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Labana

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Labana, Lubana
ReligionsSikhism , Hinduism , Shrekism
LanguagesLubanaki, Lubani, Punjabi, Gujarati, Hindi
CountryPrimarily India
Populated statesPunjab, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan

Labana (Devanagari:लबाना, Gujarati: લબાના) (Also known as Lubana or Lavana) is a social and ethnic landholding caste in India traditionally known as traders, transporters, carriers and loaders of goods. As political and technological changes made their traditional trades less feasible, many transitioned to agricultural work. They are also known as Jatt in Punjab,[1] but the Labanas of Punjab region are mostly Sikhs.

The caste system became more pronounced and prone to discrimination during the Colonial British rule, and it is believed that people were free to move between castes more easily, all roles being necessary for society to function, prior to 18th century. [2]

Etymology and Origins

Labana is derived from two Sanskrit words, Lun from Lavana (लवण), which means "salt", and Vana from Vanij (वणिज), which means "trade."[3] Lubana, Lobana or Libana is considered to have its origins as a major salt-carrying and salt trading caste. The Lobanas traded as a profession in the medieval period. After being displaced following conflicts in northwestern India, Lobanas are now an agriculturist community spread over North-Western India.[4]

According to the Sikh magazine, Gurmat Parkash (Published by SGPC), Lobana also means one who wears an iron dress, i.e. someone in military attire. The magazine states Lobana served in Guru's army.[5]

History

The people of Labana are an offshoot of Ikshvakus of Ramayana fame, as well as Audumbaras or Damars.[6] In the 1891 Census, they were categorized under Rajputs and are descendants of Suryavanshi and Chandravanshi Kshatriyas. It is believed that Labanas are from the Suryavanshi of Rama Chandra, King of Ayodhya and believed to be the son of Lava.[citation needed]

In Ludhiana and Jhang districts, the Lobanas claimed to be the descendants of Chauhan Rajputs of Jaipur and Jodhpur.[citation needed] In Gujarat district, they claimed to be Raghuvanshi Rajputs.[citation needed] The Lobanas of Kangra and Hoshiarpur districts claimed their origin from the Gaur Brahmins of Pilibhit. Other Lobanas traced their origin from Gaur Brahmins who came to the Panjab from Ranthambore in Aurangzeb's time.[7][8]

Occupation

Originally, Labanas were traders and carriers (transporters of goods). They were nomadic, like the Banjaras and Lambadis. They used Animal-Powered transportation and moved as entire families with their cattle and dogs around the country. Lakhi Shah Vanjara, a famous Labana Sikh, used bullocks for overland transportation during Mughal Rule.

Labanas were also engaged in Water Transportation. Makhan Shah was a famous Sikh who had ships for transportation.

Some Labanas were employed by various empires for the transportation of war materials. They served under the empires of the Mughals, the British, the Sikhs, and more. According to George Armand Furse, "the Jut and Labana castes of Sikhs possess in a high degree the useful knowledge of the lading and care of beasts of burden."[9]

In part due to political unrest, it became difficult for Labanas to continue this traditional occupation and they began to settle around rivers. During Maharaja Ranjit Singh's tenure, many Labanas entered into agriculture.[10]

Another major setback to the Labanas' traditional profession was the introduction of motor and railways by the British Empire. This also contributed to their increasing dependence on agriculture rather than trade and transport of goods by road or waterways. For additional income, some Labanas adopted military professions and served in both World War I and World War II. Those participating in these wars were given lands as appreciation for their service.

Some unknown evidence have also said labanas have become blacksmiths too after trading.

Clan System

Most of the Hindu Labana have 11 gotras and are mostly occupied in agriculture.[7][8] Labana Gotra names are derived from place names, professions, rituals and prominent personalities. Some were named for Multan city when they came to the Punjab region during Nadir Shah's invasion of India in 1739. Lubana clan names include are Ajrawat, Multani, Rath, Ghotra, Garha, Sandlas, Khasriye, Kundlas, Karsana, Patwalie, Pelia, Bhagtana, Badwal, Bawa, Lyallpurie, Maniani, Mathaun, Makhan shai, Mundar, Merawat, Lubana, Labana and Lavana.[11]

Culture

Language

Labanki, which used to be the dialect of Labanas, is an extinct Indo-Aryan language. It was a mixture of Marwari, Saraiki, Gujarati and Marathi.[12][page needed]

Sikh Labanas

According to British records, 33% of the Labana have baptized Sikhs and were found primarily in the Lahore, Gujranwala, and Sialkot areas. The Labanas (along with many other groups) saw the highest conversions into Sikhism during 1881–1891.[13][full citation needed]

Hindu Labanas

Hindu Labana have mostly settled around cities of Dahod-Gujarat, Jhabua-Madhya Pradesh, Dungarpur-Rajasthan and near the northern border of Maharashtra.

Reservation System in India

In India's reservation system, Labanas are classified as Other Backward Class in many states, including in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujrat, Madhya Pradesh, and others.[14][15]

Notable people

Main article: List of Labanas

See also

References

  1. ^ Page 171, THE LUBANAS OF PUNJAB, Kamaljit Singh, Guru Nanak Dev University
  2. ^ "What is India's caste system?". BBC News. 19 June 2019. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
  3. ^ Page 2, Volume 3, A Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province. HA Rose
  4. ^ Mastana, S.S.; Garlick, J.P.; Papiha, S.S. (1991). "Serogenetic studies of the Lobanas in North-West India". Anthropologischer Anzeiger. 49 (3): 177–186. ISSN 0003-5548.
  5. ^ SGPC Parkash (October 2000). Gurmat Parkash. SGPC. p. 80. ISBN 81-7835-664-3.
  6. ^ "Lord Rama Lineage, Family Tree till 1634 BCE - History". BooksFact - Ancient Knowledge & Wisdom. 25 March 2018. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  7. ^ a b Supplement to the glossary of Indian terms (1845). Supplement to the glossary of Indian terms. Henry Miers Elliot. p. 110.
  8. ^ a b The Indian Encyclopaedia (2002). The Indian Encyclopaedia. Genesis Publishing Pvt Ltd. p. 629.
  9. ^ Studies on military transport By George Armand Furse P. 215
  10. ^ W. Hunter, The Imperial Gazetteer of India, Vol. I, Truber & Co., London 1885, pp.181-82.
  11. ^ Dr Jaswant Singh,Panjab di Lubana Bradri,(1849-1947)
  12. ^ Bhavnani, Nandita (2014). The Making of Exile: Sindhi Hindus and the Partition of India. Tranquebar Press. ISBN 978-9-38403-033-9.
  13. ^ Transformation of the Sikh Society (Ethene K. Marenco) p. 120
  14. ^ Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujrat, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh: Retrieved from National Commission of Backward Classes, India
  15. ^ "List of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes of Gujarat State | List of Castes | નિયામક, વિકસતી જાતિ કલ્યાણ". sje.gujarat.gov.in. Retrieved 29 May 2020.


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