People group profile · PG041740
The Batwal of India
The Batwal of India, numbering about 109,000 people, are No Longer Unreached. They are a distinct North‑Indian social community, found mainly in Jammu (Dogra region) and parts of eastern Punjab, with historical ties to the Kashmir Valley. Today they are largely an agrarian community.
They are an indigenous people in the Kashmiri people cluster of the South Asian Peoples. Their primary religion is Hinduism, and they primarily speak Dogri (individual language).

Fast facts
- Country
- India
- Population
- 109,000
- Affinity group
- South Asian Peoples
- People cluster
- Kashmiri
- Primary language
- Dogri (individual language) (dgo)
- Primary religion
- Hinduism
- Strategic Progress Index ?
- No Longer Unreached
- Evangelical
- 2% or Greater but Less than 5%
- GSEC ?
- 2% or Greater but Less than 5% Evangelical
- Lostness priority ?
- Minimally Reached People Group
- Region
- Southern Asia, Asia
- Location
- Jammu and Kashmir: Kathua, Poonch, Reasi, and Udhampur districts; Himachal Pradesh: Chamba and Kangra districts; Punjab: Gurdaspur district
Where they live
Gospel status
The Batwal are No Longer Unreached, which means 2% or more are evangelical Christians. In GSEC terms, this people group is greater than or equal to 2% evangelical.
- Congregations exist Yes
- Church planting in the last two years Concentrated Church Planting
Next steps for the Batwal
- Pray for the churches among this group to grow in faithfulness and maturity
- Equip believers to reach the unreached peoples around them
- Send out laborers from this people to the nations
Primary religion
100% adherents
Primary language
Dogri (individual language) · Indo-European family
60% speak Dogri (individual language)
Gospel resources in Dogri (individual language)
- Bible available, published 2021
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories available
Films
- JESUS (Dogri)
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Batwal
- Matthew 9:37–38. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field.
- 2 Timothy 2:2. Pray for faithful local leaders who will teach others, so that the church multiplies.
- Ephesians 5:8. Pray that those walking in darkness will turn to the light and live as children of light.
- Romans 10:14–15. Ask God to send messengers, so that people can hear, believe and call on the name of the Lord.
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