Dhandhor

This article is about the community of India. For the village, see Dhador.

Dhandhor^[1] or Dharhor is a subdivision of the Yadav caste in India.^[2] The Dharhors claim to have been the first settlers of the Senapur village of Jaunpur District, and it may be that they had the responsibility of protecting the original Thakur settlers.^[3] They are the second-most represented subcastes of Yadavs in Purvanchal (eastern region of Uttar Pradesh) after the Gwalvanshi Ahir subcaste.^[4] They are also populated in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Chhattisgarh.^[5]

Etymology

The word Dhandhor etymologically signifies "one whose wealth lies in cattle" being derived from dhan; wealth and dhor; hoofed cattle.^[6]

History

Dhandhor (Darhore) have migrated from Dundak (Dandak) forests of Central-South India.^{[7][better source needed]}

Culture

In the areas where Awadhi, Bhojpuri, Magahi and Chhattisgarhi dialects are spoken three clans of Ahir dominate i.e. Dhandhor, Gwal and Krishnaut and it is these three main groups alone who continue the tradition of the Chanainī or Loriki singing.^[1] The buffalo-breeder/grazier Ahirs were called Dhandhors.^[8] They sell milk, curd and similar items.^[9]