Revision 8540965 of "Yaduvanshi Ahir" on simplewiki

[[File:Krishna as Envoy.jpg|thumb|Ahir<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=voLXAAAAMAAJ&q=abhira+krishna|title=Jainism: Art, Architecture, Literature & Philosophy|last1=Rangarajan|first1=Haripriya|last2=Kamalakar|first2=G.|last3=Reddy|first3=A. K. V. S.|date=2001|publisher=Sharada Publishing House|isbn=978-81-85616-77-3|language=en}}</ref> god Krishna as envoy to the Kaurava court before Kurukshetra war. Yadava Satyaki takes out his sword when the Kauravas, raise their sword against Krishna, while Krishna holds his hand.]]
The '''Yaduvanshi Ahir''' are descendants of [[Yadav|Yadu]], a legendary king of [[Chandravanshi|Chandravamsha]] lineage<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Nvl1SFI1T8QC&pg=PA52|title=The Environmental Crisis of Delhi: A Political Analysis|last=Yadav|first=Sanjay|date=2011|publisher=Worldwide Books|isbn=978-81-88054-03-9|language=en}}</ref> They are also included in Tod's list of 36 “royal races,” or rajkul, were known as Raja-putras.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SQIzAAAAIAAJ&q=ahir|title=Population Geography: A Journal of the Association of Population Geographers of India|date=1988|publisher=The Association|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vRwS6FmS2g0C&dq=36+royal+races&pg=PA141|title=Martial races of undivided India|last=Tyagi|first=Vidya Prakash|date=2009|publisher=Gyan Publishing House|isbn=978-81-7835-775-1|language=en}}</ref>

The (Yaduvanshi or [[Yadav|Yadavas]]) of the [[Mahabharata]] period were known to be the followers of [[Vaishnavism]], of which [[Krishna]] was the leader: they were Gopas (cowherd) by profession, but at the same time they held the status of the [[Kshatriya]]s, participating in the battle of [[Kurukshetra]]. The present [[Ahir|Ahirs]] are also followers of [[Vaishnavism|Vaisnavism]].<ref>{{cite book|first=Shyam Singh |last=Shashi |title=Encyclopaedia of Indian Tribes: The tribal world in transition |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=duIjAQAAIAAJ |year=1994 |publisher=Anmol Publications, 1994 |isbn=9788170418368 |page=76 |quote=The Yadavas of the Mahabharata period were known to be the followers of Vaisnavism, of which Krsna was the leader: they were gopas (cowherd) by profession, but at the same time they held the status of the Ksatriyas, participating in the battle of Kurukshetra. The present Ahirs are also followers of Vaisnavism.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|first=Chintaman Vinayak |last=Vaidya |title=Epic India, Or, India as Described in the Mahabharata and the Ramayana |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dmOUq73LZLgC |year=2001 |publisher=Asian Educational Services, 2001 |isbn=9788120615649 |page=423 |quote= The fact that the Yadavas were pastoral in their habits is distinctly proved by the fact that Krishna's sister Subhadra when she was taken away by Arjuna is described as having put on the dress of a Gopi or female cowherd. It is impossible to explain this fact unless we believe that the whole tribe was accustomed to use this dress. The freedom with which she and other Yadava women are described as moving on the Raivataka hill in the festivities on that occasion also shows that their social relations were freer and more unhampered than among the other Kshatriyas. Krishna again when he went over to Arjuna's side is said in the Mahabharata to have given in balance for that act an army of Gopas to Duryodhana. The Gopas could have been no other than the Yadavas themselves.}}</ref>

Ahirs/Yadavs/Yaduvanshi, Gurjars and Jats are not Rajputs at all. They are tribes of Kshatriyas.The Rajput word for the ruler has not been used from the time of Ramayana and Mahabharata upto 600 A.D. in the history books or puranas and after 600 A.D. to 1200 A.D. Rajput is not found in books such as Jain Granths, even Rajput is not found in the book prithviraj raso which was written 13th or 14th century A.D.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KI1pEAAAQBAJ&newbks=0&hl=en|title=The Gujjars Vol: 01 and 02 Edited by Dr. Javaid Rahi|last=Rahi|first=Javaid|date=2012-01-01|publisher=Jammu and Kashmir Acacademy of Art, Culture , Languages , Jammu|language=en}}</ref> The Present Rajputs are a mixed race. Some Rajputs have descended from the foreign aggressors like Saka, Kushans and Huns etc. and others belonged to the Shudras and tribals. Historians states that “Rajputs were born of various lower races and castes”.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=_XYMAQAAMAAJ&redir_esc=y|title=Social Change and Development in Medieval Indian History|last=Chandra|first=Satish|date=2008|publisher=Har-Anand Publications|isbn=978-81-241-1386-8|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=Wk4_ICH_g1EC&pg=PA309&dq=chandel+Rajputs+Bhars+gonds&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj14Jn02ZX7AhUZTWwGHQd1A24Q6AF6BAgPEAM#v=onepage&q=Chandel%20Rajputs&f=false|title=Ancient Indian History and Civilization|last=Sen|first=Sailendra Nath|date=1999|publisher=New Age International|isbn=978-81-224-1198-0|language=en}}</ref>

