Examine individual changes

'{{short description|Ahir subdivision}} {{use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}{{use Indian English|date=May 2024}} '''Gwalvanshi Ahir'''<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=UO-3tv_esi4C&q=Gwalbans&redir_esc=y |title=Ames Library Pamphlet Collection: consists of extracts from the Journal of the United Service Institution of India, v.1-12, 1871-1883 |date=1764 |language=en}}</ref> is a dominant subdivison<ref>{{Cite book |last=Maurya |first=Sahab Deen |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&id=l_frAAAAMAAJ&dq=Gwalbans+Ahir&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=Gwalbans |title=Population and Housing Problems in India |date=1989 |publisher=Chugh Publications |isbn=978-81-85076-77-5 |language=en}}</ref> of [[Ahir]]s.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Maheshwari |first=Anil |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=QqJhEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT66&dq=Gwalvanshi&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiF6qL_noyGAxX1TGwGHVduBZ0Q6AF6BAgOEAM#v=onepage&q=Gwalvanshi&f=false |title=Uttar Pradesh Elections 2022: More than a State At Stake (UP Elections) |date=2022-01-20 |publisher=Om Books International |isbn=978-93-91258-48-1 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Bhrigupati |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wxOXoAEACAAJ&newbks=0&hl=en |title=Poverty and the Quest for Life: Spiritual and Material Striving in Rural India |date=2015-04-06 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |isbn=978-0-226-19454-7 |language=en}}</ref> They are populated in [[North-Western Provinces]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Risley |first=Sir Herbert Hope |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?redir_esc=y&id=ySQ-AAAAYAAJ&q=Kishnaut#v=onepage&q&f=false |title=The Tribes and Castes of Bengal: Ethnographic Glossary |date=1892 |publisher=Printed at the Bengal secretariat Press |language=en}}</ref> and in Oudh ([[Awadh]]).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Crooke |first=William |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=tCc-AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA4&dq=Oudh+Ah%C3%ADrs&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwis67XZiKqEAxXWS2wGHT2aALEQ6AF6BAgHEAM#v=onepage&q=Oudh%20Ah%C3%ADrs%20are%20generally&f=false |title=An Ethnographical Hand-book for the N.-W. Provinces and Oudh |date=1890 |publisher=North-Western provinces and Oudh government Press |language=en}}</ref> [[File:Sarpanch Bechai Yadav.jpg|thumb|Chaudhari Bechai Yadav, Zamindar of Barbojhi, Muhammadabad, [[Mau district|Mau]] (Old [[Azamgarh district|Azamgarh]])]] == Origin == '''Gwal''' families are living alongwith the [[Gonds]].since long time among the villages, ''Russell'' has also mentioned that " the ''Gowaris'' are admittedly descended from the unions of [[Gonds]] and Ahirs" (1916:160-61). He goes on to mention that gowal or [[Gowar]] caste is '''mixed''' descent from Ahirs and [[gonds]].<ref>https://books.google.co.in/books?id=72DFmlOlViEC&pg=PA372&dq=gowari+gwal&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjf0fOCm6WGAxUUr1YBHeWrAlgQ6wF6BAgNEAU#v=onepage&q=gowari%20gwal&f=false</ref><ref>https://books.google.co.in/books?id=GulBDMgxcU0C&pg=PA192&dq=gwala+gwar&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi48eL3m6WGAxW5sVYBHeFaAnEQ6wF6BAgIEAU#v=onepage&q=gwala%20gwar&f=false</ref> In ''Bijnor'' the Gual or [[Gwal]] have a '''low''' '''status''' because according to legend their lineage is linked to the [[servants]] (cattle herders) of the true Ahirs.<ref>https://books.google.co.in/books?id=NenzO2grTOMC&pg=PA54&dq=gual+ahirs&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwja4ebOlqOGAxXyzjgGHdOdAHAQ6wF6BAgJEAU#v=onepage&q=gual%20ahirs&f=false</ref> 'Gual or [[gwala]] Caste' is also mentioned as the '''Scheduled''' '''Caste''' under the castes of [[Uttar Pradesh]] in the Schedule attached to the Government of India ''Act'' ''1935''.<ref>https://books.google.co.in/books?id=2xSZqwkA5VwC&pg=PA69&dq=gual+ahirs&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiJwqTYmaOGAxW-zDgGHUW1D_U4ChDrAXoECAkQBQ#v=onepage&q=gual%20ahirs&f=false</ref> The Gwalvanshi Ahirs claim their descent from the [[cowherd ]]s of [[Braj]]''.