The Mahratta are proud Kshatriya people from Maharastra, mainly speaking Marathi.

They are located across Marathwaada while some are found along borders with Karnataka.

They mostly belong to the upper echelons of a rural society. Mainly "kunbi" (farmer) by class, almost all rural Maratha families own land and raise farm crops. The lands are usually big enough to support both cash crops and food crops.

They are liberal compared to other Indian groups. Arranged marriage is not strictly enforced, and a boy can marry a girl of his choice as long as she is a Brahmin or a Maratha. Marathas, like all other Hindus, worship many deities, and usually revere their land and earth as their mother. Marathas are somewhat tolerant towards other cultures. But as they consider themselves upper caste, they usually look down upon people they consider as not their equal.

They usually worship Shiva as their family god and consider Shivaji as their leader. They fiercely defend their culture, language and history.

* Scripture Prayers for the Mahratta in India.