02-02-2007, 05:31 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Rajasthanâs wandering blacksmiths
From Balwant Garg
SRIGANGANAGAR: On the outskirts of a town or near a water of reservoir in the rural areas of Rajasthan and the neighbouring states found Gadulya Lohars or wandering blacksmiths. Having no house, not even tents, braving the scorching sun and torrential rains â they lead a hard life beneath their carts. Dressed in shabby clothes, they park their bullock carts with their men, women and children and go about their day-to-day routine preparing knives, scissors, bolts, nails, etc.
This gypsy tribeâ, movement on the wheels is an outcome of a historic decision taken almost four centuries back.
The origin of Gadulya Lohars can be traced to the fall of Chittorgarh which was invaded by Emperor Akbar in 1568 AD. Legend has it that the Gadulya Lohars who fought with Rana Partap against the Mughal emperor on returning to the fort were shocked to find death and destruction. The Mughal army did not even spare temples. So enormous and massive was the destruction and massacre that the weight of the âjaneooâ ( a sacred thread worn around the chest and neck by Hindus) itself of those laid down their lives, came to over 5,000 kg. In desperation and sorrow, the Gadulya Lohars took a vow that neither they nor their descendants would ever live in a house till Chittorgarh Fort was liberated. At the same time, they also decided to observe the custom of not sleeping under a roof or on a cot until their âlost gloryâ was restored.
In view of their wandering character, it is difficult to collect data on the population of Gadulya Lohars but according to the 1961 census, their population in Rajasthan is about 10,000.
Earlier their main work was making and repairing of farm tools and the forging of the metal of bullock carts and tools for carpenters and weavers . Technical advances in agriculture reduced their business and brought them to penury as cheap machines and farm tools became available at almost every village shop.
With the intention to let them lead a settled life, the Rajasthan Government drew up an elaborate scheme in 1994 allotting every Gadulya Lohar family land in a town. Under this scheme, many of them were provided a small plot where they have constructed one room mud houses.
Although a room made of non-baked bricks is not large enough to accommodate all family members at the same time, feels Mela Ram, a Gadulya Lohar, settled life is a new experience for them. Mela Ramâs family is among the 10 families who have settled permanently at Purani Abadi area of this town. Keeping his bond for the bullock cart intact, Rekhi Ram has adjusted the cart in his small house.
http://www.tribuneindia.com/1998/98nov11/nation.htm#12<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->dated April 8, 1955: Nehru leads a procession
Over four thousand Gadia Lohars on April 6 made a triumphant entry into Chittor Fort to fulfil a pledge their ancestors had taken 400 years ago to set foot there only after it was liberated. Led by Prime Minister Nehru, the Gadia Lohars walked in a procession amidst a fanfare of trumpets and beating of drums to the massive main gate of the fort, sanctified by the heroism of their Rajput ancestors. Over two lakh people lined the two-mile route from the Ghambhiri river bridge to the main gate of the Chittor Fort, through which the procession passed, amidst wild scenes of enthusiasm. Earlier, the Gadia Lohars, who came in their bullock carts, decked with the national flag and their own flags, waited at one end of the bridge for Mr. Nehru to arrive. With their beards parted in the Rajput style, the Lohars chanted slogans like "Victory to the brave land of Chittor," "Chittor is now free and Gadia Lohars are also free" and "Pandit Nehru Zindabad." Life-size portraits of Rana Pratap, their hero who had fought Akbar to the end of his life in a bid to recapture Chittor, formed part of the procession. The Lohars burst into cheers as the Prime Minister arrived in a jeep from the Neemuch airport. Mr. Nehru shook hands with the Lohar leader, and, standing in the jeep, told the Lohars: "Our country is free now and I invite you to come with me, cross this river and enter the Fort of Chittor." Cries of "Chittor Azad" and "Nehru Zindabad" rent the air, as, with a wave of his hand, the Prime Minister asked the procession to follow him to the Fort.
http://www.hindu.com/2005/04/08/stories/...160900.htm<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->The Gaduliya Lohars derive their name from their beautiful bullock carts or gadis that have taken them wandering from their original land Mewar (Udaipur), to different parts of India. Legend has it that they were committed to fight on behalf of Maharana Pratap of Chittaurgarh, who battled bravely against the Mogul emperor Akbar.
