People group profile · PG046040
The Chamar (Maithili) of India
The Chamar (Maithili) of India, numbering about 435,000 people, are No Longer Unreached. They are a significant community of northern India, traditionally associated with leather work and tanning. Over time, many Chamars have moved away from their traditional occupation and are now part of the broader agricultural and urban labor force.
They are an indigenous people in the Chamar people cluster of the South Asian Peoples. Their primary religion is Hinduism, and they primarily speak Maithili.

Fast facts
- Country
- India
- Population
- 435,000
- Affinity group
- South Asian Peoples
- People cluster
- Chamar
- Primary language
- Maithili (mai)
- 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 ?
- Marginally Reached People Group
- Region
- Southern Asia, Asia
Where they live
Gospel status
The Chamar (Maithili) 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 Dispersed Church Planting
Next steps for the Chamar (Maithili)
- 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
99% adherents
Primary language
Maithili · Indo-European family
100% speak Maithili
Gospel resources in Maithili
- Bible available, published 2010
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories available
Films
Bibles
- Wycliffe Bible Tranlsators, Inc. · audio, text
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Chamar (Maithili)
- 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.
- 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.
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