Mahton is a
caste
Caste is a form of social stratification characterised by endogamy, hereditary transmission of a style of life which often includes an occupation, ritual status in a hierarchy, and customary social interaction and exclusion based on cultural ...
in India. According to
W. H. McLeod
William Hewat McLeod (1932–2009; also Hew McLeod) was a New Zealand scholar who helped establish Sikh Studies as a distinctive field.J.S. Grewal (2010), ''W.H. McLeod and Sikh Studies'', Journal of Punjab Studies, 17 (2010): 1-2, pages 115–1 ...
, they are small in number and found mostly in the
Doaba
Doaba also known as Bist Doab, is the region of Punjab, India that lies between the Beas River and the Sutlej River. People of this region are given the demonym "Doabia". The dialect of Punjabi spoken in Doaba is called "Doabi". Th ...
region, where some have converted to
Sikhism
Sikhism (), also known as Sikhi ( pa, ਸਿੱਖੀ ', , from pa, ਸਿੱਖ, lit=disciple', 'seeker', or 'learner, translit= Sikh, label=none),''Sikhism'' (commonly known as ''Sikhī'') originated from the word ''Sikh'', which comes fr ...
. Although they claim to have descended from
Rajput
Rajput (from Sanskrit ''raja-putra'' 'son of a king') is a large multi-component cluster of castes, kin bodies, and local groups, sharing social status and ideology of genealogical descent originating from the Indian subcontinent. The term Ra ...
s, this belief is disputed by other communities.
References
{{reflist
Further reading
* Guru Nanak journal of sociology. Other Creators Guru Nanak Dev University, Sociology Dept., Published Amritsar, India : Sociology Dept., Guru Nanak Dev University, 1980-
* The making of Little Punjab in Canada : patterns of immigration, Author: Archana B Verma Publisher: Thousand Oaks, Calif. : Sage Publications, 2002
* Punjabis in Canada : a study of formation of an ethnic community, Author: Paramjit S Judge, Publisher: Delhi Chanakya Publ. 1994
Indian castes
Social groups of Punjab, India
Sikh communities