Mangela Kolis

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The Mangela Koli, [1] or Mangala Koli [2] is a subcaste of the Koli caste found in the Indian state of Maharashtra. [3]

Contents

Mangela Koli
मांगेळा कोळी
Subcaste of Koli caste
Ethnicity Koli people
Location
Varna Fisherman
Parent tribe
  • Kolis'
Language
Religion Hindu
Surnames

The Mangela Kolis mostly work as fishermen for their livelihood. [4]

History

In the year of 1922, the Mangela Kolis were hit by an epidemic of smallpox. They believed this epidemic to have been caused by a goddess who had therefore to be propitiated. Ceremonies were held at which Mangela Koli women became possessed by the deity. [5] Through these mediums she made it known to the community that she would be satisfied only if they gave up meat, fish, liquor and toddy. [6] The propitiation ceremony of the Mangela Kolis and Vaitty Kolis conformed to this pattern. As their spirit-mediums were normally female, women were possessed by the goddess and made her wishes known. One of these wishes was that they abstain from alcoholic drinks and meat. [7] The Koli women who were possessed by goddess known as Salahbai or advising sister because she gave the advice of goddess.[ clarify ] [5]

The Mangela Kolis of Gujarat and Maharashtra started Devi movement to rid themselves of bad habits such as the consumption of meat (nonvegetarianism) and liquor. [8]

Clans

Here are some of the prominent clans of Mangela Kolis, [9]

Mhatre

Classification

The Mangela Kolis are classified as a Special Backward Class (SBC) caste by Government of Maharashtra. [2]

Related Research Articles

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The Malhar also known as Panbhare is a subcaste of the Koli caste found in the Indian states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka. The Malhar Kolis used to work as Yeskar and they were subedar or fortkeeper of Sinhagad, Torna and Rajgad forts during time of Shivaji. Their local traditional dance is Tarpa dance in Maharashtra and they worship the Waghowa Devi, a lion goddess.

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

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

The Rathva or Rathwa is a Subcaste of the Koli caste found in the Indian state of Gujarat. Rathava Kolis were agriculturist by profession and turbulent by habits but now lives like Adivasis such as Bhil because of their neighborhood

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mahawar Koli</span> Subcaste of the Koli Kshatriya caste in India

The Mahawar Koli is a subcaste of the Koli people. They are present in the Indian states of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and the capital territory of Delhi. Mahawar Kolis inter-marry with Shakya Kolis but not with any other Koli subcastes. Together with other Koli subcastes, the Shakyawar, Jaiswar, Kabirpanthi, and Shankhwar Kolis of Uttar Pradesh, the Mahawar Kolis worked to uplift Koli social status in Hindu society by supporting the "All India Kshatriya Koli Mahasabha" leaders of Ajmer.

<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 is an Indian caste found in Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Karnataka, Odisha and Jammu and Kashmir states in India. Koli is an agriculturist caste of Gujarat but in coastal areas they also work as fishermen along with agriculture. In the beginning of 20th century, the Koli caste was recognised as a denotified tribe under Criminal Tribes Act by the Indian Government because of their anti-social activities during World War I.

KHAM stands for Koli Kshatriya, Harijan, Adivasi and Muslim. Here Kshatriya is taken to include the Kolis. In the KHAM combine, Kolis were the largest caste represented at different levels of politics, and Madhavsinh Solanki increased the reservation quota for Other Backward Classes in Gujarat. The theory was propounded by Madhavsinh Solanki in 1980s in Gujarat to create vote bank for Indian National Congress and prepared by Jhinabhai Darji. Using the formula, Congress was able to capture 149 seats in the 182-member Assembly. However the formula alienated Patels permanently from Congress. during the Kham alliance, castes such as Bania, Patidar and Brahmins lost their importance in the state, so they propounded the Anti reservation agitation in 1981 and 1985 in Gujarat to get rid of the power of OBC castes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raghoji Bhangare</span> Indian revolutionary (1805–1848)

The Raghojirao Ramjirao Bhangre also spell Bhangaria was an Indian revolutionary who challenged and defied the British power in the Bombay Presidency. He was the son of Ramji Bhangare, a Koli who also resisted the British rule and was subsequently hanged in Cellular Jail. He was only ten years old when he took up arms against British rule in Maharashtra.

