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People group profile · PG048060

The Kahar (Magahi) of India

The Kahar (Magahi) of India, numbering about 3,020,000 people, are Engaged yet Unreached. They are a large heritage service‑artisan caste (jati) of South Asia, historically known as palanquin (doli) bearers and water carriers, especially along the Gangetic plains of northern and eastern India.

They are an indigenous people in the Kahar people cluster of the South Asian Peoples. Their primary religion is Hinduism, and they primarily speak Magahi.

Pray for the Kahar (Magahi)Print profile

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

Fast facts

Country
India
Population
3,020,000
Affinity group
South Asian Peoples
People cluster
Kahar
Primary language
Magahi (mag)
Primary religion
Hinduism
Strategic Progress Index
Engaged yet Unreached
Evangelical
Less than 2%
GSEC
Less than 2% Evangelical, Dispersed CP Activity
Lostness priority
Frontier Unreached People Group
Region
Southern Asia, Asia
Location
Bihar: Arwal, Aurangabad, western Bhagalpur, Gaya, Jehanabad, western Munger, Nalanda, Nawada, eastern Patna, and Sheikhpura districts; Jharkhand: Giridih, Hazaribagh, Palamu, southern Ranchi districts, and north Chota Nagpur area

Where they live

Gospel status

The Kahar (Magahi) 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 but there has been dispersed church planting among them within the past two years.

  • Congregations exist Yes
  • Church planting in the last two years Dispersed Church Planting

Next steps for the Kahar (Magahi)

  • 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

99% adherents

Primary language

Magahi · Indo-European family

100% speak Magahi

Gospel resources in Magahi

  • Bible available, published 2016
  • JESUS Film available
  • Radio programs available
  • Gospel recordings available
  • Audio resources available
  • Bible stories available

Films

Bibles

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

Pray for the Kahar (Magahi)

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

Download a prayer guide

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