"Ahir" (Sanskrit Abhira अभीर "fearless" (ਅਹੀਰ, अहीर) )[1][2][3][4] is a Hindu caste of Indo-Aryan origin, which is subgroup of Yadav. The name Ahir is derived from Abhira, a tribe mentioned several times in inscriptions and the Hindu sacred books.[5]
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Pāṇini, Kautilya and Patanjali mentioned Ahirs as followers of Bhagwat sect of Hindu religion. Greek historians' reference of Abisares are thought to be of Abhira Chief.[6][7] Recent excavations in Nepal and Deccan has revealed that Gupta suffix was common among Abhira kings, and Historian D. R. Regmi, links Imperial Guptas with Abhira-Guptas of Nepal.[8] The Indian census of 1931 counted 14 million Ahirs.[9]
In the opinion of Dr. Budh Prakash, the name of the State of Haryana may have been derived from Abhirayana, its ancient inhabitants having been Ahirs.[10] Ahirs ruled the whole of Haryana under the Mogul rule and later were declared as independent kings.[11] Max Muller, Christian Lassen, Mrs. Manning and many others have identified Abhira to be Ophir of Bible, which is the name of a country and also the name of a tribe.[12] Thakur Deshraj famous historian has mentioned that "Ahirs along with other tribes made a great contribution in building the state of Rajasthan" and suffered great difficulties in protecting their culture and the land.[13] The Indian census of 1931 counted 14 million Ahirs.[9]
An inscription of the Saka era 102. or AD 180, speaks of the grant made by the senapati or commander in chief of the state, who is called an Abhira, the locality being Sunda in Kathiawar. Another inscription found in Nasik and assigned by Reginald Edward Enthoven to the fourth century speaks of an Abhira king, and the Puranas say that after the Andhrabhrityas the Deccan was held by the Abhiras, the west coast tract from the Tapti to Deogarh being called by their name.[14] In the time of Samudragupta in the middle of the fourth century the Abhias were settled in Eastern Rajputana and Malwa.[15] When the Kathis arrived in Gujarat in the eighth century, they found the greater part of the country in the possession of the Ahirs.[14] In the Mirzapur District of the United Provinces a tract known as Ahraura is considered to be named after the trive; and near Jhansi another piece of the country is called Ahirwar.[16] Henry Miers Elliot states that Ahirs were Rajas of Nepal about the Commencement of our era.[14] The fort of Asirgarh in Nimar bordering Khandesh is supposed to have been found by one Asa Ahir, who lived in the beginning of the fifteenth century.
Yadu (Sanskrit: यदु) is one of the five Indo-Aryan tribes (panchajana, panchakrishtya or panchamanusha) mentioned in the Rig Veda[17] (I.54.6, I.108.7, X.62.10). The Mahabharata, the Harivamsha and the Puranas mention Yadu as the eldest son of king Yayati and his queen Devayani. The prince of King Yayati, Yadu was a self-respecting and a very established ruler. According to the Vishnu Purana, the Bhagavata Purana and the Garuda Purana Yadu had four sons, while according to the rest of the Puranas he had five sons. The names of his sons are: Sahasrajit (or Sahasrada), Kroshtu (or Kroshta),[18][19] Nila, Antika and Laghu.[20] The kings between Budha and Yayati were known as Somavanshi. According to a narrative found in the Mahabharata, and the Vishnu Purana, Yadu refused to exchange his years of youth with his father Yayati. So he was cursed by Yayati that none of Yadu's progeny shall possess the dominion under his father's command.[21] Thereby, he could not have carried on the same dynasty, called Somavamshi. Notably, the only remaining dynasty of King Puru was entitled to be known as Somavamshi. Thereby King Yadu ordered that the future generations of his would be known as Yadavs and the dynasty would be known as Yaduvamshi. The generations of Yadu had an unprecedented growth and got divided into two branches.
King Sasasrajit's descendants were named after his grandson Haihaya and were well known as the Haihayas.[18] King Kroshtu's descendants had no special name, but were known particularly as the "Yadavas",[18] According to P.L. Bhargava, when the original territory was partitioned between Sahasrajit and Kroshta, the former received the part lying to the western bank of the river Sindhu and the latter received the territory situated along the east bank of the river.[19] King Haihaya was Shatajit's son and Sahasrajit's grandson. King Sahasrajit instituted a new state and a new dynasty and offered the same, by his own will and against his birth right, to be taken care of by his younger brother Kroshta. Thereby, Kroshta officially became the heir of King Yadu. Consequently, the generations of King Puru, Paurav or Puruvanshi were the only ones to be known as Somvanshi.[22]
The regions where the Yadu clan settled is not certain, but certain scholars suggest that Yadu clan inherited the territories to the south-west of the Gangetic plains, between the Chambal River, Betwa and Ken, which correspond to the border areas of present Indian states of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The descendants of Yadu tribe (Yaduvanshi) include Krishna. Yadu-Dynasty belongs to the family deriving from Soma, identified with the moon god Chandra.Yaduvanshi Kshatriyas were originally "Ahirs".[23]
Several Chandravanshi castes and communities in modern India, such as the Sainis of Punjab,[24][25] Ahirs, Jadaun Rajputs, Yaduvanshi Ahirs,[26] Chudasama, Jadeja, Jadaun, Yadavs, Jadoon (Pathan) and Khanzada claim descent from Yadu.
