Nagaland

1. Indigenous Background of Nagaland (Essential Context)

Nagaland is historically inhabited by Naga tribes, such as:

• Ao

• Angami

• Sema (Sumi)

• Lotha

• Konyak

• Chakhesang, etc.

These tribes have:

• Distinct Tibeto-Burman origins

• Clan- and village-based political systems

• Strong customary laws and traditions

➡️ There is no evidence of any ancient or medieval Yadav population, kingdom, or rule in Nagaland.
Yadav presence here is entirely migrant and modern.

2. Arrival of Yadavs in Nagaland (20th Century)

Time period

• Early to mid-20th century, mainly during:

  • Late British rule

  • Early post-Independence India

Migration routes

Yadavs came to Nagaland through:

• Bihar / Eastern Uttar Pradesh → Bengal → Assam → Nagaland

• Some families entered via Dimapur and Kohima corridors

Reasons for migration

• Expansion of British administration

• Establishment of military and police posts

• Development of roads, cantonments, and towns

• Demand for:

  • Dairy products

  • Manual and skilled labour

  • Small traders and service providers

3. Occupational Role of Yadavs in Nagaland

Traditionally recorded as Ahir / Goala / Gwala, Yadav migrants were involved in:

• Cattle rearing and dairy supply

• Milk, curd, butter, and ghee supply to:

  • Military units

  • Administrative offices

  • Urban markets

• Small-scale farming in foothill areas

• Later:

  • Shopkeeping

  • Transport

  • Private and government service

Areas of settlement

• Dimapur (largest concentration)

• Kohima

• Nearby semi-urban localities

Settlements remained:

• Small

• Urban-focused

• Outside traditional Naga village land systems

4. Religious & Cultural Identity

Vaishnav tradition

• Yadavs brought Krishna-centric Vaishnav practices

• Observed:

  • Janmashtami

  • Govardhan Puja

• Maintained cow-reverence customs

Cultural adaptation

• Learned Nagamese and local languages for daily life

• Retained Hindi/Bhojpuri for rituals and family functions

• Lived peacefully alongside predominantly Christian Naga society

Inter-community marriages were rare, but social relations were generally cordial.

5. British & Post-Independence Records

• British administration classified Yadavs as:

  • Non-tribal migrants

  • Ahir/Goala caste

• After 1947:

  • Recognized as Other Backward Classes (OBC)

  • Not included in Scheduled Tribes (ST)

They were outside the Naga customary law system and followed general Indian civil laws.

6. Social & Legal Status in Modern Nagaland

• OBC (Non-Tribal)

• Very small minority population

• Concentrated mainly in towns

Present-day occupations

• Government and private service

• Business and retail trade

• Education

• Skilled labour and transport

• Dairy occupation now minimal

7. Important Historical Clarification

Aspect

Nagaland

Indigenous Yadav presence

❌ None

Period of arrival

20th century

Nature of settlement

Migrant

Political rule

❌ No Yadav dynasty

Legal status

OBC (Non-ST)

Claims of ancient Yadav, Krishna-era, or Yaduvanshi kingdoms in Nagaland are not supported by historical or archaeological evidence.

8. Comparison with Other North-East States

State

Yadav Presence

Assam

Migrant, larger population

Manipur

Migrant, temple-linked

Tripura

Migrant, moderate

Meghalaya

Migrant, urban

Mizoram

Migrant, very small

Nagaland

Migrant, very small

Conclusion

• Yadavs in Nagaland are a migrant Yaduvanshi community

• Settlement occurred mainly in the 20th century

• Initial role centered on:

  • Dairy supply

  • Urban services

• Today, they form a small, educated, peaceful OBC community, well integrated into urban life while preserving cultural identity

Looking For

• Tripura Yadav history

• Complete North-East Yadav comparative study

• Clan/gotra traditions among NE Yadavs

• Legal explanation of OBC vs ST status

• Historical census references