Bania Rastaogi in India

Introduction / History

Rastoogi people live in northern India, primarily Uttar Pradesh. They are among the Bania peoples, a business community. The name "Bania" is derived from Vaniji, which means "trader" in Sanskrit, an ancient South Asian language. The Rastaogi are a sub-group of the Bania peoples who live in India, mainly in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. 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. This particular subgroup has a lineage that traces to the mythical king Harishchandra.

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.

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.

Rastaogi 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 business transactions. Fathers pass business skills to their sons. Rastaogi 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. Rastaogi is a clan name. They only marry within their group, but they have limitations regarding whom they marry within their social network. They have a connection with the Rohtari Rajput group, but they don’t intermarry with them.

What Are Their Beliefs?

This prominent caste traces its Hindu beliefs back to when they selected "Surya" the Hindu sun god as their clan deity. Surya is portrayed as a red man with three eyes and four arms, riding in a chariot. They worship him as the god of healing and fortune. His picture is in Rastoogi-owned shops and homes because they firmly believe he will bring them blessings.

What Are Their Needs?

With almost no known followers of Christ in Uttar Pradesh or Rajasthan, the Rastoogi people need an influx of loving missionaries to tell them about Christ's glory. Pray that many Rastoogi people will come to know God's truth, life and ways.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to thrust out the right workers to the Rastoogi Bania community.
Pray that the Rastoogi people will soon get to hear the good news that Jesus Christ offers life to the full for all who surrender to him.
Pray for the Rastoogi Banias to have a Holy Spirit generated hunger for spiritual truth.

Text Source:   Joshua Project