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sumit (behrod rajasthan) 7th April 2009 |
Origin of Ahir Community The Ahirs today claim descent from Krishna.They were a powerful race of nomad cowherds from eastern or central Asia who entered India from the Punjab in large hordes about the same time as the Sakas and the Yuechis in the first or second century BC and gradually spread over large parts of Northern, Eastern and Central India.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahirs http://www.haryana-online.com/People/ahirs.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahirs#Origin_of_Ahir Other views are that they came from Syria or Asia Minor about the beginning of the Christian era; were Dravidians; sprang from the Aayars of Tamil Nadu; lived in India long before the Aryan invasion; were descendants of the Yadavas of the Lunar Dynasty of Pururavas Aila; and that their original habitat was the region between the Sutlej and the Yamuna from where they migrated beyond Mathura in the East and beyond Gujarat and Maharashtra in the South.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahirs#Origin_of_Ahir The name of the State of Haryana may have been derived from its ancient inhabitants: Abhirayana. The name `Abhira` may stem from a-bhira meaning fearless.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haryana History Of Ahir Community At the beginning of the Christian era, the invading Scythians and Kushans forced most of them out of their land to lower Rajasthan in the Arbuda (Aravali region). In Marubhumi (Marwar), Saurashtra and Maharashtra they served the local rulers and established their own rule. Ishwarsena, a great Ahir general, became master of Western Deccan in place of the famous Satava-hanas. He took the title of Rajan and an era was named after him. His descendants continued to rule for nine generations. For centuries the Ahirs were eclipsed as a political power in Haryana until the time of the Pratihara dynasty. In time they became independent rulers of Southwest Haryana. In 1150, Vighararaja IV, a Chauhan from Rajasthan forced them to become his feudatories. In 1181 they were defeated by Prithviraj Chauhan but only after they had put up a tough resistance. Some scholars seek yadav and Jews connection. According to Stephen Knapp, the Greeks referred to the Jews as Judeos, or Jah deos or Yadavas, meaning people of Ya or descendants of Yadu, one of the sons of Yayati.[2] It is also regarded that the basis of the Kabbalah, the book of Jewish mystical concepts, as described in The Holy Kabbalah by Arthur Edward Waite, is linked with Vedas. Yadavas were possessors of great mystical knowledge is confirmed in Bhagvad Gita itself which says same knowledge was given to Manu (first man on earth), Surya and Ikshavaku (ancestor of Lord Rama) at very ancient time. It is believed Abhira were the link between eastern and western religions. There are compelling proofs of both mauryan and Guptas being Abhirs.[3] The Kshatriya religion was propounded by Krishna, and no reference is found before him. We only find Rajnya as the term alternatively used for it (Bhagwad Gita is emaciated form of hidden knowledge—Gope—which has its root in Shiva). Later on, many Kshatriyas were made based on the philosophy of this religion as revealed in Bhagavad Gita. [edit] Yadavas as an ethnic category According to M.S.A. Rao (an eminent sociologist), Yadava is an ethnic category consisting of several allied castes, which together constitute about one-tenth of the total population of India. These castes are found in different parts of India, Burma, Nepal and Sri Lanka and are known as the "Ahir" in the Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan; the "Goalas" and "Sadgopa" or Gauda in Bengal and Orissa; Dhangar in Maharashtra; Yadava in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka and Idayan and Konar in Tamil Nadu. There are also several sub-regional names such as Thetwar and Rawat in Madhya Pradesh, and Mahakul (Great Family) in Bihar.[citation needed] Two things are common to these cognate castes. First, they claim to be descendants of the Yadu Dynasty (Yadava) to which Lord Krishna belonged. Secondly, many castes in this category have occupations relating to cattle. The Krishna mythology lends a kind of legitimacy to the pastoral occupations relating to cattle, and as the castes following these occupations are to be found in almost all parts of India, the Yadava category encompasses a range of related castes.[citation needed] Besides this mythical origin of the Yadavas, semi-historical and historical evidence exists for equating the Ahirs with the Yadavas. It is argued that the term Ahir comes from Abhira (Behandarkar, 1911;16), who where once found in different parts of India, and who in several places wielded political power. The Abhiras are equated with Ahirs, Gopas and Gollas, and all of them are considered Yadavas. M.S.A Rao further states that the Allahabad iron pillar inscription of Samudragupta (fourth century A.D) mentions the Abhiras as one of the tribal states of west and south west India, who paid homage to the emperor (churn, 1943:81). A fourth century (A.D) inscription found in Nashik speaks of an Abhira king, and there is proof that in the middle of the fourth century the Abhiras were settled in eastern Rajputana and Malwa. Similarly, when the Kathis arrived in Gujarat in the eighth century, they found the greater part of the country in the possession of the Ahirs. The Mirzapur district of the United Provinces has a tract known as Ahraura, named after the Ahir, and near Jhansi, another piece of country was called Ahirwar. The Ahirs were also kings of Nepal at the beginning of the Christian era. Khandesh and the Tapti valley were other regions where they were kings. This indicates that the Abhiras, who rose to political prominence in the second century