Chunvalia Koli

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Chunvalia Koli
ચુંવાલિયા કોલી
Subcaste of Koli caste
Koli popular in 1931.jpg
Koli population in 1931 including Chunvalia Kolis of Bombay Presidency
Location
Parent caste Koli people
Population8,185 In Baroda State [ relevant? ] in the census of 1931[ needs update ]
Demonym
  • Chunvalia Koli (also rendered:
    • Chunvaliya
    • Chunwalia
    • Chunwaliya
    • Chuvalia
    • Chuvaliya
    • Chuwalia
    • Chuwaliya)
Language
Religion
Surnames(or titles):

The Chunvalia, [1] or Chuvalia, [2] Chunwalia [3] is a subcaste of the Koli caste, found in the Indian state of Gujarat. [4] [5] The Chunvalia Kolis were the first Indian caste to adopt the game of cricket in India. [6] Chunvalia Kolis were classified as a Criminal Tribe under Criminal Tribes Act by government of the British Raj because of their purported anti-social behaviour and activities, such as alleged dacoity in Gujarat. [7] During the First World War, Chunwalia Kolis were enlisted as soldiers in British Indian Army by the Bombay government of British India. [8]

Contents

Origin

Traditionally, Chunvalia Kolis are said to be from the forty-four villages (Chunvalis) of Chunval Pradesh of Gujarat, [9] which was ruled by Makwana Koli landlords. Their name is believed to have arisen from this possible origin. [10] Chunvalia Kolis are mostly found in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. [11]

History

Raiding

During the reign of Gujarat Sultanate, the Chunvalia Kolis, under their chief or petty ruler, were viewed as "the most turbulent caste" and plundered the villages inhabited by Muslims. They killed the Viceroy of the Sultanate, so Sahib Khan was appointed as Viceroy. Azam Khan displaced him because the depredations of Kolis had become frequent during the weak rule of the viceroy Sahib Khan. [12] At this time Shaista Khan marched against and defeated the Chunwalia Kolis, who, since Azam Khan's time, had been ravaging the villages round Ahmadabad as well as those of Dholka, Kadi and Viramgam. [13]

Unrest under the Raj

The Chunvalia Kolis were agriculturists. In the 19th century, as their land holdings and access to livelihoods decreased, they troubled the British Raj; it viewed their activities as antisocial. The Chunvalia Kolis were labeled an outlaw caste of Gujarat. [14] The government of the Bombay Presidency sent British Indian Army troops suppress the Chunvalia Kolis; the Chunvalia Kolis resisited these troops. [15]

In 1814, there was general unrest in Gogha between the superior and inferior landowners owing to an unequal value of land revenue assessment and the arrogant attitude of land proprietors. As a result, an unceasing struggle was going on between them. So Chuvalia Koli chiefs attacked and plundered the villages and created a disturbance in territories under the control of the British Raj. [16] They again revolted in the northeast of Ahmedabad district in 1819, 1824 and 1825. The British colonial authorities sent troops to suppress the Koli revolt, and the Koli jagirdars were forced to give securities to villagers. [17] Chuvalia Kolis also made disorder in the Daskroi Taluka, Viramgam and Prantij before they were once again suppressed. [18]

In the early 20th century, in Baroda State, Chunvalia Kolis were primarily found in the Kadi district. Fifty years earlier, they were looked upon as "the terror of North Gujarat", according to colonial-era ethnographers. These accounts relate how, led by their chiefs, Thakardas or Girasias, they lived in villages protected by impassable thorn fences from where they levied contributions from the surrounding districts. [19]

Occupations and classification

The Chunvalia Kolis, in common with the Koli people as a whole, were once considered a "criminal caste" prone to dacoity, as designated by Raj authorities, for purportedly engaging in such crimes as highway and gang robberies, theft of livestock and crops, murder and blackmail. Such designations, categorising entire social groups as they did, resulted from the scientific racism of the day, with its related erroneous theories of biological determinism, along with political considerations of colonial rule. [20] Since the turn of the twentieth century, Chunvalia Kolis have mainly been engaged in cultivation [21] and other agrarian activities. They were traditionally considered skilled salt makers, a craft in which the whole family would be employed. [22]

The Government of Gujarat classified the caste of the Chunvalia Kolis as Other Backward Class (OBC). They are traditionally non-vegetarian. [23]

Clans

Prominent clans of Chunvalia Kolis include: [24] [ failed verification ]

Titles

A number of titles are used by Chunvalia Kolis of Gujarat. These include:

Related Research Articles

Parmar, also known as Panwar or Pawar, is a Rajput clan found in Northern and Central India, especially in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and North Maharashtra. The Panwar ruled in Ujjain and later in Dhar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patidar</span> Indian agriculturist caste

Patidar, formerly known as Kanbi, is an Indian land-owning and peasant caste and community native to Gujarat. The community comprises at multiple subcastes, most prominently the Levas and Kadvas. They form one of the dominant castes in Gujarat. The title of Patidar originally conferred to the land owning aristocratic class of Gujarati Kanbis; however, it was later applied en masse to the entirety of the Kanbi population who lay claim to a land owning identity, partly as a result of land reforms during the British Raj.

