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"The
nomadic blacksmiths"
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.
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