Bhisti in India
Photo Source:
Steve Evans - Flickr
Creative Commons
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Map Source:
People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project
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| People Name: | Bhisti |
| Country: | India |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 647,000 |
| World Population: | 718,000 |
| Primary Language: | Urdu |
| Primary Religion: | Islam |
| Christian Adherents: | 0.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.00 % |
| Scripture: | Complete Bible |
| Online Audio NT: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | South Asia Muslim - other |
| Affinity Bloc: | South Asian Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
The term Bhisti is derived from the Persian word bihisht, meaning paradise, and they were so named on account of the services they rendered to thirsty soldiers. They claim their ancestry from Hazrat Abbas Alamdar, who went to fetch water from a pond in a skin-bag to quench the thirst of the followers of Imam Husain on their way to Damascus. A Bhisti saved the life of an emperor during the Moghul Empire, earning them the respect of some.
What Are Their Lives Like?
The Bhistis do not have good status in today's India. Their water is used for drinking, for cooling systems and for watering graves.
Today their livelihood is endangered because there are better ways for people to get water. There are water taps in many urban areas. People use these, but so do the Bhistis, who fill their leather pouches with it. Bhistis do not earn much money for their difficult job which includes fetching the water, tying the entrance for the leather container and taking it to customers. They hold the heavy leather pouch at their sides as they walk through busy marketplaces.
What Are Their Beliefs?
The Bihishti belong to the Sunni sect of Islam. They venerate their village deity, Khera Dev and fear Evil spirits.
What Are Their Needs?
The Bhisti may well have an inadequate understanding of who Jesus (whom Muslims call Isa al-Masih) truly is. Pray the Lord will open their eyes.
Prayer Points
Pray the Bhisti community will increasingly thirst for living water.
Pray for the Bhisti people's economic well-being as they struggle to make a living in a world that has changed dramatically since their caste began.
Pray for their spiritual condition, as they are often filled with the fear of evil spirits.
Pray for a movement to Jesus to multiply among Bhisti families and communities.
Pray the Lord will begin to call out believers.
Pray they will be adequately instructed in the faith and will grow to maturity in Christ.