B.C., had a chequered political career until the fourteenth century A.D when their importance was over-shadowed by the Mughals, but even during the Mughal period the Ahir and Golla rajahs were a power to be reckoned with. The Gavlis rose to political power in Deogarh, on the Chhindwara Plateau in the central provinces. The Saugar traditions trace the Gavli supremacy to a much later date, as the tracts of Etawa and Khurai are held to have been governed by chieftains till the close of the seventeenth century (Russell, 1916:II, 20). Abhira, which is considered to be a subgroup of the Yadava caste today, may be unrelated to the ancient Yadavas. Linkage is obscure and views vary from scholar to scholar. The term was used for cowherds initially but has been extended to include Yaduvanshi and Nandavanshis too by its corrupt version Ahir. Abhira means "fearless" and appears in most ancient historical references dating back to the Abhira kingdom of the Saraswati Valley, who spoke Abhiri until the Buddhist period.[6] Analysis of Hindu scriptural references of the Abhira kingdoms has led some scholars to conclude that it was merely a term used for Holy Yadava Kingdoms. In Bhagavatam, the Gupta dynasty has been alled Abhir.[7] [edit] Yaduvanshi Rajput and Ahirs The word Jadu became Yadu and later on Jadav/ Jadon or Yadav.Krishna being a gopi led to the popular belief that all cowherd castes like Ahir,Golla,Mandal etc were Yadavs.The Nand Baba, in whose house lord Kishna spent his childhood, was the friend of Vasudeva a Yaduvanshi and the father of Lord Krishna.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasudeva Yadav originally is the Chandravanshi Rajput clan directly claiming descent from Yadu in the great epic Mahabharat,however it has now lost it's rajput status by the merger of allied ahir castes which in some parts are Other Backward Class. The fact that Lord Krishna was born to Yadu kshatriyas was the son of Vasudeva and Devaki and for fear of being killed by Kansa of Mathura, Vasudeva had taken him to his friend Nanda Baba and his wife Yasoda who belonged to Ahir caste. Ahirs became his followers.Ahirs used to rever the Lord Krishna. The Ahirs believe that their ancestors walked together with Lord Krishna.Ahirs synonyms are Yadav and Rao Saheb.Rao Saheb is only used in Behrod area of Alwar district.However generally the Ahir community is called by the name Yadav.Historically,Ahir laid the foundation of Ahir Batak town which was later called Ahrora and Ahirwar in Jhansi district in A.D.108.Rudramurti Ahir became the chief of the Army and later on, the king .Madhuriputa, Ishwarsen and Shivdatta were well known kings from the lineage who mingled with Yadav Rajputs,Ahirs were exclusively found in northern Alwar and Jaipur.The Ahir are Hindu by religion. They worship Dahmi Mata and go to her shrine at the time of jadula(head shaving ceremony of the child)and gathjoda(after marriage,to get the blessings of the deity).Likewise, Biladi Mata, Shyamji,Shivji,Ram and other gods and goddesses of Hindu religion are worshipped by the Ahirs with great reverence and devotion.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandravanshi http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jadaun#Origins http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasudeva History works of Smith and James Tod can be relied in this regard. Moreover, in the records of British empire, Ahirs are sub-castes of Yadav clan. As per the most authentic 1931 Census condcuted by the British Indian Government in India, which was the only census conducted on the basis of castes prevalent in India at that time. As per Rig veda and Various Purans and many historical works available in India, Yaduvanshi and Chandravanshi are Yadus( Jadon found in western UP, Jadeja of Gujrat, Bhatis of Rajsthan, jharejas, Banaphars of Mahobas, Dabi ( Rajsthan) Kharbad Rajput of Udaipur; Khagar of Atri Gotra found in districts of jhansi, Hamirpur, Jalon of UP, Hoysal of Dwar samudra whose capital was Belapur, , Sighel Rajput( Kashyap gotriya) found in Azamgarh district of UP and Chhapra, Bhagalpur, Mujjafarpur district of Bihar are some of the Yaduvanshi Rajputs and are recongnised as such by all the Rajput castes/clans in India.Yaduvanshi Rajputs in UP have Thikans in Aligarh,Awagarh of Etah UP, Somna,Hasnagarh, Kole ( Aligarh), Secunderabad, Shamasabad, Ghiror and mustafabad in Mainpuri. Raja Balwant Singh of Awagarh, a Jadon Rajput, set up Raja Balawant Singh College in Agra and helped Guru Rabindra Nath Tagore in setting up Shantinketkan University. Dullipsingh of Jamnagar after whom is named Dulip trophy in Cricket, Ranjitsingh after whom is named Ranjit trophy in Crciket are Yaduvansi Rajputs of Jadeja/ Jadon clan of Rajputs and are classified as one of 36 clans of Rajputs in the history and in his work by James Tod also. Yayati's first wife Devayani bore a son named Durvasu ( or Rigvedic Turvasus tribe. The descendents of Durvasu are called Durvasu Rajputs and Chandravanshi. Yayati's second wife Sharmishta gave birth to eldest son named Drahayu. The Descendents of his are called Drahayu Rajputs who ruled in Bengal, Assam and Tripura and still found there. Anu Rajputs who are descendents of Anu, second son of Sharmistha, second wife of Yayati, set up Ushinar shivi, Kakaya pradesh etc.As per annals and governement records of British period. .http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandravanshi. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jadaun Yadavs: 1) Yaduvanshi - These are predominant in Rajasthan,Haryana,Maharastra,South India,UP & Gujrat 2) Nandvanshi - These are predominant in Western UP (Etah, Bulandshahar,Agra,Madhya Pradesh,Maharastra,Gujrat & Mathura. 3) Gwal Bansi - These are the gwalas & are considered the lowest of the three. They are spread out in Bihar to Bengal.From some decades they are fighting with Bhumihars (land owning Bramins) for their right to cultivate their own land for farming. Yaduvanshi's have common gotras with the Jats (eg, Dahiya, Atri etc). Bhatti Rajputs are descendents of Yadu Vanshi Ahirs, and Sidhu & Barar Jats are descendents of Bhatti Rajputs. [edit] Jaisalmer yadav link Rao Jaisal laid the foundation stone of Jaisalmer in 1156 A.D. He hailed from the Yadav and Rajput kin group. His Yadav descent can be traced back to the Mahabharata and the Rajputs were famed for courage and gallantry.The city has an interesting legend associated with it, according to which, Lord Krishna, the head of the Yadav Clan, foretold Arjuna, one of the Pandava brothers of the Mahabharata that a remote descendent of the Yadav Clan would build his kingdom atop the Trikuta Hill. His prophecy was fulfilled in 1156 AD when Rawal Jaisal, a descendent of the Yadav Clan and a Bhatti Rajput, abandoned his fort at Lodurva and founded a new capital Jaisalmer, perched on the Trikuta Hill. [edit] Yadavs in Maratha Yadav - Jadhav – Jadhavrao Yadav traces their origin from Rajput clan who supposed to be Lord Krishna's Descendant and further they converted into Jadhav due to language and Some Jadhav who served Sultanets refered as Rao title called as Jadhavrao.As pre record Jadhav are the descendent of yadav or Chandervanshi rajput. Bhosle / Bhonsle, Ranas, Yadhavas, Nimbalkars come under the category of Marathas [edit] Yadavs found in South India Konar Konar is a sub caste of yadav caste foud in Tamil Nadu. Maniyani Maniyani is a caste of Kerala that claims descent from Krishna. [edit] Variations in Caste status All groups included in the Yadav category belonged to the “clean castes”, though their actual status varied from area to area. The Ahirs of Delhi, Punjab and parts of UP had a status equal to that of Rajput and Jats with whom, according to Rao, they shared commensual relations. In places where the Ahirs were owner-cultivators they ranked immediately after Brahmins and Baniyas but where they were small owner-cultivators or tenants (and Thakurs, the main landowning group), they moved lower down the caste hierarchy (below Thakurs, Baniyas and Bhumihar Brahmins. In areas where the Ahirs and Gollas were cowherds and milksellers they were given a still lower ranking. To improve their status,Yadavs at the turn of the century not only began to claim Kshatriya status but also to adopt Arya Samaj practices in a big way. Uttar Pradesh and Bihar witnessed widespread jenevo movements in the first two decades of the 20th century as Yadavs began to don the sacred thread in accordance with Arya Samaj practices. These years also saw the sprouting of Arya mandirs, pracharaks, priests and schools in many parts of India. This was accompanied by major changes in the life-style of the Yadavs. They began to follow Vedic life cycle ceremonies conducted by Arya priests. There was renewed emphasis on their Kshatriya identity and their links with Lord Krishna. Yadavs emerged as major protectors of cattle and the celebration of Janmashtmi (Krishna’s birthday) became a major event in their social and religious life. Yadavs all over the country were quick to respond to the forces of change unleashed by British rule. At the opening of the century itself their regional associations concerned themselves with establishing educational institutions and seeking modern employment opportunities for their castemen. In Punjab, western UP, and Madhya Pradesh, Yadavs turned mainly to the army for employment. In Punjab they even petitioned the government in the 1880’s for recruitment of Ahirs into the army. [edit] Major changes The emergence of an English-educated elite among the Yadavs led to the formation of the All-India Yadava Mahasabha in 1923. The AIYM immediately engaged itself in two issues. It appealed to its castemen in all regions to add “Yadav” to their names and at the same time launched on a major programme of social reform. In fact as early as 1911, regional caste groups had been petitioning the Census Commissioner to change their caste name from Golla, Ahir etc., to Yadav. The regional organisation of the Gollas of Hyderabad, the Hyderabad Rashtra Yadav Mahajana Samajam, for example, appealed to the Census Commission that their caste names of Golla, Gowli, Gollawar and Ahir be changed to Yadava. In the period after Independence, the Yadavs have emerged as the leaders of the backward classes.Prof: Rao’s study of the Yadava elite in the various States (based on the members and supporters of the All India Yadav Sabha and not on those of the rival All India Yadav Mahasabha) reveals the growth of varied business and professional groups within the caste category. Heading the list are businessmen who comprise roughly 21 per cent of the elite. They include dairy owners, contractors, tobacco and timber merchants, wholesale grass dealers. owners of engineering firms and other industries as well as restaurant owners. They are followed by the large farmers who comprise around 21 per cent of the Yadav elite. Politicians (MPs, MLAs, ministers, municipal councillors, district board members, office-bearers of political parties) constitute 17 percent of the elite and school and college teachers, doctors. vaids. lawyers and engineers together another 20 percent. [edit] Yadav Martyrs of 1962 War The neutrality of this article is disputed. Please see the discussion on the talk page. Please do not remove this message until the dispute is resolved. (April 2009) In the Indo-China War of 1962, the Ahirs (almost all of them hailing from the Ahirwal region of Southern Haryana) of 13 Kumaon Regiment set an unparallel example in the military history of Aryavart by defending their position at Rezang La in Ladakh district of Jammu and Kashmir. The battle of Rezang La, a ridge overlooking the strategic Chushul plains in Ladakh, to defend the highest air strip in the world located at 16,000 feet—just across the Chinese claim line—is one of the most glorious chapters in the history of the Bharatya army and has been compared by some Bharatya military historians with the famed Battle of Thermopylae. In the final phase of the Indo-China War of 1962, where Bharatya units typically offered little resistance while being routed by attacking PLA forces, the Ahir Charlie Company from 13 Kumaon, set a rare example of bravery and dedication by literally fighting to the last man. Of the 120 defenders, only three survived, all seriously wounded. The rest, were discovered after the winter, frozen, mostly holding their weapons but with no ammunition. According to some accounts, several jawans, having run out of ammunition, came out of the pickets and charged the enemy with bare hands—Lance Naik Ram Singh killing several Chinese soldiers after lifting and hitting them against the rocks. It is also believed that these jawans inflicted heavy casualties on the attackers. Of the 120 soldiers, 114 were Yadavas from Haryana. On this horrific battle, Major-General Ian Cardozo, in his book Param Vir, Our Heroes In Battle writes,“When Rezang La was later revisited dead jawans were found in the trenches still holding on to their weapons... every single man of this company was found dead in his trench with several bullet or splinter wounds. The 2-inch mortar man died with a bomb still in his hand. The medical orderly had a syringe and bandage in his hands when the Chinese bullet hit him... Of the thousand mortar bombs with the defenders all but seven had been fired and the rest were ready to be fired when the (mortar) section was overrun.” General T.N. Raina said"You rarely come across such example in the annals of world military history when braving such heavy odds, the men fought till the last bullet and the last man. Certainly the Battle of Rezang La is such a shining example." General K S Thimayya remarked,"I had said many years ago that the Army must have a Ahir Regiment. The supreme sacrifice of the Charlie Company has fulfilled my expectations. I hope a suitable memorial will be built in Ahirwal in their memory so that the generations to come may seek inspiration from the immense courage and valour of their forefathers." The heroes who were awarded the Vir Chakra in 1962 defending Rezang La were Naik Hukum Chand (posthumous), Naik Gulab Singh Yadav, Lance-Naik Ram Singh (posthumous), Sub. Ram Kumar and Sub.Ram Chander. All hailed from the Rewari district of Haryana. [edit] Dialects Although the Abhiras constituted a distinct ethnic group, they spoke diverse regional dialects. The language of the Ahirs was known as Ahirani in Khandesh, resembling Marathi. While the Ahirs of Kathiawad and Kachh have a dialect which resembles Gujarathi (Bhandarkar, 1911:17). Abhira bhasha is in fact considered to be Apabhransha. In the ninth century B.C., it had become the language of the people, and was spoken from Saurashtra, and Shastri (1967) proves that poetry was composed in the language around the sixth century B.C. Suryavamsi (1962:14-15) mentions the following two dialects in addition to the ones above--Gaddi, which is currently the dialect spoken in Gadderan, on the outskirts of the Chamba and Kangra hills, and Gandi, spoken in some parts of Madhya Pradesh. Abhiri as a dialect has been recorded by Sanskrit poets such as Bharata and Dandin. Yadav (1916:15), notes that the dialect the people of Ahirwal in Haryana speak, has a resemblance to Rajasthani, and Grierson,(1916:9) considers Ahirwati a branch of eastern Rajasthani and western Hindi. Legends of the cowherd Krishna and his dances with cowherdesses are mentioned in the Sangam classics. The term Ayarpati (cowherd settlement) is found in Cilappatikaram (Iyer, 1950). It is argued that the term Ayar has been used for the Abhiras in ancient Tamil literature, and V. Kanakasabha Pillai (1904) derives Abhira from the Tamil wordAyir which also means cow. He equates the Ayars with Abhiras, and Suryavanshi (1962:17-18) treats this as evidence of migration of the Abhiras to the south in the first century A.D. Thus, linguistic evidence is used to support the argument that the Abhiras spread to different parts of India, and that they retained different but related cultural traditions. The most common denominator, as was pointed out earlier, was a descent from the Yadu dynasty and their association with cattle.[8] [edit] Religious Seats of Yadavas Besides chiefdoms and jagirs, the Yadavas had peethams (seats) granted to them by virtue of their religious powers. For instance, there were fourteen seats (peethams) among the Yadavas of Warangal according to a sanad granted in 1425 (Shaka Samvat), by Sree Pratapa Rudra, Maharaja of Warangal, to Sree Kondiah Guru, as the head of the fourteen seats. Subsequently when Bhagyanagar was founded by Sultan Abdulla of Kutub Shahi in A.D. 1560 the rights of the yadavas were acknowledged and recognized, and the name Golkonda was substituted for Manugal.[citation needed] According to the charter awarded by the Sultan Abdulla of Kutub Shahi in 1071 Hijri, Kondiah built the fort for the Sultan by using his charisma in resolving the mystery of the site, and also discovered for him gold coins buried underground. In return, the Sultan gave him the Charter conferring upon Kondiah the rights and privileges due to the head of the fourteen seats, and of twelve classes of Gollas and two classes of shepherds (Kuruba Gollas). Kondiah, although a follower of Basaveshwara (Lingayat), was the head of the Yadava Peethams. Perhaps the Gollas at this time were under the influence of Veerasaivism, although they were incorporated into the Yadava category.[9] [edit] Political influence Through numerous political parties such as the Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Janata Dal (Republic), Janata Dal the Yadavs have considerable political influence, especially in the North Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.[10] Laloo Yadav became the chief minister of Bihar and Mulayam Singh in UP. Many groups and clans claiming descent from the ancient Yadu clan call themselves Yadavs. The major clans among these are: * Ahirs (variously called Ahira and Abhira) are divided into clans called Khanap: Yaduvanshi (chandravanshi) * o Nandavanshi (descendants of Nanda} o Gwalvanshi (descendants of Holy Gwals) o Dadhor o Bhragudev (Central UP ) o Sandilya (Central UP) o Gosia (Central UP) o Nirvan (Western UP Chaubisa) * Adhikari [Bengal and Orissa] * Bharwad in Gujarath * Bhatrajus (Andhra Pradesh) * Dhangars (in Maharashtra and Karnataka), having 108 clans * Edayar (Tamil Nadu) * Gaurs (also called Goriya, and mentioned in the Mahabharata) * Gawli * Gadri / Gadariya * Gaddi * Golla * Gouda (Orissa) * Jambavas * Jadon * Kalchuri * Konar Doss,Karayalar(Yadava) (Tamil: கோனார்pillai (in Tamil Nadu and Kerala)* * Krishnauth (claiming direct lineage from Lord Shri Krishna)* * Kondayankotth-Tirunelveli-Tamilnadu * Kurubas or kurubagowda, in karnataka and andhra pradesh * Maniyani,Nayar,Mayar (in Kerala) * Manjrauth (linked with Jarasandh) * Mandal & Bhagat (Bihar) * Oraon * Pradhans * Puhanian * Rauts * Saini (Shoorseni/Surasena/Shaursaini) [11] [12][13][14] [15][16] [17] * Sassedran( Kerla) * Surabhirs * Thatte * Yadavas * Yadavulu * Jadeja * Bhati * Banaphar * Deshwal (some city in U.P) of the major groups called castes many bear names derived from the principal professions they follow or the crafts they practice, for example, the cattle-breeding group takes the significant name of Gawli, derived from a Sanskrit word for cow. The names of the shepherd castes seem to be derived from words meaning sheep. Such is at least the case with Gadaria from 'gadar', on old Hindi word for sheep. Many others of these major groups called castes bear merely tribal or ethic names. Such are for example: Arora, Gujjar, Lohana, Bhatia, Meena, Bhil, Dom, Oraon, Munda, Santal, Koch, Ahir, Mahar, Nayar, Maratha, Gond, Khond, etc.[18] [edit] Notable Yadavs [edit] Mythology * Lord Krishna, was born in the dynasty of Yadu and was known as king of Yadavas. * Balarama, Elder brother of Lord Krishna. * Neminatha, The 22nd Teerthankar of Jains & cousin of Krishna. * Vasudeva, father of Krishna. * Kartavirya Arjuna (Emperor of Mahismati, also known as Shasrabahu) * Kunti, sister of Vasudeva and mother of Pandavas and Karna * Kansa, a tyrannical king of Mathura, who was killed by Krishna * Ugrasen, the father of Kansa. [edit] Historical * Kanakadasa,greatest devotee of Lord Sri Krishna. * Kalidasa,greatest sanskrit poet. * Vijayanagar empire,SriKrishnadevaraya. * Yadava Dynasty (Deogiri now Daulatabad). * Wodeyar Dynasty of Mysore, Karnataka. * Ananda Konar (yadav ruler in Tamilnadu 1200AD he build chengi fort). * Krishna Konar (yadav ruler in krishnakiri in tamilnadu). * Hoyasala Dynasty of Karnataka. * King Katamaraju (Andhra Pradesh). * Jamin Alagumuthu kone(small king of kattalankulam in tamilnadu 1st freedom fighter of south india). * VeeraPandya Kattabomman (1857 Freedom Fighter-The Ideal King) * Rao Balbir Singh (King of haryana) * Jijabai (mother of Chhatrapati Shivaji) * Rao Tula Ram (1857 freedom fighter) * Pran Sukh Yadav (fought along with Rao Tula Ram Yadav at Nasibpur) Some scholars, such as Robert Sewell believe that the rulers of Vijayanagara Empire were Kurubas (also known as Yadavas).[19] Some early inscriptions, dated 1078 and 1090, have implied that the Hoysalas of Mysore were also the descendants of the original Yadava clan, by referring to the Yadava vamsa (clan) as Hoysala vamsa. But there are no records directly linking the Hoysalas to the Yadavas of North India. Calling it 'poetic fancy', William Coelho, author of Hoysala Vamsa, 1950, argues that there is no evidence of even a tradition that traces back their lineage to one of northern origin. S.U. Kamath argues that it was a common practice in royal families of medieval South India to build puranic genealogies-[20]. However, J.N. Singh Yadav, a famous historian, gives the following account in his 'YADAVAS THROUGH THE AGES', " The Hoysalas ruled illustriously for over three centuries and have left in the country imperishable monuments of art and culture. They were family of kings who ruled over practically the whole of the kannada country at the height of their power. They scheduled the hill tribes known as Malepas in the Western Ghats and they assumed the title 'Maleparoleganda'. The account of their origin can be traced in some of their inscriptions. They claimed Sosevura (Sasakapura of Sanskrit writers) as their birthplace. This place has been identified with Angadi of Mudigere Taluk in chikamanglura district. It has been mentioned as the seen of the incident between Sala and the tiger. When Sala,' an ornament of the Yaduvamsa' (Yaduvamsojvala tilakan) was worshiping the goddess Vasantike of Sasakapura, a tiger came from the forest. The holiman Sodutta, who was there gave him his fan saying 'Poysala(Strike, Sala). Sala killed the tiger. From that time the name of Poysala become the designation of the Yadava kings (E.C. VOL. VI, Cm. 20.). Almost the same account, though differing in certain details, is found in many of their inscriptions. According to annother version, when Sala was hunting along the slopes of the Sahya mountains (or the Western Ghats), he was astonished to see a hare (SKt. Sasa) pursuing a tiger, while he was walking alone saying to himself, 'This is heroic soil', a holy muni near by, being afraid of the tiger, called out 'Poy-Sala' and before it could proceed the length of a span Sala slew it with his sword (E.C., VOL. V, PART I B1. 171.). It is after this incident that the place came to be known as Sasakapura.