Koli people of Gujarat

                                    Kolis are one of oldest inhabitants of Gujarat.As per their belief, they are Suryavanshi Rajputs & descendants of Surya dynasty king Yuvanashva.In ancient time Koli lived in the delta of Sindhu river of Sindh.As per myth Goddess Hingalaj ordered them to leave Sindh.So they came to Gujarat.In ancient time Kolis came to Gujarat from Sindh & settled in Nal Sarovar area & south Saurashtra.From here they spread in Gujarat & Konkan.In ancient time Sonang Mer was chief of Kolis.He had 12 sons.Sub castes of Kolis are made from descendants of this 12 sons of Sonang Mer.

                                     Five major castes of Kolis of Gujarat are Talpada,Chunvaliya,Valakia,Khant & Gediya.There are many sub castes of these five major branches.Kolis of Gujarat have Rajput surnames such as Sarvaiya,Chudasama,Makwana,Rathod,Zala,Gohil,Chauhan,Chavda,Solanki,Jethava,Parmar Kolis are known as Koli ,Kharava,Khant,Koli Patel, Koli Thakor,Machhi ,Tandel in Gujarat.They are farmer,agriculture labour,seaman,fisherman,sailor etc.In middle age Kolis were good soldiers.They served in Sultans army.In old time some were engaged in theft & loot.They were escorts & guards.In old time Kolis were excellent Pagi-tracer who follows criminals from their foot print.They were recruited in police departments of states In ancient time Koli Khant kings founded Dhandhuka,Dhandhalpur & Petlad towns Of Gujarat.

                                     Koli name may be derived from Koli named a king or Kol-boat or Kul dynasty or ancient Kol state situated south of Vindhyanchal mountains.145 years ago as per first census of Gujarat of 1872 AD population of Koli in Gujarat was 965000 out of Gujarat total population 9129722..

Written by Bipin Thanky
(Tweets on Koli people in my twitter handle @GujaratHistory)