The Historic Heroes of Our Koli Historical findings suggest that our ancestry has left behind an illustrious record of their achievements that we can be proud of.The Koli Samaj, has given India and the world, great sons and daughters whose teachings are of universal import and of relevance to modern day living. The great king Chandra Gupta Mourya, and his line of descendent kings belonged to the Koli tribe. Lord Budhhas mother and his wife belonged to the Koli tribe. Sant Kabir, a weaver by trade, ended several of his ‘bhajans’ as ‘kahet kabir kori’ was a self-confessed Koli. Bhaktaraj Bhadurdas and Bhaktaraj Valram from Saurastra, Girnari Sant Velnathji from Junagadh, Bhaktaraj Jobanpagi, Sant Sri Koya Bhagat, Sant Dhudhalinath, Madan Bhagat, Sany Kanji Swami of 17th and 18th Century all belonged to the Koli tribe. In the 1857 uprising a number of Koli women fighters played an important role in trying to save the life of the ‘Rani of Jhansi’. Among them was a very close colleague of the queen named Jalkaribai. She was a village girl and hailed from a very poor family. It is said that she had an encounter with a tiger while she was collecting firewood in the jungle and she killed the tiger single handed with her axe. She had a striking resemblance to Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi and because of this Rani took interest in her and inducted her into the womens wing of the army. During 1857-58 there were several British raids on Jhansi Fort and the Rani repulsed every one of the attacks. Later when the fall of fort became imminent Jalkari bai and some generates convinced Laxmibai to escape quietly with the help of supporters. In a ploy to deceive the British, Jalkari bai dressed herself up like the Rani and took command of the army. The British found out the truth, but it was too late. The Rani had covered a considerable distance by then. Jalkaribai fought the British forces valiantly but was eventually forced to surrender. The British general, impressed by her loyalty, courage and fighting prowess treated her with respect and set her free The most ancient and revered sage Valmiki, the author of Ramayana belonged to this tribe. Even today Ramayana is referred to as Koli Valmiki Ramayan in Maharashtra State. Teachings from Ramayan form the basis of Indian culture. In the State of Maharashtra, Sivajis Commander-in-Chief and several of his Generals belonged to this tribe. ‘A History of the Marathas’ note with pride the bravery of Sivaji’s army consisting mainly of Mavalis and Kolis. His General, Tanaji Rao Malusare, who was always referred to by Sivaji as ‘My Lion’ was a koli. When Tanaji fell fighting for and winning the‘Kodana Fort’, Sivaji renamed the fort as ‘Sinhghadhh’ in his memory. The Koli Samaj (Society) is about 20% of the general population of Gujarat state and 24% among Hindu Population of Gujarat numbering around 13 milions. The number is based on census taken in 1931 which is the las time caste bassed enumeration was taken in india.According to Sociolists For example : ( Lancy Lobo,Achyut Yagnik ) percentage of Koli population has remained same The Koli Samaj is spread throughout Indian Subcontinent. Mumbai Koli Samaj : During the 1856 and thereafter in 1900 there was severe famine in Saurashtra. At that time there was British rule and entering Bombay was prohibited. In search of food and employment our forefathers came to Mumbai during these famine years by sea route. Fishing vessels were permitted in Mumbai and hence we came by fishing vehicles to Mumbai and when we were asked about our identity and purpose our fore fathers said that we were fisherman i.e KHARWAS that is what a fisherman is known in Sairashtra nd we entered Mumbai as Kharwas and that is how many of us have surnames as KHARWA or KHARWI. People came in groups. People from UNA-DELWADA to CHORWAD did not belong to GHED vistar and hence they were known as people from NA-GHED vistars i.e NAGHERAS. People who came from Chorwad and surrounding areas were differrentiated as CHORWADIYAS. CHORWADIYAS settled in old Mumbai areas of Thakurdwar / Chira bazaar / Girgaum / Opera house / parel / dadar / wadala and some at Govandi / and Mankhurd areas. NAGHERAS settled at Grant Road / Gamadiya Compund / Tardeo/ Sakta wadi etc. After many years at during 1900 the second famine people from Mangrol/ Maktupur/ Sangawada /Diwasa and Shil came to Mumbai and settled in one group im Byculla in 2 wadis and Bungala. They were known as Desais because they came from our DES i.e gaam During the last 25 years another group of GHEDIYA KOLIS from Chorwad to Porbunder area have come abd serrled between Dahisar and VIRAR area. Yjerir main purpose was to earn money hence are very sucessful in whatever they have done in Mumbau in the last 25 years. Our main business was whole sale and retail vegetable selling. And a common bond was that we permitted marriages among CHORWADIYAS / NAGHERAS And DESAIS. Now ater 150 years of our stay in Mumbai many of us do not know what our caste is ? whaere is our native place and what is our identity. Out of ignorance people have started changing their surnames and adopted surnames as RAJPUT / PATEL / KHARWA / KHARWI / MERCHANT etc. We are descendents of Rajput. There is no doubt about that but say after another 25 years if our next generation wants to know about its identity how does he or she find out. with the changed surnames even people from our native place will not indentify their originality. Your surnames identifies your GOTRA / your KULDEVI / your SURA PURAS/ their Niveds. and unless and untill you satisy their expectation you cannot succeed by praying to main Gods like Ganpati / Vishnu/ Shanker etc. If you have leakage in your drainage system near your house you have to approach Municipal Counsilor and not Prime Minister. Prime Minister will never be able to help you, So is the case of our Kuldevis and Sura Puras. Just like any new religious converts do not have their identity or history so will we be after 25 -30 years once we forget our original surnames. The following is the regional distribution of Koli names. Many yonger and some elders Kolies are not aware of their regional names and would simply call themselves KOLIES. Some of these names suggest the locality they reside in and some suggest occupation while some are high sounding names some Koli resorted to. South Gujarat : Koli Patel, Talpada, Matia, Gulam, Mansarovaria. West Gujarat : (Saurashtra) Ghedia, Thakarda, Patelia, Valankiya, Chuvalia, Talpada, Khant, Pagi, Koli. Noth Gujarat : Thakarda/Thakor, Chuvalia, Idaria. Cental Gujarat : Pardeshi, Bariya, Bhalia, Khant, Kotwal, Pagi, Patanwadia, Chuvalia, Debaria, Patelia,Thakor,Rathwa This website is an attempt to gether information on Koli Cast of Gujarat State, India and International Koli community to inform them of their past and present and Promote: 1) Interaction 2) Caste Marriges 3) Job Opportunities 4) Promoting Education 5) Samuh Vivah
Posted on: Sat, 22 Nov 2014 09:26:10 +0000
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