The Mahar Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army. Although it was originally intended to be a regiment consisting of troops from the Mahar community of Maharashtra, today the Mahar Regiment is composed of different communities from mainly states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.
Bhima Koregaon Victory Pillar
1981 postal stamp on the 40th anniversary of the presentation of the Regimental Colours
Major R Parameshwaran, PVC
Mahar Regiment passing out parade, September 2021
Mahar is a caste found largely in the state of Maharashtra and neighbouring areas. Previously they along with many other Hindu castes were treated as untouchables. The injustice of this practice was the primary reason for most of the Mahar community to follow B. R. Ambedkar in embracing Buddhism in the middle of the 20th century. There are still some Mahars who practice Hinduism.
"A Mahar woman", a watercolour by M. V. Dhurandhar, 1928
A Mahar Man winding thread from The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India (1916)
Bhima Koregaon Victory Pillar