Later Mughals v2.c14.s17.5

v2.c14.s17.5

∗ There are several suggested derivations for the word Mahratta. The most usually received is that accepted by Grant Duff. A region called Maha-rashtra is pre-supposed, from which word by the usual processes of linguistic decay the modern name of the people is directly obtained. But H. A. Acworth, Ballads of the Mahrattas, Introd. p. vi. inclines to find the derivation in a tribal name Rathi or Ratha, (chariot-fighter, from rath a chariot), making Maha Ratha equivalent to Great Warrior; it has then to be assumed that this tribal name was transferred to the country being finally Sanskritized into Maha-rashtra. But Mr. Baden Powell (J.R.A.S., 1897, p. 249) prefers to refer the word to Mhar or Mahar, a once numerous and dominant race, from which he gets Mahar-rashtra—“the kingdom of the Mahars”. I need only name to reject it, such a grotesque theory as that of H. D. Robertson (District Duties during the Revolt in India, 1859, p. 104, note) who believed that the word meant Mar "strike" and Hata "ran away", and was a nickname due to their Cossack-like mode of fighting. [For a fuller discussion, see Sardesai Marathi Riyasat, 2nd ed., i. 2-6. J. S.]