Mavala
Koli title / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mavala (plural mavale in Marathi) was a name used for people of the hilly Maval region[1] west of the present day Indian city of Pune. It was in the Maval that the 17th century Marathi leader, Shivaji, first established his power base that later developed into the Maratha kingdom.The inhabitants of this hilly region who formed his guerrilla forces and raiding parties were known as mavale.[2]The mavala soldiers were expert footmen and excelled in mountain warfare.The infantry was considered the backbone of Shivaji's power, and according to Sabhasad Bakhar, which chronicled Shivaji's life, the Mavale and Hasham infantry of Shivaji had 100,000 men.[3][4][5]
Many of the inhabitants of the region were Mahadeo Kolis.[6][7] The region was also known as Bavan Maval (52 valley).Each Maval was under the control of Koli chiefs or Nayaks.[8]Kolis who were known as the names of Mavala Sardars earned the Naikwadis.[9]