Ahir
Sign in to saveAhir or Aheer (derived from the Sanskrit word: abhira) is a community of traditionally non-elite pastoralists in India, most of whom now use the Yadav surname, as they consider the two terms synonymous. The Ahirs are variously described as a caste, a clan, a race, and/or a tribe.
Key facts
- Caste.image
- The People of India 1868 Aheer.jpg
- Caste.caption
- An Aheer from Shahabad, Bihar
- Caste.caste_name
- Ahir/Aheer
- Caste.subdivisions
- Yaduvanshi AhirNandvanshi Ahir Gwalvanshi Ahir
- Caste.populated_states
- India and Nepal
- Caste.religions
- Hinduism
- Caste.languages
- Varies depending on region
via Wikipedia infobox
Article
18 sectionsContents
- Etymology
- History
- Early history
- Kingdoms
- Military involvements
- Sanskritisation
- Recreating the past for new identity
- Participation in reactionary communal conflicts
- Distribution
- North India
- Maharashtra
- Culture
- Diet
- Language and tradition
- Folklore
- See also
- Notes
- References
Ahir or Aheer (derived from the Sanskrit word: abhira) is a community of traditionally non-elite pastoralists in India, most of whom now use the Yadav surname, as they consider the two terms synonymous. The Ahirs are variously described as a caste, a clan, a race, and/or a tribe.
The traditional occupations of Ahirs are cattle-herding and agriculture. Since late 19th century to early 20th century, Ahirs have adopted Yadav word for their community and have claimed descent from the mythological king Yadu. This is a part of a movement of social and political resurgence (sanskritisation) under the influence of Arya Samaj.