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Last edited September 20, 2026
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Mahto
ReligionsHinduism
Languages
CountryIndia
Nepal
Populated statesBihar • Jharkhand • West Bengal
RegionEastern India

Mahto or Mahato is a surname used by several castes and communities in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha in India.[1] Mahato is also a popular surname in Nepal.[2][1][3]

In the zamindari villages, "Mahto" was a caste agnostic title given to the headman of a village ward and to the zamindars The mahto's duties were to maintain peace in his area.[4] Mahto's rose to prominence leaders in the politics of Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. Mainly Koeri, Kushwaha and Kurmi caste peoples use Mahato surname.[1]

Notable people

Notable people with the surname Mahto or Mahato include:

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Sachchidananda (1988). Social Change in Village India. Concept Publishing Company. p. 12. ISBN 978-81-7022-206-4.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Papiya Ghosh (2008). Civil disobdience movement in Bihar, 1930–1934. Manak. p. 94. ISBN 978-81-7827-000-5. ... the surname 'Mahto' was used by Koeris,Kurmis and 'Raut' was used by Amats, Chamars, Dusadhs, Dhanuks, Goalas etc.
  3. ↑ Debi Chatterjee; Sucheta Ghosh; Sumita Sen, eds. (2002). Human Rights: Theory and Practice. South Asian Publishers. p. 128. ISBN 9788170032472. But a person having 'Mahato' surname may belong to any caste which is included in the prescribed...
  4. ↑ J. P. Singh Rana (1998). Marriage and Customs of Tribes of India. M.D. Publications. p. 215. ISBN 9788175330870.
  5. ↑ Gautam Kumar Bera (2008). The Unrest Axle: Ethno-social Movements in Eastern India. Mittal. p. 114. ISBN 9788183241458.
  6. ↑ Lalan Tiwari (1995). Issues in Indian Politics. Mittal. p. 340. ISBN 9788170996187.