The Loi Jats are a small and lesser-known Jat clan with deep roots in the Hoshiarpur region of Punjab, India. The Loi Jats are one of the rarest, if not the rarest Jat clan out there, and they are all original and pure Jats. Originally, they came from the southern part of the Indus Valley in present-day Sindh, Pakistan, which is where all Jats trace their origins. The Loi Jats, as part of the Indo-Aryan tribes, migrated to Punjab in the 16th century and eventually settled in the village of Pandori Ganga Singh.
The name “Loi” is somewhat of a mystery and its origins are not well-documented. Despite the lack of clarity on the name’s origin, the Loi Jats have developed a strong identity over the centuries.
The Loi Jats have a long history in farming and land ownership, which has been passed down through generations. This connection to the land has shaped not only their livelihoods but also their identity. Known for being hardworking, brave, and resilient, the Loi Jats share the typical traits of Jats—tall, muscular, and strong—qualities that have helped them thrive as farmers. They owned some of the healthiest farm animals and herds of farm animals within their village and gained a high reputation for that.
Today, the Loi Jats are a prosperous community, owning significant amounts of land and leading happy lives. While they are mostly practicing Sikhs now, with a strong connection to their faith, it’s interesting to note that in the 1891 India Census, they were recorded as Hindu Jats. Over time, they fully embraced Sikhism, and it has become a big part of who they are.
Despite their achievements, the Loi Jats remain a relatively small and not very well-known Jat clan. Many of them still live in Punjab, taking care of their farms and land, but others have moved abroad to places like the UK, the US,
and Canada. Even though they’ve spread out, they’ve held onto their heritage and take great pride in their roots.
The story of the Loi Jats, from their beginnings in Sindh to their lives in Punjab and beyond, shows how this small clan has kept its unique identity and traditions alive, despite being lesser-known compared to other Jat groups. Their history is a testament to their strength, adaptability, and deep connection to the land.
The Loi Jats come from Pandori Ganga Singh in Hoshiarpur, Punjab. They have a history for significant farming community. They have long owned a large amount of farmland in the village and have history for their expertise in farming and extensive landholdings make them a major part of the village’s population. They also own shops throughout the village.
The Loi Jats are well-respected and populate a lot of the village.
Pandori Ganga Singh is a village located in the Hoshiarpur district in the northeastern part of Punjab, India. The village, like many in Punjab, is characterized by its green fields, vibrant culture, and rich historical background. Pandori Ganga Singh is known as a Jat village.
The village is particularly known for its agricultural and the famous figure, Shaheed Mohinder Singh Babbar. Mohinder Singh, a Babar revolutionary, was from the village Pandori Ganga Singh in the Hoshiarpur district. His father’s name was Labh Singh. He was the only child of his parents. He joined the 47th Sikh Regiment. He was deeply moved by the Nankana Sahib Tragedy. In April 1922, he resigned and came home. Thereafter, he joined the ranks of Babbar Akalis and became a close associate of Karam Singh Editor. There is also a Sikh Gurdwara within Pandori Ganga Singh named after Mohinder Singh Babbar.
The Loi Jats are said to have their origins in the southern part of the Indus Valley, which is present-day Sindh in Pakistan. This region is historically significant as it is the original homeland of all Jat communities. The Jats, including the Loi Jats, are part of the Indo-Aryan tribes, which have deep roots in ancient South Asian history.
The Loi Jats may have migrated from Sindh to Punjab approximately around the 16th century. This migration marked a significant shift as they moved from the fertile lands of the Indus Valley to the fields of Punjab. They settled in Hoshiarpur, establishing their presence in this new region. Most of the Loi Jats live within the village Pandori Ganga Singh. The Lois may of also settled in Kharar Achharwal village in Hoshairpur. They owned farm land within these villages.
Loi surname origins (There are may different possibilities to where Loi may have originated from)
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The word Loi in Punjabi means “shawl”, which is a blanket used to keep you warm, and means blanket or cover for protection in the Sindhi language (From the lower Indus Valley in Sindh).
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The name Loi may have come from the festival Lal Loi (the Sindhi term for Lohri in Punjabi) from the south of the Indus Valley in Sindh, where all Jats originate from. Lal Loi or Lohri is associated with the end harvesting winter crops, and is associated with agriculture and farming. Farming and agriculture has always been the Jats and the Loi Jats main occupation. Lal Loi and Lohri is a significant time for the Jats, as it marks a new harvesting season.
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The surname Loi may also be a shortened version of the Jat surname Malloi, which is the same as Malhi, (a Jat clan). It may be another variant of the Jat surname Loleri.
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The surname Loi may have also been derived or be another form of the name Louis. Louis means “famous warrior”. Jat surnames often have translations and meanings similar to : Light of God”, “Protector of God”, “Warrior of God”, “crown”, “ruler” , “Warrior”, which is the same as what Louis means. Jats were also historically warriors, linking closely to the meaning of the name Louis. Louis is also said to have a variant form in the Persian language as “لویی”. Persian spoken by Iranians and there are places which are now in modern times, in Iran, where the Jats originated from. This all links up very closely to the Jats history and origins.
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Loi could have originated from Burma, (Myanmar in modern times), specifically in the Shan Hills. There are several Loi mountains in Burma, such as Loi Pangnao, Loi San and Loi Leng. It is also said that some Jat tribes may have migrated to Burma. Jat clan names often originate from landmarks, such as rivers or mountains and villages. It is a possibility that Loi is from one of the Loi mountains.
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Loi could originate from the village Loi Sarai within Uttar Pradesh where other Jat clans come from. Loi could possibly have connections with the Sarai Jat gotra, from the village Loi Sarai, however there is no evidence of this. It may also come from the name of the village Loi Bazar in the district Mathura in Uttar Pradesh in, where other Jat clans such as Maan or Beniwal living in Muzaffarnagar. Mathura is the birth land of Lord Krishna who was a Jat. It is also said that some Jat clans have phonetic similarities with places or people from Mathura, such as the Madhur Jat clan. Jat clan names often originate from village names in Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, so there is also a high possibility that Loi originated from Loi Bazar village or Loi Sarai.
