Day 9. Mahratta in India (mah-RAH-tah)

Maharashtra is India’s second largest state. The Mahratta caste is composed of many clans, combined over the centuries from families of various castes in Maharashtra. The Mahratta caste groups have been dominant in the social and political life of the state, providing 80% of its chief ministers since 1961.

Mahrattas led the army of their 17^th century warrior-king Shivaji. Several clans later ruled parts of the Mahratta empire from central to south India. Considering themselves to be Kshatriyas (the warrior caste under the Brahmin priests), today they are the elite Forward Caste of Maharashtra.

The Mahrattas occupy the upper levels of a rural society, owning enough land to grow things to eat as well as to sell. Some farmers who are poorer claim OBC (Other Backward Caste) status to gain government assistance.

Mahrattas are liberal compared to other Indian groups, allowing some free choice to marry, though restricted to their own caste and those above them. They fiercely defend their own culture, language (Marathi) and history, but are tolerant towards other cultures. Mahrattas, like all other Hindus, worship many deities and usually revere their land and earth as their mother.

Prayers for the families of the Mahratta/Maratha clans of India:

Lord, reveal Your identity in history, how you set peoples apart to show Your Glory.  Lord bless the Mahratta’s history of being set apart. May their families find their destiny as warriors for good in Your Kingdom and be drawn to make Your name great. 

Lord, may Your Holy Scriptures be read and spoken in Marathi in the homes of the Mahrattas.  Lord, capture their hearts and help them to want to study and share the Scriptures with others . Help them respect Jesus who did not cling to being God, but came down to serve mankind to the point of sacrificing His life on a cross.

Lord, send families to the Mahratta communities that are pure in heart and walk in Your ways with Your grace and peace.  Lord, bring healing to their families. Show Your power to restore what has been lost and the power to be born again, to be set apart to live a life with You.  

God’s blessing upon the Mahratta (Maratha): My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to My Name, because My Name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD Almighty. (Mal. 1: 11)