Heer caste members usually belong to the areas of western Punjab and desert regions. Commonly known as Ahirs, the population originally came from the banks Jhelum and Sind rivers. The scheduled caste tribe is found throughout the region of Punjab, Khusab district.
Heers are interchangeably pronounced as aheer and Ahir while defining a large caste category of northern Indian region. Heers also use the Yadav surname to make things simpler and easier.
Famous Heer people and current status of caste
Prominent and well-known Indian figures like Mulayam Singh Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav and Rajpal Yadav are great political leaders and actors. The current generations of Heers are well educated, learned and spread all across India. They are currently practising different trades and professions. They are no longer given the status of untouchables. The current generation Heers have a respectable status in the society and are well treated by all the castes and community members in India.
Heer caste surname history
Most of the people carrying Heer surname write her, Hira And Heers interchangeably. The age-old caste
The origin and history of Heer can be traced back during the 19th and 20th century. There were individuals who adopted the Yadav surname because of being the legal descendants of king Yadu. They are mostly influenced by Arya Samaj culture which is responsible for the social and political shaping up of the group. The previous generations of Heer were mainly involved in farming and agricultural activities.
The Vishnu Purana mentions that Yadu who was the elder of all the sons of Yayati did not carry forward his paternal legacy. He planned his retirement in the areas of Iran and Punjab. Out of his total five sons of Yayati, Krishna and Satya Jeet remained childless whereas the rest of her sons gave birth to jats and Heer gotras. Hence, the origin of the Ahir community is as old as the ancient Vishnu Purana.
Another story suggests that Ahir/Heer is one of the oldest Jat gotra to exist. Bhangoos are the descendants of Heers and are ancient Jat gotras. Different areas of Punjab find the existence of Bhangu-heer community.
Heer culture and beliefs
Heer caste members mostly worship Shiva and Krishna. It is also said that Lord Krishna was also Yadav by surname. Hence, some of the Heers believe that they are the descendants of Hari- Lord Krishna. The term Heer many times represents the descendants of Lord Hari.
The Heer community links itself with the GwalaVamshi, NandVamshi and Yaduvanshi Community. Majority of the caste members are non-vegetarians with a few exceptions present.
Heers mostly speak Hindi as their mother tongue. Their chosen language can also differ according to the region where they choose to settle down. For example, a Heer caste member settled in the area of Punjab may speak Punjabi and the other may speak Khandesh because of their settlement in Maharashtra.
Heers celebrate all the Hindu festivals with zeal and enthusiasm. The believers of nonviolence are also known as gau-rakshaks because of their sacred linkage with Lord Krishna and his cows.