Who are the Maharas?

Many Maharas live in Chhattisgarh. They are poor farmers, and they are "Untouchable."

"All who become Christians in this village also become Maharas." This threat was made as a stumbling block to people's decision to follow Christ in Bantapur, India. But why would the label "Mahara" be so feared?

Jairam Mahara was a Gospel for Asia missionary who felt called to minister in Bantapur. Even though Jairam was ministering among poor, "backward" tribal groups, his rank as a member of the low-caste Mahar people was still a major concern to many villagers.

The Mahar people live mainly in the Indian states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. There are more than 8.5 million Maharas in India. Most of them are Hindu. All are low-caste, a tribe among the people known as "Untouchables."

Because Christianity was unknown, the villagers of Bantapur associated it with Jairam's caste. Also, afraid of the spread of Jairam's religion, village leaders declared that all who accepted Christ would be considered a low-caste Mahara.

In spite of this threat, the miracles God did in many people's lives outweighed the stigma of being considered low-caste. About 50 people in Bantapur chose to follow Christ through Jairam's witness. In their minds, being a Mahara not only meant low-caste. It meant being free and saved.

• Read about a missionary whose entire ministry is among "Untouchables" of India.
• Read more about Chhattisgharh, India, where Jairam serves.