What is "vatandar"

Vatandar (or Watandar) is an Indian term meaning "landholder". The title was given to landowners, particularly with the Maratha community in Maharashtra, who were a ruling caste in Ancient India.

The vatandar generally owned a plot of land or vatan/watan worked by the local people, who were dependent on the vatandar for their subsistence. In some cases, vatan land and the title vatandar were awarded to an individual by a higher ruler as reward for meritorious service.