Gowala (caste)

Gowala^[1][2][3] (also spelled as Goala)^[4] is a subcaste of Ahir/Yadav community,^[5][6] found in the Indian states of Assam, West Bengal, Tripura and Himachal Pradesh^[7] and the neighbouring states of Arunachal Pradesh, Punjab and Chandigarh.^[8][9] Traditionally they are herdsmen or milkmen and considered a prosperous community.^[10]

Gowala/ Goala
Classification	Ahir/Yadav
Religions	Hinduism
Languages	Assamese  • Bengali • Himachali  • Hindi  • Punjabi
Populated states	Assam, West Bengal, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh and Punjab

Mythological Origin

The Gowalas are closely associated with Krishna and consider themselves to be descendants of Raja Yadu. By 1910s they became the part of Yadav community as part of Sanskritisation.^[11]