Abhira tribe

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For the dynasty, see Abhira dynasty.

The Abhira tribe is mentioned in the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata. A historical people of the same name are mentioned in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea. They are thought to be people who moved in from eastern Iran in the aftermath of the invasion of Alexander the Great. Their main base was in the Indus delta (modern Sindh and Kathiawar), where their country is mentioned as "Abiria" and "Aberia" in classical sources. There were also other communities of Abhiras in modern Haryana.[1]

Etymology[edit]

Etymologically, he who can cast terror on all sides is called an Abhira.,[2] Abhira meaning fearless.[3]

History[edit]

Sunil Kumar Bhattacharya says that the Abhiras are mentioned in the first-century work of classical antiquity, the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea. He considers them to be a race rather than a tribe.[4] Scholars such as Ramaprasad Chanda believe that they were Indo-Aryan peoples.[5] but others, such as Romila Thapar, believe them to have been indigenous.[6] The Puranic Abhiras occupied the territories of Herat; they are invariably juxtaposed with the Kalatoyakas and Haritas, the peoples of Afghanistan.[7]

According to Jayant Gadkari tribes such as Vrusni, Andhaka, Satvatas and Abhiras after a period of long conflicts came to be known as Yadavas.[8]

In the Padma-puranas and certain literary works, the Abhiras are referred to as belonging to the race of Krishna.[9]

There is no certainty regarding the occupational status of the Abhiras, with ancient texts sometimes referring to them as warriors, pastoral and cowherders but at other times as plundering tribes.[10]

Along with the Vrishnis, the Satvatas and the Yadavas, the Abhiras were followers of the Vedas, who worshipped Krishna, the head and preceptor of these tribes.[11][9]

In archaeological inscriptions Abhiras are mentioned as belonging to the race of Lord Krishna.[12][9] According to K. P. Jayaswal the abhiras of Gujarat are the same race as Rastrikas of Emperor Asoka and Yadavas of the Mahabharatha.[13][14]

Connection to Ahir[edit]

According to Ganga Ram Garg, the modern-day Ahir caste are descendants of Abhira people and the term Ahir is the Prakrit form of the Sanskrit term Abhira.[9] Bhattacharya says that the terms Ahir, Ahar and Gaoli are current forms of the word Abhira.[4] This view gets support in many writings.

M. S. A. Rao and historians such as P. M. Chandorkar and T. Padmaja have explained that epigraphical and historical evidence exists for equating the Ahirs with the ancient Abhiras and Yadava tribe.[15][16][17]

Legendary characters in Hinduism[edit]

Goddess Gayatri[edit]

Gayatri's Illustration by Raja Ravi Verma. In illustrations, the goddess often sits on a lotus flower and appears with five heads and five pairs of hands.

Gayatri is the personified form of popular Gayatri Mantra, a hymn from Vedic texts.[18] She is also known as Savitri and Vedamata (mother of vedas).[19][20]

According to Padma Purana, lord Indra brought Gayatri, an Abhira girl, to help Brahma in a Yajna in Pushkar. She was married to Brahma during Yajna.[21][22][23]

Brahma's first wife is Savitri and Gayatri is the second. The story says that Savitri became angry knowing the wedding of Gayatri with Brahma and cursed all the gods and goddesses engaged in the event.[24][25]

However, in Padma Purana, after Savitri was appeased by Brahma, Vishnu and Lakshmi, she accepts Gayatri Abhira as her sister happily.[26][23]

In some puranas, Gayatri is said to be the other name of Sarasvati, the wife of Brahma.[27] According to Matsya Purana, Brahma's left half emerged as a female, who is celebrated under the names of Sarasvati, Savitri and Gayatri.[28] In Kurma Purana, Gautama rishi was blessed by Goddess Gayatri and able to eliminate the obstacles he faced in his life. Skanda Purana tells that Gayatri is the wife of Brahma making her a form of Saraswati.[29]

Gayatri further developed into a fierce goddess who could even slay a demon. According to Varaha Purana and Mahabharata, Goddess Gayatri slayed the demon Vetrasura, the son of Vritra and river Vetravati, on a Navami day.[30][31]

Goddess Durga[edit]

Durga Mahisasuramardini.JPG

Durga is a major deity in Hinduism. She is worshipped as a principal aspect of the mother goddess Devi and is one of the most popular and widely revered among Indian divinities. She is associated with protection, strength, motherhood, destruction and wars.[32][33][34] Her legend centres around combating evils and demonic forces that threaten peace, prosperity, and Dharma the power of good over evil.[33][35] According to Hindu legends, Durga is created by the gods to defeat the demon Mahishasura, who could be only killed by a female. Durga is seen as a motherly figure and often depicted as a beautiful woman, riding a lion or tiger, with many arms each carrying a weapon and often defeating demons.[36][37][38][39]

