Lauhuka: A village with a rich religious and cultural heritage.
Punjab: Lohuka village is one of the most prominent villages in Tarn Taran district, known for its rich religious and cultural heritage. It is situated on the main Tarn Taran-Patti road and had a population of approximately 10,000, spread across 12 pattis (wards). The village spanned approximately 2,800 acres, making it larger than many other local settlements. The remnants of decades-old structures—buildings, wells, gurdwaras, temples, and other structures built with old Nanakshahi (small-sized) bricks—testified to Lohuka’s existence for many decades, especially since the Mughal era.
The village was blessed by Bhai Manjh Ji, a follower of the fifth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Arjan Dev. Gurdwara Bhai Manjh Sahib was located on the main road, attracting a large number of devotees. In addition, there were other gurdwaras—Baba Karam Prakash Sodhi, Baba Ganesh Ji, Baba Gulab Das, Baba Kamma Ji; Dera Baba Makhni Ramji and Dera Baba Attari Wala Ji—which also attracted many devotees. There was also a Mata Rani Ji temple, where devotees came to offer prayers every morning.
Regarding its history, a resident, Bakshish Singh (75 years old), recounted that Lohuka was named after the man who first settled there. He explained that Lohuka originated from a village in the Riarki area of Gurdaspur district. As Lohuka prospered, tensions arose with his village’s Chaudhry (headman), who was killed by a wooden stick wielded by Lohuka’s daughter-in-law.
This incident forced Lohuka to leave his village and settle in a deserted place outside the present boundaries of Lohuka. It is also believed that Lohuka had a brother named Nathu who lived nearby; that place is now known as Nathu Chak village. The village’s Jat Sikh community included the Pannu, Gill, Bhullar, Dhillon, and Sandhu sub-castes, which was relatively unusual since most villages typically have only one or two sub-castes.
Although farming was the main livelihood, the main road passing through the village had become a market center for several surrounding villages, with shops representing various trades. Some residents ran dairy farms, and Lohuka was once a center for poultry farming.
