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People belonging to a particular gotra may not be of the same caste (as there are many gotras which are part of different castes) in the Hindu social system. However, there is a notable exception among matrilineal Tulu speakers, for whom the lineages are the same across the castes. People of the same gotra are generally not allowed to marry.
Generally, the gotra forms an exogamous unit, with marriage within the same gotra being regarded as incest and prohibited by custom. [1] The name of the gotra can be used as a surname, but it is different from a surname and is strictly maintained because of its importance in marriages among Hindus, especially among castes.
The traditional occupations of Ahirs are cattle-herding and agriculture. Since late 19th century to early 20th century, Ahirs have adopted Yadav word for their community and have claimed descent from the mythological king Yadu. This is a part of a movement of social and political resurgence (sanskritisation) under the influence of Arya Samaj. [3]
The term Yadav (or Yadava) has been interpreted to mean "a descendant of Yadu," who is a mythological king. [18]Using "very broad generalisations", Jayant Gadkari says that it is "almost certain" from analysis of the Puranas that Andhaka, Vrishni, Satvata and Abhira were collectively known as Yadavas and worshipped Krishna.
The Central Bureau of Statistics of Nepal classifies the Yadav as a subgroup within the broader social group of Madheshi Other Caste. [17] 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:
Yadavs in Bihar refers to the people of Yadav community of the Indian state of Bihar. [1] [2] They are also known as Ahir, [3] Gope, etc. [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.
The gotra was inherited from Guru at the time of Upanayana, in ancient times, so it is a remnant of Guru-shishya tradition, but since the tradition is no longer followed, during Upanayana ceremony father acts as Guru of his son, so the son inherits his father's gotra. The entire community consists of 64 gotras. [46] [50]
Ahirs are also known as Yadav, a surname they adopted following Sanskritisation in the 20th century. [7] [8] [9] The Ahir clans are spread almost all over country.