Marathi Christians Explained

Group:Marathi Christian
Langs:Marathi
Religions:Predominantly Protestant (Anglican Methodist, evangelical), Catholic (minority)
Region1:India (Maharashtra)
Related:Marathi people

Marathi Christians are an ethnoreligious group of the Indian state of Maharashtra who accepted Christianity during the 18th and 19th centuries during the East India Company, and later, the British Raj. Conversions to Protestantism were a result of Christian missions such as the American Marathi Mission, Church Mission Society and the Church of England's United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel.[1] [2] [3]

History

Around the turn of the 18th century, British Baptist missionary William Carey was instrumental in translating the Bible into the Marathi language.[4] Most of the converts were lower-caste Hindus with some upper-caste Hindus and Muslims.[5]

Ahmednagar

The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions established their first foreign mission with the American Marathi mission in Bombay on 21 December 1813, it was the first Protestant Mission in Western India and spread into hundreds of villages.[6] The mission center moved from Bombay to Ahmednagar in 1831 because it was closer to the center of Marathi country. Schools, Boardings, Colleges and theological institutions were created by Marathi mission in late 1800, aiding famine and reaching untouchables increased Christian Converts in area.[7]

Christians of Ahmednagar district account for nearly 10% of district's population, a significant number of whom are located in the eastern part of the district in places such as Nevasa, Pathardi, Shevgaon, Rahuri and Ahmednagar itself.[8]

Palghar

European and American missionaries established missions in Palghar and Dahanu in Palghar district. Most of the converted Christian community from these areas are local native belong to the Second District of the Church of the Brethren (F-257 Bom).

Aurangabad

Aurangabad is home to The Diocese of Aurangabad which has its Cathedral and Bishop’s House located in the Cantonment Area. The Diocese covers the whole of Marathwada and works mainly in field of Education, Health, and social work.[9]

Yavatmal

The American Free Methodist Church maintains missions at Yavatmal, Wani, Umri, Rajur and Darwah.[10]

Pune

The city of Pune is home to the headquarters of the Diocese of Pune. The Diocese has a significant Marathi Catholic population.[11]

There are several Marathi Methodist, Anglican, Baptist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Church of the Nazarene, Pentecostal and Church of Christ missions across the city.[12]

Culture

There are similarities of customs and culture between Hindus and Marathi Christians, such as dress, food and cuisine. The Hindu custom of wearing Saree, Mangalsutra and placing Bindis is still prominent among native Christians. Marathi Christian highly retain their Marathi culture, and they have kept their Pre-Christian surnames. In Maharashtra, great Marathi poet Narayan Wamanrao Tilak realised that a Hindu-Christian synthesis was simply not possible, unless the Christian religion had deep roots in the Indian culture. He trained the Marathi Christians to worship and sing Bhajan and Kirtan.

Notable people

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hume, Robert Allen (1847-1929) History of Missiology. 2021-12-06. www.bu.edu.
  2. Web site: Christ Church Ahmednagar, Famous Churches in Ahmednagar. 2021-12-06. www.ahmednagarlive.in.
  3. Willington. Dr Andrew. Memorial Papers of American Marathi MIssion.
  4. Web site: William Carey . Languageinindia.com . 2 April 2001 . 13 January 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101207034641/http://languageinindia.com/april2001/carey.html . 7 December 2010 .
  5. Web site: The subhedar's son : a narrative of Brahmin-Christian conversion from nineteenth-century Maharashtra - Union Presbyterian Seminary Libraries. Deepra. Dandekar. link.upsem.edu.
  6. Web site: American Marathi Mission Records, 1813-1962. 2021-12-13. www.columbia.edu.
  7. Web site: American Marathi Mission Records, 1813-1962. 2021-12-13. www.columbia.edu.
  8. Book: Biographical Dictionary of Christian Missions . 9780802846808. Anderson. Gerald H.. 1999 . New York . Macmillan Reference USA.
  9. Book: Marathwada Under the Nizams, 1724-1948. 9788170990178. Kate. P. V. . Delhi, India . Mittal Publications. 1987.
  10. Web site: स्थिति - महाराष्ट्र शासन, भारत . 13 November 2011 . https://archive.today/20120425161618/http://maharashtra.gov.in/english/.../people_marriage%20morals.html . 25 April 2012 . dead .
  11. Web site: Top 50 Best Churches in Pune . 18 November 2022 . www.wanderlog.com.
  12. Web site: Top 50 Best Churches in Pune . 18 November 2022 . www.wanderlog.com.
  13. Web site: Pandita Ramabai: Championing Women's Education and Social Reform | #IndianWomenInHistory. 27 March 2017.
  14. Web site: Ramabai, Dongre Medhavi [Pandita Ramabai Sarasvati] (1858-1922) History of Missiology]. 2020-07-21. www.bu.edu.
  15. Web site: Tilak, Narayan Vaman (1862?-1919) History of Missiology. 2020-07-21. www.bu.edu.
  16. Macnicol. N.. 1924. Narayan Vaman Tilak. International Review of Mission. en. 13. 3. 373–382. 10.1111/j.1758-6631.1924.tb03897.x. 1758-6631.
  17. Web site: Seta. Keyur. Shahu Modak through the eyes of his spiritual partner and wife Pratibha Modak. https://web.archive.org/web/20201020090814/https://www.cinestaan.com/articles/2017/may/11/5741/. live. 20 October 2020. 2022-01-03. Cinestaan.
  18. Web site: 'Walk The Talk', With Harish Salve: Full Transcript. 2022-01-03. NDTV.com.
  19. Web site: Chandu Borde, Chandu Borde Profile, Chandu Borde Photos, Chandu Borde Cricinfo, Chandu Borde Coach. 2022-01-03. www.indianmirror.com.
  20. Web site: Vijay Samuel Hazare, Vijay Hazare, Profile Vijay Samuel Hazare, Vijay Samuel Hazare Achievements, Indian Cricket Player. 2022-01-03. www.indianmirror.com.
  21. Web site: Vinod Kambli Profile. 2023-09-28. www.cricbuzz.com.
  22. Web site: Vinod Kambli embraces Christianity. Sep 28, 2017. www.dna.com .

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