== Origin and history ==
According to historian Hemchandra Raychaudhary, Yaduvanshi belongs to Yadu tribe and spread across India from Aryavart.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pGwjFsqwF0YC|title=Political History of Ancient India: From the Accession of Parikshit to the Extinction of the Gupta Dynasty|last=Raychaudhuri|first=Hem Channdra|publisher=Forgotten Books|isbn=978-1-4400-5272-9|language=en}}</ref>

The Ahir word is derived from the Sanskrit word Abhira which means fearless. who were once found in different parts of [[India]] and [[Nepal]] and who in several places wielded political power. The Abhiras are equated with Ahirs, Gopas and Gollas, and all of them are considered [[Yadav|Yadavas]]. It appears Ahir caste believes that their dynasty is derived from [[Yadu (legendary king)|Yadu dynasty]] meanwhile. Das ('12) points out that 'Bishwaparwa' mythology of Mahabharata (it is a section of sacred text  '[[Mahabharata]]') reveals that the second name of [[Yadu (legendary king)|Yadu]] was Ahir because he killed 'Ahi' ([[Snake]]). Madhu says all the territory of [[Mathura]] belongs to Abhiras (Ahirs).<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SODZAAAAMAAJ|title=Social Movements in India: Peasant and backward classes movements|last=Rao|first=M. S. A.|date=1978|publisher=Manohar|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q-ksAQAAMAAJ|title=Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Poona|last=Institute|first=Bhandarkar Oriental Research|date=1917|publisher=The Institute|language=en}}</ref>

Ahirs or [[Yadav|Yadavs]] are great warriors, Yaduvanshi Ahirs were in the Narayani/Yadav sena. Yadav Sena the army of Lord [[Krishna]] of [[Dwarka]] Kingdom is called as the supreme Sena of all time. It is described in the Mahabharata as being all of the Ahir caste. This proves that the Ahirs, Gopas and [[Yadav|Yadavs]] are all synonyms.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iKJRDwAAQBAJ|title=Brij Bhoomi: Destroying the Daemons|last=Rao|first=Madan|publisher=Educreation Publishing|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KTEoAAAAMAAJ&q=Narayani+Army|title=Report of the Indian Statutory Commission ...|last=commission|first=Great Britain Indian statutory|date=1930|publisher=H. M. Stationery Office|language=en}}</ref>

According to the Brahmavaivarta Purana, the Gopas (Ahirs) are born from skin pores of lord Krishna and Gopis (Ahiranis) are born from skin pores of goddess radha. Being direct expansion of parmeshwar and parmeshwari. Gopas (Ahirs) and Gopis (Ahiranis) are equal to them beauty, strength and other qualities.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qiQZhyX3iEUC|title=Kya Kahate Hain Puran ?|publisher=Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd.|isbn=978-81-288-0636-0|language=hi}}</ref>

The point that the Ahir are Kshatriyas and specifically Yaduvanshi has been proved in the earlier lines. In Harivansa Purana, it has been said that Gopa and [[Yadav]] are generic of the same lineage and they are called Gope or Yadav.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wT-BAAAAMAAJ&q=Yaduvansi|title=The Cattle and the Stick: An Ethnographic Profile of the Raut of Chhattisgarh|last=Soni|first=Lok Nath|date=2000|publisher=Anthropological Survey of India, Government of India, Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Department of Culture|isbn=978-81-85579-57-3|language=en}}</ref>

In the Padma purana, [[Vishnu]] exclaims I shall be born among you o Abhiras at [[Mathura]] a promise which was ful-fulled in the birth of Krishna.The same Purana speaks of the Abhiras as great philosophers.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SyyNIL7Ug2kC&pg=PA126|title=Krishna-cult in Indian Art|last=Bhattacharya|first=Sunil Kumar|date=1996|publisher=M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd.|isbn=978-81-7533-001-6|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w9pmo51lRnYC&pg=PA113|title=Encyclopaedia of the Hindu World|last=Garg|first=Gaṅgā Rām|date=1992|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|isbn=978-81-7022-374-0|language=en}}</ref>

