Hindu Ghosi


The Hindu Ghosi also spelled Ghosee trace their origin to King Nand, the professed ancestor of Yaduvanshi Ahirs.

Myth of origin

They also claim their importance saying that the sacred texts have mentioned them under the name of Ghosas. The term Ghosa refers to a settlement of the Abhira people or a temporary encampment of cowherds, which was the occupation of those people.

Colonial description

The largest subdivisions of Ahirs in Braj-Ahirwal area are the Ghosi, Kamariya, Phataks and Nandvanshis. However today they all recognise themselves to be Yaduvanshi or Krishnavanshi Yadavs.
In the Braj-Ahirwal region, the Ghosi and other subdivisions of Ahirs were gradually absorbed into the Nandvanshi category of landlords and into the Yaduvanshi subdivision as a consequence of British so-called "official" ethnographies and racial theories. The landlords liked the Nandvanshi title because they considered it to be prestigious.

Distribution

In the Braj-Ahirwal area, the Ghosi are among the largest Ahir subdivisions, along with the Kamariyas, Gwalvanshis and Nandvanshis.