Mahar

Mahar is an Indian caste found largely in the state of Maharashtra and neighbouring areas. As of 2017 the Mahar caste is designated as a Scheduled Caste in 16 Indian states. Most of the Mahar community followed B. R. Ambedkar in converting to Buddhism in the middle of the 20th century. This was in response to the injustices of the caste system practiced within Brahmanism.

Pawar (also spelled as Pavar and Puar) is an Indian surname found among the Maratha, Mahar or Koli people in Maharashtra.The Maratha Pawars, in particular, claim descent from the Parmar clan of Rajputs. Historical accounts also link the Pawar lineage to the Puru tribe mentioned in Greek records during Alexander’s invasion of India. Over the centuries, the Pawar clan migrated from regions such as Malwa and Ujjain, eventually spreading to Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.