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Mahar (Hindu traditions) in India

Mahar (Hindu traditions)

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9,705,000 Marathi Hinduism 0.11 % Unknown   

Mahar (Hindu traditions) in India

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Introduction / History
The Mahar people were historically a part of the Untouchables caste, the lowest caste in the Hindu social system. This classification caused the Mahar people to face extreme discrimination and legal restrictions on day-to-day activities, out of the fear that they might contaminate higher caste Hindus. These restrictions included items such as when they were allowed to be in the city, whether they were allowed to spit on the ground, and how loudly they were allowed to talk. The Mahar people worked primarily as low-skilled laborers and speak the Marathi language.

Beginning around 1900, the Mahar people experienced a slow social revolution where they began to become aware of and fight for more rights due to British influence. This culminated in the conversion of close to 500,000 Mahar individuals to Buddhism in 1956 led by Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar. Those that converted to Buddhism are typically not associated with the Mahar people group any longer.

Where are they located?
The Mahar people are primarily located in the Indian state of Maharashtra, which is named after them. They can also be found in the surrounding Indian states. There are also small Mahar communities that can be found in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Originally, the Mahar people lived in primarily rural communities, but now are also common in urban areas.

What are their lives like?
In 1949, the Indian constitution outlawed discrimination against the lowest Hindu social class and the labeling of them as Untouchables. While this has helped the situation of those formerly in the Untouchables class, such as the Mahar people, they still face frequent residual discrimination.

Around the same time as the revolution led by Ambedkar, the Mahar people began to migrate to cities in search of work. They are often employed in low skilled labor such as masons, railway workers, bus/truck drivers, etc. In the rural areas, some Mahar people farm, though the Mahar people have never been an agricultural people group, likely due to their restricted access to land ownership.

What are their beliefs?
The Mahar people are primarily Hindu. They believe in the numerous Hindu gods and the reincarnation cycle based upon their good works. The Mahar also have a small Muslim presence. There have been small successes in evangelizing to the Mahar people, particularly during the social revolution around 1960. This led to small population of Christians amongst the Mahar.

What are their needs?
Due to their historical and continual discrimination, the Mahar people face an uphill battle in daily life. Many struggle to obtain all the necessities of life. The Mahar people need both economic and social justice, in order to thrive.

Additionally, they need a spiritual revival. The country of India and the Hindu religion are not very tolerant to Christianity and converts. Christian Mahars will often face even further persecution or discrimination than what they experienced previously as Hindus.

Prayer Points
* Pray that God will begin restorative justice amongst the Mahar people, both socially and economically.
* Pray that God will raise up missionaries that have a heart for the Mahar people.
* Pray that God will soften the hearts of the Mahar people and that they will be responsive to the Gospel.
* Pray that God will establish a thriving church amongst the Mahar people and will give the current Christians the strength to persevere and continue evangelizing.
* Pray for protection for the Mahar Christians from persecution.

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Prayer Links
Global Prayer Digest: 2017-10-22
  Submit Update:
Country: India
Continent: Asia
Region: Asia, South
10/40 Window: Yes
Population in Country:9,705,000
Largest States:
Maharashtra (8,262,000)Madhya Pradesh (824,000)
Chhattisgarh (296,000)Karnataka (66,000)
West Bengal (38,000)Odisha (32,000)
Telangana (32,000)Gujarat (29,000)
Goa (13,000)Rajasthan (6,400)
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Ethnolinguistic Map:University of Texas or other map
  Peoples [3]
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People Name in Country: Mahar (Hindu traditions)
People Name General: Mahar (Hindu traditions)
Alternate People Names:
ROP3 Code: 112805
Joshua Project People ID: 17405
Indigenous: Yes
Population in Country: 9,705,000
Population all Countries: 9,717,000
Least-Reached: Yes
Affinity Bloc: South Asian Peoples
People Cluster: Marathi-Konkani
People Name General: Mahar (Hindu traditions)
Ethnic Code: CNN25j
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Primary Language: Marathi
Language Code (ISO): mar    Ethnologue Listing
Secondary Languages:
Ahirani (Unknown)Bengali (Unknown)
Bhatri (Unknown)Chhattisgarhi (Unknown)
Dhanki (Unknown)English (Unknown)
Gujarati (Unknown)Hindi (Unknown)
Kannada (Unknown)Khandesi (Unknown)
Note: Only 10 largest secondary languages listed
Total Languages: 19
Religion [4]
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Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religions:
Buddhism48.00 % 
Christianity0.11 %(Evangelical: Data not available)
Ethnic Religions0.00 % 
Hinduism50.89 % 
Islam0.00 % 
Non-Religious0.00 % 
Other / Small0.06 % 
Unknown0.00 % 
Christianity Segments:
Anglican0.00 %
Independent0.00 %
Protestant0.00 %
Orthodox0.00 %
Other Christian0.00 %
Roman Catholic0.00 %
(Evangelicals distributed across Christianity segments)
Progress Indicators [5]
Least-Reached: Yes
GSEC Status:Level 5   Greater than or equal to 5% Evangelical
Bible Translation Status
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Bible Portions: 1807-1957
New Testament:
Complete Bible: 1821-2002
Possible Bible Sources: Forum of Bible Agencies
 World Bible Finder
 World Christian Resource Directory
 Gospel Go
Ministry Resources [7]
Audio RecordingsMegaVoice Audio Bible and Stories
Audio RecordingsAudio Bible teaching (GRN)
Audio RecordingsOnline New Testament (FCBH)
Audio RecordingsOnline Scripture (Talking Bibles)
Audio RecordingsOnline Scripture / Bible
Audio RecordingsOral Bible stories in Marathi
Audio RecordingsStory of Jesus audio (Jesus Film Project ...
Film / VideoFollowing Jesus (India, JF Project)
Film / VideoGod's Story Video
Film / VideoJesus Film: view in Marathi
Film / VideoMagdalena (Jesus Film Project)
Film / VideoMy Last Day (Jesus Film Project Anime)
Film / VideoStory of Jesus for Children (JF Project)
GeneralBible Visuals
GeneralFour Spiritual Laws
GeneralGod's Simple Plan
GeneralGot Questions Ministry
Mobile AppDownload Bible from Google Play Store
Text / Printed MatterBible
Text / Printed MatterBible: मराठी - Marathi
Text / Printed MatterBibles, Bible League
Text / Printed MatterEasyBibles
Text / Printed MatterFather's Love Letter
Text / Printed MatterJesus Messiah comic book
Text / Printed MatterOneHope resources for children and youth
Text / Printed MatterWorld Missionary Press Booklets
Ministry Activity
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Networking: Visit for networking possibilities.
Data Notes
Data Sources

Mahar (Hindu traditions) in India

Global                 Global
  Affinity Bloc             Global  
People Cluster
    Marathi-Konkani     Asia, South    
      Mahar (Hindu traditions) India    
            People-by-Country (Profile)          
            Mahar (Hindu traditions) in India          
      Religion Language  
      Hinduism     Marathi  
    All Religions                              

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