Introduction / History

The Tarkhan community have traditionally been widely engaged in carpentry, but presently they are engaged in many other trades. Among South Asian peoples, they have low status, but they are far from being very low. Their status is other backward castes, which indicates middle status. These Hindus live mainly in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, New Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir.

What Are Their Lives Like?

They allow for marriages outside their own caste, and even encourage them to an extent. Two endogamous (marry only within the group) subgroups have been reported, the Amarsari Tarkhan and the Ludhiana Tarkhan. In addition, there are several clans, and clan names are often used as surnames. They have been described as "backward in terms of literacy, economic standards, social and cultural awareness."

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Tarkhan 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 like Christians or Jews. 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.

What Are Their Needs?

Most Tarkhans live in some of India's least reached states. There are few Christian believers willing to take the King of kings to them.

Prayer Points

Please pray for more workers for all of North India, a very spiritually dark area. There is a need for thousands of evangelists and church planters with a desire to serve the Lord with all their hearts.
There are a number of Tarkhans who have reported themselves as Christians to the census of India, which is quite encouraging. These Christians need our prayers.
Please pray for rising literacy rates within the Tarkhan community, and for the necessary skills to make them employable.
Pray for spiritual hunger and discernment among the Tarkhan people.

Scripture Prayers for the Tarkhan (Hindu traditions) in India.