[21] The founder of the Wodeyar dynasty, Vijaya, also claimed descent from the Yadu and took on the name Yadu-Raya. According to S.C.Raychoudhary (author of Social, Cultural and Economic History of India), a noted historian, "The Pandya kingdom generally associated with the Pandus of the Mahabarata covered the districts of Madura and Tinnivelly as well as certain portions of south Travancore."[22] Dr.V. Manickam in his path-breaking work Kongu Nadu gives an expanded version of his doctoral thesis submitted to the university of Madras as follows,"It was noted that the pastoral people(Ayar) of the mullai land in Kongu formed the major component of the Vellalar community of the medieval period.It is Dr.V. Manickam thesis that the Vellalar of Kongu were nothing but the pastoral people of Kongu, of course,with some additions (p-553). However, We come across references to Idaiyar of kiranur, alias Kolumam Konda Cholanallur (SII : 5:283), Kon from the same place (SII : 5: 265,267,269), and Yatavar in two epigraphs from Chevur (Eye Copy 94,98). Further, there are also references to Tiruvayappadi nattar, which indicate the supra-local activities of the herdsmen discussed in chapter 15. The presence of the herdsmen, with the titles as found in the macro region, may be explained as survivors of the pastoral people of the pre-chola period who were reluctant to integrate themselves in the new setup or new additions.[23] |
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RAO VIKRAM YADAV (GURGAON) 24th October 2008 |
Yadav or Yadava (Sanskrit: यादव, yādava) is an Indian caste that claims descent from Yadu. Yadavas have been mentioned as one of the panchjanya tribes in ancient Vedic texts. Yadavs generally follow Vaishnav traditions, share Dharmic religious beliefs, and are located in different parts of India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Traditionally, the Yadavs are classified under the Kshatriya varna in Hinduism. In Hindu mythology, Yadvas are the descendants of Yadu, the eldest son of King Yayati. Yayati removed Yadu from the succession because he rebelled against Yayati's wishes. Yadu and his descendants ruled in Jambudvipa, according to mythology, and later overthrew many Puru rulers.[citation needed] According to the Bhagvad Gita, Yadavas possessed great mystical knowledge, as far back as Manu, and much knowledge was also given to Surya and Ikshavaku in ancient times. According to Dharmic mythology, Jarasandh, Kansa's father-in-law, and king of Magadha attacked Yadavas to avenge Kansa's death. Yadavas had to shift their capital from Mathura (central Aryavart) to Dwaraka (on the western coast of Aryavart) on the Sindhu.[citation needed] Yadavas as an ethnic category According to M.S.A. Rao (an eminent sociologist), Yadava is an ethnic category consisting of several allied castes, which together constitute about one-tenth of the total population of India. These castes are found in different parts of India, Burma, Nepal and Sri Lanka and are known as the "Ahir" in the Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan; the "Goalas" and "Sadgopa" or Gauda in Bengal and Orissa; Dhangar in Maharashtra; Yadava in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka and Idayan and Konar in Tamil Nadu. There are also several sub-regional names such as Thetwar and Rawat in Madhya Pradesh, and Mahakul (Great Family) in Bihar Two things are common to these cognate castes. First, they claim to be descendants of the Yadu Dynasty (Yadava) to which Lord Krishna belonged. Secondly, many castes in this category have occupations relating to cattle. The Krishna mythology lends a kind of legitimacy to the pastoral occupations relating to cattle, and as the castes following these occupations are to be found in almost all parts of India, the Yadava category encompasses a range of related castes. Besides this mythical origin of the Yadavas, semi-historical and historical evidence exists for equating the Ahirs with the Yadavas. It is argued that the term Ahir comes from Abhira (Behandarkar, 1911;16), who where once found in different parts of India, and who in several places wielded political power. The Abhiras are equated with Ahirs, Gopas and Gollas, and all of them are considered Yadavas. M.S.A Rao further states that the Allahabad iron pillar inscription of Samudragupta (fourth century A.D) mentions the Abhiras as one of the tribal states of west and south west India, who paid homage to the emperor (churn, 1943:81). A fourth century (A.D) inscription found in Nashik speaks of an Abhira king, and there is proof that in the middle of the fourth century the Abhiras were settled in eastern Rajputana and Malwa. Similarly, when the Kathis arrived in Gujarat in the eighth century, they found the greater part of the country in the possession of the Ahirs. The Mirzapur district of the United Provinces has a tract known as Ahraura, named after the Ahir, and near Jhansi, another piece of country was called Ahirwar. The Ahirs were also kings of Nepal at the beginning of the Christian era. Khandesh and the Tapti valley were other regions where they were kings. This indicates that the Abhiras, who rose to political prominence in the second century B.C., had a chequered political career until the fourteenth century A.D when their importance was over-shadowed by the Mughals, but even during the Mughal period the Ahir and Golla rajahs were a power to be reckoned with. The Gavlis rose to political power in Deogarh, on the Chhindwara Plateau in the central provinces. The Saugar traditions trace the Gavli supremacy to a much later date, as the tracts of Etawa and Khurai are held to have been governed by chieftains till the close of the seventeenth century (Russell, 1916:II, 20). Abhira, which is considered to be a subgroup of the Yadava caste today, may be unrelated to the ancient Yadavas. Linkage is obscure and views vary from scholar to scholar. The term was used for cowherds initially but has been extended to include Yaduvanshi and Nandavanshis too by its corrupt version Ahir. Abhira means "fearless" and appears in most ancient historical references dating back to the Abhira kingdom of the Saraswati Valley, who spoke Abhiri until the Buddhist period.