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Ibbetson |first1=Sir Denzil |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1QmrSwFYe60C&q=Gu%C3%A1lbansi+Mathura&pg=PA5 |title=Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North West Frontier Province |last2=Maclagan |date=1990 |publisher=Asian Educational Services |isbn=978-81-206-0505-3 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Michelutti |first=Lucia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sOYJEAAAQBAJ&q=the+mythical+Gopas+and+Gopis+of+Gokul&pg=PT80 |title=The Vernacularisation of Democracy: Politics, Caste and Religion in India |date=2020-11-29 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-000-08400-9 |language=en}}</ref>'' == History == ==== Mirzapur ==== According to [[Harisen]] a 4th century Sanskrit poet and an important member of the Rajya Sabha of Samudra Gupta, Ahraura Pargana was originally occupied by the [[Kol]] community. Apart from the name, it has no connection with [[Abhira]].<ref>https://books.google.co.in/books?id=VXwuAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA890&dq=ahraura+mirzapur+kols&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiW_7a_77eGAxV9-DgGHYqfImkQ6wF6BAgLEAU#v=onepage&q=ahraura%20mirzapur%20kols&f=false</ref> According to [[Ain-i-Akbari]], they were [[zamindar]]s of the Ahirwara pargana (present [[Ahraura]]) in [[Mirzapur]] district of [[Uttar Pradesh]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5tocAQAAMAAJ&q=Ahir+Zamindars |title=Contemporary Social Sciences |date=1978 |publisher=Research Foundation of India |language=en}}</ref> Their khap chaudharis held the title of 'Mahtus' clan of ahir in Agori pargana of the old Mirzapur.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sherring |first=Matthew Atmore |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=VYnlAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=Hindu+Tribes+and+Castes+In+Benaras&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwih6oyN0aKFAxXy3jgGHQ-KCogQ6AF6BAgHEAM#v=onepage&q&f=false |title=Hindu Tribes and Castes |date=1872 |publisher=Thacker, Spink & Company |language=en}}</ref> ==== Varanasi ==== '''Gwalbans''' are found in lower Doäb, [[Awadh]], and [[Bihar]]. [[Gwalbansi]] septs no special military qualities and are now only enlisted as '''bullock'''-'''drivers'''; but the [[Jädubans]] of Gurgaon make excellent '''soldiers'''<ref>https://archive.org/details/dli.csl.5866/page/n49/mode/1up?q=gwalbans+jadubans</ref> <ref>https://archive.org/details/dli.csl.5866/page/n56/mode/1up?q=gwalbans+jadubans</ref> They also made [[Warren Hastings]] fled from [[Varanasi]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-16 |title=Historical episodes that PM spoke about in Kashi - Civilsdaily |url=https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/historical-episodes-that-pm-spoke-about-in-kashi/ |access-date=2024-05-14 |language=en-US}}</ref> When [[Goswami Tulsidas]] was taken hostage by Muslim soldiers of Akbar in Varanasi, they were the ones who made him free by attacking on the Muslim force.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Tripathi |first=Anand Prakash |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=Xo4hAAAAMAAJ&q=%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%B0+%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%82&dq=%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%B0+%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%82&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj58J2GjKqEAxXrTGwGHcdECD4Q6AF6BAgNEAM#%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%B0%20%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%82 |title=Amr̥talāla Nāgara ke upanyāsa |date=1981 |publisher=Ānanda Prakāśana |language=hi}}</ref> As zamindars in the Varanasi district, they held properties like the Kashikarvat.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?redir_esc=y&id=85FOAAAAYAAJ&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=+%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%9B+%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0+ |title=Mere sākshātkāra: Rāma Vilāsa Śarmā |date=1994 |publisher=Kitāba Ghara |language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Vyāsa |first=Kedāranātha |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=eGpuAAAAMAAJ&q=%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%B0+%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0&redir_esc=y |title=Kāśīkhaṇḍokta Pañcakrośātmaka Jyotirliṅga Kāśīmāhātmya evaṃ Kāśī kā prācīna itihāsa |date=1986 |publisher=Kedāranātha Vyāsa |language=hi}}</ref> In the Hindi speaking community of Banaras, the word Sardar means two different kinds of people, one with ji and the other without ji. A person addressed as Sardar is a milkman gwala and a person addressed as Sardar ji is a Dhadhor Ahir.<ref>https://books.google.co.in/books?id=p64zAAAAIAAJ&q=sardar+banaras+milkman&dq=sardar+banaras+milkman&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjNtP6eqLKGAxVF3TgGHbwpCF4Q6wF6BAgNEAU#sardar%20banaras%20milkman</ref> They were called Sardars in Kashi.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mukharji Viswanath |url=http://archive.org/details/dli.ernet.430057 |title=Bana Rahe Banaras |date=1958 |publisher=Bhartiya Gyanpith Kashi}}</ref> ==== Basti ==== In '''Gonda''', as in Basti, the [[Gwalbans]] sub-division are careful and ''laborious'' husbandmen. Although more numerous in [[Gonda]] and [[basti]] than in any other part of [[Oudh]], they own [[no]] [[land]] in this '''district'''.<ref>https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.181585/page/n147/mode/1up?q=gwalbans</ref><ref>https://books.google.co.in/books?id=tPNrAAAAMAAJ&q=gwalbans+basti&dq=gwalbans+basti&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjbhJf91KKGAxWf9DgGHTg_CmYQ6wF6BAgNEAU#gwalbans%20basti</ref> '''Dhadhor''' ahir clan to hold extensive land they were called ''Bhumidar'' in the [[Basti district|Basti]] district of [[Uttar Pradesh]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Desai |first=Akshayakumar Ramanlal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TD9uAAAAMAAJ&q=the+Kurmis+and+Ahirs+Bhumidar |title=Agrarian Struggles in India After Independence |date=1986 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-561681-1 |language=en}}</ref> ==== Ayodhya ==== Them in the Faizadad pargana (in today's [[Ayodhya]] district) '''dhadhor'' ahir landlords claimed to be descended from an [[Ahir]] raja of [[Viratnagar|Berat]] (Rajasthan). Another account is, that they were settled there by Raja Chandra Sen.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sherring |first=Matthew Atmore |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VYnlAAAAMAAJ&q=Pargannah+Fyzab%C3%A2d+Berat |title=Hindu Tribes and Castes |date=1872 |publisher=Thacker, Spink & Company |language=en}}</ref> ==== Azamgarh ==== In the [[Azamgarh district]], they have a tradition that their ancestors were once the ruling race, holding the same position that Rajputs hold now. They also own the most of the land in Azamgarh district. In the Gopalpur pargana of Azamgarh, they held as much land as the other three castes (Rajputs, [[Brahmin|Brahmins]] & Kayasths) combined together..95% of people in azamgadh district are gwala.2% kurmi caste hold a equal land to the gwala. <ref>{{Cite book |last=D L Drake Brockman |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.281260 |title=Azamgarh A Gazetteer District Gazetteers Of The United Provinces Of Arra And Oudh Vol Xxxiii |date=1911}}</ref> ==== Jaunpur ==== ''Dhadhor''' ahir clan In [[Jaunpur district|Jaunpur]], hold a big land enlisted as 'big zamindars with hundreds of acres of land'<ref>https://books.google.co.in/books?id=zhnsXQOa3KgC&q=%E0%A4%A2%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A2%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%B0&dq=%E0%A4%A2%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A2%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%B0&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjVl_am87eGAxUbzDgGHbm3CvQQ6wF6BAgPEAU#%E0%A4%A2%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A2%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%B0</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Ahmad |first=Iqbal |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=zhnsXQOa3KgC&newbks=0&hl=en&redir_esc=y |title=Śarkī rājya Jaunapura kā itihāsa |date=1968 |publisher=Śīrāja Hinda Prakāśana Bhavana |language=hi}}</ref> ==== Lakhimpur Kheri ==== Ahbaran was a dhadhor and ghosi Ahir chieftain of Khairigarh. He laid siege to Kheri (Khairigarh) which was under the [[Mughal Empire]] and had a strong independent rule over the region. Akbar mentioned him as a cruel king.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hunter |first=William Wilson |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=VtQMAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA131&dq=Ahbaran+Kundanpur&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&ovdme=1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjAidnY0KmGAxV6T2wGHYHVBZ8Q6AF6BAgKEAM#v=onepage&q=Ahbaran%20Kundanpur&f=false |title=The Imperial Gazetteer of India |date=1886 |publisher=Trübner & Company |language=en}}</ref> ==== Sitapur ==== In Awadh's Khairabad province, the propreitors of parganas of Pali and Bawan in [[Ain-i-Akbari]] were '''Dhadhor''' Ahirs.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&ovdme=1&id=3R9uAAAAMAAJ&dq=Kharkhila+ahir&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=+ahir |title=Uttar Pradesh District Gazetteers: Sitapur |date=1964 |publisher=Government of Uttar Pradesh |language=en}}</ref> == Military History == From the [[United Provinces (1937–1950)|United Provinces]], they were also ones who were recruited in the [[First World War]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Roy |first=Kaushik |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rVZxDwAAQBAJ&q=indian+army+and+the+first+world+war+kaushik+roy |title=Indian Army and the First World War: 1914–18 |date=2018-06-29 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-909367-0 |language=en}}</ref> Their special companies were also made and that class yielded more successful results than any other.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Newul Kishore Press |first=Lucknow |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.208555 |title=Indias Services In The War Vol-iii |date=1922}}</ref> == Physical Appearance == ===Physical Appearance=== '''Gwala''' are more numerous in any ''villages'' and ''blocks''.Generally they have a '''dark''' '''colour''', ''stout body'' and a '''medium height''' with ''small hair'' on the ''head''. Their womenfolk have a fairer complexion as compared with the males. They do not observe purdah and '''work''' freely with their husbands in the '''field'''.<ref>https://books.google.co.in/books?id=sekcAQAAMAAJ&q=dhandol+gwal&dq=dhandol+gwal&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiP7-yctqOGAxVSzDgGHZraAu4Q6wF6BAgGEAU#%20gwal</ref> Carleton S. Coon once stated about [[Ahir]]s of Senapur (a village in [[Jaunpur district|Jaunpur]] which is predominated by '''Dhadhor''' Ahirs)<ref name=":0" /> that: Ahirs are, in average, quite light in skin color and pride themselves on their physical superiorty to other groups. Their robustness is usually attributed to the active, outdoor life they lead, but undoubtedly the greater amount of dairy products that they have at their disposal has some influence. The Ahirs are the athletes of Senapur. They excel at wrestling, at fencing with staves, at jumping, and at acrobatics of all kinds.<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/readeringenerala0000unse |title=a reader in general anthropology |date=1948 }}</ref> == Present circumstances == They were farmers and land-holders in [[Purvanchal|Eastern Uttar Pradesh]]. At the turn of the century, they took up other occupations, including business in a big way.<ref>Ratan Mani Lal (11 May 2014). "[https://www.firstpost.com/politics/azamgarh-why-mulayam-cannot-take-yadav-votes-for-granted-1517631.html Azamgarh: Why Mulayam cannot take Yadav votes for granted]"</ref><ref>Lucia Michelutti, [https://etheses.lse.ac.uk/2106/1/U613338.pdf Sons of Krishna: the politics of Yadav community formation in a North Indian town] (2002) London School of Economics and Political Science University of London, p.90-98</ref> == Notable people == *[[Sandeep Tulsi Yadav]], first ever medalist in [[Greco-Roman wrestling|Greco-Roman]] category from India<ref>{{Cite web |last=Agarwal |first=Madhav |date=2013-09-24 |title=Greco-Roman hopes to build on Sandeep's bronze |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/sport/2013/Sep/24/greco-roman-hopes-to-build-on-sandeeps-bronze-521089.html |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> *[[Narsingh Yadav|Nar Singh Yadav]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-10-21 |title=The Hindu : Sport : Yogeshwar, Narsingh land gold |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101021001208/http://www.hindu.com/2010/10/10/stories/2010101055551300.htm |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=web.archive.org}}</ref> *Ravindrapal Singh Yadav<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-05-08 |title=Moscow Olympic gold medallist former hockey player Ravinder Pal Singh succumbs to COVID |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/hockey/top-stories/moscow-olympic-gold-medallist-former-hockey-player-ravinder-pal-singh-succumbs-to-covid/articleshow/82474953.cms |access-date=2024-04-04 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> * [[Ahir|Sardar Bachau Yadav]]<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Comar |first=Savitri |date=2018-09-07 |title=Bir Babas Of Banaras Diane Marjori Cocarie ( Thesis) |url=https://archive.org/details/birbabasofbanarasdianemarjoricocariethesis_202003_459_O/page/236/mode/1up?q=In+the+Banaras |access-date=2023-10-22 |website=Bir Babas Of Banaras}}</ref> *[[Revolutionary|Jivaram Ahir]]<ref name=":4">{{Cite book |last=Division |first=Publications |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xiIPDgAAQBAJ |title=WHO'S WHO OF INDIAN MARTYRS Vol 3 |publisher=Publications Division Ministry of Information & Broadcasting |isbn=978-81-230-2182-9 |language=en}}</ref> *[[Revolutionary|Kishun Ahir]]<ref name=":4" /> *[[Ram Naresh Yadav]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ram Naresh Yadav Death Anniversary: Remembering Former UP CM Who Travelled In Rickshaw To Governor House For Oath Taking & Resignation |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/ram-naresh-yadav-death-anniversary-remembering-former-up-cm-who-travelled-in-rickshaw-to-governor-house-for-oath-taking-resignation |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=Free Press Journal |language=en}}</ref> *[[Roop Nath Singh Yadav]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-03-03 |title=Empowering India - Making democracy meaningful, Know our Representative & Candidate |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303221431/http://www.empoweringindia.org/new/Pconstituency.aspx?eid=677&cid=55 |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=web.archive.org}}</ref> *[[Shyam Singh Yadav]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-05-24 |title=Jaunpur Election Results 2019: BSP's Shyam Singh Yadav seals victory by a margin of 80936 votes |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/elections/article/jaunpur-up-election-2019-jaunpur-election-results-candidates-voter-population-polling-percentage/414391 |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=www.timesnownews.com |language=en}}</ref> *[[Parasnath Yadav|Paras Nath Yadav]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=जौनपुर: पूर्व सांसद और विधायक पारसनाथ यादव का निधन, पूर्वांचल के 'मिनी मुलायम' के तौर पर थे फेमस |url=https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/state/uttar-pradesh/others/former-mp-and-samajwadi-party-leader-parasnath-yadav-died/articleshow/76338623.cms |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=Navbharat Times |language=hi}}</ref> *[[Ramakant Yadav (politician)|Ramakant Yadav]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-11-13 |title=Detailed Profile - Shri Ramakant Yadav - Members of Parliament (Lok Sabha) - Who's Who - Government: National Portal of India |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113210351/https://archive.india.gov.in/govt/loksabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=531 |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=web.archive.org}}</ref> *[[Ahir]] [[zamindar]] of Lonhada, Kada Manikpur, [[Kaushambi district|Kaushambi]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=मिला तेज से तेज- Mila Tej se Tej {{!