The historian Ramaprasad Chanda stated in 1916 that Durga evolved over time in the Indian subcontinent. A primitive form of Durga, according to Chanda, was the result of "syncretism of a mountain-goddess worshiped by the dwellers of the Himalaya and the Vindhyas", a deity of the Abhiras conceptualised as a war-goddess. In the Virata Parvan stuti and Visnuite texts, the Goddess is called the Māhāmāyā, or the Yoganidrā of Visnu. These further points her Abhira or Gopa origins.[40] Durga then transformed into Kali as the personification of the all-destroying time, while aspects of her emerged as the primordial energy (Adya Sakti) integrated into the samsara (cycle of rebirths) concept and this idea was built on the foundation of the Vedic religion, mythology and philosophy.[41]

The 6th-century CE inscriptions in early Siddhamatrika script, such as at the Nagarjuni hill cave during the Maukhari era, already mention the legend of her victory over Mahishasura (buffalo-hybrid demon).[42]

Rule of the Konkan[edit]

From 203 to 270 the Abhiras ruled over the whole of the Deccan Plateau as a paramount power. The Abhiras were the immediate successors of the Satavahanas.[43]

Rule of the Junagadh[edit]

Uparkot fort rediscovered by Chudasama ruler Graharipu

The Chudasama dynasty, originally of Abhira clan from Sind wielded great influence around Junagadh from the 875 A.D. onwards when they consolidated themselves at Vanthali (ancient Vamanasthali) close to Girnar under their - King Ra Chuda.[44][45]

A Chudasama prince styled Graharipu and ruling at Vanthali near Junagadh is described in the Dyashraya-Kavya of Hemachandra as an Abhira and a Yadava.[46]

Abhiras of Gupta empire[edit]

Main article: Abhira dynasty

During the reign of Samudragupta (c. 350), the Abhiras lived in Rajputana and Malava on the western frontier of the Gupta empire. Historian Dineshchandra Sircar thinks of their original abode was the area of Abhiravan, between Herat and Kandahar, although this is disputed.[47] Their occupation of Rajasthan also at later date is evident from the Jodhpur inscription of Samvat 918 that the Abhira people of the area were a terror to their neighbours, because of their violent demeanour.[47] Abhiras of Rajputana were sturdy and regarded as Mlecchas, and carried on anti-Brahmanical activities. As a result, life and property became unsafe. Pargiter[who?] points to the Pauranic tradition that the Vrishnis and Andhakas, while retreating northwards after the Kurukshetra War from their western home in Dwarka and Gujarat, were attacked and broken up by the rude Abhiras of Rajasthan.[48] They were the supporters of the Duryodhana[49][50] and Kauravas, and in the Mahabharata,[51] Abhir, Gopa, Gopal[52] and Yadavas are all synonyms.[53][54][55] They defeated the hero of Mahabharatha war, and did spare him when he disclosed the identity of the members of the family of Sri Krishna.[56] The Gopas, whom Krishna had offered to Duryodhana to fight in his support when he himself joined Arjuna's side, were no other than the Yadavas themselves, who were also the Abhiras.[57][58][59] The Abhiras also have been described as Vrata Kshatriyas.

The Abhiras did not stop in Rajasthan; some of their clans moved south and west reaching Saurashtra and Maharashtra and taking service under the Satavahana dynasty and the Western Satraps.[60] Also founded a kingdom in the northern part of the Maratha country, and an inscription of the ninth year of the Abhira king Ishwarsena.[61][62]

Rule of the Nepal[edit]

