Prabhu Communities

The 'Prabhu caste' or Prabhu communities are a group of related Hindu castes belonging to the former ruling caste of statesmen, bureaucrats and aristocrats of Northern districts of Konkan region in Maharashtra, India. There are four such castes, all having different ritual and social status within the caste system of Maharashtra, but all of them having traditions traced back to the 12th century which label them as endogamous subdivisions of Kshatriyas of Solar and Lunar descent. They are Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu, Pathare Prabhu, Kanchole Prabhus and the Davane Prabhu.

Introduction
The Prabhu caste or group of Prabhu subcastes of the traditional pan-India Kshatriya caste are subdivided into many castes.
 * Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu (popularly known as CKP)
 * Pathare Prabhu
 * Drauv Prabhu also known as Kanchole Prabhus or Pathare Prabhu Kanchole
 * Danved Prabhu

Some sources refer to them by their full name but some are ambiguous as to which specific Prabhu community they are referring to. In other sources, context can be used to identify the specific caste. In some sources, Pathare Prabhus and Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu's have been jointly referred to as Prabhu Communities.

Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu (CKP) & pathare prabhu
The CKP are considered superior to the other Prabhu communities. They are a ritually high caste and are considered socially proximate to Maharashtrian Brahmin community. Along with the Saraswat, Deshastha and Chitpawan they have been considered as an "advanced caste" due to similarities in education and occupational status.

The Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu (CKP) and Pathare Prabhu are considered intellectual classes (other than Brahmins) and have been advanced in education. Both have vedic upanayana (thread ceremonies or 'munj' in marathi) and their 'vedokta' or rights to study of Vedas and perform Vedic rituals has been formally approved by the Brahmin councils and ratified by the Shankaracharyas based on shastras. In case of Pathare Prabhus the formal approval was given by the Shankaracharya of Shingeri and in the case of CKPs by Brahmin councils of Pune, Banares, Bajirao II and the Shankaracharya of Karvir and Sanakareshwar Math (a Deshastha Brahmin).

Kanchole Prabhus
The Drauv (or Dhurus) are also known as Kanchole Prabhus. It is said that they were part of the Pathare Prabhu community but were excommunicated for disobeying caste rules. The Kacholes made several attempts and appeals to the Pathare Prabhu caste to accept them back. The first was made in 1836, the second and third in 1881. In November 1881, 38 gentlemen from the Pathare Prabhu community confirmed the Kanchole's "purity of blood", similar religious beliefs, similar gotras and characteristics and professions, similarity in writings, status etc. Despite these proofs they were not readmitted due to rigid 19th century rules regarding caste pollution.

Notable People

 * Khando Ballal Chitnis : A high-ranking minister in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj, and Maharani Tarabai Ranisaheb's court.
 * Baji Prabhu Deshpande : An army general during the era of Shivaji, well known for the main role in the battle of Pawankhind from the Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu community.
 * Murar Baji Deshpande : An army general of the Maratha kingdom under Shivaji, whose final battle was the one against Diler Khan at the Battle of Purandar where he lost his life as recorded in ballads in a heroic manner.
 * Gangaji Naik Anjurkar : A semi-independent army general of Vasai region who primarily contributed to the Maratha victory against the Portuguese at the battle of Bassein (Vasai) led by Chimaji Appa (brother of Peshwa Bajirao).
 * Khandoji Mankar : A semi-independent chieftain of medieval Bombay region who carried on armed struggles against the Portuguese with the help of the Peshwa's Maratha soldiers.