Maiya


The Mahiya or Maiya are found in the state of Gujarat in India.

History and origin

The community claim to have been settled along the banks of the Mahi river in Kheda District, so they came to be known as Maiya. The community settled in Gujarat during the rule of Sultan Mahmud Begada, and moved into Saurashtra in the 16th Century. There they established states in Wankaner and the small states of Kuwadva and Than near Rajkot. A section of the some cast Maiya converted to Islam, and are now known as the Miyana. and other rajput cast covert known as MAHIYA now they are staying in junagadh District. They rebelled against the Nawab of Junagadh in 1882, and were suppressed. As a result of the rebellion, they lost much of their land.

Present circumstances

The community is concentrated in Saurashtra. They are divided into a number of clans known as ataks, the main ones being the Dayatar, Babariya, Makka, Dangar, Paredi, Dhana, Chhelavada, Dabhi. They are located mostly in Shergadh, patrama, Ajab, Nonjanvav, Kaneri, Mesavan, Avaniya, Gangcha, Rangpur, Pikhor, Gelana, Kalwani, Tarsinhda, Matarvania, Bhakharvad, Pransali, Ambla, Mithapar, Vada, Sichod, Thaniyana' and other villages in Saurashtra region of Gujarat. Many of them have relocated for their job and business in Rajkot, Surat or other urban areas. The community is mainly made up of small and medium-sized farmers, and have customs similar other landowning castes such as the Khati and Khant.