Yadav

Yadav is a caste name and surname used in India and Nepal. The term denotes members of the Yadava community, whose traditional lineage is traced to Yadu, a legendary king in the Yaduvamsha of Hindu literature. In many regions the Yadavas are closely linked with the Ahir community; the two identities are often used interchangeably, though regional usage varies.

Geographically, Yadav communities are concentrated in northern and central India, especially in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh, with sizable populations in Uttarakhand, Delhi, and parts of Nepal. Historically associated with cattle herding and dairy work, many Yadavs were pastoralists; over time the community diversified into farming and other occupations, as well as business and public service.

In modern India, Yadavs constitute a significant Other Backward Class (OBC) in several states and have played a prominent role in regional politics. Notable figures include Lalu Prasad Yadav of Bihar and Mulayam Singh Yadav of Uttar Pradesh, whose parties have shaped state-level politics and national discourse. Yadav organizations and elected representatives continue to be active in local governance and social initiatives focused on education and welfare.

In Nepal, Yadav is also recognized as a caste group with a notable presence in several districts. The overall Yadav identity encompasses a range of regional subgroups and practices, united by historical association with the Yadu lineage and the traditional occupation of cattle herding, alongside evolving socio-economic roles in the contemporary period.