The Hindu Ghosi or Ghosi Thakur[1] is a sub-caste of the HinduAhir (Yadav) caste in the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh & Madhya Pradesh. They are divided into various clans (section) and lineages.
They claim descent from Nandji, the foster father of Krishna.[2]
They also claim their importance saying that the sacred texts have mentioned them under the name of Ghosas.[3] The term Ghosa refers to a settlement of the Abhira people[4] or a temporary encampment of cowherds, which was the occupation of those people.[5]
The largest subdivisions of Yaduvansh in Braj-Ahirwal area are the Ghosi, Kamariya, Phataks and Nandvanshis. However today they all recognise themselves to be Yaduvanshi or Krishnavanshi Yadavs.[6][7]
In the Braj region, the Ghosi and other subdivisions of Yaduvansh 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 Yaduvanshi title because they considered it to be prestigious.[8][7]
Distribution
In the Braj area, the Ghosi are among the largest subdivisions of Yadav along with the Kamariyas, Gwalvanshis and Nandvanshis.[9][7]
