Religions Hinduism | ||
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Languages Hindi, Bhojpuri, Brajbhasha and Ahirwati Populated states Near Delhi, Ahirwal, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar Subdivisions Krishnavanshi or Yaduvanshi Ahir | ||
The term Hindu Ghosi (or Ghoshi, Ghosee, Ghosi Thakur, Ghosi Yadav) refers to a community of the Hindu Ahir caste.
Contents
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. Kamariyas, who used to live a nomadic lifestyle, and unlike Ghosis were mostly uncivilized, are regarded as having lower status than the Ghosis.
Myth of origin
Ghosi trace their origin to King Nanda, the professed ancestor of Yaduvanshi Ahirs. They also claim their importance saying that the sacred texts have mentioned them under the name of Ghosas. The term Ghosa refers to a settlement of the Abhira people or a temporary encampment of cowherds, which was the occupation of those people.
Colonial description
The largest subdivisions of Ahirs in Braj-Ahirwal area are the Ghosi, Kamariya, Phataks and Nandvanshis. However today they all recognise themselves to be Yaduvanshi or Krishnavanshi Yadavs.
In the Braj-Ahirwal region, the Ghosi and other subdivisions of Ahirs were gradually absorbed into the Nandvanshi category of landlords and into the Yaduvanshi subdivision as a consequence of British so-called "official" ethnographies and racial theories. The landlords liked the Nandvanshi title because they considered it to be prestigious.
Distribution
Ghosi Ahirs are mainly found in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar states in India. In Utttar the latter two, they usually refer to themselves as Yadavs..
In the Braj-Ahirwal area, the Ghosi are among the largest Ahir subdivisions, along with the Kamariyas, Gwalvanshis and Nandvanshis.