When Maharana Pratap was ousted from Chittaurgarh and he fought the historic battle of Haldi Ghati, the Gaduliya Lohars were a clan of warring Rajputs who swore to enter the Mewar stronghold of Chittaur only after the victory of their Maharana Pratap. As the guerilla warfare continued, Maharana died on the battlefield. This loyal clan was compelled to become nomad i.e. blacksmiths, travel and thus seek their living.
Despite the efforts of former Prime Minister Nehru to take a procession of Gaduliya Lohars back into Chittaur fort in an effort to settle them in their homeland, most of them preferred to keep their vow to their brave Maharana.
http://www.rextours.com/rajasthan.asp?http...s.com/bhils.asp<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Above all, there is the question: Would the SC / ST by themselves accept to change their way of life and accept the assistance? Perhaps yes, perhaps no. An example may help understand the position. In June 1576 Maharana Pratap of Chittor had to face Akbarâs armies in the famous battle of Haldighati. Rana Pratap fought with exemplary courage and of his soldiers only a little more than half could leave the field alive. In the darkness of the evening, the wounded Rana left the field on his favourite horse Chetak.95 A little later, in October, Akbar himself marched in person in pursuit of the Rana, but the latter remained untraced and unsubdued. Later on he recovered all Mewar except Mandalgarh and Chittor. His nearest associates, the Bhil and Lohia tribals, had taken a vow that until their motherland was not freed, they would not eat in metal plates, but only on leaves; they would not sleep on bedsteads, but only on the ground; and they would renounce all comforts. The bravest among them even left Chittor, to return to it only when Mewar had regained independence. That day was not destined to come in their life-time. It was not to come for decades, for generations, for centuries. During these hundreds of years they lived as tribals and nomads, moving from city to city. On India regaining independence, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who knew about these peopleâs poignant history, decided to rehabilitate them in Chittor. In March 1955 an impressive function was arranged there and Pandit Nehru led the descendants of these valiant warriors back to their homes in independent Chittor in independent India. But most of them did not care to return. They live as nomads even today.
http://voiceofdharma.com/books/tlmr/ch7.htm<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
From Balwant Garg
SRIGANGANAGAR: On the outskirts of a town or near a water of reservoir in the rural areas of Rajasthan and the neighbouring states found Gadulya Lohars or wandering blacksmiths. Having no house, not even tents, braving the scorching sun and torrential rains â they lead a hard life beneath their carts. Dressed in shabby clothes, they park their bullock carts with their men, women and children and go about their day-to-day routine preparing knives, scissors, bolts, nails, etc.
This gypsy tribeâ, movement on the wheels is an outcome of a historic decision taken almost four centuries back.
The origin of Gadulya Lohars can be traced to the fall of Chittorgarh which was invaded by Emperor Akbar in 1568 AD. Legend has it that the Gadulya Lohars who fought with Rana Partap against the Mughal emperor on returning to the fort were shocked to find death and destruction. The Mughal army did not even spare temples. So enormous and massive was the destruction and massacre that the weight of the âjaneooâ ( a sacred thread worn around the chest and neck by Hindus) itself of those laid down their lives, came to over 5,000 kg. In desperation and sorrow, the Gadulya Lohars took a vow that neither they nor their descendants would ever live in a house till Chittorgarh Fort was liberated. At the same time, they also decided to observe the custom of not sleeping under a roof or on a cot until their âlost gloryâ was restored.
In view of their wandering character, it is difficult to collect data on the population of Gadulya Lohars but according to the 1961 census, their population in Rajasthan is about 10,000.
Earlier their main work was making and repairing of farm tools and the forging of the metal of bullock carts and tools for carpenters and weavers . Technical advances in agriculture reduced their business and brought them to penury as cheap machines and farm tools became available at almost every village shop.
With the intention to let them lead a settled life, the Rajasthan Government drew up an elaborate scheme in 1994 allotting every Gadulya Lohar family land in a town. Under this scheme, many of them were provided a small plot where they have constructed one room mud houses.
