India may be divided into four main regions: the Himalayas, the northern river-plains region, the Deccan Plateau, and the Eastern and Western Ghat Mountains. Because of its numerous geographical features, climatic conditions are also widely diversified on a seasonal and regional basis, ranging from tropical to temperate extremes.

The 381,000 Eastern Hindi are located mainly in northeastern Madhya Pradesh and in the states of Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. Their language is a member of the Indo-Aryan language family. Little is known about their specific lifestyle and culture.

What are their lives like?
About 73% of India's population live in rural areas and are engaged in some form of agricultural activity. Many are farmers who barely grow enough to survive. Their farms are extremely small and often very fragmented. The raising of livestock, particularly horned cattle, buffalo, horses, and mules, is a central feature of the economy. Because of Hindu influence, however, these animals are used almost exclusively as beasts of burden rather than sources of meat.

Indian culture is primarily Hindu-oriented. Many Hindu institutions, including the rigid caste (social class) system, have wide-ranging effects on Indian society. The word "caste" basically means breed, race, or kind. Indian society is divided into hierarchical castes, which are usually endogamous (marriage only within the caste). Castes may be defined by occupation or by kinship and lineage, although there are some exceptions. Nevertheless, caste is so fundamental to the social organization of India that it prevails in all parts, except among some of the tribal populations.

Not enough is known about the Eastern Hindi to accurately place them in the caste system; thus, their particular lifestyle and culture cannot be adequately described. What is known, however, is that many of the Eastern Hindi live in the agricultural state of Bihar, where barley, maize, rice, sugarcane, and wheat are grown. It is assumed that their lifestyle is similar to that of the other peoples in the region. Further research is needed to clearly identify the Eastern Hindi so that they can be reached with the Gospel.

What are their beliefs?
The Eastern Hindi are 98% Hindu and follow the basic Hindu customs and traditions. The term "Hinduism" came into use about A.D.1200, but clearly identifying what Hindus believe is difficult. The religion has no founder, no prophet, and no instructional structure. It is a way of living much more than a theology; it is a philosophy more than a religion. Contrary to popular belief in the West, Hinduism is not an ancient, fixed set of beliefs. Rather, it is a body of customs, practices, and beliefs which go through major changes every few hundred years.

The majority of Hindus believe in a supreme being. Some respect all life and eat only vegetables, while others will gladly eat meat from sacrifices in the temple. To some, their religion is highly personal; to others, it is impersonal. While most Hindus worship Brahman (the creator), Shiva (the destroyer), Vishnu (the preserver), and the goddess Shaktri, they also worship a pantheon of other minor gods, their incarnations, spouses, or offspring. A belief in reincarnation (continuous cycle of death and rebirth) is one of the few unifying features of Hinduism.

What are their needs?
Because they speak one of the major languages of India, the Eastern Hindi already have the New Testament available in their language. However, the few Eastern Hindi Christians need materials to encourage and strengthen them in their walk with the Lord. Fervent intercession and increased missions efforts are necessities to seeing the Eastern Hindi reached with the Good News.

Prayer Points

• Ask the Lord of the harvest to send missionaries to live and work among the Eastern Hindi of India.
• Pray that God will reveal Himself to the Eastern Hindi through dreams and visions.
• Ask the Lord to soften the hearts of the Eastern Hindi to the Gospel message.
• Pray that God will use the Eastern Hindi believers to effectively minister the love of Jesus to their own people.
• Ask the Lord to save key leaders among the Eastern Hindi who will boldly proclaim the Gospel.
• Take authority over the spiritual principalities and powers that are keeping the Eastern Hindi bound.
• Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will begin breaking up the soil through worship and intercession.
• Ask the Lord to bring forth a triumphant Eastern Hindi church for the glory of His name!

See also the following Groups:
The Hindi of India; and The Diaspora Hindi.

THE PEOPLE

• People name: Eastern Hindi
• Country: India
• Their language: Baghelkhandi
• Population: (1990) 346,200
  (1995) 380,800
  (2000) 416,000
• Largest religion: Hindu 98%
  Nonreligious 1.6%
• Christians: <1%
• Church members: 1,523
• Scriptures in their own language: New Testament
• Jesus Film in their own language: None
• Christian broadcasts in their own language: None
• Mission agencies working among this people: 0
• Persons who have heard the Gospel: 104,400 (28%) Those evangelized by local Christians: 20,600 (6%)
  Those evangelized from the outside: 83,800 (22%)
• Persons who have never heard the Gospel: 276,400 (72%)

• Country: India
• Population: (1990) 850,638,100
  (1995) 935,744,300
  (2000) 1,022,021,300
• Major peoples in size order: Hindi (High Hindi) 9.5%
  Telegu 7.8%
  Maratha 7.4%
  Bengali 6.4%
  Hindi (Bazaar, Popular) 5.5%
• Major religions: Hindus 78.2%
  Muslims 12%
  Christians 4.3%
• Number of denominations: 163