Mahars constitute an important social group of Maharashtra state, India, and also of the adjoining Indian state of Goa. In sociology, a group is usually defined as a collection consisting of a number of people who share certain aspects, interact with one another, accept rights and obligations as members of the group and share a common identity. ... Maharashtra (Devanagari: महाराष्ट्र, literally: Great Nation)( (help· info)) is Indias third largest state in terms of area and second largest in terms of population after Uttar Pradesh. ... For other uses, see Goa (disambiguation). ...

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. This article or section is missing references or citation of sources. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999 in the... Buddhism is a religion and philosophy focusing on the teachings of the Buddha Śākyamuni (Siddhārtha Gautama), who probably lived in the 5th century BCE. Buddhism spread throughout the ancient Indian sub-continent in the five centuries following the Buddhas death, and propagated into Central, Southeast, and East Asia... Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (April 14, 1891 - December 6, 1956) has been called the most prominent Indian leader of the 20th century. ...

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.” Nāgpur City name is derived from River Nag which flows through the city. ... 1900 (MCM) was an exceptional common year starting on Monday. ...

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 lived on the outskirts of villages before the gupta age .It is a warrior race and it was only during the gupta age that they were classified as untouchables.the mahars as a people and strong and hardy and very self-respecting and of fighting spirit.A theory proposes that name of the state of "Maharashtra" comes from their name viz Mahar rashtra( country of mahars), which is not generally accepted. Shivaji Bhonslé, also known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Raje Bhonslé (Marathi: छत्रपती शिवाजीराजे भोसले)( ) was the founder of the Maratha empire in western India in 1674 which was instrumental in the downfall of the Mughal Empire. ... Events February 22 - Native American Quadequine introduces Popcorn to English colonists. ... Events First Portuguese governor was appointed to Macau The Swedish city Karlskrona was founded as the Royal Swedish Navy relocated there. ... The British East India Company, sometimes referred to as John Company, was a joint-stock company which was granted an English Royal Charter by Elizabeth I on December 31, 1600, with the intent to favour trade privileges in India. ... The British Empire at its zenith in 1919. ... The Mahar Regiment is an Infantry Regiment of the Indian Army. ... The Indian Army (भारतीय सेना Hindi: Bharatiya Sena) is the land force of the Armed Forces of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting land-based warfare. ... (Redirected from 1st October) October 1 is the 274th day of the year (275th in Leap years). ... For the movie, see 1941 (film) 1941 (MCMXLI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1941 calendar). ...

It is said that the name mahar comes from Maha Ari(great enemy)and that they were the dravidian tribes who fought the aryan invaders and were retaines as lesser warriors for village defence.Generally they were grouped with as Dhed -Mahar with another ferocius race Mang.

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

See also

• Malas a related group from neibhouring Andhra Pradesh