Genealogical tree of Yadu According to Dr. Bhau Daji, these Yue-Chi appear to have been the Abhira.[27]
Reginald Edward Enthoven believes that Abhiras might have entered India from Afghanistan.[28][29] Indo-Greek king Agathocles found at Ai-Khanoum in Afghanistan depict Krishna and Balarama.[30] The pastoral setting of the stories about Krishna's childhood may have originated in legends of a god worshipped by the Abhira tribe.However Hugh Nevill says that it is probable the Abhoras on being removed from Mesopotamia, across the river,may have called themselves Abhira,as we know they did so in Scinde; while the branch in Afghanistan are spoked of in the Assyrian inscription as of "the land of Abhiruz".[31] Ramaprasad Chanda author of "The Indo-Aryan races" says that the Abhiras from whom the Gujaratis of our day have evidently sprung, were Aryan in speech and belonnged to the Indo-Afgan stock.[32] The Puranic Abhiras, have occupied the territories of Herat, which is probably a survival of their name, as they are invariably juxtaposed with the Kalatoyakas and Haritas — the peoples of Afghanistan.[33] Journal of the Department of Pali believes that the Abhiras came to India from some part of eastern Iran.[34] Skanda Purāṇa also puts Abhiras as one of the tribes of Afghanistan.[35]
The British Rulers of India classified the Ahirs amongst the "martial races"[36] It was a designation created by officials of British India to describe "races" that were thought to be naturally warlike and aggressive in battle, and to possess qualities like courage,physical strength, fighting tenacity and military strategy.In 1898, the British raised four Ahir companies, two of which were in 95th Russel Infantry.[37] According to historians like Crooke and Risley Ahirs of Mathura and Rajputana are characterized by tall stature, light brown complexion and finer features.[38]
The Ahirs may be seen to have continued their warrior tradition by their extensive participation in the Indian Army and police forces.[39] Since ancient time, as per Mahabharata, Ahirs(Abhiras) have been warriors; some were agriculturists and farmers. They are a subcaste of Dhangar and are not only found in the Kaatch (Kutch) area of western Gujarat, but also in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, Nepal.[40] In Maharashtra, Ahirs comprise a subgroup of the Dhangar caste system of India. Their role The Ahir community are present in large numbers in Terai, the plains that lie in the southern part of Nepal.[40]
The origin of the Ahir is controversial, with various scholars claiming different origins. Sir William Wilson Hunter propounded the Scythic Origin view by directly deriving Ahir from Ahi, which means snake in Sanskrit, and saying that snake worship compounded by other cultural facts, suggests scythic origin. However, J. C. Nesfield refutes it by saying that snake worship is not peculiar to scythics but a common practice all over India, and he also argues that it is absurd to derive Ahir from ahi, a Sanskrit word, when the original name of the community is Abhira, and Ahir its Prakrit corruption. He is of the view that Ahirs have purely Aryan origin. One study in Deccan Ahirs have found out existence of Totemistic septs, which is regarded as a sure sign of being Non-Aryan, seconded by existence of a sect called Romabans, which is the regular corruption of word romak, frequently found in Sanskrit works on astronomy, and identified by Prof. Weber to be the town Alexandria in Egypt, from where the science of astronomy was cultivated and from whom people of India borrowed the concepts of astronomy. It is argued that foreign hordes from Romak might have settled in India, and incorporated into Ahirs.[41] Sanskrit scholars in India however, have demurred this suggestion. Bhagwan Singh Suryavanshi, in his research, claims archaeological research in Deccan has revealed the presence of pastoral people of Neolithic era, who shares many attributes of Abhira. Hence, Abhira might have been present much earlier than what has been postulated so far. Finally he concludes, they spread from Indus to mathura, and migrated southward and eastward.[42] He also claims that similarity of culture and common belief that they are descendant of Lord Krishna, is the proof that they sprang from a common source. According to a theory advanced by A. P. Karmakar, Abhiras were a Proto Dravidian tribe, derived from Dravidian Ayir,[43] which means cowherd, he further argues, Aitareva Brahmin refers to Vasah, as the name of people, which in vedic literature means cow.
