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Concept
Lohana
Summary
Lohana, also referred to as Loharana, Thakkar and Lohrana, are an Indian trading or mercantile jāti. Lohanas claim to be descendants of Lava, son of Rama, and to descend from the Raghuvanshi dynasty. The Lohanas are divided into many separate cultural groups as a result of centuries apart in different regions. Thus there are significant differences between the culture, language, professions and societies of Gujarati Lohanas, Sindhi Lohanas, and Kutchi Lohanas.
Matthew A. Cook adds that according to Burton, Lohana's largely Punjabi origin can be considered on basis of "features and manners, ceremonies and religious opinions as well as their surnames." André Wink states that Lohanas were originally a sub-division of Jats.
According to Jürgen Schaflechner, there are many similarities between Punjabi Khatris and Lohanas, both of whom recruited Saraswat Brahmins as priests, have common religious rituals, mythologies, and even intermarried. Many Punjabi Khatris and Bhatias were also absorbed into the Lohana fold. Schaflechner cites the historian Rowe who states that "low ranking" Saraswat Brahmins originating in Balochistan formed a symbiotic relationship with castes such as Khatris, Lohanas, etc. who were trying to raise their varna status - which in turn would benefit the Saraswat Brahmins as well. For this purpose, certain religious texts were written during the British Raj era.
Sindhi Lohanas are considered a collection of Vaishya castes. Other than Brahmins and Bhatias, all Sindhis are grouped under the Lohana caste. Although classified as Vaishya in the ritual hierarchy and having been traditionally traders, they claim Kshatriya origin based on their belief that they are from the lineage of Ram. They claim that they are the descendents of Lava of the Ramayana. This claim was more common in the Lohanas of Sindh as per Schaflechner. A "mytho-historic" legend prevalent in the community is that the Hindu God Varuna built an iron fort for some Rathore Rajputs to protect them.
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