AHIR

 cattle-tending caste widespread in northern and central India. Ahirs are an important community of Haryana, but constitute less than 10 per cent of the total population. Most of them live in the region around Rewari and Narnaul, which is therefore known as Ahirwal (abode of Ahirs).

Considerable historical interest is attached to this caste, because its members are thought to be identical with the Abhiras of Sanskrit literature, which are mentioned repeatedly in the Mahabharata. Some scholars contend that these cattlemen, scattered over southern Rajasthan and Sind (now part of Pakistan), played an important role in the early development of the Hindu god, Krishna, as the cowherd, which is a significant aspect of the legend of Lord Krishna.

The Ahirs of Mathura and Braj regions were peace-loving cowherds whereas the Abhirs of Haryana and Mahendergarh, who later on came to be called as Ahirs, were powerful warriors. The Ahirs have contributed in many ways to Indian culture: the nomadic art form, the Abhira language (Apabhramsha), the Raslila and certain ragas like Ahir-Bhairav, Abhirika, Kannada-guala and, perhaps most of all, the Krishna cult.