Lodi (Pashtun tribe)

Lodi or Lodhi (Pashto: لودي) is a group of tribe mainly found in Afghanistan and parts of Pakistan. The Lodhi's were the last Pashtun tribe to rule India.

History

They were part of a wave of Pashtuns who pushed east into what is today eastern Pakistan. Often accompanying the Timurids who invaded Northern India. Legend has it that the tribe derives from a descendent of Qais Abdur Rashid (the legendary patriarch of all Pashtuns). The term Lodhi is said to have evolved from the Pashto word loy da (meaning honored person).

Members of this tribe established the Lodhi dynasty, which ruled over the Delhi Sultanate and included the prominent ruler Ibrahim Lodhi.

The Lodhi's who migrated to Pakistan after partition speak Urdu and Pashto. Lodhi Pashtuns (Pathan) are predominantly an Eastern Iranian people, who use Pashto as their first language, and live in Afghanistan and Northern Pakistan.

Pashtun nationalism emerged following the rise of Pashto poetry that linked language and ethnic identity. Pashto has national status in Afghanistan and regional status in neighbouring Pakistan. In addition to their native tongue, many Pashtuns are fluent in Dari, Persian, Urdu and English. Throughout their history, poets, prophets, kings and warriors have been among the most revered members of Pashtun society. Early written records of Pashto began to appear around the 16th century.

Today, Lodhi are mainly found in Afghanistan and some parts of Pakistan (mainly Northern Pakistan).

Etymology

The "Lodhi" family name is often linked with the title "Khan" in the form "Khan-Lodhi". Sometimes only the "Khan" or "Lodhi" is retained. "Khan" is a title denoting nobility, and does not necessarily mean its bearer is a Lodhi or of Lodhi extraction. Today there is still Lodi's in Pakistan, India. All other Lodi outside of India & Pakistan are descent to either Pakistani or Indian Lodi.