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 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. The Chauhan Rajput clan was especially powerful in Rajasthan. 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. Whenever possible, Rajputs settled down, became nobles, and enjoyed the lives of landed gentry. Then and now Rajputs are divided by clan.
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.
Pakistan's Rajputs like the Chauhans live mostly in Punjab Province.
Though many Rajputs are still in the armed forces or own land, many have moved on to other livelihoods. Rajputs who aren't so fortunate work as small businessmen or wage laborers.
They 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 members of the Chaunan clan 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. Believers with the right skills can help them during this time of transition.
Pray for the Muslim Chauhan Rajput community to increasingly grow in awareness of Jesus and why they need Him.
Pray the Lord will give these Rajputs a spiritual hunger, then satisfy that hunger.
Pray that these people 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.
Scripture Prayers for the Rajput Chauhan (Muslim traditions) in Pakistan.
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/20235/PK
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
https://joshuaproject.net/index.php/people_groups/17928/IN
http://induhistory.blogspot.com/p/rajput-history.html
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Rajput
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajput
Profile Source: Keith Carey |
Global Prayer Digest: 2019-07-18 |
Global Prayer Digest: 2019-08-25 |
Rajputs profile for Children and Family Missions Activities |
People Name General | Rajput Chauhan (Muslim traditions) |
People Name in Country | Rajput Chauhan (Muslim traditions) |
Pronunciation | RAHJ-put CHOH-hahn |
Alternate Names | राजपूत, चौहान (मुस्लिम ट्रेडिशन्स) |
Population this Country | 1,493,000 |
Population all Countries | 1,859,000 |
Total Countries | 3 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 30 |
People ID | 20235 |
ROP3 Code | 115979 |
Country | Pakistan | |||||||||
Region | Asia, South | |||||||||
Continent | Asia | |||||||||
10/40 Window | Yes | |||||||||
National Bible Society | Website | |||||||||
Persecution Rank | 7 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | |||||||||
Total States on file | 7 | |||||||||
Largest States |
|
Country | Pakistan |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 7 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Total States | 7 |
Sindh 711,000 | |
Punjab 663,000 | |
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 18,000 | |
Islamabad 14,000 | |
Azad Kashmir 12,000 | |
Gilgit-Baltistan 5,600 | |
Balochistan 100 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
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 Pakistan census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Sindhi (448,000 speakers) | |||||||||||||||
Language Code | snd Ethnologue Listing | |||||||||||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||||||||||||||
Total Languages | 15 | |||||||||||||||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Sindhi (448,000 speakers) |
Language Code | snd Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 15 |
Secondary Languages | |
Punjabi, Western 402,000 | |
Saraiki 295,000 | |
Urdu 233,000 | |
Marwari 33,000 | |
Pahari-Potwari 31,000 | |
Hindko, Southern 18,000 | |
Hindko, Northern 12,000 | |
Dhatki 8,500 | |
Pashto, Central 3,000 | |
Bagri 1,500 | |
Pashto, Northern 1,400 | |
Shina 1,000 | |
Kashmiri 300 | |
Gujari 200 | |
People Groups | Speaking Sindhi |
Primary Language: Sindhi
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1825-1981) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1890-1992) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1954) |
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 Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Video Source | Asia Harvest |
Profile Source | Keith Carey |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |