Yadavs of Nepal
Yadavs of Nepal (Nepali: नेपालका यादव), also known as Ahir or Gope[1] are one of the prominent caste of Nepal.[2][3] At the time of the 2011 Nepal census, 1,054,458 people (4.0% of the population of Nepal) were Yadav.[4] They are politically and socially very well established in Nepal.[5]
Total population | |
---|---|
10,54,458 (2011 Nepal census)[6][7] | |
Regions with significant populations | |
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Languages | |
Maithili, Bajjika, Bhojpuri | |
Religion | |
Hinduism | |
Related ethnic groups | |
other Indo-Aryan peoples |
History
In Nepal, the terms Yadav, Ahir, Gopa, Gwala are often used synonymously for the same caste.[1][8] They claim descendence from 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.[12]
- Ahir (Gopa) rulers of Gopala dynasty.[13]
- Ahir rulers of Mahisapala dynasty.[14]
- Ahir ruler of Abhira-Gupta dynasty.[15]
Subdivision
Ahirs in Nepal are mainly divided into three subcaste Majhraut, Krishnaut and Ghosin.[16] Some other sub-castes are also found in small numbers like Kannaujiya, Dhadhor[17] Goria/Dahiyara etc.
Culture
Pashupatinath Temple

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.[18]
The Kings of Gopala Dynasty were devotees of Lord Shiva.[19]
Population
The Central Bureau of Statistics of Nepal classifies the Yadav as a subgroup within the broader social group of Madheshi Other Caste.[20] 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:[21]
Notable people
- Jishnugupta, ruler of Nepal.[22]
- Ram Baran Yadav, first President of Nepal.
- Ram Sahay Yadav, politician and current Vice President of Nepal.[23]
- 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.
References
- Yadav, Sohan Ram (1992). Rural and Agrarian Social Structure of Nepal. Commonwealth Publishers. ISBN 978-81-7169-174-6.
- Acharya, Meena (1999). Women in Nepal. Asian Development Bank, Programs Department West and Office of Environment and Social Development. ISBN 978-971-561-268-5.
- Dastider, Mollica (2007). Understanding Nepal: Muslims in a Plural Society. Har-Anand Publications. ISBN 978-81-241-1271-7.
- Population Monograph of Nepal, Volume II
- @therecord. "How did Madhesis fare in the local elections, and who won among them? - The Record". www.recordnepal.com. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
- http://cbs.gov.np/image/data/Population/Population%20Monograph%20of%20Nepal%202014/Population%20Monograph%20V02.pdf
- "Nepal Census 2011" (PDF).
- Gurung, Harka B. (1996). Faces of Nepal. Himal Books. ISBN 978-99933-43-50-9.
- Khatri, Tek Bahadur (1973). The Postage Stamps of Nepal. Sharada Kumari K.C.
- Nepalese Culture : Annual Journal of NeHCA. Nepalese History, Culture and Archaeology Instruction Committee, Kirtipur Campus, T.U. 1985.
- Béguin, Gilles (1997). Nepal: Valley of Gods. India Book Distributors. ISBN 978-81-7310-115-1.
- Béguin, Gilles (1997). Nepal: Valley of Gods. India Book Distributors. ISBN 978-81-7310-115-1.
- Satyal, Yajna Raj (1988). Tourism in Nepal: A Profile. Nath Publishing House.
- Vaidya, Tulasī Rāma (1985). Crime and Punishment in Nepal: A Historical Perspective. Bini Vaidya and Purna Devi Manandhar.
- Mukherjee, Bikash (1993). Religious Centres of North India: Buddhist, Jaina, and Brahmanical Based on Archaeological and Literary Sources. Ramanand Vidya Bhawan. ISBN 978-81-85205-58-8.
- Śreshṭha, Īśvara Govinda (1990). Rājavaṃśī (in Nepali). Jamunā Śreshṭha Jośī.
- Project, Joshua. "Yadav Dhindhor in Nepal". joshuaproject.net. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
- Ḍhakāla, Bāburāma (2005). Empire of Corruption. Babu Ram Dhakal. ISBN 978-99946-33-91-3.
- Bhattarai, Muralidhar (1960). Lectures on Nepal-culture. World Friendship Association] Vikram 2017.
- Population Monograph of Nepal, Volume II
- 2011 Nepal Census, District Level Detail Report
- Vaidya, Tulasī Rāma (2007). Dr. D.R. Regmi as a Historian: An Assessment. Centre for Nepal and Asian Studies (CNAS) for Dr. Dilli Raman Regmi Foundation [Kathmandu]. ISBN 978-99933-52-85-3.
- Bureau, ABP News (2023-03-17). "Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav Elected As Nepal's Third Vice-President". news.abplive.com. Retrieved 2023-04-22.