Although a room made of non-baked bricks is not large enough to accommodate all family members at the same time, feels Mela Ram, a Gadulya Lohar, settled life is a new experience for them. Mela Ramâs family is among the 10 families who have settled permanently at Purani Abadi area of this town. Keeping his bond for the bullock cart intact, Rekhi Ram has adjusted the cart in his small house.
http://www.tribuneindia.com/1998/98nov11/nation.htm#12<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->dated April 8, 1955: Nehru leads a procession
Over four thousand Gadia Lohars on April 6 made a triumphant entry into Chittor Fort to fulfil a pledge their ancestors had taken 400 years ago to set foot there only after it was liberated. Led by Prime Minister Nehru, the Gadia Lohars walked in a procession amidst a fanfare of trumpets and beating of drums to the massive main gate of the fort, sanctified by the heroism of their Rajput ancestors. Over two lakh people lined the two-mile route from the Ghambhiri river bridge to the main gate of the Chittor Fort, through which the procession passed, amidst wild scenes of enthusiasm. Earlier, the Gadia Lohars, who came in their bullock carts, decked with the national flag and their own flags, waited at one end of the bridge for Mr. Nehru to arrive. With their beards parted in the Rajput style, the Lohars chanted slogans like "Victory to the brave land of Chittor," "Chittor is now free and Gadia Lohars are also free" and "Pandit Nehru Zindabad." Life-size portraits of Rana Pratap, their hero who had fought Akbar to the end of his life in a bid to recapture Chittor, formed part of the procession. The Lohars burst into cheers as the Prime Minister arrived in a jeep from the Neemuch airport. Mr. Nehru shook hands with the Lohar leader, and, standing in the jeep, told the Lohars: "Our country is free now and I invite you to come with me, cross this river and enter the Fort of Chittor." Cries of "Chittor Azad" and "Nehru Zindabad" rent the air, as, with a wave of his hand, the Prime Minister asked the procession to follow him to the Fort.
http://www.hindu.com/2005/04/08/stories/...160900.htm<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->The Gaduliya Lohars derive their name from their beautiful bullock carts or gadis that have taken them wandering from their original land Mewar (Udaipur), to different parts of India. Legend has it that they were committed to fight on behalf of Maharana Pratap of Chittaurgarh, who battled bravely against the Mogul emperor Akbar.
When Maharana Pratap was ousted from Chittaurgarh and he fought the historic battle of Haldi Ghati, the Gaduliya Lohars were a clan of warring Rajputs who swore to enter the Mewar stronghold of Chittaur only after the victory of their Maharana Pratap. As the guerilla warfare continued, Maharana died on the battlefield. This loyal clan was compelled to become nomad i.e. blacksmiths, travel and thus seek their living.
Despite the efforts of former Prime Minister Nehru to take a procession of Gaduliya Lohars back into Chittaur fort in an effort to settle them in their homeland, most of them preferred to keep their vow to their brave Maharana.
http://www.rextours.com/rajasthan.asp?http...s.com/bhils.asp<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Above all, there is the question: Would the SC / ST by themselves accept to change their way of life and accept the assistance? Perhaps yes, perhaps no. An example may help understand the position. In June 1576 Maharana Pratap of Chittor had to face Akbarâs armies in the famous battle of Haldighati. Rana Pratap fought with exemplary courage and of his soldiers only a little more than half could leave the field alive. In the darkness of the evening, the wounded Rana left the field on his favourite horse Chetak.95 A little later, in October, Akbar himself marched in person in pursuit of the Rana, but the latter remained untraced and unsubdued. Later on he recovered all Mewar except Mandalgarh and Chittor. His nearest associates, the Bhil and Lohia tribals, had taken a vow that until their motherland was not freed, they would not eat in metal plates, but only on leaves; they would not sleep on bedsteads, but only on the ground; and they would renounce all comforts. The bravest among them even left Chittor, to return to it only when Mewar had regained independence. That day was not destined to come in their life-time. It was not to come for decades, for generations, for centuries. During these hundreds of years they lived as tribals and nomads, moving from city to city. On India regaining independence, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who knew about these peopleâs poignant history, decided to rehabilitate them in Chittor. In March 1955 an impressive function was arranged there and Pandit Nehru led the descendants of these valiant warriors back to their homes in independent Chittor in independent India. But most of them did not care to return. They live as nomads even today.
http://voiceofdharma.com/books/tlmr/ch7.htm<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->