Ahir clans

The Ahir (Sanskrit: Abhira) is a Hindu caste amongst large set of pastoral communities using ''Yadav'' word since late 19th century to early 20th century as part of Sanskritisation process. Quote: "The movement, which had a wide interregional spread, attempted to submerge regional names such as Goala, Ahir, Ahar, Gopa, etc., in favour of the generic term Yadava (Rao 1979). Hence a number of pastoralist castes were subsumed under Yadava, in accordance with decisions taken by the regional and national level caste sabhas. The Yadavas became the first among the shudras to gain the right to wear the janeu, a case of successful sanskritisation which continues till date. As a prominent agriculturist caste in the region, despite belonging to the shudra varna, the Yadavas claimed Kshatriya status tracing descent from the Yadu dynasty. The caste's efforts matched those of census officials, for whom standardisation of overlapping names was a matter of policy. The success of the Yadava movement also lies in the fact that, among the jaati sabhas, the Yadava sabha was probably the strongest, its journal, ''Ahir Samachar'', having an all-India spread. These factors strengthened local efforts, such as in Bhojpur, where the Yadavas, locally known as Ahirs, refused to do ''begar'', or forced labour, for the landlords and simultaneously prohibited liquor consumption, child marriages, and so on." Quote: "In his typology of low caste movements, (M. S. A.) Rao distinguishes five categories. The first is characterised by 'withdrawal and self-organisation'. ... The second one, illustrated by the Yadavs, is based on the claim of 'higher ''varna'' status' and fits with Sanskritisation pattern. ..." The Ahir clans are spread almost all over country.

Clans

Yaduvanshi

The Yaduvanshi Ahirs claim descent from the ancient Yadu or Yadava tribe of Krishna.

Nandvanshi

A legendary story of the origin of the Nandvanshi Ahirs narrates that on his way to kill the ''rakshasa''s, Krishna crossed the river Yamuna accompanied by the Gawlis; those that crossed the river with him became the Ahir Nandabanshi. Nandvanshi and Yaduvanshi titles are fundamentally synonymous

Gwalvanshi

The Gwalvanshi Ahirs are historically associated with cowherding. According to history professor Rahul Shukla, the Gwalvanshi Ahirs had settled in Azamgarh, Varanasi, Gorkakhpur, Mirzapur etc., besides in Bihar. "They were cultivators or farmers in eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. At the turn of the century, they evolved into business and other vocations in a big way.

Ghosi

The Ghosi are a community found mainly in North India. They were the Zamidaars and small kings of various parts of country. Ghosi trace their origin to King Nand, the professed ancestor of Yaduvanshi Ahirs.

Phatak

The Phatak Ahirs claim to be descended from Digpal, the Ahir Raja of Mahaban.

Ahar

The Ahar are a Hindu caste of agriculturists. The Ahar tribe are spread through Rohilkhand and other districts of N.W. provinces, following pastoral pursuits. They claim to descended from Yadu.

Krishnaut

Kishnaut or Krishnaut are Ahirs clan that inhabits the state of Bihar. They claim to be descendants of Krishna.

Majhraut

The Majhraut are Ahir clan that inhabits the state of Bihar. They claim to be descended from king Madhu.

See also

* Ahir
* Bihari Ahir
* Yaduvanshi
* Narayani Sena

References

{{Ahir clans , state=collapsed

Clans
Caste system in India