Ancient Sanskrit scholars such as Pāṇini, [[Chanakya]] and Patanjli mentioned Abhiras as followers of Bhagawat sect of Hindu religion.<ref name="Goyala1986">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hLHXAAAAMAAJ|title=A Religious History of Ancient India, Upto C. 1200 A.D.: Smarta, epic-Pauranika and Tantrika Hinduism, Christianity and Islam|author=Śrīrāma Goyala|publisher=Kusumanjali Prakashan|year=1986|accessdate=2011-06-14}}</ref><ref name="RangarajanKamalakar2001">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=voLXAAAAMAAJ|title=Jainism: art, architecture, literature & philosophy|author1=Haripriya Rangarajan|author2=G. Kamalakar|author3=A. K. V. S. Reddy|author4=K. Venkatachalam|date=1 January 2001|publisher=Sharada Pub. House|isbn=978-81-85616-77-3|accessdate=2011-06-14}}</ref><ref name="Culture1986">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eC45AAAAIAAJ|title=Journal of ancient Indian history|author=University of Calcutta. Dept. of Ancient Indian History and Culture|publisher=D.C. Sircar|year=1986|accessdate=2011-06-14}}</ref>

in the Mahabharata, Ahir, Gopa, Gopal and [[Yadav|Yadavas]] are all synonyms.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WrAwAAAAMAAJ&q=The+Abhiras+and+Gopalas+are+synonymous|title=Ancient Nepal|last1=Regmi|first1=D. R.|last2=Studies|first2=Nepal Institute of Asian|date=1969|publisher=Firma K. L. Mukhopadhyay|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=43Fzt-G_-XYC&q=great+abhiras&pg=PA3|title=Encyclopaedia of Ancient Indian Geography|last=Kapoor|first=Subodh|date=2002|publisher=Cosmo Publications|isbn=978-81-7755-298-0|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tZAiAAAAMAAJ&q=abhiras+looted+arjuna|title=Social Movements and Social Transformation: A Study of Two Backward Classes Movements in India|last=Rao|first=M. S. A.|date=1979|publisher=Macmillan|isbn=978-0-333-90255-4|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tZAiAAAAMAAJ&q=Kauravas|title=Social Movements and Social Transformation: A Study of Two Backward Classes Movements in India|last=Rao|first=M. S. A.|date=1979|publisher=Macmillan|isbn=978-0-333-90255-4|language=en}}</ref>

Sir H.M Elloitbook "Indian castes and tribes" say Yaduvanshi Rajputs are derived from the Yaduvanshi Ahirs.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KTEoAAAAMAAJ&q=Yadubansi|title=Report of the Indian Statutory Commission ...|last=commission|first=Great Britain Indian statutory|date=1930|publisher=H. M. Stationery Office|language=en}}</ref>

The Ahir are divided into three groups of equal status, namely Yaduvanshi, Gwalvanshi and Nandvanshi.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jw9uAAAAMAAJ|title=India's Communities|last1=Singh|first1=K. S.|last2=India|first2=Anthropological Survey of|date=1998|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-563354-2|language=en}}</ref>

==Mentions in religious scriptures==

The Sabha-parva and Bhisma-parva sections of the [[Mahabharata]] mention the province of Abhira, situated near what once was the [[Sarasvati River]] in ancient Sind. Suras and Abhira were together referred to as Surabhiras in scriptures. Later works did not discriminate between the two. Many scholars have sought a link between the Indian Abhira and Surabhir with the Biblical references to Ophir and Sofir.

Ptolemy wrote there was a country called Abhira at the mouth of the river Indus. Sreemad Bhagwatam gave a similar account and matched the location of Sind. Christian Lassen (1800–1876), author of Indische Alterthumskunde, vol I, thought “Ophir” was a seaport on the southwest coast of India. Mrs. Manning said it was situated on the western coast of India. Gesenius, Sir Emerson Tennent, and Max Müller appeared to agree with Christian Lassen. Because of this relative consensus, there is general belief that Abhira is the equivalent of Ophir, mentioned in the Bible. In the Coptic language, Sofir, the name of India, refers to surabhir.

