No one knows where the Gujars came from. Some experts believe they are an offshoot of the Khazar people of Central Asia. Others believe they are an offshoot of the Huns that invaded India centuries ago. The Gujars had always been fierce warriors, especially those who converted to the Sikh religion. They once ruled a large part of India. The western state of Gujarat was named after them.
The Gujars took part in the 1857 mutiny that nearly drove the British out of India, and they nearly made that rebellion succeed. After the mutiny, the British colonialists labeled them a "criminal tribe."
The Gujars were all Hindus at one time, but later some of them converted to Islam or Sikhism.
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.
There are roughly the same number of Sikhs as there are Jews in the world, but Sikhs are most concentrated in Punjab, their homeland. However, you will find smaller numbers of Sikhs all over the world. Many of the best Indian restaurants in the West are owned and operated by Sikhs.
Like all other peoples of the world, the Gujars needs the blessings and guidance that only Jesus Christ can offer.
May this people group realize that Jesus Christ is the only true source of salvation and abundant life.
Pray for the start of culturally sensitive gospel TV and radio broadcasts in languages that the Gujar people can understand.
May God raise up faithful and loving workers to reach out to this people group until they have their own movement to Christ.
Scripture Prayers for the Gujar (Sikh traditions) in India.
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
