Megh (Sikh traditions) in India

Introduction / History

Meghwal (or Megh) means "clouds." The members of this caste believe their ancestor was a saint who produced rain from clouds. They are a Scheduled Caste whose primary occupation is farming. The Indian constitution allows people belonging to a such a low caste to receive special treatment to overcome the disadvantages due to their low caste status.

Where Are they Located?

Sikh Meghs live in Rajasthan, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir, all states in northwestern India. The Hindus among them are much more numerous and scattered.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Nowadays caste prejudice against them has died down to a large extent except in some remote areas. They have achieved moderate progress in education and their literacy rate has been improving. Though their status is low, the Megh people have gained notoriety through their skills in embroidery.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Though most are Hindu, there are some Sikhs among the Megh people. Sikhism originated from a 15th century teacher named Guru Nanak Dev as a reform movement. He rejected the Hindu caste system, taught that all people were equal and that all have equal access to God. The Sikh God is formless, without gender and is to be found in everyone. One gets closer to God by living a good life and by practicing charity. Like Hindus, Sikhs believe in reincarnation and the law of karma; you reap what you sow in your previous life. Like Muslims, the Sikhs worship only one God.

One may recognize a Sikh man by his distinctive turban. All the 10 great Sikh gurus wore turbans. Sikh teaching mandates that a person not cut his or her hair. They worship their holy book, the Granth Sahib, which is a collection of hymns.

What Are Their Needs?

Like all other unreached people groups, the Sikh Meghs need to find their way to Jesus Christ and the Throne of Grace. Only He can forgive sins and offer the abundant life God the Father wants for all people.

Prayer Points

Pray for gospel workers to catch a vision for reaching the Sikh Megh people for Jesus and that in God's sovereign timing their hearts would be open and ready to follow Him.
Pray for Jesus movements to bless extended Megh families so the gospel will spread rapidly among this people group.
Pray for the spiritual lives of the Megh people to become fruitful as they follow Christ.
Pray for the lives and culture of the Megh people to evidence the rule and reign of the Kingdom of God as they open to the gospel, and for the beauty of Jesus to be seen in them.

Text Source:   Keith Carey