According to the Puranas, all the Haiheya aggressors [[Kshatriya]] (warrior caste) were killed in a massacre led by [[Parashurama|Parshuram]]. At that time, the Ahirs were either a sub-clan of the Hayheya or sided with the Hayheya. Only the Abhiras (Ahirs) survived by escaping into the craters between mountains. they will surely rule the earth in Kaliyuga. Vātsyāyana also mentions the Abhira (Ahir) kingdoms in the Kama Sutra. References to Abhira (Ahir) being residents of the kingdom ruled by Yudhisthira are found in Bhagwatam.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=ZsswQ9oTa0wC&pg=PA46&dq=abhira&hl=en&ei=J2FGTYfzFsT_lgeEm5BF&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=abhira&f=false|title=Encyclopaedia of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh|last=Gupta|first=Om|date=2006-04|publisher=Gyan Publishing House|isbn=978-81-8205-389-2|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=AqKw1Mn8WcwC&dq=kamasutra+in+abhira+kingdom&pg=PA98&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false|title=Studies in the Geography of Ancient and Medieval India|last=Sircar|first=Dineschandra|date=1971|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ.|isbn=978-81-208-0690-0|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=HJyrQFUI9QkC&dq=parshurama+Abhira&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=Abhira|title=Proof of Vedic Culture's Global Existence|last=Knapp|first=Stephen|date=2000|publisher=World Relief Network|isbn=978-0-9617410-6-8|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2006-08-19|title=Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 2 Chapter 4 Verse 18|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060819194741/http://vedabase.net/sb/2/4/18/en|access-date=2022-11-02|website=web.archive.org}}</ref>

''Shreemad Bhagwatam'', which gives a detailed account of dynasties ruling after great war of Mahabharata, describes Abhir''(Ahir)'' a rulers in detail:

<blockquote>Then will follow seven kings of the Abhira (Ahir) race from the city of Avabhrti, and then ten Gardabhis. After them, sixteen kings of the Kankas will rule and will be known for their excessive greed. Eight Yavanas will then take power, followed by fourteen Turuskas, ten Gurundas and eleven kings of the Mauladynasty. These Abhiras (Ahirs), Gardabhis and Kankas will enjoy the earth for 1,099 years.</blockquote>
The original cult of Lord [[Krishna]], especially the aspect dealing with Krishna's boyhood in Vrindavan and his dalliances with the Gopis, has been attributed to the Ahir or Abhir tribe. The merging of this Lord Krishna with the hero of the Mahabharat did not occur until about 4th century C.E.

The Sura and Abhira (Ahirs) were mentioned as two kingdoms of '''Yaduvanshi''' where the river Saraswati existed only as a dried up river bed during the time of Kurukshetra War. They were sometimes referred to as Surabhira also, combining both Sura and Abhira kingdoms.

In the epics and the Puranas the association of the [[Yadav|Yadavas]] with the Abhiras was attested by the evidence that the [[Yadav|Yadava kingdom]] was mostly inhabited by the Abhiras.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?newbks=0&redir_esc=y&id=c8kiAQAAMAAJ&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=Y%C3%A5dava+kingdom|title=Man in India|last=Bahadur)|first=Sarat Chandra Roy (Rai|date=1974|publisher=A. K. Bose|language=en}}</ref>

The Suras and Abhiras' are associated together in the Mahabharata and Harivansa and appear to have been a pastoral people in the upper portion of the North-western Punjab represented by the Ahirs and Gwalas of the present day.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=9RXWDwAAQBAJ&redir_esc=y|title=Statistical, descriptive and historical account of the North-western Provinces of India|last=Atkinson|first=Edwin T.|date=1874-01-01|publisher=Dalcassian Publishing Company|language=en}}</ref>

== Rule of the Junagadh ==
The Chudasama dynasty, originally of Abhira (Ahir) clan from [[Sindh|Sind]] wielded great influence around [[Junagadh]] from the 875 A.D. onwards when they consolidated themselves at Vanthali (ancient Vamanasthali) close to Girnar under their - King Ra Chuda.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=2eIcAAAAMAAJ&redir_esc=y|title=Junagadh|last=Rajan|first=K. V. Soundara|date=1985|publisher=Archaeological Survey of India|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=Wk4_ICH_g1EC&pg=PA344&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false|title=Ancient Indian History and Civilization|last=Sen|first=Sailendra Nath|date=1999|publisher=New Age International|isbn=978-81-224-1198-0|language=en}}</ref>

