The Talapada Koli,[1] or Talpada Koli,[2] is a subcaste of the Kolicaste of Gujaratstate in India.[3] Talapada Kolis are agriculturists by profession.[4] they were members of the Gujarat Kshatriya Sabha, an organisation launched by Natwarsinh Solanki who was a Koli elite.[5] 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.[6]
The Talpada Kolis used the title of Kotwal because of their high position villages and served to rulers as Kotwal and they were granted the villages or large field and title of Pagi because they were good detective for rulers or any chief.[7] Another title of Talapada Kolis is Patel because they are agriculturists and respected cultivators from old days.[8]