Bedar (Hindu traditions) in Pakistan


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Introduction / History

Bedar tradition states that Kannayya was a fowler and hunter and a devout worshipper of Shiva. The god was pleased with his devotion and appeared to him, granting two wishes. Kannayya prayed that his descendants would be true shots and their land would grow much grain with little labor or water.
"Bedar" comes from the word "bed" or "bedaru" meaning a hunter. Hindus from this people are known as Bedar and Muslims as Berad. They prefer to be called Naikwadi because they serve as village policemen or Talwar (watchmen).
The Pakistani Bedar speak Sindhi as their first language. Many of the men also speak Urdu, the national language of Pakistan.
The Bedar people are a Dravidian tribe who live in South India. A much smaller population lives in southeast Pakistan.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Bedar have six social divisions. They work as farmers, servants, traders, messengers, police, and soldiers. Some men also work as stonecutters and herdsmen.
Men and women like to wear silver and gold jewelry. Some traditionally shave their heads, wear waist girdles, gold and silver bracelets and gold earrings.
At the age of four or five girls are tattooed on the forehead, corners of the eyes, temples and forearms. Unfortunately, some unmarried girls are made into prostitutes. The girls are taken to a guru (spiritual leader) who brands them with a stamp, and then takes them to a temple where a necklace is tied around their neck in the name of their god. The boy's parents initiate marriage proposal. Child marriage is common, but the girl does not live with her husband until after puberty. Marriage cannot be within the same sub-division. Widow remarriage and divorce are allowed. The Bedar have elders to solve community disputes and to promote their interests.
Sons inherit their father's property. Illiteracy is a problem for Bedar women and girls. Children often quit school early to help their family earn a living. They are non-vegetarian and drink alcohol.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Bedar people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods as Christians do. There are other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins.
Almost all Hindus participate in yearly celebrations like Holi, the festival of colors and the start of spring / Diwali, the festival of lights / Navratri, the celebration of autumn / and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday.
There are few if any believers among the Bedar of Pakistan.


What Are Their Needs?

The Hindu Bedar people in Pakistan need to put their trust in Jesus Christ. They would benefit by learning new job skills and access to modern medicine.


Prayer Points

Pray for a mighty impact of the JESUS Film and Christian radio broadcasting among this people in Sindhi.
Ask the Lord to send loving workers to the Bedar in Pakistan.
Pray for workers among them to resist the evil works of sorcery, soothsaying and witchcraft and demonstrate instead the power of the Holy Spirit.
Pray for the abolition of the practice of child marriage.
Ask the Lord to raise up a disciple making movement among the Bedar of Pakistan.


Scripture Prayers for the Bedar (Hindu traditions) in Pakistan.


References

India Missions Association - Copyrighted © Used with permission


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Bedar (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Bedar (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation bay-DAR
Alternate Names Balanjika; Bawasi; Beda; Bendar; Berad; Berar; Boya; Burar; Chhatriya; Chundinayakulu; Dasa Balenjika; Dasa Palanjikar; Dasapalanjika; Dora; Dungar; Gavara Naidu; Jyali; Jyayi; Kannada Chettiar; Kannada Saineegar; Kannada Sainigar; Kannada Veera Saiva Saineegar; Kannadaiyan; Kannadia; Kannadiar; Kannadiyan; Karelivaru; Machi; Mahratta; Myasa; Naidu; Nishad; Pindari; Ramoshi; Sabaru; Saineegar; Sainik; Seniar; Siviar; Talwari; Tamil Kannadaiyan; Tamil Kannadiyar; Telari; Unar; Valmiki; बेदार (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 7,200
Population all Countries 2,760,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 16365
ROP3 Code 111507
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 2
Largest States
Sindh
7,000
Balochistan
100
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 2
  Sindh 7,000
  Balochistan 100
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
100.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Sindhi (5,700 speakers)
Language Code snd   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 3
Secondary Languages
Dhatki
1,200
Kacchi
80
Primary Language Sindhi (5,700 speakers)
Language Code snd   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 3
Secondary Languages
  Dhatki 1,200
  Kacchi 80
People Groups Speaking Sindhi

Primary Language:  Sindhi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1825-1981)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1890-1992)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1954)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Recorded oral Bible Oral Bibles
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Sindhi Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Sindhi YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Sindhi YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Sindhi Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2025  India Missions Association  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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