A Chudasama prince styled Graharipu and ruling at Vanthali near Junagadh is described in the Dyashraya-Kavya of Hemachandra as an Ahir and a [[Yadav]]. Further, in their bardic traditions as well as in popular stories Chudasmas are still called Ahir Ranas.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=FoT6gPrbTp8C&pg=PA25&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false|title=The Tribes and Castes of Bombay|last=Enthoven|first=Reginald Edward|date=1990|publisher=Asian Educational Services|isbn=978-81-206-0630-2|language=en}}</ref>
==Narayani Sena==
'''Narayani Sena''', '''Narayana Gopas''', '''Gopayan'''<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wT-BAAAAMAAJ |title=The Cattle and the Stick: An Ethnographic Profile of the Raut of Chhattisgarh|last=Soni|first=Lok Nath|date=2000|publisher=Anthropological Survey of India, Government of India, Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Department of Culture|isbn=978-81-85579-57-3|language=en|pages=16}}</ref><ref name="Kumar1979">{{cite book|author=Nava Kumar|title=The Mahabharata: A Spiritual Interpretation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XHUpAAAAYAAJ&q=narayani+gop+sena|year=1979|publisher=Sura Sadan Pub.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book| last= Shome| first = Alo| title = Krishna Charitra: The Essence of Bankim Chandra| page =104| isbn= 8122310354| year= 2000|publisher=Pustak Mahal}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|first=Alf |last=Hiltebeitel |title=Ritual of Battle, The: Krishna in the Mahabharata |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xYNFAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA106 |publisher=SUNY Press, 1976 |isbn=9781438406725 |page=106 |quote=But more than this, the comparison leads to the meaning of the terms by which Krishna determines that the first pick, in the choice between himself and the Narayana gopas, goes to Arjuna. It goes to the younger.}}</ref> or '''Yadav Sena''', the army of Lord [[Krishna]] of [[Dwarka|Dwarka Kingdom]] is called as the supreme Sena of all time. It is described in the ''[[Mahabharata]]'' as being all of the Abhira (Ahir) caste.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=KTEoAAAAMAAJ&q=Narayani+Army&redir_esc=y|title=Report of the Indian Statutory Commission ...|last=commission|first=Great Britain Indian statutory|date=1930|publisher=H. M. Stationery Office|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|first=Braj Kumar |last=Pandey |title=Sociology and Economics of Casteism in India: A Study of Bihar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e41uAAAAMAAJ |year=1996 |publisher=Pragati Publications, 1996 |isbn=9788173070365 |page=78 |quote=The Narayani Army which he organized, and which made him so powerful that his friendship was eagerly sought by the greatest kings of his time, is described in the Mahabharat as being all of the Abhira caste.}}</ref> They were the basic threat to the rival kingdoms. Fearing Narayani Sena, many Kings didn't try fighting against Dwaraka. Because Dwaraka sorted most of the threats through Krishna's politics and talent of Yadavas. Using Narayani Sena, the [[Yadav|Yadavas]] extended their empire to most of India.<ref>{{cite book|first=Amir |last=Hasan |title=People of India: Uttar Pradesh, Volume 42, Part 1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LxdWAAAAYAAJ |year=2005 |publisher=Anthropological Survey of India, 2005 |isbn=9788173041143 |page=17}}</ref><ref name="Chowdhary2014">{{cite book|author=Gopal Chowdhary|title=The Greatest Farce of History|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9bOEAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA129|date=4 March 2014|publisher=Partridge Publishing India|isbn=978-1-4828-1925-0|pages=129–}}</ref><ref name="Krishna2020">{{cite book|author=Subhash Krishna|title=Salvation by Lord Shri Krishna|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4ubxDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT431|date=19 July 2020|publisher=Notion Press|isbn=978-1-64587-108-8|pages=431–}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://indus-meetindus.blogspot.com/2016/02/forces-in-war.html?m=1 |title=Forces in war! - Indus.heartstrings |format= |accessdate=}}</ref>
===Composition of Narayani Sena===
