Abhira

The Abhira (Ahirs) were a legendary Kshatriyas people mentioned in ancient Indian epics and scriptures as early as the Vedas.[1][2][3][4][5][6] the Bhāgavata religion was considered primarily as the religion of the Abhiras (Ahirs) and Krishna himself came to be known as an Abhira (Ahir). In the mediaeval literature, Krishna is called an Abhira (Ahir).[7]

Etymology

Etymologically, he who can cast fear on all sides, is called Abhira. According to many historians Abhira means fearless.[8][9] Anthropologists came up with the view that Haryana was known by this name because in the post- Mahabharata period here lived the Abhiras, who developed special skills in the art of Agriculture. According to Pran Nath Chopra Haryana got it's name from Abhirayana=Ahirayana=Hirayana=Haryana.[10][11][12]

See also

References
  1. Soni, Lok Nath (2000). The Cattle and the Stick: An Ethnographic Profile of the Raut of Chhattisgarh. Anthropological Survey of India, Government of India, Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Department of Culture. ISBN 978-81-85579-57-3. the Abhira were divided into thirty-six lineage groups. It has also been described in 'Nagvansa' written by Pradyumn Singh (quoted by Singh 1945), as thirty-six' Kuris. It shows that the Abhira are the Kshatriya and were called both Kshatriya and Rajput. the Yadubansi Kshatriyas were originally Ahirs". In the old literature thirty-six sections of the Kshatriya caste have been mentioned'. Chand Bardai, a Kshatriya, was one of the eminent persons in the Prithviraj Chauhan's cabinet and a well-known poet, who has written "Prithviraj Raso". At one place, he has mentioned the 'Abhira' as a section of the Kshatriya caste. The above writings show that the Abhira is a section of Kshatriya caste. This is also confirmed by Shakti Sangam Tantra which says "Those who are begotten by king Ahuk, are Abhira". Jati Vivekadhyayo also confirms this conception and mentions that "those who are born in the Ahuk lineage, are called Abhira".
  2. Prabhupāda, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami (1987). Śrīmad Bhāgavatam: With the Original Sanskrit Text, Its Roman Transliteration, Synonyms, Translation and Elaborate Purports. Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. ISBN 978-0-89213-251-5. The kṣatriyas who were afraid of Parasurama and had hidden themselves in the Caucasian hilly regions later on became known as the Abhiras, and the place they inhabited was known as Abhiradeśa.
  3. Shome, Ayan (2014-11-01). Dialogue & Daggers: Notion of Authority and Legitimacy in the Early Delhi Sultanate (1192 C.E. – 1316 C.E.). Vij Books India Pvt Ltd. ISBN 978-93-84318-46-8.
  4. Kumar, Ravinder (1984). Philosophical Theory and Social Reality. Allied. ISBN 978-0-8364-1171-3. there is historic evidence to show that the Abhiras, who were Kshatriyas, had established powerful kingdoms in different parts of India. The Ahirs and the Gopas are synonyms of the Abbiras.
  5. Saksena, Manmohan (1953). Indian Short Stories. Oxford University Press, Indian branch.
  6. Thapar, Romila (1978). Ancient Indian Social History: Some Interpretations. Orient Blackswan. ISBN 978-81-250-0808-8. Among the tribes of indigenous origin also referred to as vratya kṣatriyas in some sources are listed the Drāviḍa, Abhira, Śabara, Kirāta, Mālava, Śibi, Trigarta and Yaudheya.
  7. Dange, Sindhu S. (1984). The Bhāgavata Purāṇa: Mytho-social Study. Ajanta Publications. ISBN 978-0-8364-1132-4.
  8. Tyagi, Vidya Prakash (2009). Martial races of undivided India. Gyan Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-7835-775-1. The name 'Abhira' may havebeen derived from a-bhira standing for fearless.
  9. Soni, Lok Nath (2000). The Cattle and the Stick: An Ethnographic Profile of the Raut of Chhattisgarh. Anthropological Survey of India, Government of India, Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Department of Culture. ISBN 978-81-85579-57-3.
  10. Chopra, Pran Nath (1982). Religions and Communities of India. Vision Books. ISBN 978-0-391-02748-0.
  11. Lal, Muni (1974). Haryana: On High Road to Prosperity. Vikas Publishing House. ISBN 978-0-7069-0290-7.
  12. Punia, Bijender K. (1994). Tourism Management: Problems and Prospects. APH Publishing. ISBN 978-81-7024-643-5.
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