Hindu Ghosi
ReligionsHinduism
LanguagesHindi, Bhojpuri, Brajbhasha
Populated statesNear Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar
SubdivisionsMukhia, Charia, Ghurcharhe, Rawat etc.

The Hindu Ghosi or Ghosi Thakur[1] is a sub-caste of the Hindu Ahir (Yadav) caste in the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. They are divided into various clans (section) and lineages.

Origin

They claim descent from Nandji, the foster father of Krishna.[2]

They also claim their importance saying that the sacred texts have mentioned them under the name of Ghosas.[3] The term Ghosa refers to a settlement of the Abhira people[4] or a temporary encampment of cowherds, which was the occupation of those people.[5]

Colonial description

Krishna with Yasoda and Nandji, the professod ancestor of Ghosis

The largest subdivisions of Yaduvansh in Braj-Ahirwal area are the Ghosi, Kamariya, Phataks and Nandvanshis. However today they all recognise themselves to be Yaduvanshi or Krishnavanshi Yadavs.[6][7]

In the Braj-Ahirwal region, the Ghosi and other subdivisions of Yaduvansh 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 Yaduvanshi title because they considered it to be prestigious.[8][7]

Distribution

In the Braj-Ahirwal area, the Ghosi are among the largest subdivisions of Yadav along with the Kamariyas, Gwalvanshis and Nandvanshis.[9][7]

See also

References

  1. ^ SurvaVanshi, Bhagwansingh (1962). Abhiras their history and culture.
  2. ^ Ibbetson, Sir Denzil; Maclagan (1990). Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North West Frontier Province. Asian Educational Services. ISBN 978-81-206-0505-3.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ Roy, Janmajit (2002). Theory of Avatāra and Divinity of Chaitanya. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. p. 157. ISBN 978-8-12690-169-2.
  5. ^ Bhattacharya, Sunil Kumar (1996). Krishna-cult in Indian Art. M.D. Publications. p. 126. ISBN 978-8-17533-001-6.
  6. ^ Lucia, Michelutti (2002). Sons of Krishna: the politics of Yadav (PDF). London School of Economics and Political Science,University of London. p. 96. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  7. ^ a b c Michelutti, Lucia (29 November 2020). The Vernacularisation of Democracy: Politics, Caste and Religion in India. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-000-08400-9.
  8. ^ Michelutti, Lucia (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, 95. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  9. ^ Michelutti, Lucia (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.

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