Agarwal Bania in Nepal


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest Nepal census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

The name "Bania" is derived from Vaniji, which means "trader" in Sanskrit, an ancient South Asian language. The Agarwal are a sub-group of the Bania peoples who live across South Asia. Of the four major varnas (caste clusters of Hinduism), Banias are in the third one, the Vaishyas. They were usually traders of grain and spices throughout history. A much smaller population lives in Pakistan, Bangladesh or Nepal.
Despite their high incomes, the Banias have only modest status in the Hindu caste pyramid. The Bania tend to resent the higher two varnas, the Brahmins and the Kshatriyas. Thus, Banias have often been leaders in caste reform movements. Mahatma Gandhi is one example, but there have been many others throughout India's long history. Agarwal is one of the Bania groups.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Ironically, the Banias are often resented by others. They are known to charge excessive interest rates. A pre-literate farmer might take a loan from a Bania only to find that a high percentage of his harvest will be taken away as interest. Customers often must put up their land and farms for collateral in case they cannot pay back their loans.
Agarwal Bania children learn early to "never give; always bargain and make money." From an early age, children are drilled in math and detailed calculations with the purpose of getting the upper hand in monetary transactions. Fathers pass business skills to their sons. Agarwal Bania parents strongly encourage their children, especially the boys, to obtain graduate degrees related to business.
Monogamy or marriage to one spouse is the norm among Bania groups.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Agarwal Banias who feel a need for God in a Hindu context are likely to try to fill it with Hindu rituals. An Agarwal Bania might visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers and incense to their gods in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. Others might try to fill the God-shaped void with philosophy.


What Are Their Needs?

The Agarwals generally do not feel the need for Christ. They need the desire to see beyond the natural world.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Holy Spirit will create a hunger in the hearts of prominent Agarwal businessmen.
Pray for a powerful church to reach the Agarwal Bania people.
Pray that Agarwal believers can demonstrate the love and character of Christ to their kinsmen.


Scripture Prayers for the Bania Agarwal in Nepal.


References

Some information from “The Scheduled Castes” K. S. Singh, ed. Oxford University Press, USA (1994)


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Bania Agarwal
People Name in Country Bania Agarwal
Natural Name Agarwal Bania
Pronunciation AG-ur-wahl BAHN-yah
Alternate Names Agarwal; Aggarwal; Agrabalia; Arya; Arya Vysya; Bania; Chetti; Gupta; Jain; Komati; Marwadi; Vaisya Agarwal; Vysya; बनिया, अ‍ॅगर्वल
Population this Country 22,000
Population all Countries 5,815,000
Total Countries 4
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 19688
ROP3 Code 115140
ROP25 Code 300836
ROP25 Name Bania
Country Nepal
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States on file 12
Largest States
Lumbini
7,500
Narayani
4,000
Bheri
2,000
Bagmati
2,000
Kosi
1,600
Janakpur
1,600
Sagarmatha
1,300
Mechi
1,000
Rapti
300
Seti
100
Mahakali
100
Gandaki
50
Country Nepal
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States 12
  Lumbini 7,500
  Narayani 4,000
  Bheri 2,000
  Bagmati 2,000
  Kosi 1,600
  Janakpur 1,600
  Sagarmatha 1,300
  Mechi 1,000
  Rapti 300
  Seti 100
  Mahakali 100
  Gandaki 50
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
95.46 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
4.54 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest Nepal census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Bhojpuri (4,400 speakers)
Language Code bho   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 8
Secondary Languages
Marwari (India)
3,800
Awadhi
3,700
Maithili
3,500
Hindi
2,800
Sindhi
200
Nepali
60
Magahi
50
Primary Language Bhojpuri (4,400 speakers)
Language Code bho   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 8
Secondary Languages
  Marwari (India) 3,800
  Awadhi 3,700
  Maithili 3,500
  Hindi 2,800
  Sindhi 200
  Nepali 60
  Magahi 50
People Groups Speaking Bhojpuri

Primary Language:  Bhojpuri

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1911-1982)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1998-2007)
Bible-Complete No
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Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
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Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Bhojpuri Jesus Film Project
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General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
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General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
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Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Bhojpuri Literacy & Evangelism International
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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