The 96 Kuli Maratha (Shahhanava Kuli) system is the traditional classification of Maratha families into 96 royal clans. Each clan (kul) traces its lineage to a warrior dynasty and has its own gotra (sage lineage), devak (clan totem), and marriage traditions. The major clans include Bhosale (Shivaji Maharaj's clan, Shalivahan gotra), Shinde/Scindia (Kaushik gotra), Gaikwad (Vashistha gotra), Jadhav (Kashyap gotra — Yadav origin), Pawar (Vashishtha gotra), More, Nimbalkar, Ghatge, Ghorpade, Deshmukh, Patil, Mane, Salunkhe, Chavan, and Dhumal. The devak system is unique to Maratha culture — same-devak families cannot intermarry, making it essential information in marriage biodata.
Maratha marriages follow two key rules: (1) Gotra exogamy — same-gotra families cannot marry, (2) Devak exogamy — same-devak families cannot marry. The devak is often the more practically checked criterion since many families may share a gotra but have different devaks. A patrika (kundli) is also checked for compatibility. 96 Kuli families traditionally prefer matches within the 96 Kuli system, though non-96 Kuli Maratha matches are increasingly common.
Major 96 Kuli clans include Bhosale, Shinde, Jadhav, Pawar, More, Nimbalkar, Ghatge, Ghorpade, Deshmukh, Patil, Mane, Salunkhe, Chavan, Dhumal, Thorat, Shirke, Mahadik, Mohite, Kadam, and many more.
Check your family's kul (clan) name and devak with elders. If your clan is listed in the traditional 96 Kuli system and you have a recognized devak, your family is 96 Kuli Maratha.
Kul is the clan name (Bhosale, Shinde). Gotra is the rishi (sage) lineage. Devak is the sacred clan totem (tree/flower/animal). For marriage, all three are checked — same-gotra and same-devak marriages are prohibited.