Part 20 - Lohana People

The Lohana believe that they were originally soldiers and statesmen and when their power declined they took up trade and other callings. (Sherring 1879 Vol. II: 383).

The origin of Lohanas is LOH-RANAS as per the information given on web by Lohana Samaj. As mentioned in Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency, Volume XXVII, published in 1904, Lohana is described as ‘caste of traders in Gujarat’. They claim to be direct descendants of Lord Rama and they are originally ‘Kshatriyas’ or ‘Rajputs’. There are two types of Kshatriyas in history which are Suryavanshi and Chandravanshi which means that they worship Sun and Moon respectively. The Lohanas call themselves Suryavanshi Kshatriyas.

They claim that their origin goes to King Luv or Lava (son of Lord Rama) and therefore directly with Lord Rama. The name Luv Rana means the Luv King, that is how they are called Luvranas or Lohanas. The other branch of King Kush (twin brother of King Luv) is called Kushvahas of Rajasthan.

In “Hindu Tribes and Castes” by Sherring, first published in 1879, there is a clear mention about term ‘Lohana’. It says that: The term Lohana is said by some to have come from Lava, son of Ram, the well-known hero of the Ramayan, from whom Lohanas claim descent.

There is another tradition regarding the origin of the term, which says that the subdivision of Kshatriyas known by the name of Rathors was by reason of relentless persecution obliged to take up arms against Jaichand, Raja of Kanauj; being conscious of their weakness they prayed to God Varuna and invoked his blessings.

God Varuna, being pleased with their devotion, granted their prayer and spoke to them thus:

“Early tomorrow morning at a distance of a kos (about 2 miles) and quarter you will see a big iron fort. Go and take shelter inside it and after sixteen days you will subdue your enemy. After that time, leave the fort, which will disappear after twenty-one days. Then build another fort and tower and settle there and you will henceforth be called Lohanas instead of Rathors.” (Sherring 1879 Vol. II: 381)

Originally Kshatriyas, ruling the region of Afghanistan, Lohanas fought bravely against invaders from North West such as Persians, Macedonians and Huns etc. Subsequently also between 7^th and 11^th century A.D. Lohanas stopped Muslim invaders from entering India by putting a brave fight against them.

The followers of Islam around the same time went out in many directions with an intention to spread their religion and turned towards India as well. The Lohanas gave a brave fight. However, due to the betrayal of some people they had to accept the defeat. Sindh fell into Muslim hands and Lohanas disintegrated into small segments in Sindh. They finally migrated to Saurashtra and Kutch in Gujarat.

Later on, sometime around mid of 10^th century, a great entity by name Jhulelal or Uderolal was born in Nasarpur which is about 90 miles away from Hyderabad in today’s Pakistan. The life and work of Lord Jhulelal are described in this thesis.