Bania Agrahari in India

Introduction / History

The name "Bania" is derived from Vaniji, which means "trader" in Sanskrit, an ancient South Asian language. The Agrahari 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. Mahatma Gandhi is one example, but there have been many others throughout India's long history.

Banias have their subgroups, one of which is the Agrahari. This subgroup is associated with the cities of Agra and Agroha.

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.

Agrahari 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 purpose of “winning” in money transactions. Fathers pass business skills to their sons. Agrahari Bania parents strongly encourage their children to obtain graduate degrees related to business.

Monogamy or marriage to one spouse is the norm among Bania groups.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Agrahari Banias who feel a need for God in a Hindu context are likely to try to fill it with Hindu rituals. An Agarwal Bania might visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers and incense to their gods in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. Others might try to fill the God-shaped void with philosophy. There are some Agrahari Banias who adhere to Sikhism, but they are a minority. The Sikhs among them live in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.

What Are Their Needs?

Any efforts to bring the message of Jesus to the Agraharis must remain sensitive to their history. It is not enough to be sensitive to Hindu culture. The evangelist must respect the differences between groups like the Agrahari Banias and those with less wealth and status. One cannot expect someone from a business community to respond to the same thing as someone who is a farm worker, for example.

Prayer Points

Pray that the Holy Spirit will win some from the Agrahari Banias to worship the Prince of Peace.
Pray that the Lord of the harvest will send believers from the Agrahari group to reap souls from other Bania groups.
Pray that the Holy Spirit will stir a hunger and thirst for a righteousness that can only come from the true God of the universe.

Text Source:   Joshua Project