Khandelwal Bania in India

The Khandelwal Bania have only been reported 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.
There are smaller groups of Banias, one of which is the Khandelwal. They live all over India.


What Are Their Lives Like?

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.


What Are Their Beliefs?

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.


What Are Their Needs?

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.


Prayer Points

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.


References

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
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
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)
Marwari
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
Primary Language Hindi (49,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 16
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Marwari 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)
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YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
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Film / Video Following Jesus video 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 Hindi Jesus Film Project
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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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