Garasia, alternatively spelled Girasia, Girasiya or Garasiya, is a title used by the Koli chieftains of petty states or Jagirdars in India who held the villages as Giras granted by rulers. Many of the Chunvalia Kolis held the title of Girasia and they worshipped the Hindu goddess Shakti.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nagar Brahmin</span> Gujarati Brahmin subcaste

Nagar Brahmin is a Brahmin subcaste from the Indian state of Gujarat.

Jethwa is a clan of Rajputs and Koli castes of Gujarat. Jethwa surname is also found among Darji, Mistris of Kutch, and Gurjar Kshatriya Kadias castes of Gujarat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pateliya</span> Subcaste of Koli caste of Gujarat

The Pateliya, or Patelia or Patel is a landowning Subcaste of Koli caste found in the Indian states of Gujarat. During the British Raj in India, Patelia Kolis served as tax collectors and administrators. The name Patelia comes from a word meaning village chief. Many Patelia Kolis also went into business and commerce during the Raj period. Patelia Kolis are part of Talapada Kolis of Gujarat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baroda State</span> Princely state of India (1721–1949)

Baroda State was a kingdom within the Maratha Confederacy and later a princely state in present-day Gujarat. It was ruled by the Gaekwad dynasty from its formation in 1721 until its accession to the newly formed Dominion of India in 1949. With the city of Baroda (Vadodara) as its capital, its relations with the British Raj authorities were managed by the Baroda Residency. The revenue of the state in 1901 was Rs. 13,661,000. Baroda formally acceded to the Dominion of India on 1 May 1949, before which an interim government was formed in the state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thakor</span> Koli caste of Gujarat

The Thakor Koli, or Thakore Koli, is a subcaste of the Koli caste of Gujarat. Koli people form the largest caste-cluster in Gujarat, comprising 24 per cent of the total population of the state. Koli Thakors in Gujarat are classified as Other Backward Class (OBC). During his tenure, the former chief minister, Koli community member Madhav Singh Solanki, included all Koli communities of Gujarat in the OBC. Koli Thakors are mostly cultivators or small land-owners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baria Koli</span> Koli clan of Gujarat

The Baria Koli, or Baraiya Koli, Bareeya Koli and Bariya Koli is a clan (Gotra) of the Koli caste found in the Indian State of Gujarat and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. the Devgad Baria was their Stronghold or given their name to Baria State in Gujarat. according to the historian Y.V.S Nath, the ruling royal family of Baria State is original Koli by caste but later they claimed to be of Kshatriya origin to be in high status among other Princely States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Koli people</span> Indian caste

The Koli are an agriculturist caste of India, mostly found in Gujarat. At the beginning of 20th century, the Koli caste was recognised as a criminal tribe under Criminal Tribes Act by British Indian government because of their anti-social activities but during the World War I, Kolis were recognised as a Martial caste by British Indian Empire. Kolis of Gujarat were well-known pirates of Arabian Sea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mewasi</span> Koli title

The Mewasi, or Mevasi, Mehwasi is a title of Koli caste found in Indian state of Gujarat. The Koli chieftains who ruled over villages populated by turbulent Kolis were titled as Mewasi because of their rebellious activities against Maratha and Mughal rulers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lunavada State</span> Princely state of India

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jambughoda State</span>

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The Chavda Koli, is a clan of Hindu Koli community living in the Indian state of Gujarat and union Territory of Daman and Diu.

The Hadol is a village and former non-salute princely state in Gujarat, Western India.

The Mughal Empire's province Gujarat was managed by the Viceroys appointed by the emperors. On the death of the emperor Jahangir, his son Shah Jahan ascended to the throne in 1627. His Gujarat viceroy Sher Khán Túar worked for relief in 1630–32 famine in the province. Shah Jahan sent his men to expand its territories further south. Between 1632 and 1635, four viceroys were appointed due to their precious gift to the emperor and they could not manage the province well. Kolis of Kankrej in north Gujarat committed excesses and the Jam of Nawanagar did not paid the tribute. Soon Azam Khan was appointed who put the province in order by subduing Kolis in north and Kathis in Kathiawad. He also made the Jam of Nawanagar surrender. The next viceroy Ísa Tarkhán carried out financial reforms. In 1644, the Mughal prince Aurangzeb was appointed as the viceroy who was engaged in religious disputes for destroying a Jain temple in Ahmedabad. Due to his disputes, he was replaced by Sháistah Khán who failed to subdue Kolis. So the prince Murad Bakhsh was appointed as the viceroy in 1654. He restored the disorder soon. In 1657, hearing news of Shah Jahan's severe illness, Murad Bakhsh declared himself the emperor and rebelled with his brother Aurangzeb. They defeated the Jaswant Singh and Kásam Khán, whom Sháh Jahán had appointed viceroys of Málwa and Gujarát respectively in the battle of Dharmatpur. They further went to the capital, Agra but were confronted by Dara Shikoh. They defeated him in the Battle of Samugarh (1658). Soon Aurangzed dumped and imprisoned Murad Bakhsh, confined his father and declared himself the emperor in 1658.

Pagi is a title used by the Koli caste of the Indian state of Gujarat during the rule of Mughals, Muslims, British, and princely states in British India. They specialised in the tracking of thieves by means of their footprints. Pagi was a title equal to the detective conferred on the Kolis of Talpada and Chunwalia subcastes.

The Nathaji Patel was Gameti of the Chandap estate in Baroda State's territory during the British Raj in India. During the Indian rebellion of 1857, Nathaji Patel rose up against British rule and challenged the British authority in Baroda territory.

The Dharala, or Dhurala is a surname / title used by Koli caste of Gujarat and Dadar and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu who were professional soldiers and were experts in sword fighting. During the British Raj in India, the 80% of the total population of Kolis in Kheda district were Dharala. The Koli Dharalas plundered the British trading ships because they were turbulent people and considered as bad tribe. The Koli Dharalas also served in British Indian Army as trackers and village guard and were occasionally used as soldiers in wartime by British government in return of sum.

