The Son Koli,[1] or Sona Koli is a subcaste of the Koli caste found in the Indian state of Maharashtra.[2] The Son Kolis are the original residents of what is now Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra.[1] They practice both Hinduism and Christianity because Son Kolis were converted to Christianity during the Portuguese rule in India[3] and worship Our Lady of Mount and Hindu deities.[4] Historically, the Son Kolis have been fisherman by profession.[5]
| Son Koli | |
|---|---|
| Sona Koli | |
| Abbreviation | SK |
| Classification | Special Backward Class |
| Religions | Hindu, Christian |
| Languages | Marathi, Konkani, Kachi Koli, Parkari Koli, Wadiyara Koli |
| Country | India |
| Original state | Maharashtra |
| Region | Mumbai |
| Ethnicity | Koli |
| Feudal title | Patil, Sarpatil, Gaonpatil |
| Notable members | Kanhoji Angre, Laya Patil, Ram Patil |
| Subdivisions | Koli Christians |
| Reservation (Education) | Yes |
| Reservation (Employment) | Yes |
| Reservation (Other) | Yes |
| Kingdom (original) | Kolaba |
| Kingdom (other) | Janjira State |
All of the islands around Mumbai are inhabited by Son Kolis.[6]
Military edit
The Son Kolis were villein for Portuguese[citation needed] but later they were enlisted as mariners and maintained the Portuguese Navy. The British Bombay Navy in the early 18th century was largely manned by Son Kolis of Mumbai. Not only this, the Maratha Navy of Kanhoji Angre (who was also a Son Koli) was served by Son Kolis. During wartime, the Son Kolis used their own galivats to fight, so the Portuguese king built two expensive warships for the Son Kolis.[7]
Titles edit
Classification edit
The Son Kolis are classified as Special Backward Class by the Government of Maharashtra.[9]
Notable people edit
- Kanhoji Angre,[10] grand admiral of Maratha Navy and founder of the Colaba State and Angre dynasty
- Laya Patil,[11] fleet chief in Maratha navy of Shivaji under Kanhoji Angre
References edit
- ^ a b Harad, Pranita; 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.
- ^ "Kolis, Mumbai's aboriginal fishing community, gets a retrospective look with a pop-up museum in Thane". Firstpost. 2019-05-29. Retrieved 2022-04-03.
- ^ Singh, Kumar Suresh; Bhanu, B. V. (2004). People of India: Maharashtra. Vol. XXX, Part 3. Popular Prakashan. p. 1882. ISBN 978-81-7991-102-0.
- ^ Narain, Dhirendra; Sociology, University of Bombay Department of; Research, Indian Council of Social Science (1989). Research in Sociology: Abstracts of M.A. and Ph. D. Dissertations Completed in the Department of Sociology, University of Bombay. New Delhi, India: Concept Publishing Company. p. 142. ISBN 978-81-7022-235-4.
- ^ Chahel, Paramjot Singh (2015-10-30). Undisclosed Facts of Tribal Life. New Delhi, India: Partridge Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4828-3834-3.
- ^ Kaminsky, Arnold P.; Long, Roger D. (2011-09-30). India Today: An Encyclopedia of Life in the Republic. New Delhi, India: ABC-CLIO. p. 400. ISBN 978-0-313-37462-3.
- ^ Barendse, Rene (2009-10-26). Arabian Seas 1700 - 1763. New Delhi, India: Brill. pp. 98–100. ISBN 978-90-474-3002-5.
- ^ Singh & Bhanu 2004, p. 1884.
- ^ "BJP corporator in Mumbai claims her caste record was tampered with". The Indian Express. 2017-09-22. Retrieved 2022-04-03.
- ^ Sharma, Shripad Rama (1964). The Founding of Maratha Freedom. New Delhi, India: Orient Longman. p. 327. ISBN 978-0-8426-1524-2.
- ^ Khandpekar, Neeta (2018-09-23), India's Maritime History: Sea-faring groups and Maritime Icons
External links edit
- Indian Sociology Through Ghurye, a Dictionary by S. Devadas Pillai
- THE UNTOUCHABLES, Volume 1 by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
This article needs additional or more specific categories. (April 2023) |