An Ahir dynasty ruled pre-12th century areas in present-day Nepal.[63] According to Gopalarājvamshāvali, the genealogy of ancient Gopala dynasty compiled circa 1380s, Nepal is named after Nepa the cowherd, the founder of the Nepali scion of the Abhiras. In its account, the cow that issued milk to the spot, at which Nepa discovered the Jyotirlinga of Pashupatināth upon investigation, was also named Ne.[64]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ Chattopadhyaya, Sudhakar (1974), Some Early Dynasties of South India, Motilal Banarsidass Publ., pp. 127–128, ISBN 978-81-208-2941-1
  2. ↑ Soni, Lok Nath (2000). The Cattle and Stick. Anthropological Survey of India. p. 14. ISBN 9788185579573.
  3. ↑ Yadava, S. D. S. (2006). Followers of Krishna: Yadavas of India. Lancer Publishers. ISBN 978-81-7062-216-1.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Bhattacharya, Sunil Kumar (1996). Krishna — Cult in Indian Art. M.D. Publications. p. 126. ISBN 9788175330016.
  5. ↑ Chanda, Ramaprasad (1969). The Indo-Aryan races: a study of the origin of Indo-Aryan people and institutions. Indian Studies: Past & Present. p. 55.
  6. ↑ Thapar, Romila (1978). Ancient Indian Social History: Some Interpretations. Orient Blackswan. p. 149. ISBN 978-81-250-0808-8.
  7. ↑ Miśra, Sudāmā (1973). Janapada state in ancient India. Bhāratīya Vidyā Prakāśana.
  8. ↑ Jayant GadKari (1991). Society and Religion. Vol. 53. Gopson Papers. p. 184. ISBN 9788171547432.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Garg, Dr Ganga Ram (1992). Encyclopaedia of Hindu world. Concept Publishing. p. 113. ISBN 9788170223740.
  10. ↑ Malik, Aditya (1990). "The Puskara Mahatmya: A Short Report". In Bakker, Hans (ed.). The History of Sacred Places in India As Reflected in Traditional Literature. Leiden: BRILL and the International Association of Sanskrit Studies. p. 200. ISBN 9789004093188.
  11. ↑ Radhakrishnan, S. (2007). Identity And Ethos. Orient Paperbacks. pp. 31–32. ISBN 978-8-12220-455-1.
  12. ↑ T, Padmaja (2002). Ay velirs and Krsna. University of Mysore. p. 34. ISBN 9788170173984.
  13. ↑ Mularaja solanki (1943). "The Glory that was Gūrjaradeśa, Volume 1". History. Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan. p. 30.
  14. ↑ K P Jayaswal (1943). "Hindu Polity". History. Bangalore Print. p. 141.
  15. ↑ Guha, Sumit (2006). Environment and Ethnicity in India, 1200–1991. University of Cambridge. p. 47. ISBN 978-0-521-02870-7.
  16. ↑ Rao, M. S. A. (1978). Social Movements in India. Vol. 1. Manohar. pp. 124, 197, 210.
  17. ↑ T., Padmaja (2001). Temples of Kr̥ṣṇa in South India: History, Art, and Traditions in Tamilnāḍu. Archaeology Dept., University of Mysore. pp. 25, 34. ISBN 978-8-170-17398-4.
  18. ↑ Bradley, R. Hertel; Cynthia, Ann Humes (1993). Living Banaras: Hindu Religion in Cultural Context. SUNY Press. p. 286. ISBN 9780791413319. Archived from the original on 12 October 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  19. ↑ Constance Jones, James D. Ryan (2005), Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Infobase Publishing, p.167, entry "Gayatri Mantra"
  20. ↑ Roshen Dalal (2010), The Religions of India: A Concise Guide to Nine Major Faiths, Penguin Books India, p.328, entry "Savitr, god"
  21. ↑ Nambiar, K. Damodaran (1979). Nārada Purāṇa, a Critical Study. All-India Kashiraj Trust, 1979. p. 145.
  22. ↑ Wadia, Sophia (1969). The Aryan Path. Theosophy Company (India), Limited.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Arya, Sharda (1988). Religion and Philosophy of the Padma-purāṇa. Nag Publishers. ISBN 978-81-7081-190-9.
  24. ↑ Sharma, Bulbul (2010). The book of Devi. Penguin Books India. pp. 72–75. ISBN 9780143067665. Archived from the original on 12 October 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  25. ↑ Bansal, Sunita Pant (2005). Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Smriti Books. p. 23. ISBN 9788187967729. Archived from the original on 14 May 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  26. ↑ Holdrege, Barbara A. (2012). Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic. SUNY Press. ISBN 9781438406954. Archived from the original on 20 August 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  27. ↑ Guru Granth Sahib an Advance Study. Hemkunt Press. p. 294. ISBN 9788170103219. Archived from the original on 12 October 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  28. ↑ Ludvík, Catherine (2007). Sarasvatī, Riverine Goddess of Knowledge: From the. Brill. p. 119. ISBN 9789004158146. Archived from the original on 12 October 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  29. ↑ Kennedy, Vans (1831). Researches Into the Nature and Affinity of Ancient and Hindu Mythology by Vans Kennedy. Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown and Green. pp. 317–324.
