Introduction / History

The name "Bania" is derived from Vaniji, which means "trader" in Sanskrit, an ancient South Asian language. The Rauniar are a sub-group of the Bania peoples who live in India and Nepal. Of the four major varnas (caste clusters of Hinduism), Banias are in the third one, the Vaishyas. 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. The Bania tend to resent the higher two varnas, the Brahmins and the Kshatriyas. Thus, Banias have often been leaders in caste reform movements.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Ironically, the Banias are often resented by others. They are known to charge excessive 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 up their land and farms for collateral in case they cannot pay back their loans.
Rauniar Bania children learn early to "never give; always bargain and make money." From an early age, children are drilled in math and detailed calculations with the end purpose of getting the upper hand in monetary transactions. Fathers pass business skills to their sons. Rauniar Bania parents strongly encourage their children, especially the boys, to obtain graduate degrees related to business.
Monogamy or marriage to one spouse is the norm among Bania groups.

What Are Their Beliefs?

They devote their spiritual lives to Hindu gods like Lakshmi. By contrast, those who follow Christ know that true spirituality is found in knowing the One, True God. The one who created us can direct our lives so that those around us can see the fruit of his holiness, love, and guidance. Unfortunately, few Raunair Banias have any contact with Christ's followers.

What Are Their Needs?

Rauniar Bania communities live throughout India, but they probably don’t have a single Christ follower among them. Do they lack gospel resources? Or do they lack the will to seek and find?

Prayer Points

Pray that Christ's followers will reach out to them.
Pray that Raunair Hindus will know who Jesus really is.
Pray that they will understand that in him comes the true blessings in life such as peace, joy, humbleness, long suffering and love.

Scripture Prayers for the Bania Rauniar in Nepal.

References

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