Maharaja Lakhan Pasi (also spelled Lakhna Pasi, Lakhana Pasi, Lakhan Pasi, or Raja Lakhna) is a legendary warrior king from the Pasi community of northern India. He is widely revered in Pasi community traditions, Awadh folklore, and local oral histories as the founder of the city of Lucknow (Lakhnau), which is said to be named after him or his queen, Lakhnawati.
According to popular legends, Maharaja Lakhan Pasi ruled the region in the 10th–11th century CE as a Bharshiv Naga ruler. He is credited with building a massive fort on the high mound where King George's Medical University (KGMU) and Machchi Bhawan now stand. While mainstream academic historiography treats these accounts largely as folk legends with limited contemporary evidence, the narrative remains deeply significant for Pasi identity and local cultural memory.
Early Life
Details of Maharaja Lakhan Pasi’s early life are primarily drawn from oral traditions and community literature. He belonged to the Pasi community and was a devout follower of Shaivism and the Nāga (serpent deity) cult. He is said to have constructed the **Nag Mandir** (Snake Temple) and **Lakhan Kund** (a large water tank) in his capital. The tank later became famous for fish breeding and gave the area the name Machchi Bhawan.
His queen, **Maharani Lakhnawati**, is highly revered, and many traditions hold that the city of Lucknow was named after her (Lakhan + Nawati → Lakhnau).
Kingdom
According to folk traditions, Maharaja Lakhan Pasi’s kingdom covered large parts of central Awadh. Key areas under his rule included:
- Lucknow (his capital)
- Surrounding parganas along the Gomti river basin
- Parts of modern-day Barabanki, Unnao, and Sitapur districts
- Areas extending towards Kasmandi (Kansmadi)
His rule is described as prosperous, marked by Naga-Shaivite patronage, agriculture, and strong martial traditions.
History and Folk Lore
Establishment of Lucknow
Folk traditions credit Maharaja Lakhan Pasi with founding and fortifying Lucknow. He constructed a grand fort approximately 1.5 km long and wide, rising nearly 20 metres high on the present KGMU mound (Lakshman Tila / Lakhna Tila). The fort is said to have had **71 Toran Dwar** (ornamental gateways), many decorated with the pair of fish emblem.
Battle with Syed Salar Masud Ghazi
The most famous legend describes his heroic resistance against **Syed Salar Masud Ghazi** (Ghazi Mian) around the festival of Holi in the 11th century:
- Ghazi’s army launched a surprise attack.
- Maharaja Lakhan Pasi was treacherously decapitated from behind during the battle.
- His headless body miraculously continued fighting **for a full week** against the enemy forces.
- Even without his head, he remained mounted on his horse, wielding swords in both hands and inflicting heavy losses on Ghazi Mian’s army.
- The site is locally associated with Sarkata Nala (“headless stream”).
This tale of seven days of headless valour is a central part of Pasi folklore and symbolises extraordinary courage and defiance.
Contemporary Rulers and Alliances
Maharaja Lakhan Pasi is often mentioned together with other legendary Pasi kings of the period, most notably Maharaja Kansa Pasi (Raja Kans), who is credited with founding **Kasmandi** (Kansmadi).
According to community traditions, sons of Maharaja Kansa Pasi further expanded Pasi rule in the region:
- Maharaja Saliha Pasi (Salhiya Pasi) founded the town of **Sandila** in Hardoi district.
- Maharaja Maliha Pasi (Maliya Pasi) founded **Malihabad**.
These rulers are considered part of the same Bharshiv Naga-Pasi network that dominated parts of Awadh in the pre-Nawabi era.
Legacy
Maharaja Lakhan Pasi remains a powerful symbol of pride and resistance for the Pasi community. Monuments and institutions named after him include Maharaja Lakhan Pasi Upvan in Lucknow, along with statues, annual commemorations, and cultural events.
References
- Lucknow: A Gazetteer (British-era editions)
- Yogesh Praveen, Tazdar-e-Awadh
- Publications of Akhil Bharatiya Pasi Mahasabha and other community organisations
- Local oral traditions and Awadh folk ballads