  30. ↑ B K Chaturvedi (2017). Varaha Purana. Diamond Pocket Books Pvt Ltd. p. 108. ISBN 9788128822261.
  31. ↑ Bibek, Debroy (2002). The holy Puranas Volume 2 of The Holy Puranas: Markandeya, Agni, Bhavishya, Brahmavaivarta, Linga, Varaha. B.R. Pub. Corp. p. 519. ISBN 9788176462969. Archived from the original on 12 October 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  32. ↑ Encyclopedia Britannica 2015.
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 David R Kinsley 1989, pp. 3–4.
  34. ↑ Charles Phillips, Michael Kerrigan & David Gould 2011, pp. 93–94.
  35. ↑ Paul Reid-Bowen 2012, pp. 212–213.
  36. ↑ Wendy Doniger 1999, p. 306.
  37. ↑ David R Kinsley 1989, pp. 3–5.
  38. ↑ Laura Amazzone 2011, pp. 71–73.
  39. ↑ Donald J LaRocca 1996, pp. 5–6.
  40. ↑ Aiyar, Indira S. (1997). Durga As Mahisasuramardini. Gyan Publishing House, 1997. p. 217. ISBN 9788121205108.
  41. ↑ June McDaniel 2004, p. 214.
  42. ↑ Richard Salomon (1998). Indian Epigraphy: A Guide to the Study of Inscriptions in Sanskrit, Prakrit, and the Other Indo-Aryan Languages. Oxford University Press. pp. 200–201. ISBN 978-0-19-509984-3.
  43. ↑ Numismatic Society of India (1991). The Journal of the Numismatic Society of India. Vol. 53. the University of Michigan. pp. 91–95.
  44. ↑ Rajan, K. V. Soundara (1985). Junagadh. Archaeological Survey of India, 1985. p. 10.
  45. ↑ Sailendra Nath Sen (1 January 1999). Ancient Indian History and Civilization. New Age International. p. 344. ISBN 978-81-224-1198-0. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
  46. ↑ Reginald Edward Enthoven (1990). The Tribes and Castes of Bombay, Volume 1. Asian Educational Services. p. 25. ISBN 9788120606302.
  47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 Sharma, Tej Ram (1989). A political history of the imperial Guptas: from Gupta to Skandagupta. Concept Publishing Company. p. 87. ISBN 978-81-7022-251-4.
  48. ↑ Jain, Kailash Chand (1972). Ancient cities and towns of Rajasthan: a study of culture and civilization. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 9788120806696.
  49. ↑ Man in India – Google Books. 17 July 2007.
  50. ↑ Man in India, Volume 54-page-39
  51. ↑ Ancient Nepal
  52. ↑ Regmi, D. R. (1 December 1973). Ancient Nepal – D. R. Regmi, Nepal Institute of Asian Studies – Google Books.
  53. ↑ Kapoor, Subodh (2002). Encyclopaedia of ancient Indian ... – Subodh Kapoor – Google Books. ISBN 9788177552980.
  54. ↑ Rao, M. S. A. (14 December 2006). Social movements and social ... – M. S. A. Rao – Google Books. ISBN 9780333902554.
  55. ↑ Rao, M. S. A. (14 December 2006). Social movements and social ... – M. S. A. Rao – Google Books. ISBN 9780333902554.
  56. ↑ Singh Yadav, J. N. (28 August 2007). Yadavas through the ages, from ... – J. N. Singh Yadav – Google Books. ISBN 9788185616032.
  57. ↑ Man in India – Google Books. 1974.
  58. ↑ Shah, Popatlal Govindlal (13 February 2009). Ethnic history of Gujarat – Popatlal Govindlal Shah – Google Books.
  59. ↑ Ethnic history of Gujarat
  60. ↑ Haryana: studies in history and culture. Kurukshetra University. 1968. p. 44.
  61. ↑ Bhattacharya, Sunil Kumar (1996). Krishna-cult in Indian art. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. p. 10. ISBN 978-81-7533-001-6.
  62. ↑ Majumdar, Ramesh Chandra; Altekar, Anant Sadashiv (1967). Vakataka – Gupta Age Circa 200–550 AD. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 143. ISBN 978-81-208-0026-7.
  63. ↑ Yadav, Punam (2016). Social Transformation in Post-conflict Nepal: A Gender Perspective. Taylor & Francis. p. 57. ISBN 978-1-317-35389-8.
  64. ↑ Malla, Kamal P. (1983). Nepāla: Archaeology of the Word (PDF). 3rd PATA International Tourism & Heritage Conservation Conference (1–4 November). The Nepal Heritage Society Souvenir for PATA Conference. Kathmandu. pp. 33–39. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2011.

Sources[edit]

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