Lohana

The Lohana, also referred to as Luvana and Luhana, are an Indian caste, traditionally largely occupied as merchants.

The Lohanas are divided into three 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 Sindhi Lohanas (those who migrated from Sind after partition of India), Kutchi Lohanas (those living or having ancestry in Kutch), and those of Gujarati Lohanas (those living or having ancestry in Saurashtra).

History

Although considered to be Vaishya in the Hindu ritual ranking system known as varna, the Lohanas favour a mythical origin as members of the Kshatriya varna. Their claim is to be of Suryavanshi descent from a lineage tracing back to Lava, son of Rama. At least some of them believe that they belong to the Rathor clan, which they consider to be kshatriya. They claim that their name is derived from Lavnam, one of the 18 grades of Kshatriya, ultimately derived from Lava himself.