Finally, he concludes from Padma Purana, where Vishnu informed Abhiras, "I shall be born among you, O Abhiras, at Mathura in my eighth birth". D. R. Bhandarkar, supports the non-aryan origin theory, by directly relating Krishna, to Rig Veda's "Krishna Drapsah", where he fights Aryan God Indra. Added to this Karmakar, shows Harivamsa says Yadu was born of Harynasva and Madhumati, who was the daughter of Madhu. Madhu says all the territory of Mathura belongs to Abhiras.[44] Further, Mahabharata describes Abhira as forming one of the seven republics, Samsaptak Gunas, and as a friend of Matsyas, a pre-vedic tribe.[43]
The Abhiras split into both varna and jati categories; there were Abhira brahmins,[45][46][47] Abhira kshatriyas,[8][48][49] Abhira vaisyas,[50] Abhira carpentars and Goldsmiths.[51] For example Baradas Abhiras are of Rajput origin. They derive their name from acting as priests of Abhira.[52][53]
Abhira bhasha is in fact considered to be Apabhransha. In the 9th century BC., 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 6th century BC.
Besides scriptural evidences, historical and semi-historical evidence is available for equating Ahirs with Yadav. The term Ahir comes from Abhira (Bhandarkar, 1911;16), who where once found in different parts of India, and who in several places wielded political power. Ancient Sanskrit classic, Amarkosa, calls gwal, gopa and ballabh to be the synonym of Abhira.A Chudasama prince styled Ra Graharipu and Ruling at Vanthali near Junagarh described in the Dyashraya kavya of Hemachandra, describes him both as a Abhira and a Yadav.[41] Further, in their Bardic traditions as well as in popular stories Chudasmas are still called Ahir Ranas.[41] Again, many remains of Khandesh (historical stronghold of abhiras) are popularly believed to be of Gawli Raj, which archaeologically belongs to the Yadvas of Devgiri.[41] Hence, it is concluded that Yadavas of Devagiri were actually Abhiras. Portuguese Travellers account refers to Vijaynagar Emperors as Kannada Golla (Abhira). First historically traceable Yadav Dynasty are Trikuta, who were Abhira.
Moreover, there are sufficient number of clans within Ahirs, who trace their lineage from Yadu and Lord Krishna, some of which are mentioned in Mahabharata as Yadav Clans.[11]
Commenting on this Bhandarkar says, Krishna is the Hinduised form of Jesus Christ, whose teachings Abhira have brought from outside, at the beginning of Christian Era, because Krishna is called Christo near Weastern Coast, and Dalliance element in Krishna's life is inspired from traditions of Abhira tribe.
Ghurye, contradicts this by saying Abhira as a tribe is mentioned in the works of Patanjali, dated 150 BC, by most conservative sources, so they definitely haven't entered at the beginning of the Christian era and possibly their presence goes very far into antiquity. Also, proofs of Extra Marital relationships exists within genealogy of Yadus so it is wrong to say Abhira are the source of Dlliance element, and he fails to see the difference between Abhira and the tribe of Krishna.
However, Smith has raised two questions on this synthesis by above scholars. First, If Abhira are Yadavs then why Mahabharata mentions them having abducted wives and children of Krishna and second, why Abhira kings names are after Shiva and not Vishnu till as late as 800AD, who is a rival god.
Dr. J.N. Singh Yadav and MSA Rao has contradicted Smith by saying, Those Abhira who abducted Krishna's Wives and Children might be Yadavs who were supporters of Duryodhna, and they also shows there is no rivalry between Shiva and Krishna.Mahabharta says that those Abhiras who looted Arjuna were the supporters of the Kauravas.[43][54]
According to Sarat Chandra Roy (Rai Bahadur) the Gopas, whom Krishna had offered to Duryodhana to fight in his support when he himself joined Arjuna's side, were no other than the Yadavas themselves, who were also the Abhiras[55]
Hari Singh Bhati on closer inspection of the site of abduction near Indraprastha, as described in Mahabharata, along with Dr. Budh Prakash's identification of Haryana likely to be the post Mahabharata settlement, Abhirayana, of those Abhira, finds concentration of Yaduvanshi Ahirs in that area and says, all Yadvas post Mahabharata were descendants of those Abhira and abducted Vrisni women, hence they are both Abhira and Yadava.