Krishna had offered Arjuna, the choice of selection between him or his whole army of Narayani Sena against Duryodhana. He possessed 10 million fighting Gopes who were brave fighters and were famous by the name of Narayan. In Harivansa Purana, it has been said that Gope or Yadav are generic of the same lineage.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=wT-BAAAAMAAJ&redir_esc=y|title=The Cattle and the Stick: An Ethnographic Profile of the Raut of Chhattisgarh|last=Soni|first=Lok Nath|date=2000|publisher=Anthropological Survey of India, Government of India, Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Department of Culture|isbn=978-81-85579-57-3|language=en}}</ref> The Sena includes Krishna’s 18,000 brothers and cousins. The Sena had 7 Maharathis (Krishna, Balaram, Samba, Ahuka, Charudeshna, Chakradeva and Satyaki) and 7 Athirathis (Kritavarma, Anadhrishti, Samika, Samitinjaya, Kanka, Sanku, Kunti).<ref>{{Cite web|last=DigitalCavalry|title=Narayani Sena & Lord Krishna's Politics|url=http://iyadav.com/narayani-sena/|access-date=2022-10-18|website=I Yadav|language=english}}</ref>
==Rule of the Nepal==
===Gopala dynasty===
The Gopala Dynasty or Gopala Bansha was a first dynasty of ancient Nepal founded by Gopa (Yadava) in the Kathmandu Valley. The Kings of Gopala Bansha ruled over Nepal for 505 years. It was replaced by Ahirs (Yadava) of Mahispala Dynasty. They claimed descent from Lunar (chandravamsi) or Ne Muni Dynasty. The Kings of Gopala Bansha ruled over Nepal for 505 years. It was replaced by Ahirs (Yadava) of Mahispala Dynasty. The Gopalas and Mahisapalas are together known, sometimes, as Abhiras. The Brahmanical version of the vamsavalis associates Gopalas with Krishna and the Nepali legendary sage called Ne or Nemi. There were eight kings of this dynasty Bhuktaman was the first and Yaksha Gupta was the last king.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=rehKAAAAYAAJ&q=gopal+dynasty&dq=gopal+dynasty&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjhtK3zisvvAhWKXisKHWB4CUMQ6AEwCXoECAcQAw|title=Tourism in Nepal: A Profile|last=Satyal|first=Yajna Raj|date=1988|publisher=Nath Publishing House|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=uURuAAAAMAAJ&q=gopal+dynasty&dq=gopal+dynasty&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjhtK3zisvvAhWKXisKHWB4CUMQ6AEwB3oECAkQAw|title=Nepal, the Living Heritage: Environment and Culture|last=Kerung|first=P. T. Sherpa|last2=Höivik|first2=Susan|date=2002|publisher=Kathmandu Environmental Education Project|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=UI8cAAAAMAAJ&q=gopal+dynasty&dq=gopal+dynasty&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjhtK3zisvvAhWKXisKHWB4CUMQ6AEwCHoECAQQAw|title=Nepal: An Introduction to Nepalese Culture|date=1975|publisher=Sahayogi Press|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=bXtuAAAAMAAJ&redir_esc=y|title=The Palace in Nepalese Politics: With Special Reference to the Politics of 1951 to 1990|last=Dangol|first=Sanu Bhai|date=1999|publisher=Ratna Pustak Bhandar|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=pZ4lAAAAMAAJ&q=Ahir&redir_esc=y|title=Different Aspects of Nepalese Way of Life|date=1973|publisher=Nepal National Commission for UNESCO.|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=d4FuAAAAMAAJ&q=+cowherd&redir_esc=y|title=Pages of the Forgotten Past|last=Jośī|first=Harirāma|date=1998|publisher=Joshi Research Institute|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=VR7F-P4L6j0C&redir_esc=y|title=Nepal|last=Hoefer|first=Hans Johannes|date=1984|publisher=Apa Productions|isbn=978-9971-925-70-3|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=wIg5AAAAIAAJ&redir_esc=y|title=Nepalese Culture : Annual Journal of NeHCA|date=1985|publisher=Nepalese History, Culture and Archaeology Instruction Committee, Kirtipur Campus, T.U.|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=ntBBAAAAYAAJ&q=bhuktaman+gupta&redir_esc=y|title=A Short History of Nepal|last=Thapa|first=Netra Bahadur|date=1962|publisher=Kavita Shashi|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=oCVuAAAAMAAJ&q=bhuktaman+gupta&redir_esc=y|title=The Nepalis in Assam: Ethnicity and Cross Border Movements in the North-East|last=Nath|first=Lopita|date=2003|publisher=Minerva Associates (Publications)|isbn=978-81-7715-013-1|language=en}}</ref>