The Dharala, is a subdivision of Koli caste of Gujarat, Dadar and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu who were professional soldiers and expert 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 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bapuji Bhangare</span> Indian freedom fighter

Bapuji Bhangare was a Koli Patil of Deogaon and Indian freedom fighter who challenged the British government in Maharashtra state of British India. Bapuji Bhangare breakdown the British government strongly in Pune, Ahmadnagar and Nashik districts of Maharashtra.

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

The Chunvalia Koli, or Chuvalia Koli, Chunwalia Koli is a subcaste of the Koli caste, found in the Indian state of Gujarat. The Chunvalia Kolis were the first Indian caste to adopt the game of cricket in India. 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. During the First World War, Chunwalia Kolis were enlisted as soldiers in British Indian Army by the Bombay government of British India.

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

The Talapada Koli, or Talpada Koli, is a subcaste of the Koli caste of Gujarat state in India. Talapada Kolis are agriculturists by profession. they were members of the Gujarat Kshatriya Sabha, an organisation launched by Natwarsinh Solanki who was a Koli elite. In 1907, they were classified by the British as a Criminal Tribe, ascribing to them a range of anti-social activities such as highway robbery, murder, and theft of animals, cattle and standing crops. They were also alleged to be blackmailers and hired assassins.

The Son Koli, or Sona Koli is a subcaste of the Koli caste found in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The Son Kolis are the original residents of what is now Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra. They practice both Hinduism and Christianity because Son Kolis were converted to Christianity during the Portuguese rule in India and worship Our Lady of Mount and Hindu deities. Historically, the Son Kolis have been fisherman by profession.

The Honyaji Bhagoji Kengle was Koli freedom activist from Maharashtra who sought freedom from British colonial rule in India. Kengle also fought against Sahukars, or Moneylenders who were capturing the lands of poor native Indians and British supporting elements. The Bombay government announced the reward of INR 1000 for Honya Kengle dead or alive and 200 - 600 INR for other revolutionaries. He was labelled as an Outlaw by British government. He led the Koli rebellion from 1872 to 1876.

The Rama Kirve, or Rama Kirwe was Koli freedom fighter from Maharashtra who challenged the British Indian Empire's government in Konkan. Rama plundered the British villages in South Konkan and captured the at Junnar district of British territory. He was inspired by the Raghoji Bhangare and considered him as his idol.

References

  1. HARAD, PRANITA A.; JOGLEKAR, P.P. (2017). "A Study of Fish Symbolism in the Life of the Son Koli Community of Mumbai". Bulletin of the Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute. 77: 121–130. ISSN   0045-9801. JSTOR   26609165.
  2. 1 2 "National Commission for Backward Classes". www.ncbc.nic.in. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
  3. Walimbe, S. R. (1981). "Genetic Relationship Among the Kolis of Maharashtra". Bulletin of the Deccan College Research Institute. 40: 60–66. ISSN   0045-9801. JSTOR   42931105.
  4. Dewan, Ritu (1999). Of Development Amidst Fragility: A Societal and Environmental Perspective on Vadhavan Port. New Delhi: Popular Prakashan. p. 42. ISBN   978-81-7154-688-6.
  5. 1 2 Guha, Ranajit (1984). Subaltern Studies: Writings on South Asian History and Society. New Delhi: Oxford University Press. p. 208.
  6. Hardiman, David (2007). Histories for the Subordinated. New Delhi: Seagull Books. p. 69. ISBN   978-1-905422-38-8.
  7. Hardiman, David; Hardiman, Professor of History David (1987). The Coming of the Devi: Adivasi Assertion in Western India. New Delhi: Oxford University Press. p. 26. ISBN   978-0-19-561957-7.
  8. Chaudhuri, Buddhadeb (1992). Tribal Transformation in India. New Delhi: Inter-India Publications. p. 290. ISBN   978-81-210-0271-4.
  9. Lal, R. B. (2003). Gujarat . New Delhi, India, Asia: Popular Prakashan. p. 851. ISBN   978-81-7991-104-4.