Mers

The Mer (Maher, Mihir, Mair or Mehr) are an Indian social group largely found in the Kathiawar region in Saurashtra. The population of Mers distributed in a number of 155 villages and some 23 nes was reported to be 50,000 according to the Census of 1951. The traditional occupations of the Mer are war and agricultural farming. Some of the Mer villages and land was given to them by the Jethwa Ranas of Porbandar as a token for being part of their royal army against invading tribes in the Kathiwar region.

The Maher of Rajasthan have two territorial divisions (Kundali and Hadoti) and call themselves "Nand Mehar", since they believe to have descended from King Nand of Vrindavan. They also call themselves Nandvanshis. Mahers live in eastern Rajasthan, with large concentration in the Hadoti area (especially Kota, Bundi and Jhalawar).