References

  1. ↑ Desai, Ishwarlal Pragji (1965). Some Aspects of Family in Mahuva: A Sociological Study of Jointness in a Small Town. New Delhi: Asia Publishing House. p. 233. Archived from the original on 23 June 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2022. Thus, the Kolis of the coastal areas in Gujarat have mainly come to be known as Agaria. Today the Agarias have become a separate caste. They marry their daughters with other Kolis except the Chunvalia Koli
  2. ↑ "An assembly seat in Gujarat where the Koli society decides to win, not the political party". All Gujarat News. 21 July 2020. Archived from the original on 21 June 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  3. ↑ Shah, Ghanshyam (1975). Caste Association and Political Process in Gujarat: A Study of Gujarat Kshatriya Sabha. New Delhi: Popular Prakashan. p. 13. Archived from the original on 23 June 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  4. ↑ Gaurang Jani (7 September 2007). "A community called Koli -". Indian Express. Archived from the original on 27 December 2019. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  5. ↑ Dave, Hiral (6 November 2012). "Numbers on their side, Kolis call for a better deal". The Indian Express. Rajkot. Archived from the original on 23 June 2022. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  6. ↑ Drew, John (6 December 2021). "The Christmas the Kolis took to cricket". The Daily Star. Archived from the original on 18 March 2022. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  7. ↑ Shah, Popatlal Govindlal (1967). Vimukta Jatis: Denotified Communities in Western India. New Delhi: Gujarat Research Society. p. 20. Archived from the original on 23 June 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  8. ↑ A Short Record of Bombay Recruiting During the Great War. New Delhi: Printed at the Government Central Press. 1919. p. 17. Archived from the original on 23 June 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  9. ↑ Chahel, Paramjot Singh (30 October 2015). Undisclosed Facts of Tribal Life. New Delhi: Partridge Publishing. ISBN   978-1-4828-3834-3. Archived from the original on 23 June 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  10. ↑ Williams, Raymond Brady; Trivedi, Yogi (12 May 2016). Swaminarayan Hinduism: Tradition, Adaptation, and Identity. New Delhi: Oxford University Press. ISBN   978-0-19-908959-8. Archived from the original on 23 June 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  11. ↑ Jain, Jyotindra (1980). Folk Art and Culture of Gujarat: Guide to the Collection of the Shreyas Folk Museum of Gujarat. New Delhi: Shreyas Prakashan; Shreyas Folk Museum of Gujarat. p. 133. Archived from the original on 20 March 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2022. [I]n Saurashtra, there are five branches of Koli caste: Khant, Talpada, Valakia, Chunvalia and Gedia
  12. ↑ Rajyagor, S. B. (1982). History of Gujarat. New Delhi: S. Chand. p. 20. Archived from the original on 13 February 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  13. ↑ Watson, John Whaley (1876). History of Gujarat, Musalman Period, A.D. 1297-1760. Gujarat, British India: Government Central Press. p. 75. Archived from the original on 23 June 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  14. ↑ Beck, Brenda E. F.; Claus, Peter J.; Goswami, Praphulladatta; Handoo, Jawaharlal (15 April 1999). Folktales of India. New Delhi: University of Chicago Press. p. 315. ISBN   978-0-226-04083-7. Archived from the original on 23 June 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  15. ↑ Ghurye, Govind Sadashiv (1957). The Mahadev Kolis. New Delhi: Popular Book Depot. p. 1. Archived from the original on 26 October 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  16. ↑ Nand, Brahma (2003). Fields and Farmers in Western India, 1850-1950. New Delhi: Bibliomatrix. p. 748. ISBN   978-81-901964-0-6. Archived from the original on 21 June 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  17. ↑ Mishra, Jai Prakash; Sinha, Ram Mohan (1991). Aspects of Indian History: Professor Ram Mohan Sinha Commemoration Volume. New Delhi: Agam Kala Prakashan. p. 93. Archived from the original on 21 June 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  18. ↑ Patel, Govindlal Dalsukhbhai (1969). The Land Revenue Settlements and the British Rule in India. New Delhi: Gujarat University. p. 29. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  19. ↑ A Glossary of Castes, Tribes, and Races in the Baroda State. Baroda State: Baroda State library. 1912. p. 17. Archived from the original on 23 June 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  20. ↑
    • Nigam, Sanjay (June 1990). "Disciplining and policing the 'criminals by birth', Part 1: The making of a colonial stereotype— The criminal tribes and castes of North India". The Indian Economic & Social History Review. 27 (2): 131–164. doi:10.1177/001946469002700201. S2CID   144018398.
    • Nigam, Sanjay (September 1990). "Disciplining and policing the 'criminals by birth', Part 2: The development of a disciplinary system, 1871-1900". The Indian Economic & Social History Review. 27 (3): 257–287. doi:10.1177/001946469002700302. S2CID   145441031.
    • Cole, Simon A. (2009). "Native Prints". Suspect Identities: A History of Fingerprinting and Criminal Identification. Harvard University Press. pp. 60–96. ISBN   978-0-674-02968-2.: p. 67 
  21. ↑ Gall, Timothy L.; Hobby, Jeneen (2009). Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life. New Delhi: Gale Publications. p. 505. ISBN   978-1-4144-4891-6. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  22. ↑ Bharwada, Charul; Mahajan, Vinay (April 2008). Yet To Be Freed: Agariyas' Lives and Struggle for Survival in the Little Rann of Kutch. National Consultation on Salt Workers, India. Ahmedabad: Mahatma Gandhi Labour Institute, SANDARBH Studies. p. 6. (Link to Yet to be Free report PDF file, via Mongabay.)
  23. ↑ Shah, Amrita (17 November 2021). "Big picture: Who's eating meat in Gujarat, and why ban non-veg food stalls from public roads in Ahmedabad, Vadodara". Moneycontrol. Archived from the original on 5 April 2022. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  24. ↑ Roy, Shibani (1983). Koli Culture: A Profile of the Culture of Talpad Vistar. New Delhi: Cosmo Publications. p. 98. Archived from the original on 17 April 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  25. ↑ Tambs-Lyche, Harald (31 December 1996). Power, Profit, and Poetry: Traditional Society in Kathiawar, Western India. New Delhi: Manohar Publishers & Distributors. p. 130. ISBN   978-81-7304-176-1. Archived from the original on 11 May 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2022. Thakarda or Thakor is the title assumed by the higher families, rich or royal families among the Chunvalia Kolis of Viramgam, who are said to be the common Kolis of Cutch and to be found in Palanpur and in the Mahi Kantha
  26. ↑ Silverberg, James (1962). Peasant Behavior and Its Caste-relevancy: The Kolis of Kasandra. New Delhi: University of Wisconsin–Madison. pp. 31–32. Archived from the original on 1 October 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  27. ↑ Enthoven, Reginald Edward (1924). The Folklore of Bombay. Oxford; New Delhi; Madras: Clarendon Press. p. 175. [1990 reprint by Asian Educational Service]. Retrieved 5 February 2024. Shakta (or Shakti). This is a Girasia goddess attended upon by a Chunvalia Koli. On the Navaratra days, as well as on the following day, Girasias worship this goddess, and if necessary observe vows in her name.
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