Kasaundhan 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 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.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Members of the Bania caste are among the wealthiest people in India and even the world. Today they are still involved with businesses and money lending. A Bania might be the proud owner of a giant business, a small one, or he might be working in a bank. He often owns the bank. Others work in government ministries or as lawyers, judges, teachers, scholars, stockbrokers or engineers.

Kasaundhan Bania fathers teach their children business skills. From an early age children are drilled in math and detailed calculations with the end purpose of winning in money transactions. Bania parents often teach their children to "never give; always bargain and make money." This attitude can make them unpopular with other communities. Other castes often resent them because they lend much needed money at high 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 their farms or their gold up for collateral in case they cannot pay back their loans.

Floor painting and folk songs are a major part of the Bania's art and culture.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Nearly all Kasaundhan 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.


What Are Their Needs?

Kasaundhan 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.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Kasaundhan 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 Kasaundhan Bania leaders dreams and visions that will draw them to the King of kings.


Scripture Prayers for the Bania Kasaundhan in India.


References

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 Kasaundhan
People Name in Country Bania Kasaundhan
Natural Name Kasaundhan Bania
Alternate Names Bania; Kasaundhan Bania; Kasaundhan Banis; Seth; बनिया, कसौंधन
Population this Country 598,000
Population all Countries 600,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 12
People ID 19703
ROP3 Code 115155
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 20
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
Uttar Pradesh
361,000
Rajasthan
87,000
Madhya Pradesh
46,000
West Bengal
19,000
Assam
16,000
Maharashtra
13,000
Bihar
12,000
Haryana
12,000
Delhi
9,300
Punjab
5,900
Chhattisgarh
4,400
Uttarakhand
3,900
Odisha
2,400
Jharkhand
2,400
Jammu and Kashmir
1,400
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 20
  Uttar Pradesh 361,000
  Rajasthan 87,000
  Madhya Pradesh 46,000
  West Bengal 19,000
  Assam 16,000
  Maharashtra 13,000
  Bihar 12,000
  Haryana 12,000
  Delhi 9,300
  Punjab 5,900
  Chhattisgarh 4,400
  Uttarakhand 3,900
  Odisha 2,400
  Jharkhand 2,400
  Jammu and Kashmir 1,400
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 (375,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 32
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Bhojpuri
43,000
Marwari
20,000
Awadhi
12,000
Bengali
12,000
Dhundari
8,400
Marathi
8,000
Shekhawati
5,200
Assamese
4,100
Bundeli
3,000
Kanauji
2,000
Bagri
2,000
Chhattisgarhi
1,500
Mewari
1,400
Konkani
1,200
Maithili
900
Primary Language Hindi (375,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 32
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Bhojpuri 43,000
  Marwari 20,000
  Awadhi 12,000
  Bengali 12,000
  Dhundari 8,400
  Marathi 8,000
  Shekhawati 5,200
  Assamese 4,100
  Bundeli 3,000
  Kanauji 2,000
  Bagri 2,000
  Chhattisgarhi 1,500
  Mewari 1,400
  Konkani 1,200
  Maithili 900
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 data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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