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Yadavs of Nepal

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Yadavs of Nepal
Total population
1,228,581[1]
Regions with significant populations
  Nepal
Languages
Maithili, Bajjika, Bhojpuri
Religion
Hinduism
Related ethnic groups
other Indo-Aryan peoples

Yadavs of Nepal (Nepali: नेपाली यादव), also known as Ahir or Gopa and Gowala, are a grouping of Nepalese middle castes under the terai Madheshi subdivision.[2][3] According to the 2021 Nepal census, 1,228,581 people (4.21% of the population of Nepal) identified as Yadav.[4]

History

Origin

According to Vedic literatures, the Yadavs are the descendants of Yadu, the eldest son of King Yayati. The Yadavs of Nepal have intimate connections with the Yadavs of Bihar, and many Yadavs from Bihar have migrated to Nepal.[5] In Nepal, the terms Yadav, Ahir, and Gopa are often used synonymously for the same caste.[6][7] They trace their origin to Lord Krishna of the Yadu tribe mentioned in Hindu scriptures.[8] The ancient history of Krishnaram Marauti, Saptari and evidences from the story king Sahlesh, a king of Mithila region, proves the presence of Yadavs in the Madhesh much before the formation of present day modern Nepal.[9]

According to David Mandelbaum, the association of the Yadav (and their constituent castes, Ahir and Gwala) with cattle has impacted their commonly viewed ritual status (varna) as Shudra, although the community's members often claim the higher status of Kshatriya. The Shudra status is explained by the nomadic nature of herdsmen, which constrained the ability of other groups in the varna system to validate the adherence to practices of ritual purity; by their involvement in castration of the animals, which was considered to be a ritually polluting act; and because the sale of milk, as opposed to personal use thereof, was thought to represent economic gain from a sacrosanct product.[10]

List of dynasties

Historically, the Ahirs are considered as early ruler of Kathmandu valley. The Gopala dynasty was the first dynasty of Nepal, who were succeeded by the Mahisapala dynasty.[11] These Gopalas and Mahisapalas were together known as Abhiras.[12] During lichhavi period names of many de facto rulers of Abhira-gupta dynasty are mentioned in inscription.[13] These Abhiras occupied the higher position and overshadowed the Lichhavi kings in the administration.[13]

Subdivision

Ahirs in Nepal are mainly divided into three subcastes: Majhraut, Krishnaut and Ghosin.[17] Some other sub-castes are also found in small numbers such as Kannaujiya, Dhadhor, and Goria.

Culture

The Kings of Gopala Dynasty were devotees of Lord Shiva.[18]

Population

The Central Bureau of Statistics of Nepal classifies the Yadav as a subgroup within the broader social group of Madheshi Other Caste.[19] At the time of the 2011 Nepal census, 1,054,458 people (4.0% of the population of Nepal) were Yadav. The frequency of Yadavs by province was as follows:

The frequency of Yadavs was higher than national average (4.0%) in the following districts:[20]

Notable people

Politics

  • Manju Kumari (Yadav), Member of Public Service Commission(present), former Member of National Women Commission, Nepal.
  • Matrika Prasad Yadav, politician and ex-minister.
  • Chitra Lekha Yadav, Ambassador of Nepal in Australia, Ex- Education Minister of Nepal.
  • Pradeep Yadav (Nepalese politician), currently Minister of Water Supply of Nepal. Ex-Minister for Health and Population of Nepal.

Sports

See also

References

  1. ^ National Statistics Office (2021). National Population and Housing Census 2021, Caste/Ethnicity Report. Government of Nepal (Report).
  2. ^ Acharya, Meena (1999). Women in Nepal. Asian Development Bank, Programs Department West and Office of Environment and Social Development. ISBN 978-971-561-268-5.
  3. ^ Dastider, Mollica (2007). Understanding Nepal: Muslims in a Plural Society. Har-Anand Publications. ISBN 978-81-241-1271-7.
  4. ^ National Statistics Office (2021). National Population and Housing Census 2021, Caste/Ethnicity Report. Government of Nepal (Report).
  5. ^ Rao, M. S. A. (1987). Social Movements and Social Transformation: A Study of Two Backward Classes Movements in India. Manohar. ISBN 978-0-8364-2133-0. The Yadavas of Nepal have intimate connections with the Yadavas of Bihar, and many Yadavas from Bihar have migrated to Nepal.
  6. ^ Yadav, Sohan Ram (1992). Rural and Agrarian Social Structure of Nepal. Commonwealth Publishers. ISBN 978-81-7169-174-6.
  7. ^ Gurung, Harka B. (1996). Faces of Nepal. Himal Books. ISBN 978-99933-43-50-9.
  8. ^ Rao, M. S. A. (1987). Social Movements and Social Transformation: A Study of Two Backward Classes Movements in India. Manohar. ISBN 978-0-8364-2133-0.
  9. ^ "सप्तरीको कृष्णाराम मरौटी उपेक्षाकाे चपेटामा".
  10. ^ Mandelbaum, David Goodman (1970). Society in India. Vol. 2. University of California Press. pp. 442–443. ISBN 978-0-520-01623-1.
  11. ^ Khatri, Tek Bahadur (1973). The Postage Stamps of Nepal. Sharada Kumari K.C.
  12. ^ Nepalese Culture : Annual Journal of NeHCA. Nepalese History, Culture and Archaeology Instruction Committee, Kirtipur Campus, T.U. 1985.
  13. ^ a b Béguin, Gilles (1997). Nepal: Valley of Gods. India Book Distributors. ISBN 978-81-7310-115-1.
  14. ^ Satyal, Yajna Raj (1988). Tourism in Nepal: A Profile. Nath Publishing House.
  15. ^ Vaidya, Tulasī Rāma (1985). Crime and Punishment in Nepal: A Historical Perspective. Bini Vaidya and Purna Devi Manandhar.
  16. ^ Mukherjee, Bikash (1993). Religious Centres of North India: Buddhist, Jaina, and Brahmanical Based on Archaeological and Literary Sources. Ramanand Vidya Bhawan. ISBN 978-81-85205-58-8.
  17. ^ Śreshṭha, Īśvara Govinda (1990). Rājavaṃśī (in Nepali). Jamunā Śreshṭha Jośī.
  18. ^ Bhattarai, Muralidhar (1960). Lectures on Nepal-culture. World Friendship Association] Vikram 2017.
  19. ^ Population Monograph of Nepal, Volume II
  20. ^ 2011 Nepal Census, District Level Detail Report
  21. ^ "Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav Elected As Nepal's Third Vice-President". news.abplive.com. 2023-03-17. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
  22. ^ "Lahan Blast: Pamphlets of Jay Krishna Goit-led Janatantrik Tarai Mukti Morcha recovered from incident site". 8 August 2024.
  23. ^ "Bibek Yadav Profile - Cricket Player Nepal | Stats, Records, Video".
  24. ^ "स्थानीय तह निर्वाचन २०७९ | निर्वाचन विवरण तथा नतिजा".
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