The Banias originated over 5,000 years ago in Gujarat and Rajasthan, and they are also called Vania or Mahajan. Their name is derived from Vaniji, which means "trader" in Sanskrit, an ancient South Asian language.
Of the four major varnas (caste clusters), Banias are in the third one, the Vaishyas. This caste cluster has always been about trade, business and money lending. Throughout history they were traders of grain and spices. Despite their high incomes, the Banias have only modest status in the Hindu caste pyramid. They resent the higher two varnas, the Brahmins and the Kshatriyas, and 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.
There are smaller groups of Banias, one of which is the Khandelwal. They live all over India.
Khandelwal Banias are known for their community involvement as businesspeople. They faithfully support members of their own caste. If a Khandelwal man is in financial trouble, members of his community usually provide funds to help him start his business again.
In history we read that the word Bania derives from the Banyan tree. Under the Banyan tree the Khandelwal people once sat and discussed business. Today they no longer sit under the Banyan tree; instead, they carry out business in corporate buildings.
Picture a large shopping center and replace the stores with Hindu temples. This describes the complex known as "Khandea Dham." This complex is filled with a variety of beautiful Hindu temples. The Khandelwal Banias who do not live in this area make pilgrimages to Khandea Dham. For these Hindus the pilgrimage is supposed to bring them closer to their gods. They are generous with their money in supporting Hindu temples.
Khandelwal Banias live scattered all over India, but few if any have bowed their knees to Jesus Christ. They need people who love and obey the Lord to take his mercy and love to them.
Pray for God to send businesspeople who love Jesus to work with the Khandelwals.
Pray that they will build relationships with the Khandelwals that give them the opportunity to share Jesus Christ with these faithful Hindus.
Pray for leaders in the Khandelwal Bania community to have the spiritual discernment it takes to seek and find Jesus Christ.
Scripture Prayers for the Bania Khandelwal in India.
Some information from “The Scheduled Castes” K. S. Singh, ed. Oxford University Press, USA (1994)
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Bania Khandelwal |
People Name in Country | Bania Khandelwal |
Natural Name | Khandelwal Bania |
Alternate Names | Bania; Bartanwala; Kesarwani Baniya; बनिया, खंडेलवाल |
Population this Country | 111,000 |
Population all Countries | 111,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 2 |
People ID | 19704 |
ROP3 Code | 115156 |
ROP25 Code | 303933 |
ROP25 Name | Khandelwal |
Country | India | |||||||||||||||
Region | Asia, South | |||||||||||||||
Continent | Asia | |||||||||||||||
10/40 Window | Yes | |||||||||||||||
National Bible Society | Website | |||||||||||||||
Persecution Rank | 11 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | |||||||||||||||
Total States on file | 13 | |||||||||||||||
Largest States |
|
|||||||||||||||
Districts | Interactive map, listing and data download | |||||||||||||||
Specialized Website | South Asia Peoples |
Country | India |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 11 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Total States | 13 |
Rajasthan 51,000 | |
Uttar Pradesh 32,000 | |
Madhya Pradesh 9,800 | |
Maharashtra 5,800 | |
West Bengal 5,400 | |
Gujarat 3,600 | |
Delhi 1,000 | |
Odisha 700 | |
Punjab 700 | |
Assam 600 | |
Uttarakhand 200 | |
Telangana 200 | |
Jammu and Kashmir 70 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
62.20 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
37.80 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
* From latest India census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Hindi (49,000 speakers) | |||||||||||||||
Language Code | hin Ethnologue Listing | |||||||||||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||||||||||||||
Total Languages | 16 | |||||||||||||||
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown) |
|
Primary Language | Hindi (49,000 speakers) |
Language Code | hin Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 16 |
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown) | |
Marwari (India) 20,000 | |
Dhundari 13,000 | |
Shekhawati 3,600 | |
Marathi 2,000 | |
Gujarati 1,800 | |
Bengali 1,600 | |
Kanauji 1,000 | |
Konkani 700 | |
Kacchi 500 | |
Awadhi 200 | |
Braj Bhasha 200 | |
Mewari 200 | |
Bundeli 200 | |
Bagri 100 | |
Wagdi 10 | |
People Groups | Speaking Hindi |
Primary Language: Hindi
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1806-1962) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1811-1998) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1818-2022) |
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) | Online |
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Map Source | People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project. |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |