Re-imagining 'Maratha' Through Marriage and Kinship Strategies.

The article focuses on the historical and sociopolitical formation of the Maratha–Kunbi caste cluster in Maharashtra, examining how the terms "Maratha" and "Kunbi" have been used interchangeably and evolved as fluid, context-dependent identities. It explores the strategies of kingship (Kshatriya status) and kinship that enabled this caste cluster to appropriate diverse social roles—from feudal rulers and martial race to peasant communities—particularly during colonial and postcolonial periods. Utilizing Bourdieu's theory of practice, the article argues that caste should be understood as a dynamic set of social strategies rather than fixed hierarchical categories, highlighting how political elites within the Maratha–Kunbi cluster mobilized cultural, symbolic, and social capital to negotiate power and identity. The study also discusses the impact of colonial census classifications and political movements on crystallizing caste distinctions while underscoring the ongoing contestations and overlaps within the Maratha–Kunbi social continuum.