Lonia Explained
The Lonia are a Hindu other backward caste, found in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar adjoining areas, who were traditionally involved in salt-digging[1] and salt-making activities.[2] The Lonia are listed as extremely backward caste, along with the Mallaah, Bind and Beldar communities, by state governments.[3] [4] The community leaders have been seeking Scheduled Tribe status for the socially deprived community.[5] [6] It is also spelled as Lunia, or Nonia.
Origins and status
Their population is concentrated in the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh such as Ghazipur, Azamgarh, Mau districts and some neighbouring areas. Lonia or Nonia like other communities, had been victim of colonial oppression, which resulted in rebellion and they contributed to the fight for independence.
In recent times, they have started writing Chauhan as their surname and calling themselves Rajput, which has no historical basis[7] [8] or evidence, as scholars have given examples of entire communities of Shudra[9] [10] origin "becoming" Rajput, termed as Rajputisation, even as late as the 20th century, under British Raj, for instance, William Rowe, in his "The new Chauhans : A caste mobility movement in North India", discusses an example of a large section of a Shudra caste - the Noniyas or Lonias- from Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar that had tried to "become" Rajputs over three generations in the Raj era to seek upper mobility in the social hierarchy by emulating their customs and traditions.
Present circumstances
The Lonia or Nonia are one of the most socially, educationally and economically deprived communities, though recognised as OBCs by state governments, they have been seeking Scheduled Tribe status, for their upliftment.[11] [12]
Notable people
Sources
Notes and References
- Book: The Tribes and Castes of India By Robert Vane Russell. 9781465582942. March 31, 2022. Russell. Robert Vane. 28 September 2020. Library of Alexandria.
- Web site: A Lunia, salt-digger. Science Photo Library. March 7, 2022.
- Web site: List of OBCs. National Commission for Backward Classes. March 7, 2022.
- News: Extremely backward castes seek ST tag. 14 Jun 2018 . The Economic Times. 14 Jun 2018.
- News: Bihar seeks ST status for Noniya caste. 20 Jun 2020 . The Times of India. 20 Jun 2020.
- News: Abhay Singh . Demand for ST status for Nonia, Mallaah communities. 18 Mar 2021. News18. 18 March 2021.
- Book: The Tribes and Castes of India By Robert Vane Russell. 9781465582942. March 31, 2022. Russell. Robert Vane. 28 September 2020. Library of Alexandria.
- Web site: The tribes and castes of central provinces of India. The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Tribes and Castes by R.V. Russell. March 31, 2022.
- Book: The Tribes and Castes of India By Robert Vane Russell. 9781465582942. March 31, 2022. Russell. Robert Vane. 28 September 2020. Library of Alexandria.
- Web site: The tribes and castes of central provinces of India. The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Tribes and Castes by R.V. Russell. March 31, 2022.
- News: Sanjay Singh. Nitish Kumar reiterates ST demand for Mallaah, Nishad and Nonia . 14 Jun 2018. The Economic Times. 14 Jun 2018.
- News: Ashok Mishra. As Nitish Tries to Nullify Hindutva through Caste-based Census, Modi Govt Walks a Tightrope . 18 Mar 2021. News18. 18 March 2021.
- News: I'm proud to be a Bihari, says Mauritius president | India News - Times of India. The Times of India. 7 January 2013 . 19 September 2018. 26 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220326153620/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/im-proud-to-be-a-bihari-says-mauritius-president/articleshow/17918798.cms. live.
- Web site: Bihar governor attends BJP-backed 'caste meeting', Sushil Modi says it's for social harmony. The Print. 30 August 2019 . 31 August 2023.
- Web site: Jagdeo visits ancestral village, embraces grandfather's sister launches web site dedicated to tracing family roots. 31 August 2023.
