Marwadi Bania in India

The Marwadi 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.


What Are Their Lives Like?

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.


What Are Their Beliefs?

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.


What Are Their Needs?

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 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.


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 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
Telangana
12,000
Uttar Pradesh
3,700
Maharashtra
3,500
Karnataka
2,000
Gujarat
200
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 (13,000 speakers)
Language Code rwr   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
Hindi
5,200
Telugu
300
Marathi
100
Primary Language Marwari (13,000 speakers)
Language Code rwr   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
  Hindi 5,200
  Telugu 300
  Marathi 100
People Groups Speaking Marwari

Primary Language:  Marwari

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 resources links Scripture Earth
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
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.



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