Bania Dhusar in India

Introduction / History

The name of the Dhusar people group comes from a legend about a woman being troubled by the devil. As the story goes, the woman went to Brahma, the Hindu god of creation, to tell him about this problem. She wept as she spoke to him. As she wept, a river miraculously appeared, and Brahma named the river Vasudhara. The Dhusars derive their name from Vasudhara because they live along the banks of the Vasudhara River. Their name as refers to the color grey. Most speak Hindi.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Members of the Bania caste are among the wealthiest people in India and even the world. Today they are still involved with businesses and money lending. A Bania might be the proud owner of a giant business, a small one, or he might be working in a bank. He often owns the bank. Others work in government ministries or as lawyers, judges, teachers, scholars, stockbrokers or engineers.

Dhusar Bania fathers teach their children business skills. From an early age children are drilled in math and detailed calculations with the end purpose of winning in money transactions. Bania parents often teach their children to "never give; always bargain and make money." This attitude does not make them popular with other communities. Other castes often resent them because they lend much needed money at high 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 their farms or their gold up for collateral in case they cannot pay back their loans.

Floor painting and folk songs are a major part of the Bania's art and culture.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Nearly all Dhusar 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 this is an instance of the preservation of old coins for religious ceremonies. Ganesh (the god who helps overcome obstacles) and Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth) are among their favorites. They are many Vaishnavite and devotees of Shrinathji among the Hindu Banias. 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 Dhusar 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 Dhusar Bania leaders dreams and visions that will draw them to the King of kings.

Text Source:   Joshua Project