Kamariya

Kamariya (or Kamaria कमरिया, Kamariya Ahir कमरिया अहीर,Kamariya Yadav कमरिया यादव ,Kamariya Thakur कमरिया ठाकुर), is a sub-caste of Ahir Community .

Etymology

Kamaria (literally means Kambal, Blanket), is a sub caste of Ahirs. Anthropologist Kumar Suresh Singh observed that the terms Bahenia, Kamaria, and Uprelia Ahir are synonymous in Madhya Pradesh and their common surname is Singh. According to Nesfield, Kur or Kor subdivision of Kamariyas of Central Doab can etymologically be connected to Kols of Vindhyan Plateau.

Distribution

They are mainly found in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar states in India. In Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the Gwala, Gopal, Ghosi, Mandal, Dharond, Dhuria, Gaoli, Kamaria, Ahir and Abhir castes all call themselves Yadavs. In North Western Provinces, the Parganah of Ahrorah in district Mirzapur (ancient Ahirwara), derives its name from Ahir Zamindars. The Ain Akbari also mentions Ahir Zamindars in the districts of Nagina and Sirdhana. In Madhya Pradesh, they are known as Kamaria Zamindars and are an agricultural community. The Census reports of the time of British Occupation narrate that Kamariyas hold fifty seven villages in District Mainpuri (Uttar Pradesh), the one called Paidhat, where a yearly festival is organised to commemorate valour of the village heroes Paindhat, a Brahmin and Jagaiya Ahir who fought a great battle in the time of Prithvi Raj.