Labana
| Labana , Lubana | |
|---|---|
| Religions | Sikhism, Hinduism |
| Languages | Punjabi, Lubanaki |
| Country | Primarily India, a significant population in Europe, UK, United States and Canada |
| Populated states | Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan. |
Lubana (sometimes also Labana, Lavana ) is a social and ethnic group in India. It is a landholding community whose members were traditionally transporters, carriers and loaders who are now mostly agriculturists. The Lubanas of Punjab region are mostly Sikhs and Hindus. During British colonial times, they were declared as a martial race. Now they are called Lubana Jatt's of Punjab
There is no single proven origin of the Labana people, though many equate them to so-called Gypsies of India. However tracing the many linguistic roots of Labanki, the traditional language of the tribe, they seem to be a confederation of different peoples from various backgrounds.
The term 'Labana' translates into salt trader, where 'loon' is salt and 'vanya' equates to craftsman. Labana merchants were known to trade in much more than salt, often taking part in cross regional trading.
According to Sikh Magazine Gurmat Parkash (Published by SGPC), Lobana also means who wear Iron Dress, i.e. dress of Military person. They mentioned Lobana were Military persons who served in Guru's army.
Lobana (Sindhi: لٻاڻا) is also a Sindhi tribe living in Sindh and Panjab
Labanas are an offshoot of Ikshwakus of Ramayana fame as well as Audumbaras or Damars.
In Ludhiana and Jhang districts, the Lobanas claimed to be the descendants of Chauhan Rajputs of Jaipur and Jodhpur. In Gujarat district, they claimed to be Raghu vanshi Rajputs. The Lobanas of Kangra and Hoshiarpur districts claimed their origin from the Gaur Brahmins of Pilibhit. A good number of them traced their origin from Gaur Brahmins who came to the Panjab from Ranthambore in Aurangzeb's time.
Originally, Labanas were traders and Carriers and were nomadic,. They use Animal-Powered transportation and move with entire families, cattle and dogs, around the country. Lakhi Shah Vanjara, famous Labana Sikh use Bullocks for Land Transportation during Mughal Rule.
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Wikipedia