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|---|---|
| Religions | Hinduism |
| Languages | Bengali, Kurmali dialect |
| Populated states | West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha |
Mahato (Template:Lang-bn) also known as Kurmi Mahato is a Bengali Hindu caste found in the Chhotanagpur areas of West Bengal, Jharkhand and Orissa. According to anthropologists the Mahatos evolved as a distinct caste from being a sub-group among the Kurmis. The Mahatos are mostly agriculturalists with landed properties, with very few landless agricultural labourers among them. The governments of India and West Bengal both have classified the Mahatos as Kurmis under Other Backward Classes since 1994.
History
The Purulia District Gazetteer described the Mahatos as a pure Shudra caste ranked above the the Navashakhas and the untouchables and ranked below the Kayasthas in the caste hierarchy.
Religion
The Mahatos are served by the the Utkala Brahmins, Rarhi Brahmins and Tirhut Brahmins. They are worshippers of Shiva, Chandi and Surya. During the worship of Shiva, they sacrifice goats.
References
- "Government of West Bengal: List of Other Backward Classes". Govt. of West Bengal. Retrieved December 23, 2011.