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

The 550,800 Harauti are located mainly in the Kota area of Rajasthan and in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Their language is a member of the Indo-Aryan language family. Little is known about their specific way of life.

What are their lives like?
About 73% of India's population lives in rural areas and is engaged in some form of agriculture. 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 some of the tribal populations. Not enough is known about the Harauti to accurately place them within the caste system; thus, their particular lifestyle cannot be adequately described.

Many Harauti live in the state of Rajasthan. An important section of society there are the rajputs (Indian nobility). During the era of princes and maharajahs, rajput aristocracy dominated the Rajasthan scene for several centuries. Rajasthan is also home to the Bhil tribe, the second largest "scheduled" tribe in India.

What are their beliefs?
The great majority (84.5%) of the Harauti are Hindus. Muslims compose 10.5% of the country's population and Jains (members of an offshoot of Hinduism), 3%. Christians represent less than 1% of the group.

The Hindu Harauti 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 that go through major changes every few hundred years.

The majority, though not all, 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?
The Harauti have the New Testament available to them, and there are a few believers among them. These few believers need materials to encourage and strengthen them in their Christian walk. Pioneer missions works are needed to continue reaching the Harauti for Christ.

Prayer Points

• Ask God to call loving Christians to take the Gospel to the Harauti of India.
• Pray that Christian radio broadcasts, evangelical literature, and the Jesus film will be made available to the Harauti.
• Pray that God will supernaturally reveal Himself to the Harauti through dreams and visions.
• Ask the Lord to save key leaders among the Harauti who will boldly declare the Gospel.
• Pray that God will give the Harauti believers boldness to share Christ with their own people.
• Take authority over the spiritual principalities and powers that are keeping the Harauti bound.
• Ask God to raise up faithful intercessors who will stand in the gap for the Harauti.
• Ask the Lord to bring forth a triumphant Harauti church for the glory of His name!

THE PEOPLE

• People name: Harauti
• Country: India
• Their language: Harauti
• Population: (1990) 500,700
  (1995) 550,800
  (2000) 601,600
• Largest religion: Hindu 84.5%
  Muslim 10.5%
  Jain 3%
• Christians: <1%
• Church members: 551
• Scriptures in their own language: New Testament
• Jesus Film in their own language: Available
• Christian broadcasts in their own language: None
• Mission agencies working among this people: 0
• Persons who have heard the Gospel: 143,800 (27%) Those evangelized by local Christians: 28,100 (6%)
  Those evangelized from the outside: 115,700 (21%)
• Persons who have never heard the Gospel: 407,000 (73%)

• 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