Kachhi Saksena in India

Introduction / History

The Kachhi people are a part of the largest people cluster in India, the Hindi. Depending on the region, the Kachhi claim a variety of different origins. According to the Uttar Pradesh state Kachhi, they are the descendants of King Ikshavaku from the south of Nepal. However the Kachhi in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi claim ancestry in Kush (the son of one of Vishnu's incarnations, Rama). These Kachhi also see a link between them and the Kacchwaha Rajputs. The Kacchi have subgroups one of which is the Saksena.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Saksena Kachhi are traditionally agrarian workers, growing crops including wheat, gram and lentils. Economically speaking, their main resource is their land due to their agrarian lifestyle. However, in regions like Delhi where the Kachhi are mostly small business owners. Their industries range from selling vegetables, book binding, manufacturing plastic toys or electrical parts. Some have made careers in the government or in private sector roles such as medicine or engineering.

Education is given to both male and female Kachhi, however continued study is not encouraged for women. In states where their numbers are highest, literacy levels are also quite low.

The diet is traditionally vegetarian (which reflects both their Hindu background and agrarian lifestyle). However as Hindu nominalism creeps in more roles are taken in the business sector, their diet is now occasionally including meat.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Saksena Kachhi are almost entirely Hindu. A very small minority are Buddhist or adhere to some other local traditions.

The Kachhi Hindu's predominantly worship Hanuman, Rama, Krishna Shiva, Kali and Durga. They celebrate the various major Hindu festivals and practice rituals of cremation, preferring to spread them in the Ganges River. In the cities, many of the younger Hindu Kachhi are becoming more and more nominal.

What Are Their Needs?

Their deep roots in Hinduism have long made in difficult to evangelize them. However, with growing nominalism towards Hinduism, the gospel is facing a unique opportunity to share the life-saving news with this people.

There is, however, little or no active witness to the Saksena Kachhi.

Prayer Points

Pray that God would open doors for the gospel to be shared with the Saksena Kachhi.

Pray that the Spirit will be working in many Kachhi and cause them to seek out only Savior.

Pray that many Christian believers will seek opportunities to take Christ to the Saksena Kachhi community.

Pray for a movement to Christ among them.

Text Source:   Joshua Project