Bania unspecified in Pakistan


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Introduction / History

The Vania people are also called Bania or Mahajan. The word Vania is derived from 'Vaniji', which means 'trader' in Sanskrit. The Vania community has gotras (clans) such as Agarwal, Dasora, Dishawal, Kapol, Nagori, Vagada, Modh and Nagar. Many of these names are based on the names of the place they are from. The Agrawal, though they are settled mainly in North Gujarat, take their name from Agar Town. The Jharola live in eastern Gujarat and come from Jalor of Rajashthan and Maharashtra. The titles used by the Bania are Shah, Shroff, Parikkh, Chokshi, Seth and Gandhi.

The vast majority of these Sindhi speaking Hindus are in India, but some have spilled over into Pakistan.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Most of the groups of Bania are split into Visha meaning twenty and Dasha or ten. These subdivisions are further divided into Ekda and Bagda. The Bagda mostly live in villages, while Ekda live in villages and towns. They have an organization called the Mandal to look after the temples and the community's property.

The Bania community excels in trade, commerce and various business ventures. They own and manage a range of enterprises, from small shops to large corporations. Their business acumen has earned them respect and economic stability within the broader Pakistani society. Floor painting and folk songs represent the Vania's art and culture. The naming of the newborn ritual is performed by a Jangam priest by putting a thread around the infant's neck.

Education holds significant importance for the Bania community. Many pursue higher education and professional degrees, contributing to their success in business and commerce. They emphasize the importance of education for both boys and girls.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Bania are Hindu by religion. They are Vaishnavite and devotees of Shrinathji. A section of them are from the Jain community. The Vania maintain intercommunity linkages with the Brahmin, Valand, Soni and other communities through trade and service. The Vania in the state of Maharashtra are mostly followers of the Lingayat religion.


What Are Their Needs?

The Bania community faces challenges related to religious minority status in Pakistan. They often encounter social and political marginalization and must navigate issues of religious freedom and security.

Being materially wealthy leave the Bania people in a good economic position; however, they usually don t find seek and find true spirituality.


Prayer Points

Pray for the protection and safety of the Bania community in Pakistan.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to break through to the hearts and minds of Bania people in Pakistan.
Pray for the Lord to make a way through Bania family leaders in Pakistan.
Pray for Bania disciples who will make more disciples of Christ in Pakistan.


Scripture Prayers for the Bania unspecified in Pakistan.


References

India Missions Association - Edited by Philipose Vaidyar, Copyrighted Used with permission


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Bania
People Name in Country Bania unspecified
Pronunciation BAHN-yah
Alternate Names Aggarwal; Agrawal; Arayia Vaisya; Arya Vaisya; Arya Vysya; Balija; Bandekara; Banikya; Baniya; Baniyan; Baqal; Bhatia; Chetti; Chettiar; Gomatulu; Gujarati Vania; Gupta; Jain; Komati; Komti; Komuti; Kongu; Kshatriya; Kumti; Kumuti; Lalaji; Mahajan; Mahajan Vania; Marwadi; Mathura; Padayachi; Rajput; Sahukar; Sarak; Shetti; Shetty; Vaishya; Vaisiyal Chettiar; Vaisya; Vani; Vani Bania; Vania; Vysy; Vysya; बनिया
Population this Country 30,000
Population all Countries 19,538,000
Total Countries 6
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 16318
ROP3 Code 111452
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 3
Largest States
Sindh
36,000
Punjab
2,200
Balochistan
300
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 3
  Sindh 36,000
  Punjab 2,200
  Balochistan 300
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 Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Sindhi (26,000 speakers)
Language Code snd   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 8
Secondary Languages
Dhatki
6,400
Saraiki
2,000
Marwari (Pakistan)
1,800
Marwari (India)
1,400
Kacchi
1,200
Punjabi, Western
500
Urdu
200
Primary Language Sindhi (26,000 speakers)
Language Code snd   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 8
Secondary Languages
  Dhatki 6,400
  Saraiki 2,000
  Marwari (Pakistan) 1,800
  Marwari (India) 1,400
  Kacchi 1,200
  Punjabi, Western 500
  Urdu 200
People Groups Speaking Sindhi

Primary Language:  Sindhi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1825-1981)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1890-1992)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1954)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) 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 Recorded oral Bible Oral Bibles
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Sindhi Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Magdalena video 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 in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Sindhi YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Sindhi YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Sindhi Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Anonymous 
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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