Their name means "one who occupies the soil." While that might have applied to their landownership, it could just have easily been a description of their domination of their region. The Bais come from a powerful ancient Hindu warrior caste called the Rajputs that ruled parts of South Asia for centuries. As often happened in Indian history, those who had military power also owned good farmland. For many generations the Bais have been both powerful and wealthy.
In the world's eyes the Bais find themselves much admired. They are a proud people known for their wealth and entrepreneurism. In the spiritual realm, however, the Bais are poverty stricken.
Only a very few have responded to the person of Jesus Christ. The rest continue to worship a pantheon of Hindu gods that leave them spiritually destitute.
Aside from false religion, perhaps one of the biggest obstacles keeping the Bais from knowing God is their standing in society. Like other people of high status, they find it difficult to admit their sins, surrender themselves to God, and receive His gift of salvation. Like the rich young ruler, many refuse to risk their status and wealth for eternity in Paradise.
Pray for the Bais to be granted the humility necessary to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Ask God to thrust forth workers to this people group who can communicate the gospel in a way the Bais can clearly understand.
Pray for the believers among the Bais to boldly share their faith.
Scripture Prayers for the Bania Bais in India.
Some information from "The Scheduled Castes" K. S. Singh, ed. Oxford University Press, USA (1994)
Profile Source: Global Prayer Digest |
Bania profile for Children and Family Missions Activities |
Global Prayer Digest: 2011-08-06 |
People Name General | Bania Bais |
People Name in Country | Bania Bais |
Natural Name | Bais Bania |
Alternate Names | Bais; Baisaya; Baish; Baishaya; Bania; Bashhi; Maheshwari; Podar; Said; Sandri; Suri; Vyas; बनिया, बैस |
Population this Country | 156,000 |
Population all Countries | 157,000 |
Total Countries | 2 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 3 |
People ID | 19691 |
ROP3 Code | 115143 |
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 | 8 | |||||||||
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 | 8 |
Bihar 55,000 | |
West Bengal 50,000 | |
Odisha 32,000 | |
Assam 12,000 | |
Jharkhand 3,900 | |
Tripura 500 | |
Andaman and Nicobar 200 | |
Haryana 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 |
100.00 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
* From latest India census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Hindi (53,000 speakers) | ||||||
Language Code | hin Ethnologue Listing | ||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | ||||||
Total Languages | 7 | ||||||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Hindi (53,000 speakers) |
Language Code | hin Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 7 |
Secondary Languages | |
Bengali 44,000 | |
Odia 15,000 | |
Maithili 14,000 | |
Assamese 4,200 | |
Bhojpuri 100 | |
Chhattisgarhi 60 | |
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) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Photo Source | Anonymous |
Map Source | People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project. |
Profile Source | Global Prayer Digest |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |