Yadavs in Bihar

Indian caste

Bihari Yadav

Religions| Hindu
Languages|

* Hindi, Bhojpuri, Bajjika, Magahi, Maithili & Angika

Original state| Bihar
Region| East India

Yadavs in Bihar refers to the people of Yadav community of the Indian state of Bihar.[1][2] They are also known by other names such as Ahir[3] and Gope.[4][5] The Yadavs form nearly 14.26 % of the state's population and are included in the Other Backward Class category in the Bihar state of India.[6]

## Origin and history

[edit]

### Origin

[edit]

The Yadavs or Ahirs claim to be descended from lord Krishna of ancient Yadu tribe.[7]

### History

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The Ahir tribe was the dominant group in the Bihar section of the Gangetic valley during the later prehistoric period. The Ahiri country extended from around Banaras eastward to the Kosi River, primarily lying north of the Ganges.[8]

#### List of dynasties, chieftaincy and zamindari

[edit]

In Bihar, there were many zamindars belonging to Yadav (Ahir) community.[9] These zamindars belonged to the difficult geographical regions, mostly diara land of the rivers. In the diara regions their rule continued with the help of their militia.[10][9][11]

* Yadava-Varman ruler of Anga (East Bihar) and Bengal.[12][13][14]
* Rati Raut, an Ahir chief of Rati Paragana in north Bihar.[15][16]
* Daso Ahir, Raja of Bhojpur.[17]
* Ahir chief of Ruidas-Patna.[18]
* Ahir Rajas of Gawror Fort, Patna.[19]
* Ahir chieftain of Murho Estate (Madhepura).[20][21]
* Kishnaut Ahir zamindars of Parasadi Estate and Parsauna (Saran).[22]
* Babu Girwar Narayan Mandal, Zamindar of Ranipatti (Madhepura).[23]
* Zamindars of Pipra estate in erstwhile Munger district (Now in Shambhuganj block of Banka district, Bihar).[24]
* Kanaujia Ahir landlords of Mohan Tola, Saran, Bihar.[25]

### Occupation

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At one time the main occupation of the Yadavs of Bihar was rearing cattle, but now most of them are cultivator.[26]

## Subdivision

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There are four main sub-castes of Ahirs in Bihar, Kishnaut, Majhraut, Kannaujia or Kanyakubja[27] and Goria.[28][29]

## Culture

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### Caste deities

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In Kosi division of Bihar, people of the Yadav caste worship their caste deity Bisu Raut, whose temple is situated on the banks of the Gogri river.[30][31] Baba Karu Khirhari, who was born among Yadavs, is another folk god revered by people not only in Kosi but also in the parts of Nepal.[32][33] His temple is located in Mahpura village of Saharsa district.[34]

Gobanai Baba is worshipped by Ahir families of Darbhanga district. His temple is situated in village Mahulia.[35][36][37]

## Politics

[edit]

Around 1933–1934, the Yadavs joined with the Kurmis and Koeris to form the Triveni Sangh, a caste federation that by 1936 claimed to have a million supporters. This coalition followed an alliance for the 1930 local elections which fared badly at the polls. The new grouping had little electoral success: it won a few seats in the 1937 elections but was stymied by a two-pronged opposition which saw the rival Congress wooing some of its more wealthy leading lights to a newly formed unit called the "Backward Class Federation" and an effective opposition from upper castes organised to keep the lower castes in their customary place. Added to this, the three putatively allied castes were unable to set aside their communal rivalries and the Triveni Sangh also faced competition from the All India Kisan Sabha, a peasant-oriented socio-political campaigning group run by the Communists. The appeal of the Triveni Sangh had waned significantly by 1947[38][39] but had achieved a measure of success away from the ballot box, notably by exerting sufficient influence to bring an end to the begar system of forced unpaid labour and by providing a platform for those voices seeking reservation of jobs in government for people who were not upper castes.[40] Many years later, in 1965, there was an abortive attempt to revive the defunct federation.[41]

In the post Mandal phase Kurmi, Koeri and Yadav, the three backward castes who constitute the upper-OBC due to their advantageous position in the socio-economic sphere of agrarian society became the new political elite of the state.[42]

## Notable People

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### Politics

[edit]

* B.P. Mandal, ex-CM of Bihar.[43]
* Bali Ram Bhagat, ex-Speaker of Lok Sabha and MP.
* Bhupendra Narayan Mandal, Indian politician
* Daroga Prasad Rai, ex-CM of Bihar.[44]
* Hukumdev Narayan Yadav, Indian politician
* Lalu Prasad Yadav, ex-CM of Bihar.[45]
* Nityanand Rai, BJP leader, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs.[46]
* Pappu Yadav, Independent MP from Purnia.[47][48]
* Ram Lakhan Singh Yadav, former MP[49]
* Ram Jaipal Singh Yadav, ex-Deputy CM of Bihar.[50]
* Rabri Devi, ex-CM of Bihar.[51]
* Tejashwi Yadav, ex-Deputy CM of Bihar.[52]
* Tej Pratap Yadav, former Cabinet Minister and MLA.

### Military

[edit]

* Air Marshal AK Bharti[53][54]

### Others

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* Rash Bihari Lal Mandal, zamindar of Madhepura, philanthropist and leader of freedom movement.[55]

## See also

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* Ahir
* Ahir clans

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Yadav, Kripal Chandra; Singh, Rajbir (1994). India's Unequal Citizens: A Study of Other Backward Classes. Manohar. ISBN 978-81-7304-069-6.
2. ^ Jha, Makhan (1997). Anthropology of Ancient Hindu Kingdoms: A Study in Civilizational Perspective. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. ISBN 978-81-7533-034-4.
3. ^ Malik, S. C. (8 November 2022). Indian Movements: Some Aspects of Dissent Protest and Reform. DK Printworld (P) Ltd. ISBN 978-81-246-1123-4.
4. ^ Sharma, Shish Ram (2002). Protective Discrimination: Other Backward Classes in India. Raj Publications. ISBN 978-81-86208-23-6.
5. ^ Singh, Santosh (9 October 2015). Ruled or Misruled: Story and Destiny of Bihar. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-93-85436-42-0.
6. ^ "Bihar Elections 2015: In Yadav strongholds, Lalu's charm still endures". DNA India. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
7. ^ Pinch, William R. (18 June 1996). Peasants and Monks in British India. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-91630-2.
8. ^ Chattopadhyaya, Haraprasad (1987). Internal Migration in India: A Case Study of Bengal. K.P. Bagchi & Company. p. 531\. ISBN 978-81-7074-008-7.
9. ^ a b Congress, Indian History (1997). Proceedings. Indian History Congress.
10. ^ Barik, Radhakanta (2006). Land and Caste Politics in Bihar. Shipra Publications. ISBN 978-81-7541-305-4.
11. ^ Bihar men samajik parivartan ke kuchh ayam (in Hindi). Vani Prakashan. 2001. ISBN 978-81-7055-755-5.
12. ^ Indian Culture: Journal of the Indian Research Institute. I.B. Corporation. 1984.
13. ^ Caudharī, Abhayakānta (1977). Aṅgikā sāhitya kā itihāsa (in Hindi). Śekhara Prakāśana.
14. ^ Mahajan, V. D. (1962). Ancient India. S. Chand Publishing. ISBN 978-93-5283-603-1. `{{cite book}}`: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
15. ^ Sinha, Sachchidanand (1982). Caste System: Myths, Reality, Challenge. Intellectual Publishing House. ISBN 978-0-8364-0791-4.
16. ^ Sinha, Sachidanand (1 September 2009). Jati Vyavstha (in Hindi). Rajkamal Prakashan. ISBN 978-81-267-1414-8.
17. ^ Singh, Durga Shanker Prasad (1964). Bhoja, Bhojapura aura Bhojapurī pradeśa (in Hindi). Nava Sāhitya-Mandira.
18. ^ Prasad, R. R. (1996). Encyclopaedic Profile of Indian Tribes. Discovery Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-7141-298-3.
19. ^ Historical Researches Series. 1963.
20. ^ Śāstrī, Mahendra Nārāyaṇa Paṅkaja (1994). Apamāna (in Hindi). Tūlikā Prakāśana.
21. ^ "A village that symbolises Bihar". www.rediff.com. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
22. ^ The National Geographical Journal of India. National Geographical Society of India. 1975.
23. ^ Jha, Shashi Shekhar (1972). Political Elite in Bihar. Vora. ISBN 9780842603652.
24. ^ Narayan, Jayaprakash (2000). Jayaprakash Narayan: 1946-1948. Manohar. ISBN 978-81-7304-518-9.
25. ^ Singh, Rana P. B. (1977). Clan Settlements in the Saran Plain (Middle Ganga Valley): A Study in Cultural Geography. National Geographical Society of India, Banaras Hindu University.
26. ^ Mishra, Shiva Kumar (1998). Educational Ideas and Institutions in Ancient India: From the Earliest Times to 1206 A.D. with Special Reference to Mithilā. Ramanand Vidya Bhawan. ISBN 978-81-85205-71-7.
27. ^ Indian Journal of Physical Anthropology and Human Genetics. Ethnographic and Folk Culture Society, U.P. 2006.
28. ^ Jha, Makhan (1997). Anthropology of Ancient Hindu Kingdoms: A Study in Civilizational Perspective. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. ISBN 978-81-7533-034-4.
29. ^ Pandey, Ramdin (1979). Palāmū kā itihāsa (in Hindi). Pāṇḍeya.
30. ^ Bihar (India); Choudhury, Pranab Chandra Roy (1965). Bihar District Gazetteers: Saharsa. Superintendent, Secretariat Press, Bihar.
31. ^ Byrne, Joseph (2011). Bhagalpur. Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 978-81-7268-203-3.
32. ^ Monuments of Bihar. Department of Art, Culture & Youth, Government of Bihar. 2011.
33. ^ Kathā-kośī (in Hindi). Racanākāra Prakāśana. 1997.
34. ^ "संत बाबा कारू खिरहरी मंदिर, मह्पुरा | सहरसा जिला | India" (in Hindi). Retrieved 28 June 2024.
35. ^ Folk-lore. Indian Publications. 1974.
36. ^ Vidyarthi, Lalita Prasad; Chaubey, Ganesh (1971). Bihar in Folklore Study: An Anthology. Indian Publications.
37. ^ Gupta, Sankar Sen (1975). Folklore and Folklife in India ; an Objective Study in Indian Perspective. Indian Publications.
38. ^ Jaffrelot, Christophe (2003). India's silent revolution: the rise of the lower castes in North India (Reprinted ed.). C. Hurst & Co. pp. 197–198\. ISBN 978-1-85065-670-8.
39. ^ Kumar, Ashwani (2008). Community Warriors: State, Peasants and Caste Armies in Bihar. Anthem Press. p. 44\. ISBN 978-1-84331-709-8.
40. ^ Kumar, Ashwani (2008). Community Warriors: State, Peasants and Caste Armies in Bihar. Anthem Press. p. 36\. ISBN 978-1-84331-709-8.
41. ^ Kumar, Ashwani (2008). Community Warriors: State, Peasants and Caste Armies in Bihar. Anthem Press. p. 62\. ISBN 978-1-84331-709-8.
42. ^ Kumar, Sanjay (19 February 2018). Post-Mandal Politics in Bihar: Changing Electoral Patterns. SAGE Publishing India. ISBN 978-93-5280-586-0.
43. ^ "Bindeshwari Prasad Mandal Biography In Hindi : बिन्देश्वरी प्रसाद मंडल की जीवनी". 10 April 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
44. ^ Singh, Santosh (1 December 2020). JP to BJP: Bihar after Lalu and Nitish. SAGE Publishing India. ISBN 978-93-5388-667-7.
45. ^ Yadav, Laloo Prasad; Verma, Nalin (2019). Gopalganj to Raisina: My Political Journey. Rupa. ISBN 978-93-5333-313-3.
46. ^ Singh, Santosh (1 December 2020). JP to BJP: Bihar after Lalu and Nitish. SAGE Publishing India. ISBN 978-93-5388-666-0.
47. ^ Prasad, Jyotindra Nath (28 February 2019). My Date with Editors. Educreation Publishing.
48. ^ "Lok Sabha Elections 2024 | Independent Pappu Yadav wins Purnia in Bihar". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
49. ^ Jaffrelot, Christophe (2003). India's Silent Revolution: The Rise of the Lower Castes in North India. Hurst. ISBN 978-1-85065-398-1.
50. ^ Committee, Indian National Congress All India Congress (1971). Report of the General Secretaries. All India Congress Committee.
51. ^ S.H, Patil. The Constitution, Government and Politics in India. Vikas Publishing House. ISBN 978-93-259-9411-9.
52. ^ Srivastava, Aaku (6 September 2022). Sensex Of Regional Parties: Sensex Of Regional Parties by Aaku Srivastava: Understanding the Dynamics of Regional Politics in India. Prabhat Prakashan. ISBN 978-93-5521-236-8.
53. ^ ""World Knows Whose Son Made India Proud": Air Marshal Bharti's Mother". www.ndtv.com. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
54. ^ "Small-town roots, sky-high valour: Bihar's sons at the helm of Operation Sindoor". The Times of India. 15 May 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
55. ^ Ambastha, Gouri Shankar P. (1995). Freedom Movement and Role of Congress Leaders. Classical Publishing Company. ISBN 978-81-7054-163-9.