According to legendary accounts, the early dynasty of Nepal was the Gopala Dynasty established by Yaduvanshi Abhira (Gopa), who presumably ruled for about five centuries. They are said to have been followed by the Mahispala Dynasty established by Yaduvanshi Abhira.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=XEtuAAAAMAAJ&q=gopala&redir_esc=y|title=The Gopālarājavaṃśāvalī|last=Vajrācārya|first=Dhanavajra|last2=Malla|first2=Kamal Prakash|date=1985|publisher=Franz Steiner Verlag|isbn=978-3-515-04349-6|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=rehKAAAAYAAJ&q=gopal+dynasty&redir_esc=y|title=Tourism in Nepal: A Profile|last=Satyal|first=Yajna Raj|date=1988|publisher=Nath Publishing House|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=VR7F-P4L6j0C&redir_esc=y|title=Nepal|last=Hoefer|first=Hans Johannes|date=1984|publisher=Apa Productions|isbn=978-9971-925-70-3|language=en}}</ref>

Another belief was that ''Gopalvamsi'' and ''Mahispalvamsi'' belonged to the same dynasty and they were divided into two on the basis of their profession.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Vajrācārya|first1=Dhanavajra|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XEtuAAAAMAAJ&q=Abhira|title=The Gopālarājavaṃśāvalī|last2=Malla|first2=Kamal Prakash|date=1985|publisher=Franz Steiner Verlag|isbn=978-3-515-04349-6|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Josephson |first=Richard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IuscAAAAMAAJ&q=gopala+mahisapala+profession |title=Nepal Mandala |date=1988 |publisher=R. Josephson |language=en}}</ref> Amarakosha gives Abhira as synonym for Gopa.<ref>Enthoven, R.E. (1990). [https://books.google.co.in/books?redir_esc=y&id=FoT6gPrbTp8C&q=Amarakosha#v=snippet&q=Amarakosha&f=false The Tribes and Castes of Bombay].</ref>
===Mahisapala Dynasty===
The Mahisapala Dynasty was a dynasty established by Kshatriya Abhira people that ruled the [[Kathmandu Valley]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Vaidya|first=Tulasī Rāma|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ofU6AAAAMAAJ&q=mahispal|title=Crime and Punishment in Nepal: A Historical Perspective|date=1985|publisher=Bini Vaidya and Purna Devi Manandhar|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last1=Regmi|first1=D. R.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4cEBAAAAMAAJ&q=mahisapala|title=Ancient Nepal|last2=Studies|first2=Nepal Institute of Asian|date=1969|publisher=Firma K. L. Mukhopadhyay|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Shaha|first=Rishikesh|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kmwwAQAAIAAJ|title=An Introduction to Nepal|date=2001|publisher=Ratna Pustak Bhandar|pages=39|language=en}}</ref> They were also known as Mahispalbanshi.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Ḍhakāla|first=Bāburāma|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YoENAQAAMAAJ&q=mahispal|title=Empire of Corruption|date=2005|publisher=Babu Ram Dhakal|isbn=978-99946-33-91-3|language=en}}</ref> They took control of Nepal after replacing the [[Gopala Dynasty|Gopala dynasty]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Singh|first=G. P.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4ff2gk27p9oC&dq=abhira&pg=PA391|title=Researches Into the History and Civilization of the Kirātas|date=2008|publisher=Gyan Publishing House|isbn=978-81-212-0281-7|language=en}}</ref> The Gopalas and the Mahisapalas were together known as Abhiras.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wIg5AAAAIAAJ&q=abhiras |title=Nepalese Culture : Annual Journal of NeHCA |date=1985 |publisher=Nepalese History, Culture and Archaeology Instruction Committee, Kirtipur Campus, T.U. |language=en}}</ref> Three kings of Mahisapala dynasty ruled the valley before they were overthrown by the [[Kirata Kingdom|Kirata dynasty]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Khatri|first=Tek Bahadur|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u1K3Hzk2HNkC&q=mahispal+dynasty|title=The Postage Stamps of Nepal|date=1973|publisher=Sharada Kumari K.C.|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Khatri|first=Shiva Ram|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YIPeAAAAMAAJ&q=mahispal|title=Nepal Army Chiefs: Short Biographical Sketches|date=1999|publisher=Sira Khatri|language=en}}</ref>
===Abhira-Gupta dynasty===
The Abhira-Gupta Dynasty was a dynasty which existed in the [[Kathmandu]] Valley in modern-day [[Nepal]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Malla |first=Kamal Prakash |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=XBNuAAAAMAAJ&dq=bhaumagupta&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=Abhira+Guptas |title=Nepal: Perspectives on Continuity and Change |date=1989 |publisher=Centre for Nepal and Asian Studies, Tribhuvan University |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Béguin |first=Gilles |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bRcVAQAAIAAJ&q=abhira+gupta+dynasty |title=Nepal: Valley of Gods |date=1997 |publisher=India Book Distributors |isbn=978-81-7310-115-1 |language=en |access-date=2022-06-13 |archive-date=2022-06-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613193047/https://books.google.co.in/books?id=bRcVAQAAIAAJ&q=abhira+gupta+dynasty&dq=abhira+gupta+dynasty&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjQ9OLMwLP2AhVREogKHXblCJI4RhDoAXoECAsQAw |url-status=live }}</ref> These Abhira-Guptas had overshadowed the [[Licchavi (kingdom)|Licchavi]] kings in the administration.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=cc0LAAAAIAAJ&dq=bhaumagupta&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=Abhira-Guptas |title=Nepal Antiquary |date=1978 |publisher=Office of the Nepal Antiquary. |language=en}}</ref> Ravigupta,<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0GZDAAAAYAAJ&q=ravigupta+abhira |title=Regmi Research Series |date=1970 |language=en}}</ref> Bhaumagupta, Jishnugupta and Vishnugupta<ref>{{Cite book |last=Van |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2YUECwAAQBAJ&dq=abhira+gupta+dynasty&pg=PA213 |title=Abia South & Southeast Asian Art |date=2018-10-24 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-136-17641-8 |language=en}}</ref> of Abhira-Gupta family controlled Kathmandu (Nepal) as de facto-ruler during many [[Licchavi (kingdom)|Lichchhavi]] kings.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sutherland |first=Sally J. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aF8iAQAAMAAJ&q=abhira |title=Bridging Worlds: Studies on Women in South Asia |date=1992 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-563139-5 |language=en |access-date=2022-06-13 |archive-date=2022-06-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613193015/https://books.google.co.in/books?id=aF8iAQAAMAAJ&dq=abhira+gupta+dynasty&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=abhira |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Jośī |first=Harirāma |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d4FuAAAAMAAJ&q=vishnugupta+abhira |title=Pages of the Forgotten Past |date=1998 |publisher=Joshi Research Institute |language=en |access-date=2022-06-13 |archive-date=2022-06-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613193030/https://books.google.co.in/books?id=d4FuAAAAMAAJ&q=vishnugupta+abhira&dq=vishnugupta+abhira&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjfn8HfwbP2AhVxr1YBHfVwAuMQ6AF6BAgKEAM |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Mukherjee |first=Bikash |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=XgIFAQAAIAAJ&dq=bhaumagupta&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=+bhaumagupta |title=Religious Centres of North India: Buddhist, Jaina, and Brahmanical Based on Archaeological and Literary Sources |date=1993 |publisher=Ramanand Vidya Bhawan |isbn=978-81-85205-58-8 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Rana |first=Pashupati Shumshere J. B. |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=e05uAAAAMAAJ&q=jisnugupta&dq=jisnugupta&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjX76fv18P4AhW44TgGHWQvDco4ChDoAXoECAMQAw |title=Contemporary Nepal |last2=Dhungel |first2=Dwarika Nath |date=1998 |publisher=Vikas |isbn=978-81-259-0411-3 |language=en}}</ref>

