Megh (Hindu traditions) in Pakistan
Photo Source:
Meena Kadri - 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: | Megh (Hindu traditions) |
| Country: | Pakistan |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 405,000 |
| World Population: | 4,859,000 |
| Primary Language: | Sindhi |
| Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
| Christian Adherents: | 0.04 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.03 % |
| Scripture: | Complete Bible |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | South Asia Dalit - other |
| Affinity Bloc: | South Asian Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
The Meghwal (or Megh) are a scheduled caste whose primary occupation is farming.
The Meghwal people are mostly in northern India and eastern Pakistan. Those in Pakistan speak Sindhi, Marwari and Saraki.
The Meghwals were originally Mahars from Maharashtra (meaning the place or land of the Mahars) and a very low caste group. To get away from their low caste status they migrated and changed their name 26 times as they came through Rajasthan and Sind 16 times.
When the Meghwals reached Baroda State in present-day Gujarat they approached the Christians to become part of their group. However, the Christians did not want them and turned them away.
Many of the Meghwals live on both sides of the Pakistan-India border. Around 1900 three major famines took place. Many of the Meghwal traveled across the "Rajasthan or Thar Desert" towards the Indus river to try and escape.
The Meghwals had been changing their names when they reached the Northeast of Rajasthan settled in the hills of Marwar taking on the language of Marwari.
Four major Meghwals groups known and recognized for the area from which they came, moved west into southern Punjab and Sind. There are other smaller groups they all speak Marwari. Meghwals in the southern Sind often are called Meghwar. A smaller group called themselves the Meg or Megh, moved north into the Sialkot area spoke Marwari and learned Punjabi. There is another Meghwal group that came through Gujarat and Sind that are called Sindhi Meghwals, they speak Saraki.
A few Meghwals (Megs) came to Christ in the 1860s. They were the ones that led the Punjabi Christian (Chuhras) to the Lord. Without the Megs there would be few Christians.
What Are Their Lives Like?
Nowadays, the caste prejudice against them has died down to a large extent except in some remote areas. They have achieved moderate progress in education and their literacy rate has been improving.
What Are Their Beliefs?
The Hindus among the Megh community worship Ram Devji and Bankar Mataji as the chief god and goddess of the community.
What Are Their Needs?
Workers are needed to take the gospel message to this Hindu community in Pakistan.
Prayer Points
Pray the Lord will give Megh families understanding and responsive hearts as they hear about the love of Christ.
Pray they will accurately understand the message of the gospel of Christ and be able to teach it accurately to others in their community.
Pray for an improvement in living conditions for this low caste community, for educational opportunities for the children, and employment opportunities for the adults.