Mahar
Sign in to saveMahar is an Indian caste found largely in the state of Maharashtra and neighbouring areas. As of 2017 the Mahar caste is designated as a Scheduled Caste in 16 Indian states. Most of the Mahar community followed B. R. Ambedkar in converting to Buddhism in the middle of the 20th century. This was in response to the injustices of the caste system practiced within Brahmanism.
~14 min read
Article
23 sectionsContents
- History
- Islamic Era
- Maratha era
- British India
- Military role under the British
- Jyotirao Phule
- Shahu of Kolhapur
- B. R. Ambedkar
- After Independence
- Demographics
- Culture and social stratification
- Dalit literature
- Religion
- Buddhism
- Hinduism
- Sikhism
- Christianity
- Islam
- Notables
- See also
- Footnotes
- References
- Further reading
Mahar is an Indian caste found largely in the state of Maharashtra and neighbouring areas. As of 2017 the Mahar caste is designated as a Scheduled Caste in 16 Indian states. Most of the Mahar community followed B. R. Ambedkar in converting to Buddhism in the middle of the 20th century. This was in response to the injustices of the caste system practiced within Brahmanism.
==History== The Mahars are considered to be the original inhabitants of Maharashtra. The community is also known as Kathiwale (Men with Sticks), Bumiputera and (Sons of the Soil), Mirasi (Landlords). Traditionally they have the role of defending village boundaries from outsiders, invading tribes, criminals, and thieves. The Kathiwale name represents their former duty as village administrator. They were also responsible for maintaining law and order throughout the villages as administrators. The Mahars have a long and proud tradition of bearing arms.