<p>Data on body weights of Bhadawari buffaloes, maintained under the “Network Project on Buffalo Improvement” program at ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India, were used to assess the influence of maternal effects on growth traits of animals. Body weight data from 416 Bhadawari buffalo calves collected over a 17-year period (2006–2022) under the Network Project on Buffalo Improvement at ICAR-IGFRI, Jhansi, were analysed to assess the influence of maternal effects on growth traits. Traits considered for this study were birth weight (BW) and weights at 3 month (W3M), 6 month (W6M), 12-months (W12M), 18-months (W18M) and 24-months (W24M) of age. Least squares analyses of variance were employed to obtain the effects of both non-genetic and genetic factors on the traits of interest. Determination of influence of maternal effects on growth traits were estimated by fitting three univariate animal models, including or excluding maternal effects, by Bayesian method. The most appropriate model was selected based on Deviance Information Criteria. Direct heritability (h²) estimates for BW, W3M, W6M, W12M, W18M and W24M were 0.06, 0.15, 0.11, 0.12, 0.12 and 0.20, respectively under the best model. Permanent environmental (c²) maternal effects contributed only 3–19% for these traits. Low to moderate heritability estimates for growth traits indicate the possibility of some scope of genetic improvement of these traits through selection under prevalent management system. Further, existence of permanent environmental maternal effects for all ages indicates that importance of maternal components for these traits. So, both direct and maternal component should be taken into consideration for improving these traits genetically.</p>