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 Oswal Banias. They are mostly found in Rajasthan, Punjab, and other nearby areas of northern India.
Oswals are indispensable for the Indian economy and tend to fare well in business. They are the wealthy and very influential in business, industry, and society. The Oswals are known for commemorating their festivals with celebration, color and song.
Although most Oswals follow Jain religious teachings, some are more influenced by Hinduism. According to Jain teaching, it is considered a sin to take a life. As a result, they are strict vegetarians. Their goddess, Sachchika, is often their family deity. They have high morals, but they lack a relationship with the one true God.
They live all over India, but there are probably no Christ followers among the Oswal Bania people anywhere. They need contact with vibrant, loving Christ followers who can introduce them to the only savior.
Pray for the Oswal people to hear about Jesus through evangelistic internet, radio and literature efforts.
Pray that God will send loving missionaries to this unreached people group.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move throughout Oswal communities, showing them the way to the cross and the empty grave.
Scripture Prayers for the Bania Oswal in India.
Some information from “The Scheduled Castes” K. S. Singh, ed. Oxford University Press, USA (1994)
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Bania Oswal |
People Name in Country | Bania Oswal |
Natural Name | Oswal Bania |
Pronunciation |
OSE-vahl BAHN-yah
|
Alternate Names | Marwadi; Oswal Jain Bania; बनिया, ओसवाल |
Population this Country | 498,000 |
Population all Countries | 498,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 10 |
People ID | 19718 |
ROP3 Code | 115171 |
ROP25 Code | 300836 |
ROP25 Name | Bania |
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 | 24 | |||||||||||||||
Largest States (only 15 largest shown) |
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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 | 24 (only 20 largest shown) |
Maharashtra 152,000 | |
Gujarat 91,000 | |
Madhya Pradesh 76,000 | |
Rajasthan 70,000 | |
West Bengal 19,000 | |
Delhi 16,000 | |
Uttar Pradesh 14,000 | |
Assam 13,000 | |
Tamil Nadu 9,700 | |
Andhra Pradesh 8,800 | |
Chhattisgarh 7,000 | |
Telangana 3,600 | |
Punjab 3,400 | |
Karnataka 3,100 | |
Haryana 3,000 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Other / Small |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
32.45 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
67.55 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
* From latest India census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Hindi (155,000 speakers) | |||||||||||||||
Language Code | hin Ethnologue Listing | |||||||||||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||||||||||||||
Total Languages | 26 | |||||||||||||||
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown) |
|
Primary Language | Hindi (155,000 speakers) |
Language Code | hin Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 26 |
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown) | |
Gujarati 120,000 | |
Marwari (India) 70,000 | |
Marathi 33,000 | |
Kacchi 9,500 | |
Dhundari 8,300 | |
Bengali 6,400 | |
Mewari 4,600 | |
Telugu 2,300 | |
Chhattisgarhi 1,600 | |
Konkani 1,600 | |
Malvi 1,200 | |
Shekhawati 1,100 | |
Bhojpuri 1,000 | |
Assamese 800 | |
Bagri 600 | |
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) |
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 |
Photo Source |
(Representative photo) Copyrighted © 2024 Isudas All rights reserved. Used with permission |
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. |