The rulers of the Abhira-Gupta dynasty belonged to the Kshatriya Abhira clan<ref>{{Cite book |last=Malla |first=Kamal Prakash |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tL0cAAAAMAAJ&q=abhiras |title=Nepal: A Conspectus |date=1977 |publisher=Preparatory Committee, 26th Colombo Plan Consultative Committee Meeting |language=en |access-date=2022-06-13 |archive-date=2022-06-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613192932/https://books.google.co.in/books?id=tL0cAAAAMAAJ&dq=abhira+rule+nepal&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=abhiras |url-status=live }}</ref> as was claimed by the mother of Bhaumagupta. Regmi has traced the history of Abhiras on the basis of Indian history They were Abhiras.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=TF5NAQAAIAAJ&dq=bhaumagupta&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=Abhiras|title=Dr. D.R. Regmi as a Historian: An Assessment|last=Vaidya|first=Tulasī Rāma|date=2007|publisher=Centre for Nepal and Asian Studies (CNAS) for Dr. Dilli Raman Regmi Foundation [Kathmandu]|isbn=978-99933-52-85-3|language=en}}</ref> is evident from the Inscription of Abhiri Gomini and Chronicles, in which 3 Abhira rulers named Visnugupta, Kishnugupta and Bhumigupta (Bhaumagupta) are mentioned. Abhiri Gomini's Inscription (dated around 540 A.D) evidently proves the presence of Abhiras during the same period when Licchavis kingdom was going through some political trouble (happened around starting 6th or Mid 6th Century) which is evident from Chronicles, MMK and Inscriptions.<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://archive.org/details/MaryShepherdSlusserNepalMandalaACulturalStudyOfTheKathmanduValleyText.1PrincetonUniversityPress1982|title=Nepal Mandala: A Cultural Study of the Kathmandu Valley Text. 1 (Mary Shepherd Slusser)|last=Mary Shepherd Slusser}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=q2dDAAAAYAAJ&dq=gupta+of+nepal+abhira&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=Abhiras+also+came|title=Regmi Research Series|date=1975|publisher=Regmi Research|language=en}}</ref> scholars Like Bharavi And Harirama Joshi believes that "Abhiri" means the wife of Abhira.  according to Amarakosha the wife of Abhira is called Abhiri. Althoughgh chronicles like Gopālarāja-vamsāvalīand chronicle of Kirkpatrick mentions Abhira-Gupta family as Ahirs.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Vaidya |first=Tulasī Rāma |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=TF5NAQAAIAAJ&dq=bhaumagupta&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=Abhiras |title=Dr. D.R. Regmi as a Historian: An Assessment |date=2007 |publisher=Centre for Nepal and Asian Studies (CNAS) for Dr. Dilli Raman Regmi Foundation [Kathmandu] |isbn=978-99933-52-85-3 |language=en}}</ref>

==Related pages==
*[[Yadav]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Hinduism]]