User:Singhotra R

Singhotra R (talk) 17:34, 10 November 2020 (UTC) Ghotra or Kotdaa is a prominent labana gotra or clan of the state of Punjab, Haryana, Himanchal Pardesh in India. Firstly, Ghotras mainly found in Kangra region. These are also called Ajrawat. These are also called Saundlas and Lakhmans. This is superior caste/clan/surname in labanas.

Ajrawats or Ghotras are descendent of Aja (jasrat), who was son of luv (son of Ramchandra). The number and names of Lava’s children his two sons, Atitha and Aja. So from Aja, Ajrawat word forms. In Sialkot Ajrawat are also called Saundlas where in kangra and other area its familiar with ghotra clan. Ajrawat look down upon khasaryas and also looks gujar section inferior to them. Ajrawat are found in Hoshiarpur and other areas. These are direct descendents of Lava the son of Rama. These were Lohanas of Loh Kote. These are Kshatriyas. These migrated from west-Pakistan after partition. Many of them were already in Panjab before partition, mostly until the river Beas called Jaddis.

According to Para Singh Tanda Of Laban Sewak Jan 2008, Labanas were once part of the Rajputs (a warrior caste), he attributes the name laban to use of iron (loh) in the armor they wore. Some people from among these warriors started trading to earn their livelyhood in times of peace with the result that the name altered to Vanzaras (trade/transport). It is said that the Lobanas are of Turkish origin. They travelled from Turkey toward India and that is why they are also called "Banjaras" ("travellers") because during travel they had to set up some businesses along their way. The Lobanas were the great salt-carrying and salt-trading community. They were occasionally called Banjaras. Locally, they were known by different names in parts of the Panjab. In Ambala district, for example, on account of their versatility in adopting different vocations, the lobanas were called "Bahrupias".

Originally, By Profession, Labanas were Tranporters and Carriers who transports commodities like Grains, Jaggery, Salt, Spices etc. through land and water [12][13]. Lobanas also worked as transporters for the armies who were in action and carries food stuff for them to front lines using Oxen or Bulls(ਟਘਾ(Tagha)) as pack animals or to pull their wagons laden with the supplies neccesary to keep an army on the move. According to Travernier's "Travels of India", wrote that an ox or bull can carry weight of around 300 to 500 pounds. Lobanas travel in form of caravan(Kaafila) of 10,000 to 12,000 thagaas in which they took rice, wheat, salt, etc. The Sardar of a kaafila (caravan) was known as a Naik (also a modern term of rank in the Indian army). In the past the Naiks would wear a garland of diamonds and pearls around there neck. They were fast walkers too because of dhagaas. They use to go through Deserts and deep forests and were more probable to attack by robbers and pirates, so Naik have security arrangements and managing of caravans. They first keep their items, then Women and child(ui along with them) and then tie up animals to stay which makes the whole caravan a Fort. They also carry dogs with them. They had also mans with weapons for securty purposes. Gulcharan Singh also claims that both Tipu Sultan and the Duke of Wellington were also labanas. The bodies of lobanas were fit and they were tall as they were fighters later they travel a lot. Lobanas also worked as intelligence or spies for Kings as had to travel a lot for trade so they learned a lot about geographical areas and the needs of the people in those areas, so for demand study of their their people. The Ladies of Lobanas were said to be beautiful and fair in colour. They were bold to as there husbands use to go out for trade so they control all activities household and were not like old women which use to live in purdah etc. they were not fearful. J.H Huttel in book the Trioe & Caste wrote that the ladies of lobana community were famous for beauty & domestic freedom and also put beautiful clothes. In Marinetime Transportation and Trade, "The lobanas took products from all over India to the harbors of Surat(Gujrat, India) to be sent to ports scattered around the world on ships that were often owned by Lobanas. Makhan Shah Labana was the owner/master of many ships and trade around India, Africa and Portugal. [14] Their village is called Tanda, which is word of Lubanki Dielect(Danda) which means the Halt or Stopping place of Caravan. In Kangra, there were four halt station which are developed as Village to towns. When british annexed india, they stopped moving jobs and became settlers and resided in villages, this lead to Socio-Economic changes in them. In the late eighteenth century some of the Lobanas followed pastoral pursuits. Under the Sikh rule, the Lobanas were entering the agrarian hierarchy. Labanas went outside india set in european countries and these are called Roma People