Gadia Lohars (also known as Gaduliya Lohars or Rajput Lohar) are a nomadic community of Rajasthan, India. They are also found in the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh. They are lohar (ironsmith) by profession who move on from one place to another place on bullock carts, which in Hindi are called gadi, hence the name 'Gadia Lohar'. These Lohars are different from the Lohar clan of Iran, Pakistan and India. They usually make and repair agricultural and household implements.
Their origin is shrouded in legend. Their forefathers were blacksmiths in the army and claim to be descendants of Maharana Pratap of Mewar. When Mewar fell to the Mughals they pledged never to return to their homeland and never to settle anywhere else until Rana's hegemony was restored. Title and Gotra in Gadia Lohar Rajput
A documentary on them entitled "Gadia Lohar: A Life and Livelihood in Question?" (Hindi/Mini DV/ 24 minutes / 2005/) was filmed by director Meenakshi Vinay Rai.
See also
External links
- Explains a lot about the Gadia Lohars (Blacksmith)
- Gadia Lohar
- Photos of Gaduliya Lohars
- Website of the Lohar Community
- The Gaduliya Lohars: India's wandering blacksmiths - UNESCO Courier, Oct 1984, by Esteban Cobas Puente
- India's Lost Nomads - National Geographic
- Deana Uppal shoots film on the gaddia Lohars
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