Battling and Building Among the Bhils

Bhils or Bheel are primarily an Adivasi people of North West India. Bhils are also settled in the Tharparkar District of Sindh, Pakistan. They speak the Bhil languages, a subgroup of the Western Zone of the Indo-Aryan languages. According to Census, 2001, Bhils were the largest tribal group in India followed by Gond tribe. [Wikipedia]

This little book tells the story of the Church Missionary Society mission to the Bhils. My thanks to Redcliffe College for providing me with a copy of this book to scan. This title is now in the public domain.

A.I. Birkett [1863-1916], Battling and Building Among the Bhils. London: Church Missionary Society, 1914. Hbk. pp.95. [Click to download complete book in PDF]

Contents

1. Bhil Characteristics and Customs
2. Pioneering
3. The Dawn of Light
4. Advance
5. Times of Blessing
6. Kerwera and Education
7. Biladia
8. Kotra
9. Medical Work
10. Church Organisation
11. Women’s Work in Camp and Station

• Appendices

Preface

This little history has been written by a lady who asks that it “may be published without her name being given, as the information it contains is culled from many sources, and many others have given helpful criticisms and contributions.” On behalf of those who have helped her I would express our gratitude for the labour which has shaped the mass of materials into the present interesting history. I have myself as far as possible compared every statement with the original sources and believe it is absolutely trustworthy.

It is sent out now for the information of many who have asked for a book on the Bhil Mission, with the prayer that God will so use it that all who read it may be helped to more earnest and persevering prayer that the little Bhil Church may be sanctified and built up in the Lord and’ become a channel of life and blessing to its own land. [Continue Reading]