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People group profile · PG047896

The Lohar (Dogri) of India

The Lohar (Dogri) of India, numbering about 22,000 people, are Engaged yet Unreached. They are a traditional artisan community of South Asia, best known historically as iron‑workers and blacksmiths, with a long presence across India, Nepal, and parts of Pakistan.

They are an indigenous people in the Punjabi people cluster of the South Asian Peoples. Their primary religion is Hinduism, and they primarily speak Dogri (individual language).

Pray for the Lohar (Dogri)Print profile

AI-generated illustration representing the Lohar (Dogri) people
AI-generated illustration, not a photograph. Photo by Google. (2026). Image generated by Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite: Lohar (Dogri)

Fast facts

Country
India
Population
22,000
Affinity group
South Asian Peoples
People cluster
Punjabi
Primary language
Dogri (individual language) (dgo)
Primary religion
Hinduism
Strategic Progress Index ?
Engaged yet Unreached
Evangelical
Less than 2%
GSEC ?
Less than 2% Evangelical, No Recent CP Activity
Lostness priority ?
Pioneer Unreached 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 Lohar (Dogri) are Engaged yet Unreached, which means fewer than 2% are evangelical Christians, but there are sustained efforts to establish self-sustaining churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice. In GSEC terms, this people group is less than 2% evangelical, some evangelical resources are available, but there has been no active church planting among them within the past two years.

  • Congregations exist Yes
  • Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted

Next steps for the Lohar (Dogri)

  • Continue prayer and fasting for this group
  • Continue gospel seed sowing and church planting among this group
  • Begin training up local leaders to lead and develop strategies to reach their own people

Primary religion

Hinduism

88% adherents

Primary language

Dogri (individual language) · Indo-European family

100% 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

Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.

Pray for the Lohar (Dogri)

  1. Ephesians 5:8. Pray that those walking in darkness will turn to the light and live as children of light.
  2. Romans 10:14–15. Ask God to send messengers, so that people can hear, believe and call on the name of the Lord.
  3. Matthew 9:37–38. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field.
  4. 2 Timothy 2:2. Pray for faithful local leaders who will teach others, so that the church multiplies.

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