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.
To most people, work and business holds a high priority in life. To the Marwadi Banias, business is the top priority. Through the centuries, the Marwadi Banias have managed to run successful businesses all over India. More recently they have begun to run international businesses. In 2005, Forbes magazine listed Marwadi individuals as making up two percent of the billionaires in the world! Along with business the Marwadis see family and unity as high priorities.
The Marwadi people know how to build bridges of trust within their local business relationships. Because of this trust, they can successfully market their business ventures through word of mouth to people from all kinds of communities throughout India.
Imagine what would happen if Marwadi communities made the decision to follow Christ! This would not only impact and change the Marwadis, but as the Holy Spirit transforms them, they can be a blessing to all of India.
Nearly all Marwadi Banias claim the Hindu religion, but as merchants they have chosen gods that reflect their profession. They worship the god of wealth, the god of good fortune and the god of money. The rupee (Indian currency) is sacred with the Bania, and they use old coins for religious ceremonies. Ganesh (the god who helps overcome obstacles) and Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth) are among their favorites. Many are devoted to Vishnu and Shrinathji. Some are Jains, a reform movement of Hinduism.
Banias need a spiritual transformation that will bring them to the point where they want to follow the ways of Jesus and abandon the old ways that leave them spiritually empty.
Pray that the Marwadi Banias will see that the only true wealth are the spiritual riches gained through a loving relationship with Jesus Christ.
Pray that Christ's disciples will be called to work among them and share Christ in a culturally relevant way.
Pray for a disciple making movement to emerge among every Bania community, blessing them for eternity.
Pray for the Lord to give Marwadi Bania leaders dreams and visions that will draw them to the King of kings.
Scripture Prayers for the Bania Marwadi in India.
India Missions Association, Edited by Philipose Vaidyar, Copyrighted © Used with permission
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bania_(caste)
http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/LIA5OcknCv3zQw2hJi0GDN/The-peculiar-pedigree-of-the-business-class.htm
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Bania Marwadi |
People Name in Country | Bania Marwadi |
Natural Name | Marwadi Bania |
Alternate Names | Marwadi; Vaisya; बनिया, मारवाड़ी |
Population this Country | 22,000 |
Population all Countries | 22,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 19714 |
ROP3 Code | 115166 |
ROP25 Code | 300836 |
ROP25 Name | Bania |
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 | 5 | ||||||
Largest States |
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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 | 5 |
Telangana 12,000 | |
Uttar Pradesh 3,700 | |
Maharashtra 3,500 | |
Karnataka 2,000 | |
Gujarat 200 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
99.18 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.82 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
* From latest India census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Marwari (India) (13,000 speakers) | |||
Language Code | rwr Ethnologue Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 4 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Marwari (India) (13,000 speakers) |
Language Code | rwr Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 4 |
Secondary Languages | |
Hindi 5,200 | |
Telugu 300 | |
Marathi 100 | |
People Groups | Speaking Marwari (India) |
Primary Language: Marwari (India)
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1815-1867) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1820-2023) |
Bible-Complete | No |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching | Global Recordings Network |
Audio Recordings | Story of Jesus audio | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | God's Story video | God's Story |
Film / Video | Indigitube.tv Video / Animation | Create International |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Marwari | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | Story of Jesus for Children | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | World Christian Videos | World Christian Videos |
General | Bible for Children | Bible for Children |
General | Gospel website in this language | General / Other |
General | Scripture Earth Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
Text / Printed Matter | Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies | World Missionary Press |
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. |