Introduction / History

The Banias originated over 5,000 years ago, 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. They were usually traders of grain and spices throughout history.

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.

Banias originated in the western Indian states of Gujarat and Rajasthan. Today the Roniaur Banias live mainly in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar states. A few live in India's northeastern states and Nepal. They speak Hindi. They are divided into three territorial groups; Panchnaha, Purbia and Bail Kuchnaha. There are rarely any marriages between these three.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Members of the Bania caste are among the wealthiest people in India and even the world. The Roniaur Banias usually sell textiles and grains. Some are landowners who depend on sharecroppers to harvest the crops.

They are often resented by other castes, 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.

The lessons such as "never give; always bargain and make money" are often learned at young ages by Rauniar Bania children. Business skills are passed down from father to son, and from an early age children are drilled in math and detailed calculations with the end purpose of winning in money transactions.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Nearly all Rauniar 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. These are the gods who drive their lives, gods that leave them with empty hearts.

What Are Their Needs?

Rauniar 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 have left them spiritually empty and other castes economically devastated and resentful.

Prayer Points

Pray that the veil of deception will be lifted from the eyes of the Rauniar Banias and that they will see that the only true wealth is 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.

Scripture Prayers for the Bania Rauniar in India.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roniaur
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bania_(caste)
http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/LIA5OcknCv3zQw2hJi0GDN/The-peculiar-pedigree-of-the-business-class.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roniaur