[6] Analysis of Hindu scriptural references of the Abhira kingdoms has led some scholars to conclude that it was merely a term used for Holy Yadava Kingdoms. In Bhagavatam, the Gupta dynasty has been alled Abhir. Although the Abhiras constituted a distinct ethnic group, they spoke diverse regional dialects. The language of the Ahirs was known as Ahirani in Khandesh, resembling Marathi. While the Ahirs of Kathiawad and Kachh have a dialect which resembles Gujarathi (Bhandarkar, 1911:17). Abhira bhasha is in fact considered to be Apabhransha. In the ninth century B.C., it had become the language of the people, and was spoken from Saurashtra, and Shastri (1967) proves that poetry was composed in the language around the sixth century B.C. Suryavamsi (1962:14-15) mentions the following two dialects in addition to the ones above--Gaddi, which is currently the dialect spoken in Gadderan, on the outskirts of the Chamba and Kangra hills, and Gandi, spoken in some parts of Madhya Pradesh. Abhiri as a dialect has been recorded by Sanskrit poets such as Bharata and Dandin. Yadav (1916:15), notes that the dialect the people of Ahirwal in Haryana speak, has a resemblance to Rajasthani, and Grierson,(1916:9) considers Ahirwati a branch of eastern Rajasthani and western Hindi. Legends of the cowherd Krishna and his dances with cowherdesses are mentioned in the Sangam classics. The term Ayarpati (cowherd settlement) is found in Cilappatikaram (Iyer, 1950). It is argued that the term Ayar has been used for the Abhiras in ancient Tamil literature, and V. Kanakasabha Pillai (1904) derives Abhira from the Tamil word Ayir which also means cow. He equates the Ayars with Abhiras, and Suryavamsi (1962:17-18) treats this as evidence of migration of the Abhiras to the south in the first century A.D. Thus, linguistic evidence is used to support the argument that the Abhiras spread to different parts of India, and that they retained different but related cultural traditions. The most common denominator, as was pointed out earlier, was a descent from the Yadu dynasty and their association with cattle.[8] [edit] Religious Seats of Yadavas Besides chiefdoms and jagirs, the Yadavas had peethams (seats) granted to them by virtue of their religious powers. For instance, there were fourteen seats (peethams) among the Yadavas of Warangal according to a sanad granted in 1425 (Shaka Samvat), by Sree Pratapa Rudra, Maharaja of Warangal, to Sree Kondiah Guru, as the head of the fourteen seats. Subsequently when Bhagyanagar was founded by Sultan Abdulla of Kutub Shahi in A.D. 1560 the rights of the yadavas were acknowledged and recognized, and the name Golkonda was substituted for Manugal.[citation needed] According to the charter awarded by the Sultan Abdulla of Kutub Shahi in 1071 Hijri, Kondiah built the fort for the Sultan by using his charisma in resolving the mystery of the site, and also discovered for him gold coins buried underground. In return, the Sultan gave him the Charter conferring upon Kondiah the rights and privileges due to the head of the fourteen seats, and of twelve classes of Gollas and two classes of shepherds (Kuruba Gollas). Kondiah, although a follower of Basaveshwara (Lingayat), was the head of the Yadava Peethams. Perhaps the Gollas at this time were under the influence of Veerasaivism, although they were incorporated into the Yadava category.[9] [edit] Political influence Through numerous political parties such as the Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Janata Dal (Republic), Janata Dal the Yadavs have considerable political influence, especially in the North Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.[10] Laloo Yadav became the chief minister of Bihar and Mulayam Singh in UP. Many groups and clans claiming descent from the ancient Yadu clan call themselves Yadavs. The major clans among these are: Ahirs (variously called Ahira and Abhira) are divided into clans called Khanap: Nandavanshi (descendants of Nanda} Gwalvanshi (descendants of Holy Gwals) Dadhor Bhragudev (Central UP ) Sandilya (Central UP) Gosia (Central UP) Nirvan (Western UP Chaubisa) Adhikari [Bengal and Orissa] Bharwad in Gujarath Bhatrajus (Andhra Pradesh) Dhangars (in Maharashtra and Karnataka), having 108 clans Edayar (Tamil Nadu) Gaurs (also called Goriya, and mentioned in the Mahabharata) Gawlis Gadri / Gadariya Gaddi Golla Gouda (Orissa) Jambavas Jadon Kalchuri Konar (Yadava) (Tamil: கோனார் (in Tamil Nadu and Kerala) Kurubas or Gollas (in Karnataka) Krishnauth (claiming direct lineage from Lord Shri Krishna) Kurubas (Karnataka) Kondayankotth-Tirunelveli-Tamilnadu Maniyani,Ayar,Mayar and Nair (in Kerala) Manjrauth (linked with Jarasandh) Mandal & Bhagat (Bihar) Oraon Pradhans Puhanian Rauts Saini (Shoorseni/Surasena/Shaursaini) [11] [12][13][14] [15][16] [17] Sassedran( Kerla) Surabhirs Thatte Yadavas Yadavulu Jadeja Bhati Banaphar Deshwal (some city in U.P) of the major groups called castes many bear names derived from the principal professions they follow or the crafts they practice, for example, the cattle-breeding group takes the significant name of Gauli, derived from a Sanskrit word for cow. The names of the shepherd castes seem to be derived from words meaning sheep. Such is at least the case with Gadaria from 'gadar', on old Hindi word for sheep. Many others of these major groups called castes bear merely tribal or ethic names. Such are for example: Arora, Gujar, Lohana, Bhatia, Mina, Bhil, Dom, Oraon, Munda, Santal, Koch, Ahir, Mahar, Nayar, Maratha, Gond, Khond, etc.