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| In 1931, the date of the last census of the British Raj before the abolition of caste, they were distributed throughout North India and Northwest India, mostly in the ], ] and ]. | In 1931, the date of the last census of the British Raj before the abolition of caste, they were distributed throughout North India and Northwest India, mostly in the ], ] and ]. | ||
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Revision as of 21:52, 8 December 2012
"Koli" redirects here. For the village in Iran, see Goli, Iran.Template:Infobox Ethnic Community
The Koli people (Sanskrit/Hindi: कोली; Template:Lang-gu;marathi:कोळी) are historically an Indo-Aryan ethnic group native to Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana states.
Originally, all Kolis were Hindu. Later, during the Mauryan Empire some Kolis converted to Buddhism, during the Mughal Empire some converted to Islam, and some converted to Christianity under the British Raj.
On demographics, the Encyclopædia Britannica states: "In the early 20th century the Kolis constituted about 20 percent of the population of Gujarat, nearly 10 percent of the population of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, and from 2 to 5 percent of the populations of Bengal and Orissa and Maharashtra."
Most of the Mumbai kolis are East Indians who are a Marathi-speaking, Roman Catholic ethnic group, based in and around the city of Mumbai in the state of Maharashtra And are Original Inhabitants of Mumbai island.
In 1931, the date of the last census of the British Raj before the abolition of caste, they were distributed throughout North India and Northwest India, mostly in the Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Rajputana.
The Koli have been designated an Other Backward Class in Goa since 1996.
Origin of name
Origin of the community
- According to legend, the Koli claim to be descendents from the Black Dwarf that came forth from the body of King Vena. Numbering more than 12 million they are one of the largest communities of western India. The Koli constitute of a number of communities with various occupations and cultural identities while still remaining Koli. As their name implies, fishing is a common occupation; other common occupations include: laborers, agriculturists, water carriers, boatman, and animal husbandry. There are also Koli people that have obtained advanced degrees and have placed themselves well within society and government.
History
Medieval period
There are very few records concerning Kolis prior to the 19th century. There are records of Jhalkari Bai, She was a daughter of a Koli farmers, Sadovar Singh and Jamuna Devi. She was born on November 22, 1830 in Bhojla village near Jhansi. She is one of the famous Women to fight against Britishers in Indian Rebellion of 1857. (Other one is Rani Laxmi Bai )
In the State of Maharashtra, Shivaji's Commander-in-Chief and several of his Generals belonged to this tribe. ‘A History of the Marathas’ note with pride the bravery of Shivaji's army consisting mainly of Mavalas and Kolis. His General, Tanaji Rao Malusare, who was always referred to by Shivaji as ‘My Lion’ was a koli. When Tanaji fell fighting for and winning the‘Kodana Fort’, Shivaji renamed the fort as ‘Sinhghadhh’ in his memory.
- 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 women's 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.
Modern period
Today, Koli people found almost in every State of India. In Gujarat, they enjoy high society privileges. Today, Kolis of Gujarat and Rajasthan are very prosperous . They are leading in business, engineers, doctors, and especially teachers in Northern part of India including Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
Demographics
Today, the largest population centre is located in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi areas. There are smaller distributions across the world, due to the large immigrant diaspora. In the immigrant diaspora major populations centres include the Nepal, Pakistan (During the Partition of British India), Bangladesh, Guyana(Black Indian Koli Hindus in Guyana) and UK.
Census under the British Raj
The census in 1931 in India recorded population on the basis of ethnicity. In 1925, the population of Kolis was around 3 millions in South Asia, of which 99% were Hindu, 0.5% Christian and 0.5% Muslim.
According to earlier censuses, the Koli people accounted for approximately 25% of the entire Gujarati speaking area, making it the "Second largest single socially distinctive group" in the region.
- The region-wise breakdown of the total koli people population in 1931 (including Koli Hindus, Koli Christians) is given in the following table. The Koli people, approximately 73%, were located mainly in the Western Part of India.
