Rastaogi Bania in India

The Rastaogi 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

During the news interview, Rajit, a Rastogi man spoke directly into the microphone while beads of sweat on his forehead betrayed his nervousness. He said, "One reason for the peaceful nature of the city of Lucknow, India, is the network of economic dependency which cuts across religion and caste. This is especially true of the local embroidery industry, known as Chikan. This is a traditional Muslim craft, but it is traded mostly by our Hindu Rastoogi businessmen." Sameer, a prominent news reporter responded, "However, it seems this is changing. Just the other day I heard there were more riots because some Muslim loom owners said Hindus tried to destroy their businesses." Rajit replied, "I pray that Surya (the Hindu Sun God) will protect us and bring us continued prosperity."


Where Are they Located?

Most of the 63,000 Hindu Rastoogi people live in northern India, primarily Uttar Pradesh.


What Are Their Beliefs?

This prominent caste traces its Hindu beliefs back to when they selected "Surya" the Hindu sun god as their clan deity. Surya is portrayed as a red man with three eyes and four arms, riding in a chariot. They worship him as the god of healing and fortune. His picture is in Rastoogi-owned shops and homes because they firmly believe he will bring them blessings.


Prayer Points

With almost no known followers of Christ in Uttar Pradesh, the Rastoogi people need an influx of missionaries to tell them about Christ's glory. Pray that many Rastoogi people will come to know God's truth, life, and ways.


Scripture Prayers for the Bania Rastaogi in India.


References

Some information from "The Scheduled Castes" K. S. Singh, ed. Oxford University Press, USA (1994)


Profile Source:   Global Prayer Digest  

Additional Info
Bania profile for Children and Family Missions Activities
Global Prayer Digest: 2011-08-10
People Name General Bania Rastaogi
People Name in Country Bania Rastaogi
Natural Name Rastaogi Bania
Alternate Names Rastaugi; बनिया, रस्त्गी
Population this Country 69,000
Population all Countries 69,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 19720
ROP3 Code 115173
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 6
Largest States
Uttar Pradesh
58,000
Rajasthan
5,400
Bihar
2,000
Delhi
1,000
Madhya Pradesh
900
Uttarakhand
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 6
  Uttar Pradesh 58,000
  Rajasthan 5,400
  Bihar 2,000
  Delhi 1,000
  Madhya Pradesh 900
  Uttarakhand 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
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 (44,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 8
Secondary Languages
Marwari
6,300
Awadhi
2,100
Bhojpuri
2,000
Kanauji
1,600
Dhundari
1,300
Garhwali
300
Mewari
100
Primary Language Hindi (44,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 8
Secondary Languages
  Marwari 6,300
  Awadhi 2,100
  Bhojpuri 2,000
  Kanauji 1,600
  Dhundari 1,300
  Garhwali 300
  Mewari 100
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  (1835-2022)
Bible-NT Audio Online
Bible-NT Text Online
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 DAVAR Partners recording, Old Testament DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Online New Testament Faith Comes by Hearing
Audio Recordings Online New Testament Faith Comes by Hearing
Audio Recordings Online New Testament Faith Comes by Hearing
Audio Recordings Online New Testament Faith Comes by Hearing
Audio Recordings Online New Testament Faith Comes by Hearing
Audio Recordings Online New Testament Faith Comes by Hearing
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
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
Film / Video Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Global Prayer Digest  
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.