P.A. Karmakar, shows in Padma Purana, Vishnu informs Abhira, saying, "O Abira, I'll be born among you in my eighth incarnation", and concludes Abhira and Yadava is same.
Abhiras are mentioned as warriors in support of Duryodhana. The Gopas, whom Krishna had offered to Duryodhana to fight in his support when he himself joined Arjuna's side, were no other than the Yadavas themselves, who were also the Abhiras.[56]</ref> Ramayana refers to Abhiras as Ugradarshana — Mlecchas and dasyus.[57] The Abhiras also have been described as Vratas. Pnaini mentions these Vratas as robbers. The Abhiras are said to have looted the train of Arjuna, the Pandava, when he was returning from Dwaraka being accompanied by some of the members of "Sri Krsna's family after the death of the latter.Abhiras are said to have waylaid Arjuna and deprived him of his treasure and beautiful women somewhere in Punjab.[54] Abhiras who looted Arjuna were the supporters of the Kauravas, and in the Mahabharata,[58] Abhir, Gopa, Gopal[59] and Yadavas are all synonyms.[43][43][60] They defeated the hero of Mahabharatha war,and did spare him when he disclosed the identity of the members of the family of Sri Krishna.[61]
From 203 to 270 the Abhiras ruled over the whole of deccan as a paramount power.In deccan Abhiras were the immediate successors of the Satavahanas.[62]
Abhira king Isvarasena of Nasik Inscription XV. was one of the Abhira conquerors of the Andhras who took from them to west Deccan.A migration of Abhiras from Ptolemy's Abiria in Upper Sindh through Sindh by sea to the Konkan and then to Nasik.[63] Abhira rule started about 203 AD following the end of Yajnasri Satakarni's reign and Abhira Isvarasena's accession took place in Saka 151 or 229 ADSakasena was the first abhira king.His inscriptions from Konkan and coins from Andhra Pradesh suggest that he ruled over the major part of the warstwhile Satavahana empire,It followed that Abhira Shivadatta founded the Abhira kingdom after Yajnasri in the Nasik-Konkan area.[64] Indradutta Traikutaka was probably the viceroy of the Abhiras in the Western Coastal regin of their kingdom assumed sovereignty at the end of Vasusena region.
Abhiras lived in the desert; but later they gradually pushed towards the south,In the 1st and 2nd centuries AD; Aberia or the abhira country lay not far from Saurastra.[29] Abiria of Abhira country was ruled over by western Kshatrapas to Saka rulers of western India, who seem to have held sway over the whole realm of Indo-Scythians of the Greek geographer Ptolemy.[65] It is the south-eastern portion of Gujarat near the mouth of the river Narmada. According to some scholars, it is the Abiria of the Greeks.
It was lying to the east of the Indus above the insular portion formed by its bifurcation Abiria is Ophir (Mc Crindle. Ancient India as described by Ptolemy. Later epigraphic evidences places the Abhira country in the west but the Puranas seem to locate it in the north.[66]
According to Mahabharatha (II ch. 31) the abhiras lived near the seashore and on the bank of the Saraswati,a river near Somnath in Gujarat.[60]
The Abhiras were a strong and powerful people with well-built bodies[4] and originally lived in the desert.[29] Mahabharata (IX, 37, 1) locates the Abhiras in western Rajputana where the river Sarasvati disappears.[60][67] and north eastern Sind.[43] In Samudragupta's time (c. AD 350) the Abhiras lived in Rajputana and Malava on the western frontier of the Gupta empire.[68] Historian Dineshchandra Sircar thinks of Abiravan between Herat[69] and Kandahar which may have been the original home of the Abhiras.[29] Their occupation of Rajasthan also at later date is evident from the Jodhpur[70] inscription of Samvat 918, that the Abhira people of the area were a terror to their neighbours, because of their violent demeanour.[69][71] Abhiras of Rajputana were sturdy and regarded as Mlecchas, and carried on anti Brahmancial activities.As a result, life and property became unsafe. Pargiter points to the Pauranic tradition that the Yadavas, while retreating northwards after the Kurukshetra war from their western home in Dwarka and Gujarat, were attacked and broken up by the rude Abhiras of Rajasthan.[72]
At Osian (about 52 kilometres north-west of Jodhpur) many temples with fine sculptures attract a visitor. Two sculptures particularly attract the visitors — one depicts a daughter of the Abhiras with her charming poise and attractive body.[73]
The Abhiras did not stop in Rajasthan; some of their clans moved south and west reaching Saurastra and Maharastra and taking service under the Satavahanas and the Kshatrapas.[74] Also founded a kingdom in the northern part of the Maratha country, and an inscription of the ninth year of the Abhira King Ishwarsena.[75][76]