Marathas

The Marathas are a grouping of castes and communities native to the western Deccan region of India, primarily the present‑day state of Maharashtra. Historically they were agrarian warriors who rose to political prominence in the seventeenth century under the leadership of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, founding the Maratha Empire that at its height in the mid‑eighteenth century controlled large parts of the Indian subcontinent. The empire’s military organization combined cavalry, infantry and naval forces, and its administration employed a system of local chiefs (sardars) and revenue collectors (deshmukhs) drawn largely from Maratha families.

Maratha society is heterogeneous, encompassing several sub‑castes such as the Kunbis, Kolis, and the Rajput‑like Maratha nobles. While the term originally denoted a specific warrior class, it later became a broader political identity used by various groups seeking representation and power, especially during the British colonial period and the early years of independent India. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Maratha participation in the Indian National Congress and regional politics contributed to the shaping of Maharashtra’s linguistic and cultural identity.

In contemporary India the Marathas are one of the largest agrarian communities, with significant numbers engaged in farming, business and public service. Their demographic weight has led to ongoing debates over reservation policies, as the community seeks affirmative action benefits while also confronting concerns about social equity. Cultural contributions include festivals such as Ganesh Chaturthi, a rich tradition of folk music, and the preservation of Marathi language and literature. The Marathas continue to influence the political, economic and cultural landscape of western India.