Bagdi (Hindu traditions) in India


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

The Bagdi people were an important Hindu Bengali warrior caste. The word Bagdi comes from the word Barga which indicates their warrior status. In return for their military service the Bagdi were given land to cultivate. During the colonial period the Bagdi lost almost all of their land when the British disbanded the local armies. The some Bagdi joined the colonial army while others became fishermen, boatmen and landless agricultural workers. Bagdi caste members are found in India and Bangladesh. The large majority of Bagdi live in West Bengal and speak Bengali are their main languages. Smaller groups of Bagdi live in the nation of Bangladesh. Many resources are available in Bengali including a complete Bible. Unfortunately, many Bagdi are illiterate so the gospel will need to be shared in visual and oral forms.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Bagdi now are considered to be the fourth Hindu caste of workers. Most of the Bagdi live in poverty. Some reside in villages without electricity, clean water and access to modern medicine. The few educated Bagdi have taken government jobs and work as administrators, teachers, businesspersons and in medicine. The Bagdi marry within their group. Families arrange marriages. Sons inherit property upon their father's death. A caste association decides legal disputes and promotes their interests. Children often quit school after a few years to help their parents earn a living.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Bagdi practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Hindus believe that by performing rituals and good works that they will attain moksha or freedom from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The Bagdi 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 many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs. The main yearly holidays of the Bagdi people are 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. The caste system divides Hindus into four main categories. The lowest communities are outside of the caste system. The Bagdi fit into the worker caste.


What Are Their Needs?

The Bagdi people need to learn new job skills in order to escape their poverty. Their children need good schools. The Bagdi who live in rural villages often need access to clean water and modern medicine. Most of all the Bagdi need to hear about the good news of Jesus Christ. He alone can forgive their sins and give them the hope of eternal life.


Prayer Points

Pray that Bagdi parents are able to provide adequately for their children. Pray that the Bagdi have a hunger for spiritual truth and a desire to investigate the claims of Christ. Pray for the Lord to send workers to the Bagdi people to help them with their spiritual and physical needs.


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


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Bagdi (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Bagdi (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation bahng-ah-DEE
Alternate Names Bagadi; Bagri; Bakti; Bangti; Bargakshatriya; Bogada; Byagra Kshatriya; Byagrakshatriya; Duley; Malia Bagdi; Mete; बागदी (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 3,428,000
Population all Countries 3,514,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 2  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 69
People ID 16281
ROP3 Code 111406
ROP25 Code 300678
ROP25 Name Bagdi
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 26
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
West Bengal
3,261,000
Odisha
77,000
Jharkhand
35,000
Andaman and Nicobar
13,000
Bihar
10,000
Meghalaya
6,800
Uttar Pradesh
5,300
Nagaland
5,200
Arunachal Pradesh
3,300
Delhi
1,900
Uttarakhand
1,900
Manipur
1,500
Madhya Pradesh
1,400
Telangana
900
Karnataka
700
Districts Interactive map, listing and data download
Specialized Website South Asia Peoples
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 26  (only 20 largest shown)
  West Bengal 3,261,000
  Odisha 77,000
  Jharkhand 35,000
  Andaman and Nicobar 13,000
  Bihar 10,000
  Meghalaya 6,800
  Uttar Pradesh 5,300
  Nagaland 5,200
  Arunachal Pradesh 3,300
  Delhi 1,900
  Uttarakhand 1,900
  Manipur 1,500
  Madhya Pradesh 1,400
  Telangana 900
  Karnataka 700
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.04 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.09 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.86 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.01 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Bengali (2,701,000 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 24
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Hindi
116,000
Odia
60,000
Assamese
3,600
Maithili
2,100
Andaman Hindi Creole
1,600
Bhojpuri
1,600
Desiya
700
Chhattisgarhi
600
Pengo
600
Sadri
500
Nimadi
500
Bhatri
400
Awadhi
400
Kui
300
Kanauji
200
Primary Language Bengali (2,701,000 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 24
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Hindi 116,000
  Odia 60,000
  Assamese 3,600
  Maithili 2,100
  Andaman Hindi Creole 1,600
  Bhojpuri 1,600
  Desiya 700
  Chhattisgarhi 600
  Pengo 600
  Sadri 500
  Nimadi 500
  Bhatri 400
  Awadhi 400
  Kui 300
  Kanauji 200
People Groups Speaking Bengali

Primary Language:  Bengali

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1800-1980)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1801-1984)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1809-2022)
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 Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Love Story General / Other
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Bengali Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
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 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 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 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
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  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 Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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