mahajats

The mahajats are a political and social elite class found in the southern region of India, particularly in the state of Kerala. They were a dominant class in the feudal era, and their influence persisted well into the 20th century.

History and origins of the mahajats date back to the realms of the Chola and Pandya kingdoms, who ruled parts of southern India from the 1st century BCE. They were the ruling class, with their power based on control of the land, taxes, and the economic and social systems. As the Thulukkar and the Zamorin of Calicut controlled the region, they emerged as the nucleus of political and social forces.

Over time, the mahajats adapted to the changing demands of the region. By the 19th century, the mahajat class became closely linked with the land. They accumulated their wealth by holding land and participating in the local economy. Along with other social classes, they made the land their common property, creating a mixed system where both individual and collective ownership coexisted.

During the 1920s, the mahajat class continued to hold power and land in the region. Many mahajats entered politics to achieve decent votes and a seat in the State Legislative Assembly. As a result, the Kerala government formed in 1957 was largely dominated by the Communist Party, but the mahajats continued to play a substantial role in shaping the social and economic aspects of society. In contemporary times, many believe the mahajat land holders have diminished, with some having to cooperate with the lower court system for land reforms.

Although the mahajats' concentration and monarchical power have faded, the significance of the group's legacy remains in the Kerala's complex communal, social, and regional sociology. The roots of their status originated in the concerns of fairly-aged societies of elite creators during feudal times, which being authoritarian disposed.