Mahajan

Mahajan is an Indian surname, found among castes, given due to occupation.

The origin of the Mahajan Community dates back to old period

This surname is an amalgam of two Hindi words: Mahaan meaning great, and Jan meaning people or individuals. Thus the surname literally means 'Great People'. In India the surname Mahajan is used by three communities: one residing the Amritsar to Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir, another belonging to North Maharashtra and the third one residing in almost entire North India.

Most of the Mahajans speak Hindi, Marathi, Punjabi or Dogri.

Different Communities Using Mahajan Surname

• • Mahajans of Jammu, Maharashtra and Punjab were landlords, traders and business men and had a good respect in the society. It was always considered to be a high caste and forward class, that's why they were given the name MAHAJAN. The Mahajans were always economically and socially powerful people of the society. Ironically a few of them were also involved in money lending.

• • Whereas the other category of Mahajans is not a caste they were people involved in money lending. So, it was a job title. Any person involved in this money lending was referred to as Mahajan whether or not was a Mahajan by caste.

• Mahajans from Maharashtra are a diverse group. They are mostly Chitpavan or Kokanastha and Deshastha Brahmins like Late Pramod Mahajan and Vishnupant Mahajan. The surname Mahajan also exists within the Lingayat, Gujri, Leva Patil, Mali, Digambar Jain communities of Maharashtra.

• Some Mahajans from Jammu use the caste GUPTA.

Notable Mahajans

• Mehr Chand Mahajan, Former Chief Justice of India.
• Pramod Mahajan, (Late) Indian Politician.
• K.K Mahajan, (Late) Indian Film Producer
• Rahul Mahajan, (Indian) Entertainer & aspiring politician