Problems and prospects of Ahir community in Karnataka: A sociological study

Abstract

In Karnataka, communities that were historically known as Ahirs in other parts of India are often referred to as Gollas, and they form a significant part of the larger Yadav community. The term 'Ahir' itself is an older name for a group that, along with others like Gavlis in Maharashtra, now commonly identify as Yadavs, a community of former herdsmen and cowherds. This assimilation into the Yadav identity was promoted by the All India Yadav Mahasabha, which sought to consolidate various regional cattle-rearing communities. The Ahir community is believed to have origins in the Abhiras, a group historically found across India. The same community, known as Ahirs in the Hindi-speaking belt, is called Gollas in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, Gavli in Maharashtra, and Ayar or other terms in different regions. The present study is focussing on the problems and prospects of Ahir community in terms of socio-economic, political and religion aspects.