The Ahirs claim to be the descendants of Lord Krishna, and state that they lived as shepherds in a place called Gokul Mathura until roughly a thousand years ago. After leaving Gokul Mathura, they scattered throughout northern and north western India. Four communities eventually arrived in Kachchh, and today most Ahirs live in Bhuj, Anjar,Mandvi and Rapar Talukas. Only their castes are discussed: thePranthadia, the Machhoiya, and theBoricha. The costume of an Ahir woman indicates her caste and her age. Young women have the most elaborate costumes. Their gathered skirts of heavy red, green, blue, orange or brown tie-dyed cotton are richly embroidered and their backless blouses are made of ornately embroidered red or black cotton, tie-dyed silk orMashru. Although embroidered fabric is traditional, women occasionally substitute painted or printed fabric decorated with similar motifs. Older married women must be content with plain black cotton tube skirtsandsimply decorated cotton orplainMashru blouses insubdued colours.

For important events young and middle-aged Ahir women wear Odhnis of red and black striped Mashru with embroidered borders. Odhnis for daily use usually made of light weight cotton, and the same colourful machine-made print is worn by almost all Ahir women.

This embroidery resembles Rabari stitches but only round mirrors are used with geometrical and floral motifs. Their dresses are embellished with embroidered articles.