Modh 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.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The wealthy Modh people deal in real estate and jewelry. They once lived only in the northern part of Gujarat state in a small town called Modhera, which derived its name from the Modheshwari Mata temple and the community around it. The Modh are now dispersed throughout India and other countries.

Some of the more famous Modhs are Mohandas Ghandi, popularly known as the Mahatma Ghandi, and Mukesh Ambani, the chairman and managing director of the Reliance Conglomerate, whom Forbes identifies as one of the wealthiest men in the world.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Nearly all Modh 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 Modh 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 Modh Bania leaders dreams and visions that will draw them to the King of kings.


Scripture Prayers for the Bania Modh 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 Modh
People Name in Country Bania Modh
Natural Name Modh Bania
Alternate Names Adalja; Ghoghva; Mandalia; Soni; बनिया, मोढ़
Population this Country 85,000
Population all Countries 85,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
PeopleID3 19715
ROP3 Code 115167
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 9
Largest States
Gujarat
63,000
Rajasthan
13,000
Maharashtra
4,200
Delhi
1,600
Madhya Pradesh
1,500
West Bengal
800
Telangana
400
Daman and Diu
90
Punjab
90
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 9
  Gujarat 63,000
  Rajasthan 13,000
  Maharashtra 4,200
  Delhi 1,600
  Madhya Pradesh 1,500
  West Bengal 800
  Telangana 400
  Daman and Diu 90
  Punjab 90
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.75 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.25 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Gujarati (53,000 speakers)
Language Code guj   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 11
Secondary Languages
Hindi
14,000
Wagdi
3,200
Marwari (India)
2,600
Dhundari
1,000
Marathi
1,000
Mewari
200
Shekhawati
200
Bengali
60
Konkani
50
Telugu
20
Primary Language Gujarati (53,000 speakers)
Language Code guj   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 11
Secondary Languages
  Hindi 14,000
  Wagdi 3,200
  Marwari (India) 2,600
  Dhundari 1,000
  Marathi 1,000
  Mewari 200
  Shekhawati 200
  Bengali 60
  Konkani 50
  Telugu 20
People Groups Speaking Gujarati

Primary Language:  Gujarati

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1809-1965)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1820-1985)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1823-2021)
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Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Gujarati Literacy & Evangelism International
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Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
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