[18] Notable Yadavs Shree Raje Ratnasing Jadhavrao, Shree Raje Krushnasing Shrimant Namdar Sardar Raje Shambhusing Amarsing Jadhavrao Shrimant Sau Khashibaisaheb Jadhavrao, The Queen of Malegaon [edit] Mythology Lord Krishna, was born in the dynasty of Yadu and was known as king of Yadavas Balram, Elder brother of Lord Krishna Neminatha, The 22nd Teerthankar of Jains & cousin of Krishna Vasudeva, father of Krishna Kartavirya Arjuna (Emperor of Mahismati, also known as Shasrabahu) Kunti, sister of Vasudeva and mother of Pandavas and Karna Kansa, a tyrannical king of Mathura, who was killed by Krishna Ugrasen, the father of Kansa [edit] Historical Kanakadasa Yadava Dynasty (Deogiri now Daulatabad) Wodeyar Dynasty of Mysore, Karnataka Hoyasala Dynasty of Karnataka King Katamaraju (Andhra Pradesh) VeeraPandya Kattabomman (1857 Freedom Fighter-The Ideal King) Rao Balbir Singh (King of haryana) Jijabai (mother of Chhatrapati Shivaji) Rao Tula Ram (1857 freedom fighter) Pran Sukh Yadav (fought along with Rao Tula Ram Yadav at Nasibpur) Some scholars, such as Robert Sewell believe that the rulers of Vijayanagara Empire were Kurubas (also known as Yadavas).[19] Some early inscriptions, dated 1078 and 1090, have implied that the Hoysalas of Mysore were also the descendants of the original Yadava clan, by referring to the Yadava vamsa (clan) as Hoysala vamsa. But there are no records directly linking the Hoysalas to the Yadavas of North India. Calling it 'poetic fancy', William Coelho, author of Hoysala Vamsa, 1950, argues that there is no evidence of even a tradition that traces back their lineage to one of northern origin. S.U. Kamath argues that it was a common practice in royal families of medieval South India to build puranic genealogies-[20]. However, J.N. Singh Yadav, a famous historian, gives the following account in his 'YADAVAS THROUGH THE AGES', " The Hoysalas ruled illustriously for over three centuries and have left in the country imperishable monuments of art and culture. They were family of kings who ruled over practically the whole of the kannada country at the height of their power. They scheduled the hill tribes known as Malepas in the Western Ghats and they assumed the title 'Maleparoleganda'. The account of their origin can be traced in some of their inscriptions. They claimed Sosevura (Sasakapura of Sanskrit writers) as their birthplace. This place has been identified with Angadi of Mudigere Taluk in chikamanglura district. It has been mentioned as the seen of the incident between Sala and the tiger. When Sala,' an ornament of the Yaduvamsa' (Yaduvamsojvala tilakan) was worshiping the goddess Vasantike of Sasakapura, a tiger came from the forest. The holiman Sodutta, who was there gave him his fan saying 'Poysala(Strike, Sala). Sala killed the tiger. From that time the name of Poysala become the designation of the Yadava kings (E.C. VOL. VI, Cm. 20.). Almost the same account, though differing in certain details, is found in many of their inscriptions. According to annother version, when Sala was hunting along the slopes of the Sahya mountains (or the Western Ghats), he was astonished to see a hare (SKt. Sasa) pursuing a tiger, while he was walking alone saying to himself, 'This is heroic soil', a holy muni near by, being afraid of the tiger, called out 'Poy-Sala' and before it could proceed the length of a span Sala slew it with his sword (E.C., VOL. V, PART I B1. 171.). It is after this incident that the place came to be known as Sasakapura.[21] The founder of the Wodeyar dynasty, Vijaya, also claimed descent from the Yadu and took on the name Yadu-Raya. According to S.C.Raychoudhary (author of Social, Cultural and Economic History of India), a noted historian, "The Pandya kingdom generally associated with the Pandus of the Mahabarata covered the districts of Madura and Tinnivelly as well as certain portions of south Travancore."[22] Dr.V. Manickam in his path-breaking work Kongu Nadu gives an expanded version of his doctoral thesis submitted to the university of Madras as follows,"It was noted that the pastoral people(Ayar) of the mullai land in Kongu formed the major component of the Vellalar community of the medieval period.It is Dr.V. Manickam thesis that the Vellalar of Kongu were nothing but the pastoral people of Kongu, of course,with some additions (p-553). However, We come across references to Idaiyar of kiranur, alias Kolumam Konda Cholanallur (SII : 5:283), Kon from the same place (SII : 5: 265,267,269), and Yatavar in two epigraphs from Chevur (Eye Copy 94,98). Further, there are also references to Tiruvayappadi nattar, which indicate the supra-local activities of the herdsmen discussed in chapter 15. The presence of the herdsmen, with the titles as found in the macro region, may be explained as survivors of the pastoral people of the pre-chola period who were reluctant to integrate themselves in the new setup or new additions.[23] [edit] Celebrities Swami Ramdev, The Yogacharya ranked first among the most popular persons in India. [edit] Politics Ram Baran Yadav President of Nepal B. P. Mandal, Ex CM, Bihar, Chairman of Mandal Commission Mulayam Singh Yadav, Ex CM, Uttar Pradesh & President of SP Daroga Prasad Rai, Ex CM, Bihar Ram Naresh Yadav, Ex CM, Uttar Pradesh Lalu Prasad Yadav, Indian Railway Minister & President of RJD, Ex CM Bihar Babulal Gaur, Ex CM, Madhya Pradesh Subhash Yadav Former Deputy Chief Minister, Madhya Pradesh Siddaramaiah, Former Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka Sharad Yadav, President JD(U), MP, Former Union Minister Gajendra Prasad Himanshu, Ex Deputy Speaker/Minister, Bihar Kannappan (Former PWD Minister of Tamil Nadu (BECAUSE OF HIM TN GOVT DECLARED HOLIDAY FOR KRISHNA JAYANTI AND IT CONTINUES TILL TODAY) Upendra Yadav, Minister of Foreign Affirs, Nepal Govt. Dr. Karan Singh Yadav, Veteran Heart Sergeon & M.P., Alwar(Rajasthan) |
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