}} Exotic India Art |url=https://www.exoticindiaart.com/book/details/mila-tej-se-tej-aza896/ |access-date=2024-03-13 |website=www.exoticindiaart.com |language=en}}</ref> *[[Ahir]] [[zamindar]]s of [[Jaunpur district|Jaunpur]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=H.R. Nevill |url=http://archive.org/details/dli.ministry.08388 |title=Jaunpur: a Gazetteer being volume XXVIII of the District Gazetteers of the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh |date=1908 |publisher=Allahabad, Superintendent Government Press}}</ref> *[[Revolutionary|Khedan Ahir]]<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nfvZvuJEGegC&q=%E0%A4%96%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8+%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%B0 |title=भारतीय शहीदों का परिचय |date=2009 |publisher=प्रकाशन विभाग, सूचना और प्रसारण मंत्रालय, भारत सरकार |isbn=978-81-230-1511-8 |language=hi}}</ref> == Culture == The Goyala or [[gwala]] people celebrate a festival every year on the day of ''Diwali''. This festival is called [[Gaidhar]] in the local language and [[Gokarira]] in ''Sanskrit''. On this occasion the '''gwala''' people tie the legs of a [[pig]] and drive their cattle over it until it dies. After that they [[boil][ it in the fields and [[eat]] it.<ref>https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.726/page/n215/mode/1up?q=goyalas</ref> They sing [[Lorikayan|Loriki]] and Birahas.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Beissinger |first1=Margaret |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ncMPfjLn_M0C&dq=Gwal+Ahir&pg=PA136 |title=Epic Traditions in the Contemporary World: The Poetics of Community |last2=Tylus |first2=Jane |last3=Wofford |first3=Susanne Lindgren |date=1999-03-31 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-21038-7 |language=en}}</ref> They have started the [[Ramlila|Ramleela]] at Chaukaghat (Nati Imli) in [[Varanasi district|Varanasi]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Arya |first=Banarasi Lal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YmcdAAAAMAAJ&q=%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9F%E0%A5%80+%E0%A4%87%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%80+%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA+%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%B0 |title=Mahārāja Balavanta Siṃha aura Kāśī kā atīta |date=1975 |publisher=Āryā |language=hi}}</ref> They also actively participate in the ''Bharat Milaap'' done in the Ramleela.<ref name=":2" /> They are great devotee of Radha-Krishna.<ref name=":3" /> Most of the Ahir Birs (deities who died gloriously) in [[Purvanchal|Eastern Uttar Pradesh]] were Gwalvanshi Ahirs only.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Coccari |first=Diane Marjorie |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1QFtAAAAMAAJ&q=In+the+Banaras+area,+the+Gwal+Ahir+were+most |title=The Bir Babas of Banaras: An Analysis of a Folk Deity in North Indian Hinduism |date=1986 |publisher=University of Wisconsin--Madison |language=en}}</ref> They also wore the [[Upanayana|Janeo]] (the sacred-thread) and hence were called as "Janeodhari Ahirs". Which firmly places them within the kshatriya sect of the varna system.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lacey |first=W. g |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.56026 |title=Census Of India 1931 Vol.7 Bihar And Orissa Pt.1 Report |date=1933}}</ref> == Kuldevi == Their clan deity ([[Kuldevi]]) is Mata [[Vindhyavasini|Vindhyavasini Jogmaya]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Saraswati |first=Baidyanath |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vEtuAAAAMAAJ&q=%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%80+%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%80 |title=Bhoga-moksha samabhava: Kaśī kā sāmājika-sāṃskr̥tika svarūpa |date=2000 |publisher=Ḍī Ke. Prinṭavarlḍa |isbn=978-81-246-0151-8 |language=hi}}</ref> == References == {{reflist}} [[Category:Ethnic groups in India]]'