Mahur Bania in India


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

Introduction / History

The Banias originated over 5,000 years ago, and they are also called Vania or Mahajan. Their name is derived from 'Vaniji ', which means "trader or mercahnt" in Sanskrit.

Of the four major varnas or castes, Banias are in the third one, the Vaishyas. This caste cluster has always been about trade, business, and money lending. They were usually traders of grain and spices throughout history. Today Bania is a rather loose term, sometimes meaning caste and other times just business people.

Despite their high incomes, the Banias have only modest status in the Hindu caste pyramid. They often resent the higher two varnas, the Brahmans and the Kshatryas. Banias have often been leaders in caste reform movements. Many Banias are moving to Banglalore, India's "Silicon Valley" to take advantage of the business opportunities there.


Where Are they Located?

Most Bania Mahur live in the Indian states of Rajastan and Uttar Pradesh. Smaller numbers live in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and other regions across India.


What Are Their Lives Like?

A Bania might be the proud owner of a giant business, a small one, or he might be working in a bank. He might even own the bank. Others work in government ministries or as lawyers, judges, teachers, scholars, stockbrokers, or engineers.

The Bania Mahur are among the wealthiest people in India. Business skills are passed down from father to son, and from an early age children are drilled in math and detailed calculations with the end purpose of winning in money transactions.

The Bania are exogamous, that is they will frequently marry outside their group. Sons inherit their father's property with the eldest son receiving the family home.

Most Banias are vegetarians while some eat meat except for beef.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Nearly all Bania peoples claim the Hindu religion, but as merchants they have chosen gods that reflect their profession. They often worship the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi and the god of good fortune, Ganesha. These are the gods who drive their lives.

The Bania Mahur participate in the yearly Hindu holidays of Holi, the festival of colors, Diwali, the festival of lights and Navratri, the nine-day celebration of autumn.


What Are Their Needs?

Mahur 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. These ways have left them spiritually empty. Most of all the Bania Mahur need to hear the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ in a way they can understand. They need to see the love and mercy of Christ lived out before them.


Prayer Points

Pray that the veil of deception will be lifted from the eyes of Bania Mahur, and that they will see that the only true wealth is the spiritual riches gained through a loving relationship with Jesus Christ.
Pray that Christian workers 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 Mahur community.


Scripture Prayers for the Bania Mahur in India.


References

hr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bania
joshuaproject.net/people_groups/19713/NP


Profile Source:   David Kugel  

People Name General Bania Mahur
People Name in Country Bania Mahur
Natural Name Mahur Bania
Pronunciation mah-HOOR BAHN-yah
Alternate Names Bihari; Mahuri; Mahuri Bais; बनिया, महुर
Population this Country 1,030,000
Population all Countries 1,033,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 21
People ID 19713
ROP3 Code 115165
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 24
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
Rajasthan
396,000
Uttar Pradesh
192,000
Madhya Pradesh
95,000
Gujarat
78,000
Maharashtra
68,000
Haryana
57,000
Delhi
44,000
Bihar
30,000
Punjab
22,000
Chhattisgarh
15,000
Uttarakhand
11,000
Jammu and Kashmir
6,900
Jharkhand
6,500
Chandigarh
2,900
Goa
2,700
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 24  (only 20 largest shown)
  Rajasthan 396,000
  Uttar Pradesh 192,000
  Madhya Pradesh 95,000
  Gujarat 78,000
  Maharashtra 68,000
  Haryana 57,000
  Delhi 44,000
  Bihar 30,000
  Punjab 22,000
  Chhattisgarh 15,000
  Uttarakhand 11,000
  Jammu and Kashmir 6,900
  Jharkhand 6,500
  Chandigarh 2,900
  Goa 2,700
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 Hindi (346,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 34
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Sindhi
243,000
Marwari
76,000
Gujarati
40,000
Dhundari
39,000
Marathi
27,000
Shekhawati
24,000
Bhojpuri
9,500
Bagri
8,900
Punjabi, Eastern
7,400
Awadhi
6,700
Mewari
6,200
Magahi
6,100
Kanauji
4,300
Chhattisgarhi
3,700
Malvi
3,700
Primary Language Hindi (346,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 34
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Sindhi 243,000
  Marwari 76,000
  Gujarati 40,000
  Dhundari 39,000
  Marathi 27,000
  Shekhawati 24,000
  Bhojpuri 9,500
  Bagri 8,900
  Punjabi, Eastern 7,400
  Awadhi 6,700
  Mewari 6,200
  Magahi 6,100
  Kanauji 4,300
  Chhattisgarhi 3,700
  Malvi 3,700
People Groups Speaking Hindi

Primary Language:  Hindi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
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Bible-New Testament Yes  (1811-1998)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1818-2022)
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Photo Source (Representative photo)
Copyrighted © 2024  Isudas  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source David Kugel 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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