Mahar - Kinship

Kin Groups and Descent. Although the Mahars seem to be a fairly consistent caste group across the Maharashtra area, there were potjat divisions in various areas. These potjats were endogamous, ranked according to status, and to some extent based on occupation. From the 1920s on, Mahar reformers attempted to wipe out potjat differences, and the divisions today are largely ignored. The caste is patrilineal, but poverty dictated less stress on the joint family and more importance for women than among many higher castes.

Kinship Terminology. Mahar kin terms are the same as those used by Buddhists in Marathi.