People group profile · PG048063
The Kahar (Shekhawati) of India
The Kahar (Shekhawati) of India, numbering about 35,500 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 Shekhawati.
Fast facts
- Country
- India
- Population
- 35,500
- Affinity group
- South Asian Peoples
- People cluster
- Kahar
- Primary language
- Shekhawati (swv)
- Primary religion
- Hinduism
- Strategic Progress Index ?
- Engaged yet Unreached
- Evangelical
- Less than 2%
- GSEC ?
- Less than 2% Evangelical, Dispersed CP Activity
- Lostness priority ?
- Pioneer Unreached People Group
- Region
- Southern Asia, Asia
- Location
- Haryana: Mahendragarh district; Rajasthan: Churu, Jhunjhunu, and Sikar districts
Where they live
Gospel status
The Kahar (Shekhawati) 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 (Shekhawati)
- 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
100% adherents
Primary language
Shekhawati · Indo-European family
100% speak Shekhawati
Gospel resources in Shekhawati
- Bible available, published 2021
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories not available
Films
- Magdalena (Shekhawati)
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Kahar (Shekhawati)
- Revelation 7:9. Pray for the day when people from this group stand before the throne with every nation, tribe, people and language.
- John 17:3. Pray that many will come to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent.
- Psalm 27:1. Pray that new believers will be strengthened in the face of persecution, with the Lord as their stronghold.
- Romans 12:4–5. Pray that believers from many cultures will work together as one body so that the church is built up.
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