It is noted by another scholar that ruling clans called "Rathis" and "Maharathis" were in power in parts of present-day Karnataka as well in the early centuries of the Christian era, which is known inscriptions from the region and further proven by the discovery of lead coins from the middle of 3rd century bearing "Sadakana Kalalaya Maharathi" in the heart of modern Karnataka region near Chitradurga. In the face of these facts it is claimed it can no longer be maintained that the "Rathi" and "Maharathi" families were confined only to present day Maharashtra. It is claimed there is sufficient inscriptional evidence that several "Maharathi" families were related to Kannadiga families by marriage and they were naga worshippers, a form of worship very popular in the Mysore region (modern Karnataka). Also, no evidence to confirm that these families were either Aryan or non-Aryan is available.