Hindu Ghosi

For Muslim Ghosi, see Ghosi tribe.
Hindu Ghosi
Religions Hinduism
Languages Hindi, Khariboli, Brajbhasha
Populated States Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Near by

The term Hindu Ghosi (or Ghoshi, Ghosee, Ghosi Thakur, Ghosi Yadav) refers to a community of the Hindu Ahir caste.

In the few Western districts of Uttar Pradesh, the Ghosi Ahirs have been better than others, both in number and influence and hence have attracted the attention of the present political parties. Politicians often plan and expect a split among the different Ahir groups, particularly the Ghosi and Kamariya groups.[1] Kamariya subdivision is regarded as having lower status than the Ghosi.[2]

Etymology

The term Ghosa refers to the settlement of Abhiras[3] or a temporary encampment of cowherds defined as "Abhirapalli".[4]

Myth of origin

Ghosi trace their origin to King Nanda, the professed ancestor of Yaduvanshi Ahirs.[5] They also claim their importance saying that the sacred texts have mentioned them under the name of Ghosas.[2]

Colonial description

Krishna with Yasoda and Nandji, the claimed ancestor of Ghosis

Exploring how the Ghosi and other subdivisions were absorbed into Nandvanshi category of the prestigious and wealthy landlords[6] and into the Yaduvanshi subdivision (a categorised Martial race title) of Braj-Ahirwal, it is observed that this was the influence of the British official ethnographies and racial theories, which shaped the way Yadav community is being represented at present i.e. "the racial view of caste".[7]

Distribution

Ghosi Ahirs are mainly found in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar states in India. In Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the Gwala, Gopal, Ghosi, Mandal, Dharond, Dhuria, Gaoli, Kamaria, Ahir and Abhir castes all call themselves Yadavs.[8] In North Western Provinces, the Parganah of Ahrorah in district Mirzapur and ancient Ahirwara, derives its name from Ahir Zamindars.[9]

In the Braj-Ahirwal area, the largest Ahir subdivisions are Ghosis, Kamarias, Gwalvanshi and Nandvanshi Ahirs.[10]

Broadly, in India Abhir, Ahir, Charan, Gaddi Gaura, Gujar Ghosh-Ghosi, Goala, Gopi, Ghasi Gowari, Gujar, Gujjar, Iduyan,Kavundan etc. are classified as cattle herdsmen.[11]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "UP Polls: Congress trying to get caste calculus right; eyeing Kurmi and Muslim votes - Economic Times". articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  2. 1 2 Michelutti, Lucia (2002). Sons of Krishna: the politics of Yadav community formation in a North Indian town (PDF). London School of Economics and Political Science University of London. pp. 94,95. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  3. ↑ Janmajit Roy (2002). Theory of Avatāra and Divinity of Chaitanya. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. p. 157. ISBN 9788126901692.
  4. ↑ Sunil Kumar Bhattacharya (1996). Krishna-cult in Indian Art. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. p. 126. ISBN 9788175330016.
  5. ↑ Ravindra K. Jain (2002). Between History and Legend: Status and Power in Bundelkhand. Orient Blackswan,. p. 32. ISBN 9788125021940.
  6. ↑ Lucia Michelutti (2002). "Sons of Krishna: the politics of Yadav community formation in a North Indian town" (PDF). PhD Thesis Social Anthropology. London School of Economics and Political Science University of London. p. 95. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  7. ↑ Lucia Michelutti (2002). "Sons of Krishna: the politics of Yadav community formation in a North Indian town" (PDF). PhD Thesis Social Anthropology. London School of Economics and Political Science University of London. pp. 90–91. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  8. ↑ Akhtar Majeed, Jamia Hamdard (New Delhi, India). Centre for Federal Studies (2000). Coalition politics and power sharing. Manak Publications Pvt. Ltd., Original from the University of Michigan. p. 52. ISBN 9788186562963.
  9. ↑ Arvind Dass, Sita Deulkar (2002). Caste system: a holistic view. Dominant Publishers and Distributors, Original from the University of Michigan. p. 157. ISBN 9788178880297.
  10. ↑ Lucia Michelutti (2002). "Sons of Krishna: the politics of Yadav community formation in a North Indian town" (PDF). PhD Thesis Social Anthropology. London School of Economics and Political Science University of London. p. 93. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  11. ↑ Mahendra Lal Patel (2002). Global Perception of Tribal Research in India. Atlantic Publishers & Dist,. p. 75. ISBN 9788126900206.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Sunday, March 27, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.