This is a list of Maratha dynasties and Maratha princely states. The word Maratha is derived from the word '''Maharatthi - Maharatta. ''' The Rathikas were the mighty people of Maharashtra. The Rathikas were also called Rashtriks. Hence it was referred to as Maharashtrik. The nation of Maharashtriks was identified as Maharashtra. According to R. G. Bhandarkar, the term Maratha is derived from Rattas, a tribe which held political supremacy in the Deccan from the remotest time. The Rattas called themselves Maha Rattas or Great Rattas, and thus the country in which they lived came to be called Maharashtra, the Sanskrit of which is Maha-rashtra. In the Harivamsa, the Yadava kingdom called Anaratta is described as mostly inhabited by the Abhiras (Abhira-praya-manusyam). The Anartta country and its inhabitants were called Surastra and the Saurastras, probably after the Rattas (Rastras) akin to the Rastrikas of Asoka's rock Edicts, now known as Maharashtra and the Marathas.

Maratha States

The Marathas ruled much of India in the period immediately preceding the consolidation of British rule in India. The Maratha states came to form the largest bloc of princely states in the British Raj, in terms of territory and population.

The Maratha Salute state and Head of State by precedence

Non-salute states

Non-salute Maratha states, alphabetically:

States Annexed by the British under the Doctrine of Lapse