Yadavs of Nepal

In Nepal, the terms Yadav, Ahir, and Gopa are often used interchangeably to refer to the same caste.^[6][7] They trace their origin to Lord Krishna of the Yadu tribe mentioned in Hindu scriptures.^[8]

The Yadavs of Nepal have intimate connections with the Yadavs of Bihar, and many Yadavs from Bihar have migrated to Nepal.^[9][10] The ancient history of Krishnaram Marauti, Saptari and evidences from the story king Sahlesh, a king of Mithila region, proves the presence of Yadavs in the Madhesh much before the formation of present day modern Nepal.^[11]

According to David Mandelbaum, the association of the Yadav (and their constituent castes, Ahir and Gwala) with cattle has impacted their commonly viewed ritual status (varna) as Shudra, although the community's members often claim the higher status of Kshatriya. The Shudra status is explained by the nomadic nature of herdsmen, which constrained the ability of other groups in the varna system to validate the adherence to practices of ritual purity; by their involvement in castration of the animals, which was considered to be a ritually polluting act; and because the sale of milk, as opposed to personal use thereof, was thought to represent economic gain from a sacrosanct product.^[12]

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.^[13] These Gopalas and Mahisapalas were together known as Abhiras.^[14] During lichhavi period names of many de facto rulers of Abhira-gupta dynasty are mentioned in inscription.^[15] These Abhiras occupied the higher position and overshadowed the Lichhavi kings in the administration.^[15]

• Ahir (Gopa) rulers of Gopala dynasty.^[16]
• Ahir rulers of Mahisapala dynasty.^[17]
• Ahir ruler of Abhira-Gupta dynasty.^[18]

Ahirs in Nepal are mainly divided into three subcastes: Majhraut, Krishnaut and Ghosin.^[19] Some other sub-castes are also found in small numbers such as Kannaujiya, Dhadhor, and Goria.^[10]

The Kings of Gopala Dynasty are credited with the Temple restoration of Vedic Deity Pashupatinath on the Pashupatinath volcanic mound in Nepal, which became the location of the Pashupatinath Temple.^[20]

The Kings of Gopala Dynasty were devotees of Lord Shiva.^[21]

The Central Bureau of Statistics of Nepal classifies the Yadav as a subgroup within the broader social group of Madheshi Other Caste.^[22] 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:^[23]

• 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%)