Pagi (title)

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Pagi
પગી
Title of Koli caste
Ethnicity Koli people
Location Gujarat
Varna Warrior
Parent tribe
  • Talpada Koli
  • Chunvalia Koli
  • Ghedia Koli
Demonym(s) Koli
Language
Religion Hinduism
Surnames

Pagi [1] [2] (also spelled as Paghi [3] and Pugi) 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. [4] [5]

Contents

In some cases, Kolis of the Pagi title were treated as of lower status in comparison to those Kolis who were Kotwal, because a small number of Pagi Kolis worked as village watchmen, maintaining order and securing the village at night. [6] [7] Koli Pagis stretched their role as guardsman, police officers and maintain the position in government to use their title proper as Pagi. [8]

The Koli caste is 24% of the total population of Gujarat. [9] They are classified as Other Backward Class (OBC) Kshatriya for their work as Pagi seemed to be a warrior class. [10]

Clans

The Talpada Kolis of Radhvanaj village in Gujarat, whose forefathers were Pagi, adopted the two names as their family clans are Rathod and Solanki. [11]

Principlities

The Kolis who bore the Pagi title ruled over Angadh state as shareholders with kolis of Kotwal title. Angadh was a petty princely state. [12]

See also

Related Research Articles

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<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

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References

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