The Maratha are an Indian caste, predominantly in the state of Maharashtra.

The term Marāthā has three related usages: within the Marathi speaking region it describes the dominant Maratha caste; outside Maharashtra it can refer to the entire regional population of Marathi-speaking people; historically, it describes the Maratha empire founded by Shivaji in the seventeenth century and continued by his successors, which included many castes.

The Maratha caste consists mainly of rural cultivators, landowners, and soldiers.

At times, Maratha and Kunbi have claimed Kshatriya (warrior) varna, based on clan names linking them with Rajput clans and historical medieval dynasties.

However, other commentators have declared them to be of the Shudra (cultivator) varna, though possibly in varying degrees within the many clans admixtured with Kshatriya Rajputs.

In theory, there are ninety-six Maratha clans; the exact names of the ninety-six are greatly disputed, with different authorities giving names that vary widely.

Adding to the confusion, Kunbi families often adopted the names of their Maratha chiefs.

They primarily reside in the Indian states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, Karnataka and Goa.

Those in Goa and neighbouring Karwar are known specifically as Kshatriya Marathas or Konkan Marathas as an affiliation to their regional and linguistic alignment.

The Marathas of Indore calls themselves as Dhangar Ahirs.