Modern estimates
| Name of region | Koli population (2011) | Approx Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Gujarat | 10,000,000 | |
| Uttar Pradesh | 3,000,000 | |
| Maharashtra | 12,27,562 (Maharashtrian Koli Mahadev) | |
| Madhya Pradesh | 1,000,000 | |
| Himachal Pradesh | 500,000 | |
| Rajasthan | 500,000 | |
| Delhi | 300,000 | |
| Haryana | 100,000 | |
| Andhra Pradesh | 100,000 | |
| Uttaranchal | 50,000 |
total population 24,500,000
Professor Sriram panthi states that by taking population statistical analysis into consideration the Koli population growth of both India and Pakistan and Bangladesh since 1925, Quanungo's figure of three million could be translated into a minimum population statistic (1988) of 10 million and 20 Million in 2011.
two other states have karnataka 5,000,000
maharastra 4,000,000 population of kolis
Republic of India
The Koli people are one of the most prosperous groups in State of Gujarat on a per-capita basis. (Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat are the wealthiest of Indian states).
Adult franchise has created enormous social and political awakening among Koli people. Consolidation of economic gains and participation in the electoral process are two visible outcomes of the post-independence situation. Through this participation they have been able to significantly influence the politics of North India. Economic differentiation, migration and mobility could be clearly noticed amongst the Koli people.
Pakistan
- As the Rann of Kutch extends into parts of Pakistan, there are also Kutchi Kolis among the Pakistanis. The Hindu Koli tribes are located mostly in southeastern Pakistan. They are primarily concentrated in the fertile flood plain of the province of Sindh. There are several major subdivisions of Koli in that area, including the Parkari Koli, the Wadiyara Koli and the Tharadari Koli.
Culture and society
The Koli community has its own distinct identity, with a particular focus on folk dance. These dances typically incorporate nautical themes that commemorate the fishing and seafaring traditions of the community. The dance is performed by both men and women divided into two groups, where fishers stand in two rows holding oars in their hands. The dancers move in unison, miming the rowing of a boat. Fisherwomen stand opposite the men with their arms linked, and advance towards the men. The separate formations then break up and dance together, with movements symbolizing the waves and the actions of rowing and casting fishing nets.
Additionally, Kolis have a rich tradition of Folk Song, with songs such as Aga Pori Sambhaal Dariyala Tufaan Ayalay Bhari and Me Hai Koli being famous both within and beyond the Koli community.
Religion
| Religion of Koli people | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Religion | Percent | |||
| Hinduism | 80.1% | |||
| Buddhism | 18.9% | |||
| Christianity | 0.8% | |||
| Islam | 0.2% | |||
In 1925, the population of the Koli people was around three million in British India, made up of followers of Two major religions Hinduism (80%), Buddhism (19%).
Most Kolis are adherents of Hinduism, India's dominant religion. Kolis from around Mumbai worship the goddess Ekaveera, most notably at her shrine near Karla Caves at Malavli near Lonavala. Ekaveera is particularly venerated on Chaitra Purnima (the 15th day of the first month of the Hindu calendar).
Most Koli Christians were converted from Koli Hindus, during British Indian Empire (1857-1947).
Community subdivisions
| S.No | Name of the Group Division | Places Where the Sub-Division Currently Resides |
| 1. | Koli Son | Predominantly in Mumbai and Raigad, in Maharashtra less families living in whole South India. |
| 2. | Koli Malhar | Predominantly in Mumbai and Pune,Marathwada,"vidharbha,"in maharashtra less families living in Whole South India. |
| 3. | Koli Mahadev Mahadeo Koli
Mahadeo Koli tribe ranked second as per the Census figures of 1971, in Maharashtra. The tribe is predominantly found in the districts of Nasik, Ahmednagar, Pune and Thane. They reside in the hilly region and western belts of Pune, Ahmednagar and Nasik. They are patrilocal and polygamy is a common practice. They have exogamous units of families, consisting of 12 family lineages denoted by surnames after totemistic objects. One of them, Popera Mahadeo Koli, was made chief of Jawahar in the North Konkan by Bahmani king in 1346 AD. They are agriculturists and agricultural labourers. They are noted for their militant spirit. They joined the freedom movement during the nationalist struggle in 1940s. Their agricultural activity is organised in the institution of ‘Padkai’ a seasonal cooperative working group. They have known the value of education. |
Predominantly in MumbaiMarathwada,."and small groups living in North India south India including Sindh in Pakistan. |
| 4. | Koli Dhor | Predominantly in Mumbai and also found in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh |
Social customs
Koli festivals
Kolis celebrate both mainstream Hindu festivals and traditional festivals unique to their community.
