Khandelwal Bania in India


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 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 105,000
Population all Countries 105,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
PeopleID3 19704
ROP3 Code 115156
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
49,000
Uttar Pradesh
30,000
Madhya Pradesh
9,200
Maharashtra
5,500
West Bengal
5,200
Gujarat
3,400
Delhi
1,000
Odisha
600
Assam
600
Punjab
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 49,000
  Uttar Pradesh 30,000
  Madhya Pradesh 9,200
  Maharashtra 5,500
  West Bengal 5,200
  Gujarat 3,400
  Delhi 1,000
  Odisha 600
  Assam 600
  Punjab 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
62.24 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
37.76 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Hindi (53,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 16
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Wagdi
13,000
Marwari (India)
8,100
Dhundari
4,500
Shekhawati
3,400
Braj Bhasha
2,100
Marathi
2,000
Gujarati
1,800
Bengali
1,600
Konkani
700
Kanauji
600
Bhojpuri
600
Kacchi
500
Bundeli
200
Mewari
200
Telugu
50
Primary Language Hindi (53,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 16
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Wagdi 13,000
  Marwari (India) 8,100
  Dhundari 4,500
  Shekhawati 3,400
  Braj Bhasha 2,100
  Marathi 2,000
  Gujarati 1,800
  Bengali 1,600
  Konkani 700
  Kanauji 600
  Bhojpuri 600
  Kacchi 500
  Bundeli 200
  Mewari 200
  Telugu 50
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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General Gospel website in this language General / Other
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links (Hindi) Scripture Earth
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Mobile App Android Bible app: Hindi Study Bible Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible app: Hindi Word General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: Sab Ki Bible Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible app: पवित्र बाइबिल Hindi Bible Biblica
Mobile App Android Bible Radio app: Hindi Bible Radio Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Ek Rasta (Bible training) General / Other
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Mobile App Android Book Reading app: JM Hindi General / Other
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Mobile App iOS Bible app: Hindi Unlocked Literal Bible Kalaam Media Ltd
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Text / Printed Matter Christ for the Nations General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Hindi Bible General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Hindi Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter The Ancient Path Live Global
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
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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