Bavan Maval

For Twelve Maval, see of Marathas.

The Bavan Maval,[1] or Bawan Mawal (Marathi: बावन मावळ) was a territory of fifty two valleys and forts ruled or controlled by Koli chieftain during Maratha Confederacy. All these forts mostly came in the districts of Pune and Ahmednagar and each fort had a hereditary Koli Nayak or Sardar, due to which the Kolis were known as Mavala.[2][3]

Bavan Mavals
52 forts
Fifty two forts of Koli Nayaks
Motto: 
Jai Shivrai
Founded byKoli people
Named forMavala
Government
 • SirnayakKhemirao Sarnaik
DemonymKoli

The Koli Nayaks of the fifty-two forts of the Maval region also had a chief called the Sirnayak, headquartered at Junnar, who settled social disputes and maintained order among the Kolis.[4] In 1650, the Bavan Mavals came under the rule of Mughals, due to which Jizya was imposed on the Kolis, due to this, they later revolted against Sultan Auranzeb in the Maval area, after which the Kolis came to be called Mard Mavala.[5]

The Mahadev Kolis of Bawan Mavals (52 forts) who were called 'Mard Mavla, had transformed into a powerful and important army of Chhatrapati Shivaji, because at the behest of Shivaji, the Mahadev Kolis revolted against the Bijapur Sultanate and later against Sultan Aurangzeb of the Mughal Empire under their chief Khemi Sarnaik.[6] Koli nayaks of Bavan Mavals played an important role in establishing Swarajya and in the several battles.[7]

  1. ^ Krishan, Shri (2005-04-07). Political Mobilization and Identity in Western India, 1934-47. New Delhi, India: SAGE Publishing India. p. 19. ISBN 978-93-5280-307-1.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  2. ^ Gāre, Govinda (1976). Tribals in an Urban Setting: A Study of Socio-economic Impact of Poona City on the Mahadeo Kolis. New Delhi, India: Shubhada Saraswat Publications. p. 25.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  3. ^ Maharashtra (India) (1976). Maharashtra State Gazetteers: Ahmadnagar district. New Delhi, India: Directorate of Government Print., Stationery and Publications, Maharashtra State. pp. 55–248.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  4. ^ Hardiman, David; Hardiman, Professor of History David (1996). Feeding the Baniya: Peasants and Usurers in Western India. New Delhi, India: Oxford University Press. p. 221. ISBN 978-0-19-563956-8.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  5. ^ Hardiman, David (2007). Histories for the Subordinated. New Delhi, India: Seagull Books. p. 103. ISBN 978-1-905422-38-8.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  6. ^ Roy, Shibani (1983). Koli Culture: A Profile of the Culture of Talpad Vistar. New Delhi, India: Cosmo Publications. p. 30.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  7. ^ Kumar, Satinder (2000). Encyclopaedia of South-Asian Tribes: The Kinnaura - The Korwa. New Delhi, India: Anmol Publications. pp. 1558: Mawli. ISBN 978-81-261-0517-5.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)