Yadavs of Nepal explained

Yadavs of Nepal (Nepali: नेपालका यादव), also known as Ahir or Gope^[1] are one of the prominent caste of Nepal.^{[2] [3]} According to the 2021 Nepal census, 1,228,581 people (4.21% of the population of Nepal) are Yadav.^[4]

Group:	Yadavs of Nepal
Popplace:	Nepal
Pop:	1,228,581^[5]
Langs:	Maithili, Bajjika, Bhojpuri
Rels:	Hinduism
Related:	other Indo-Aryan peoples

History

Origin

The Yadavs of Nepal have intimate connections with the Yadavs of Bihar, and many Yadavs from Bihar have migrated to Nepal.^[6] The ancient history of Krishnaram Marauti, Saptari and evidences from King Sahlesh, a Paswan king of Mithila region proves the presence of Yadavas in the Madhesh much before the formation of present day modern Nepal.^[7] In Nepal, the terms Yadav, Ahir, Gopa are often used synonymously for the same caste.^[8] They are descendents of ancient Yadu tribe of lord Krishna mentioned in Hindu scriptures.

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.^[9] These Gopalas and Mahisapalas were together known as Abhiras.^[10] During lichhavi period names of many de facto rulers of Abhira-gupta dynasty are mentioned in inscription.^[11] These Abhiras occupied the higher position and overshadowed the Lichhavi kings in the administration.^[11]

• Ahir (Gopa) rulers of Gopala dynasty.^[12]
• Ahir rulers of Mahisapala dynasty.^[13]
• Ahir ruler of Abhira-Gupta dynasty.^[14]

Subdivision

Ahirs in Nepal are mainly divided into three subcaste Majhraut, Krishnaut and Ghosin.^[15] Some other sub-castes are also found in small numbers like Kannaujiya, Dhadhor, Goria.

Culture

The Kings of Gopala Dynasty were devotees of Lord Shiva.^[16]

Population

The Central Bureau of Statistics of Nepal classifies the Yadav as a subgroup within the broader social group of Madheshi Other Caste.^[17] 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:

• Madhesh Province (14.8%)
• Lumbini Province (4.1%)
• Koshi Province (1.3%)
• Bagmati Province (0.2%)
• Gandaki Province (0.0%)
• Karnali Province (0.0%)
• Sudurpashchim Province (0.0%)

The frequency of Yadavs was higher than national average (4.0%) in the following districts:^[18]

• Siraha (24.4%)
• Dhanusha (17.5%)
• Saptari (15.8%)
• Sarlahi (15.5%)
• Mahottari (15.2%)
• Rautahat (12.2%)
• Bara (10.5%)
• Kapilvastu (10.2%)
• Rupandehi (7.4%)
• Parsa (6.6%)
• Parasi (5.8%)
• Banke (4.7%)
• Sunsari (4.3%)

Notable people

Politics

• Ram Baran Yadav, first President of Nepal.
• Ram Sahay Yadav, politician and current Vice President of Nepal.^[19]
• Upendra Yadav, politician and former deputy Prime Minister of Nepal.
• Saroj Yadav, politician and current Chief Minister of Madhesh province.
• Ram Saroj Yadav, politician and 1st deputy Chief Minister of Madhesh province.
• Jay Krishna Goit, Ex-Maoist Leader and leader of Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha^[20]
• Matrika Prasad Yadav, politician and ex-minister.

Sports

• Bibek Yadav, Nepalese cricketer.^{[21] [22]}

See also

• Ahir
• Yadav
• Krishnaut
• Majhraut

Notes and References

1. Book: Yadav, Sohan Ram . Rural and Agrarian Social Structure of Nepal . 1992 . Commonwealth Publishers . 978-81-7169-174-6 . en.
2. Book: Acharya, Meena . Women in Nepal . 1999 . Asian Development Bank, Programs Department West and Office of Environment and Social Development . 978-971-561-268-5 . en.
3. Book: Dastider, Mollica . Understanding Nepal: Muslims in a Plural Society . 2007 . Har-Anand Publications . 978-81-241-1271-7 . en.
4. 2021 . National Population and Housing Census 2021, Caste/Ethnicity Report . National Statistics Office . Government of Nepal .
5. 2021 . National Population and Housing Census 2021, Caste/Ethnicity Report . National Statistics Office . Government of Nepal .
6. Book: Rao, M. S. A.. Social Movements and Social Transformation: A Study of Two Backward Classes Movements in India. 1987. Manohar. 978-0-8364-2133-0. en. The Yadavas of Nepal have intimate connections with the Yadavas of Bihar, and many Yadavas from Bihar have migrated to Nepal..
7. https://www.ujyaaloonline.com/story/8541/2018/10/17/krishnaram-marauti-area-neglected
8. Book: Gurung, Harka B. . Faces of Nepal . 1996 . Himal Books . 978-99933-43-50-9 . en.
9. Book: Khatri, Tek Bahadur . The Postage Stamps of Nepal . 1973 . Sharada Kumari K.C. . en.
10. Book: Nepalese Culture : Annual Journal of NeHCA . 1985 . Nepalese History, Culture and Archaeology Instruction Committee, Kirtipur Campus, T.U. . en.
11. Book: Béguin, Gilles . Nepal: Valley of Gods . 1997 . India Book Distributors . 978-81-7310-115-1 . en.
12. Book: Satyal, Yajna Raj . Tourism in Nepal: A Profile . 1988 . Nath Publishing House . en.
13. Book: Vaidya, Tulasī Rāma . Crime and Punishment in Nepal: A Historical Perspective . 1985 . Bini Vaidya and Purna Devi Manandhar . en.
14. Book: Mukherjee, Bikash . Religious Centres of North India: Buddhist, Jaina, and Brahmanical Based on Archaeological and Literary Sources . 1993 . Ramanand Vidya Bhawan . 978-81-85205-58-8 . en.
15. Book: Śreshṭha, Īśvara Govinda . Rājavaṃśī . 1990 . Jamunā Śreshṭha Jośī . ne.
16. Book: Bhattarai, Muralidhar. Lectures on Nepal-culture. 1960. World Friendship Association] Vikram 2017. en.
17. https://nepal.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/Population%20Monograph%20V02.pdf Population Monograph of Nepal, Volume II
18. https://cbs.gov.np/wp-content/upLoads/2018/12/Volume05Part02.pdf 2011 Nepal Census, District Level Detail Report
19. Web site: Bureau . ABP News . 2023-03-17 . Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav Elected As Nepal's Third Vice-President . 2023-04-22 . news.abplive.com . en.
20. https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/lahan-blast-pamphlets-of-jay-krishna-goit-led-janatantrik-tarai-mukti-morcha-recovered-from-incident-site/
21. https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/bibek-yadav-1185233
22. https://election.ekantipur.com/profile/595?lng=eng