Narali Punaw
Narali Punaw is the most important festival for Kolis. According to the Koli seafaring tradition, this is the day after which the wind strength and direction changes in favor of fishing, and thus this is the day on which Kolis celebrate the start of a new business season. Prayers are made to the sea god, and Puja religious offerings are made for the community's fishing boats.
Shimaga
Shimaga is the Koli counterpart to the Hindu festival of Holi, and is celebrated at the same time.
Marriages
This is the most important and very joyful ceremony in koli peoples. Generally wedding is 4 days program. Haladi is a very famous rituals in koli.
Languages
Koli people usually speak languages according to their Living areas like Gujarati, Hindi, Gojri, Dogri, Rajasthani, its dialects (Haryanvi, Malvi). Kolis from Haryana and Rajasthan mostly speak Haryanvi and Rajasthani specially their dialects Katchi.
See also
| Clans of the Koli people | |
|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh Kolis |
|
| Gujarat Kolis | |
| Maharashtra Kolis |
|
| |
References
- Dharmesh Patel. "Koli Samaj.org". Koli Samaj.org. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
- ^ Dharmesh Patel. "Koli Samaj.org". Koli Samaj.org. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
- "Page Title". Kolisamaj.org. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
- www.east-indians.com
- www.east-indians.net
- List of OBCs in Goa
- "History of Hindu Mahadev Koli Marathi Samaj in Mumbai Thane Bhayandar, Arya Samaj,Jain Samaj, google history,importance of history,definition of history,world history, meaning of history, web history, history of computer geography in Mumbai, Thane and all Maharashtra". Hindumahadevkoli.com. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
- Joshua Project. "Koli Ethnic People in all Countries". Joshua Project. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
- http://censusindia.gov.in/Tables_Published/SCST/dh_st_maha.pdf
- Reshma Waje, www.hindumahadevkoli.com. "Culture of Hindu Mahadev Koli Samaj People, in Mumbai Thane Kalyan Dombivali Bhayandar Maharashtra India". Hindumahadevkoli.com. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
- ^ Mukesh Patil, www.gorai.com. "Hindu Mahadev Koli Samaj Online Samaj Festival Koli festivalGavachi Yatara Gavachi Jatra Ganesh Jayanti Dahi handi Holi Navratri kuldaivat,Portals, Religious,History, Culture, People, in Mumbai Thane Bhayandar Maharashtra India". Hindumahadevkoli.com. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
- Reshma Waje, www.hindumahadevkoli.com. "Hindu Mahadev Koli Samaj Matrimonials - Indian Matrimonial Marriage". Hindumahadevkoli.com. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
External links
- Template:Dmoz
- Bhartiya Koli mahasabha
- Koli Samaj
- Koli Samaj Organization
- Koli Matrimony
- Akhil Bhartiya Yuva Koli/Kori Samar Organisation
- Plants and animals important to the Koli-Agri community in Maharashtra on Biodiversity of India
- Koli (caste) article on Encyclopedia Britannica Inc.
- Koli people
- Koli
- Weaving communities of South Asia
- Dalit communities
- Social groups of India
- Social groups of Rajasthan
- Social groups of Uttar Pradesh
- Hindu communities
- Social groups of Gujarat
- Social groups of Pakistan
- Fishing communities in India
- Social groups of Maharashtra
- Social groups of Delhi
- Indian castes
- Ethnic groups in Pakistan
- Shudra castes
- Indigenous peoples of South Asia
- Indigenous peoples of India
- Other Backward Classes