Historical information shows that until the end of the 19th century more than 100 large and small ethnic groups used to dwell in gher. Today, gher dwellers are mainly the peoples of Central Asia who speak Turk and Mongolian languages.
Many scholars relate the origin of gher to the history of cattle breeding.
The first known example of a gher among the nomads of Central Asia is the ball-shaped felt dwelling of the ancient Hunnu. In such dwellings lived kings and lords. After the Mongolian empire the gher developed further into the classical form in which it appears today. The Mongolians were inhabitants of Central Asia for many hundreds of years and being nomad cattle-breeders, they mainly dwelled in gher. But after the advent of Buddhism in Mongolia in the 16th century some of the population turned to a settled way of life, dwelling in houses, and this change in lifestyle greatly influenced more and more people.