Mahar

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For Edgar Rice Burroughs' fictional nonhuman race, see Pellucidar.

Mahars constitute an important social group of Maharashtra state, India, and also of the adjoining Indian state of Goa.

Traditionally considered lower in the Hindu caste hierarchical system, a number of Mahars, during the 20th century, converted to Buddhism, including one of the most prominent Mahars Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.

The Imperial Gazetteer of India, writing about Nagpur district, India, describes the social status of Mahars, as prevailing in early 1900s, in these words [1]: “Mahars form a sixth of the whole population, the great majority being cultivators and laborers. The rural Mahar is still considered impure, and is not allowed to drink from the village well, nor his children may sit in school with those of the Hindu castes. But there are traces of decay of this tendency, as many Mahars have become wealthy and risen in the world.”

Mahars have excelled in military services for last several centuries and Shivaji (1630-1680) recruited a large number of Mahars in his army. Several centuries later, during the period of the East India Company and the British Raj, a large number of Mahars were recruited in the armies. This martial tradition has continued and has found expression in the organization of a Mahar Regiment [2] by the Indian Army on 1st October 1941.

The Mahars live on the outskirts of villages; this started before Gupta age. The Mahars are a warrior race. During the Gupta age they were classified as untouchables. The Mahars as a people are strong and hardy and very self-respecting and of fighting spirit.

There is a theory that the name of the state of Maharashtra comes from their name: 'Mahar rashtra' (= "country of Mahars"), but this theory is not generally accepted.

It is said that the name "Mahar" comes from Maha Ari (= "great enemy") and that they are descended from Dravidian tribes who fought the Aryan invaders and were retained as lesser warriors for village defence.^{[citation needed]} Generally they were grouped with as Dhed-Mahar with another ferocius race, the Mang.

Since most Mahars have converted to Buddhism the converts are officially referred to as 'Navbuddha'. (Neobuddhists).

[edit] See also

• Malas a related group from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh