rajputs into their military units. After independence, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi abolished Rajput titles and property rights. The Rajputs have kept alive their proud history of conquest, bravery, and military might.
Rajputs are divided by clans such as the Chauhans, which live in different parts of India.
Chauhan Rajputs are concentrated in India's northwestern state of Rajasthan, where they were a very powerful clan 1,000 years ago.
Though many Chauhan Rajputs are still in the armed forces or own land, many have moved on to other livelihoods. Wealthy Rajputs now own impressive hotels in Rajasthan where tourists can be introduced to their history and culture. Rajputs who aren't so fortunate work as small businessmen or wage laborers.
Rajputs try to marry their daughters into clans of higher rank than their own. The Rajput clans in Rajasthan have the highest status, so families want their daughters to marry men from that state. Unfortunately, Rajputs often marry their daughters off while they are very young.
Though all Rajputs were once Hindu, some clans like the Chauhans converted to Islam starting in the early 12th century. Sufi Muslim missionaries were instrumental in winning these Hindus to Islam, though others converted to Islam for political reasons. Conversion to Islam continued into the 19th century when the British were gaining power in the Subcontinent. It is important to note that conversions happen at the group level; entire Rajput clans converted to Islam, not individuals. Those who want to see Rajputs won to Jesus Christ should remember this.
Rajputs who have embraced Islam usually retain common social practices such as having their wives secluded (purdah). Those who are devout do their five daily ritual prayers, give alms to the poor, and go on the pilgrimage (haj) to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Muslims from all communities come together on Friday afternoons to pray and hear a sermon at local mosques.
Chauhan 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" (ie, underprivileged) castes. Believers with the right skills can help them during this time of transition.
* Scripture Prayers for the Rajput Chauhan (Muslim traditions) in India.
* Pray for the Rajput community to increasingly grow in awareness of Jesus and why they need Him.
* Pray the Lord will give Muslim Chauhan Rajputs a spiritual hunger, then satisfy that hunger.
* Pray that these Rajputs will understand the value of becoming part of God's royal family.
* Pray for a Holy Spirit led humility for all Rajput communities to fall at the feet of the King of kings.
* Pray for a disciple making movement among every Rajput community.
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/20235/IN
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chauhan
http://www.indianrajputs.com/history/chauhan.php
http://www.thikanarajputana.in/chauhan-history-of-chauhan-rajput/
http://allrajputyouthwing.weebly.com/muslim-rajputs-history.html
Profile Source: Keith Carey |
People Name General | Rajput Chauhan (Muslim traditions) |
People Name in Country | Rajput Chauhan (Muslim traditions) |
Pronunciation | RAHJ-put CHOH-hahn |
Population this Country | 304,000 |
Population all Countries | 948,000 |
Total Countries | 3 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 6 |
Alternate Names | राजपूत, चौहान (मुस्लिम ट्रेडिशन्स) |
People ID | 20235 |
ROP3 Code | 115979 |
Country | India | ||||||||||||
Region | Asia, South | ||||||||||||
Continent | Asia | ||||||||||||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||||||||||||
National Bible Society | Website | ||||||||||||
Persecution Rank | 10 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | ||||||||||||
Total States on file | 10 | ||||||||||||
Largest States |
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Specialized Website | South Asia Peoples |
Country | India |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 10 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Total States | 10 |
Uttar Pradesh 208,000 | |
Haryana 27,000 | |
Uttarakhand 18,000 | |
Gujarat 17,000 | |
Delhi 15,000 | |
Jammu and Kashmir 13,000 | |
Rajasthan 2,800 | |
Punjab 2,000 | |
Himachal Pradesh 400 | |
Chandigarh 80 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Language | Urdu (254,000 speakers) | |||||||||||||||
Language Code | urd Ethnologue Listing | |||||||||||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||||||||||||||
Total Languages | 15 | |||||||||||||||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Urdu (254,000 speakers) |
Language Code | urd Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 15 |
Secondary Languages | |
Gujarati 13,000 | |
Punjabi, Eastern 11,000 | |
Kashmiri 10,000 | |
Bhojpuri 7,300 | |
Awadhi 3,300 | |
Marwari 2,100 | |
Merwari 1,600 | |
Garhwali 1,000 | |
Dhundari 400 | |
Haryanvi 200 | |
Bagri 200 | |
Dogri 100 | |
Marwari 100 | |
Kanauji 100 | |
People Groups | Speaking Urdu |
Primary Language: Urdu
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1747-1894) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1758-2000) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1843-2007) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Bible-NT Text | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name |
---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching (GRN) |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament - Pakistan Bible Society (FCBH) |
Audio Recordings | Online Scripture (Talking Bibles) |
Audio Recordings | Oral Bible |
Audio Recordings | Story of Jesus audio (Jesus Film Project) |
Audio Recordings | Urdu Online Audio Bible |
Film / Video | God's Love Story |
Film / Video | God's Story Video |
Film / Video | Indigitube.tv Video / Animation |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Urdu |
Film / Video | Magdalena (Jesus Film Project) |
Film / Video | My Last Day (Jesus Film Project Anime) |
Film / Video | Story of Jesus for Children (JF Project) |
Film / Video | The Hope Video |
Film / Video | The Prophets' Story |
Film / Video | The Savior 6 - The Lord's Prayer |
Film / Video | The Savior 8 - Jesus is Risen |
General | Four Spiritual Laws |
General | Got Questions Ministry |
Mobile App | Download Audio Bible app as APK File from FCBH |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
100.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
* From latest India census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |