| Revision as of 15:48, 30 March 2007 edit81.149.27.200 (talk) →Prominent Luthras: remove per WP:BLP← Previous edit | Revision as of 04:11, 31 March 2007 edit undoDishant55555 (talk | contribs)628 editsNo edit summaryNext edit → | ||
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| ===Middle Period=== | ===Middle Period=== | ||
| [[Image:Map of Vedic India.png|thumb|350px|right|The position of the Kuru kingdom. | ].]] | ||
| In Iron Age Vedic India (c. 1000 BCE), they were inhabitants of the ]. The dynasty was later ruled by ], who led the ] against the ] which is detailed in the Hindu epic, the ]. In this war, Kshatriya assumed the role of warriors for either side of the battle. | In Iron Age Vedic India (c. 1000 BCE), they were inhabitants of the ]. The dynasty was later ruled by ], who led the ] against the ] which is detailed in the Hindu epic, the ]. In this war, Kshatriya assumed the role of warriors for either side of the battle. | ||
| Dispersal and dissolving of such kingdoms resulted in a Mauryan invasion of most of India. The ] ruled the region inhabited by Luthras in a period of conflict followed by peace. Greek forces and Mauryan forces clashed on numerous occasions, with the Greeks eventually defeated. The Aroras joined hands with the Mauryans in defeating the foreign force. | Dispersal and dissolving of such kingdoms resulted in a Mauryan invasion of most of India. The ] ruled the region inhabited by Luthras in a period of conflict followed by peace. Greek forces and Mauryan forces clashed on numerous occasions, with the Greeks eventually defeated. The Aroras joined hands with the Mauryans in defeating the foreign force. | ||
| After the fall of the Mauryan Empire, a power vacuum shortly existed in the region. In about 100 CE, the ] from Central Asia invaded the Punjab, which the Luthras resisted but failed in the face of the nomadic hordes from Central Asia. However, the Kushans were benevolent rulers and assimilated within Indian culture, many converting to ] and ]. | After the fall of the Mauryan Empire, a power vacuum shortly existed in the region. In about 100 CE, the ] from Central Asia invaded the Punjab, which the Luthras resisted but failed in the face of the nomadic hordes from Central Asia. However, the Kushans were benevolent rulers and assimilated within Indian culture, many converting to ] and ]. The ] assumed control of Northern India in 400 CE, and the Luthras joined forces with the Guptas to maintain law and order in what became India's Golden Age. | ||
| ===Islamic invasion=== | ===Islamic invasion=== | ||
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| ===Dal Khalsa=== | ===Dal Khalsa=== | ||
| In the 1600s, the rise of ] and the ''Dal Khalsa'' (Sikh Army) provided incentive for Hindu Kshatriya to fight for the creation of a Sikh Empire in the Punjab. Traditionally, the first son of Luthras were brought up as Sikhs to protect Punjab. This tradition has been wiped out recently but was prominent in the past. The Sikh Army eventually expelled in the Mughals in 1716 and continued to resist Mughal invasions up till 1799. From 1801-1849 ] united Punjab under the Sikh Empire. The Empire was the strongest in India, rivalled only by the ], with which it was friendly with. Luthras formed an integral part of the military, which included 35000 regular soliders and approximately 300000 irregular or militia troops. The military also had 188 ] and 70000 ]. The Sikhs were later faced with an external threat from the ], which had sought conquest over all of India. Punjab was the last state to fall, in 1849, as the troops failed to hold off against the British in the ]. | In the 1600s, the rise of ] and the ''Dal Khalsa'' (Sikh Army) provided incentive for Hindu Kshatriya to fight for the creation of a Sikh Empire in the Punjab. Traditionally, the first son of Luthras were brought up as Sikhs to protect Punjab. This tradition has been wiped out recently but was prominent in the past. The Sikh Army eventually expelled in the Mughals in 1716 and continued to resist Mughal invasions up till 1799. They united together to form the ] in the Punjab, where Luthras held prominent positions as rulers and warriors. From 1801-1849 ] united Punjab under the Sikh Empire. The Empire was the strongest in India, rivalled only by the ], with which it was friendly with. Luthras formed an integral part of the military, which included 35000 regular soliders and approximately 300000 irregular or militia troops. The military also had 188 ] and 70000 ]. The Sikhs were later faced with an external threat from the ], which had sought conquest over all of India. Punjab was the last state to fall, in 1849, as the troops failed to hold off against the British in the ]. | ||
| ===Independence=== | ===Independence=== | ||
| Luthras were involved in battling for Indian independence, like much of the rest of India. They did so both as part of the ] and as part of the ]. Most of their efforts was limited to the Punjab region however. | |||
| Luthras were also affected by the ] in 1947. Some were forced out amidst the violence in Pakistani Punjab as Hindus and Sikhs were expelled to create an Islamic republic. Thus they left the Aror region and settled in Indian Punjab and in regions such as ] and ] | Luthras were also affected by the ] in 1947. Some were forced out amidst the violence in Pakistani Punjab as Hindus and Sikhs were expelled to create an Islamic republic. Thus they left the Aror region and settled in Indian Punjab and in regions such as ] and ] | ||
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| ==Role in society== | ==Role in society== | ||
| Luthras are ] and are known for their prominence as warriors and of the ruling and administrative class.<ref></ref> However, later they expanded into ] classes and lived as merchants.<ref></ref> Mainly Luthra's were involved as warriors in various Indian military battles. They were generally at the front-line or in the higher ranks and were known for their bravery amongst Kshatriya. | |||
| In modern times, with the changing world, the position of 'warrior' does not fit in. Many Luthras have entered the Indian military and some have entered politics, but the vast majority have involved themselves with businesses across the world. This trend began as early as the Muslim conquest of the subcontinent. Many Luthra's are extremely successful in terms of business. | |||
| In terms of politics, Luthras mainly subscribe to the ] (or its ally the ]), with a minority supporting the ]. | |||
| ==Religion== | ==Religion== | ||
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| *] - ]<ref></ref> | *] - ]<ref></ref> | ||
| *] - ]<ref></ref> | *] - ]<ref></ref> | ||
| *] - Indian ].<ref></ref> | |||
| *BK Luthra - Chairman of the Luthra Academy.<ref></ref> | *BK Luthra - Chairman of the Luthra Academy.<ref></ref> | ||
| *K.K. Luthra - Famous lawyer. The KK Luthra Memorial All India Moot Court Competition is held in his memory.<ref></ref> | *K.K. Luthra - Famous lawyer. The KK Luthra Memorial All India Moot Court Competition is held in his memory.<ref></ref> | ||
| *] - owner of numerous beauty parlours and health clinics in India.<ref></ref> | |||
| *] - Deputy Commissioner of Police in ] India.<ref></ref> | *] - Deputy Commissioner of Police in ] India.<ref></ref> | ||
| *] - Saxophonist, composer and musician in New York City.<ref></ref> | *] - Saxophonist, composer and musician in New York City.<ref></ref> | ||
Revision as of 04:11, 31 March 2007
| Luthra | |
|---|---|
| Classification | Kshatriya - Arora |
| Religions | Hinduism and Sikhism |
| Languages | Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu |
| Populated states | Punjab (India), Haryana, Delhi and Sindh |
Luthra (Hindī: लूथरा, Punjabi: ਲੂਥਰਾ) is an Indo-Aryan Arora surname originating in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent. It is part of the broad Kshatriya caste. The Kshatriyas in Hinduism are one of the four varnas. They are traditionally members of the military or ran in an administrative capacity. The Kshatriya were assigned to protecting the Hindu dharma. Over the course of time, Luthras have migrated to places accross Punjab and Sindh.
When Pakistan was founded in 1947. Most of the Luthras migrated to India. Today, Luthras live in numerous regions within India, but are mostly concentrated in Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. Luthras can be both Sikh and Hindu, as the religions are generally very close in the Punjab region.
History
Origins
Luthra's are Indo-Aryans of the Arora or Khatri sects. They are of the Kshatriya caste, which is the civil ruling and administration group which also includes warriors. A number of Luthras migrated to Aror in ancient times and joined a group of Aroras which had settled there.
The origin of Luthra as a subcaste is ambiguous. However, the broader parent-castes of Luthra, the Arora or Khatri sects, are Indo-Aryans who have inhabited India since 2000 BC (some estimates indicate earlier dates). They belong to the region where the Rig Veda, Hinduisms most ancient scripture, was written.
Middle Period
In Iron Age Vedic India (c. 1000 BCE), they were inhabitants of the Kuru Kingdom. The dynasty was later ruled by Yudhishtira, who led the Kurukshetra War against the Kauravas which is detailed in the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata. In this war, Kshatriya assumed the role of warriors for either side of the battle.
Dispersal and dissolving of such kingdoms resulted in a Mauryan invasion of most of India. The Mauryan Empire ruled the region inhabited by Luthras in a period of conflict followed by peace. Greek forces and Mauryan forces clashed on numerous occasions, with the Greeks eventually defeated. The Aroras joined hands with the Mauryans in defeating the foreign force.
After the fall of the Mauryan Empire, a power vacuum shortly existed in the region. In about 100 CE, the Kushan Empire from Central Asia invaded the Punjab, which the Luthras resisted but failed in the face of the nomadic hordes from Central Asia. However, the Kushans were benevolent rulers and assimilated within Indian culture, many converting to Hinduism and Buddhism. The Gupta Dynasty assumed control of Northern India in 400 CE, and the Luthras joined forces with the Guptas to maintain law and order in what became India's Golden Age.
Islamic invasion
Luthras were affected by the Islamic invasion of India as much as numerous other communities of the region. A number of Luthras came under pressure to convert as the city of Aror fell to the invaders. Most of the them spread across to further parts of the Punjab and Sindh. The Mughal Empire brought great cruelties to the local remaining Hindus, as tens of thousands were slaughtered for failure to accept the new rule. Kshatriya like Luthra, prominently including Rajputs, failed to protect their lands. This began the practise of jauhar, in which numerous Kshatriya were killed as they rushed out while vastly outnumbered to battle the Mughals and protect their cities. Sir Jadunath Sarkar contends that that several Muslim invaders were waging a systematic jihad against Hindus in India to the effect that "Every device short of massacre in cold blood was resorted to in order to convert heathen subjects." An estimate of the number of people killed, based on the Muslim chronicles and demographic calculations, was done by K.S. Lal in his book Growth of Muslim Population in Medieval India, who claimed that between 1000 CE and 1500 CE, the population of Hindus decreased by 80 million, most of whom were Kshatriya (who lost their lives in battle) or Dalits (who were easy targets for conversion).
Dal Khalsa
In the 1600s, the rise of Sikhism and the Dal Khalsa (Sikh Army) provided incentive for Hindu Kshatriya to fight for the creation of a Sikh Empire in the Punjab. Traditionally, the first son of Luthras were brought up as Sikhs to protect Punjab. This tradition has been wiped out recently but was prominent in the past. The Sikh Army eventually expelled in the Mughals in 1716 and continued to resist Mughal invasions up till 1799. They united together to form the Sikh Confederacy in the Punjab, where Luthras held prominent positions as rulers and warriors. From 1801-1849 Maharaja Ranjit Singh united Punjab under the Sikh Empire. The Empire was the strongest in India, rivalled only by the Maratha Empire, with which it was friendly with. Luthras formed an integral part of the military, which included 35000 regular soliders and approximately 300000 irregular or militia troops. The military also had 188 heavy artillery guns and 70000 cavalry. The Sikhs were later faced with an external threat from the British Empire, which had sought conquest over all of India. Punjab was the last state to fall, in 1849, as the troops failed to hold off against the British in the Second Anglo-Sikh War.
Independence
Luthras were involved in battling for Indian independence, like much of the rest of India. They did so both as part of the Indian National Congress and as part of the Hindu Mahasabha. Most of their efforts was limited to the Punjab region however.
Luthras were also affected by the Partition of India in 1947. Some were forced out amidst the violence in Pakistani Punjab as Hindus and Sikhs were expelled to create an Islamic republic. Thus they left the Aror region and settled in Indian Punjab and in regions such as Uttar Pradesh and Delhi
Current spread
Luthra's are currently based all over the world as Indian diaspora. They are also prominent in the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and have small populations in states like Maharashtra and Bengal. Some Luthras may reside in Pakistan, but they would be an extremely small minority.
Role in society
Luthras are Kshatriya and are known for their prominence as warriors and of the ruling and administrative class. However, later they expanded into mercantile classes and lived as merchants. Mainly Luthra's were involved as warriors in various Indian military battles. They were generally at the front-line or in the higher ranks and were known for their bravery amongst Kshatriya.
In modern times, with the changing world, the position of 'warrior' does not fit in. Many Luthras have entered the Indian military and some have entered politics, but the vast majority have involved themselves with businesses across the world. This trend began as early as the Muslim conquest of the subcontinent. Many Luthra's are extremely successful in terms of business.
In terms of politics, Luthras mainly subscribe to the Bharatiya Janata Party (or its ally the Shiromani Akali Dal), with a minority supporting the Indian National Congress.
Religion
Coming from the period in which Vedic traditions were founded, Luthras are predominantly Hindu. However, after the foundation of Sikhism and the Dal Khalsa members of subcastes like Luthra would devote their first child to the Sikh gurus and pronounce him as a Sikh, thus increasing the number of Sikhs who are also Luthras. The tradition has fallen out of prominence in modern society.
Prominent Luthras
- Avie Luthra - filmaker and writer
- Sachin Luthra - cricketer
- Suresh Luthra - cricketer
- Seema Luthra - Indian politician.
- BK Luthra - Chairman of the Luthra Academy.
- K.K. Luthra - Famous lawyer. The KK Luthra Memorial All India Moot Court Competition is held in his memory.
- Vandana Luthra - owner of numerous beauty parlours and health clinics in India.
- Tajender Luthra - Deputy Commissioner of Police in Chandigarh India.
- Arun Luthra - Saxophonist, composer and musician in New York City.
- Rajiv Luthra - Famous lawyer and owner of law firm.
- AK Luthra - Chief Commissioner of Income tax.
See also
References
- Luthra
- Temple, R.C. "The Legends of The Panjab", 1884. Many reprints 1977, 2002 (ISBN 81-7167-636-7, 0405101287)
- Imperial Rule in the Punjab: The Conquest and Administration of Multan, 1818-1881 by J Royal Roseberry, III. Journal of the American Oriental Society, Vol. 110, No. 1 (Jan. - Mar., 1990), p. 176
- Griffin, Lepel Henry. The Panjab chiefs, historical and biographical notices, 1865
- Luthra
- Sarkar, Jadunath. Islamic invasion of Hindus in India.
- Durant, Will. "The Story of Civilization: Our Oriental Heritage" (page 459).
- Elst, Koenraad (2006-08-25). "Was there an Islamic "Genocide" of Hindus?". Kashmir Herald. Retrieved 2006-08-25.
- Luthra
- Luthra
- Avie Luthra
- Sachin Luthra profile
- Suresh Luthra profile
- Seema Luthra
- Luthra Academy
- KK Luthra
- Vandana Luthra
- Tajender Luthra
- Arun Luthra
- Rajiv Luthra
- AK Luthra