Lodhi
is a Hindu community in India. They are Kshatriya.
Origin and History
The word Lodham first
originates in Rigveda (The oldest literature of Sanatan/ Hindu dharma),
Mandal-3,Sukta-53, sloka-23 [2] [3], then the word again shows its presence in Manusmriti,
Chapter VII- 54 [3] [4] and in Parashuram sahitya. In all the slokas depicted,
the word Lodham is used for Shoorveer / warrior/ brave. Lodh
were the first Kshatriyas of the earth.
When Parashuram killed The Chakravarti King
Sahastrabahoo (A Lodham) the then left over leaders of Kshatriyas (Lodham) went
to The Lord Mahesh. The Lord Mahesh saved them from Parashuram and ordered all
the Khastriyas (Lodham) to choose farming instead of Kshatra (weapons). As The
Lord Mahesh saved the Lodhams from the atrocities of Parashuram the then he is
also worshiped as The Lodheswar Mahadev. Lodhi Rajput
are Chandravanshi from the lunar deity Chandra.
The Sanskrit word
Rajputra is found in ancient texts, including the Vedas, the Ramayana, and the
Mahabharata. It was used by the ancient Sanskrit grammarian Pāṇini in the 4th
century BCE. The word Kshatriya (“warrior”) was used for the Vedic community of
warriors and rulers.
To differentiate
royal warriors from other Kshatriyas the word Rajputra was used, which literally
means “Son of King” Rajputra eventually was shortened to Rajput. Rajputs belong
to one of three great patrilineages, which are Suryavanshi, Chandravanshi and
Agnivanshi.
The
names Lodhi, Lodh, Lodha are synonymous to Lodhi Rajput. Lodhi Rajput community
is diversified in many parts of India. A part of community is very much
prominent in North and central India, especially in Westen UP, Vidarbha and its
area near Madhya Pradesh, Gujrat and Rajasthan.
They have 23 Rajgharanas (Thikans) in Indian subcontinent starting from
the west
- Teenkotla, in the
Sialkot District of present-day Pakistan
- Lodra in the Multan
District of present-day Pakistan
- Ludrava, Jaisalmair
Rajasthan, India.
- Amarpatan (National
Highway No.7, 50 Km away from Maihar) MP, India.
- Ramgarh, Mandla MP,
India.
- Gahora, Chitrakut MP,
India.
- Kerbana, Bateagarh,
Damoh,MP, India.
- Hindoriya (Hata,
Damoh) MP, India.
- Madanpur Mahroni,
(Lalitpur) UP, India.
- Mankhedi Seoni MP are
just few of them.
Present
The
community has diversified to a great extent, which has led it to form highly
differentiated groups. .There are many groups with varied social and financial
standings. They are Landlord, Jagirdar, Zamindar and occupied in agriculture
and farming business. Although agriculture is major occupation, they are also
having notable presence in politics, teaching, army, engineering and other
areas.
Most Notables
Freedom Fighter
·
Avanti Bai, a Lodhi queen of Ramgarh who
opposed the British in 1857
·
Gulab Singh Lodhi, freedom fighter, Unnao,
Uttarpardesh
·
Matadeen Lodha, freedom fighter
Politicians and Leaders
·
Kalyan Singh, Ex. CM, Uttar Pradesh
·
Dr. Chattarpal Singh, Ex. M.P. Rajya Sabha
·
Swami Shakshi Maharaj, Ex. M.P. Rajya Sabha
·
Hitesh Kumari Lodhi, Ex-Minister
U.P
·
Rajbir Singh, MLA, U.P
·
Shri Ganga Prasad, Former Vice-Health Minister, U.P, MLA:
1957-1980
·
Prajapalan Verma, MLA - Sadar Etah, U.P
