Khemirao Sarnaik

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Hindu rebel leader

Khemiraoji Sarnaik
खेमीराव सरनाईक
Koli Chabutra.jpg
a monument built by Aurangzeb in the honour of Khemirao Sarnaik
Born
Khemirao

unknown
Maratha Empire
Died1650
Mughal Empire
MonumentsKoli Chabutra, Junnar, Maharashtra, India
EraMughal Maratha era
Known forHindu rebellion against Jaziya
TitleSarnaik of Koli Naiks of Bavan Maval
MovementJaziya Movement

Khemirao Sarnaik (Hi: खेमीराव सरनाईक) also known as Kheni Sirnayak[1] was a Koli Deshmukh of the Maval region during the time of Shivaji's rule and had taken up arms against Mughal Sultan Aurangzeb and abolished Jizya.[2] he belongs to the Thorat clan of Mahadev Kolis of Maharashtra.[citation needed] Sarnaik played an important role in Shivaji's power, defeating the Bijapur Sultanate and establishing the Maratha Empire. When shivaji began his revolts in following decades, the kolis were amongst the first to join shivaji under Khemirao Sarnaik.[3]

According to historian Govind Sadasiva Ghurye, the main reason for the rebellion was the imposition of land tax (Jaziya) by Sultan Aurangzeb. The Koli Zamidars had taken up arms against the Sultan Aurangzeb under the leadership of Khemirao Sarnaik, as well as with the sympathy of Shivaji Maharaj as it was a great benefit to Shivaji.[4] Khemrao assembled all the Koli naiks and promised that he would get rid of Mughal rule in a single rise.[5] Aurangzeb sent the Mughal army from the hilly areas to suppress the Koli rebellion, but the battle was very fierce in which thousands of Kolis were killed and the Mughal soldiers also. The Koli rebellion shook Aurangzeb. Sarnaik applied for help from Shivaji but shivaji was unable to help kolis because of their political matters and sarnaik was refused. The Khemirao Sarnaik fighting in this battle was killed by mughal commander nerrulaa, but the Koli rebellion was so intense that Aurangzeb got compelled to think.[6] after the rebellion was crushed, the kolis were treated with kindness by Aurangzeb and than kolis achieve the high reputation under Peshwa for their daring and taking hill forts such as Kanhoji Angre and Tanaji Malusare.[1]

Cause of rebel[]

The reason for the Koli revolt was Aurangzeb's imposition of Jiziya (tax on the land of Hindus) on Hindus. After which Sarnaik, fed up with Jiziya, united the people of his caste (Koli) and planned a revolt against the Sultan. But a lot of power was required to fight Aurangzeb for which Sarnaik Khemirao went to Chhatrapati Shivaji Raje Bhosle as Sarnaik believed that Shivaji would accompany him in the fight against Aurangzeb as the Kolis fought for Shivaji against the Bijapur Sultanate. Anyway, Shivaji was to benefit from the Koli rebellion against Aurangzeb. At the same time Sarnaik also sought help from the king of princely state of Jawhar because the king of Jawhar also belonged to the Koli caste After which Khemirao Sarnaik revolted against Aurangzeb, the Sultan of the Mughal Empire.[5]

Clash of clan[]

After the death of Khemirao Sarnaik, Aurangzeb killed the family and relatives of the Thorat clan of Khemirao Sarnaik and also started killing the other Kolis of the Thorat clan so that no one could revolt the Koli of Thorat clan again. Aurangzeb started searching for the Kollis of the Thorat clan in hilly, sandy and forest areas so that they could be put to death. After which Aurangzeb took the Kolis to Junnar and beheaded everyone at the Shivneri Fort, but later Sultan Aurangzeb built a monument at the same place known as Koli Chabutara to pay respect to the martyred Kolis and Aurangzeb reputed the kolis in his territory for their love to country.[2][7]

Titles[]

  • Naik - Khemirao was the Naik or chief of Mahadev Kolis of Thorat clan who used to deal with social problems and maintain order in the Koli of Thorat clanship.
  • Sarnaik - Khemirao was conferred with the title of Sarnaik before the rebellion by koli chiefs and other hindu Sardars for assembling the koli Naiks of other clans and leading the rebellion.
  • Deshmukh - Khemirao was Deshmukh of Maval region (52 valleys or Bavan Mavals) as independent ruler and known as Mavala.

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b Hassan, Syed Siraj ul (1989). The Castes and Tribes of H.E.H. the Nizam's Dominions. Delhi, India: Asian Educational Services. p. 333. ISBN 978-81-206-0488-9.CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b Ghurye, Govind Sadashiv (1957). The Mahadev Kolis. Delhi, India: Popular Book Depot. p. 11.CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  3. ^ Hardiman, David (2007). Histories for the Subordinated. New Delhi, India: Seagull Books. p. 103. ISBN 978-1-905422-38-8.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. 211. ISBN 978-0-19-563956-8.CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b Roy, Dr Shibani (1983). Koli Culture: A Profile of the Culture of Talpad Vistar. New Delhi, India: Cosmo Publications. pp. 30–236.CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  6. ^ Gāre, Govinda (1982). Itihāsa ādivāsı̄ vı̄rāñcā (in Marathi). Maharashtra, India: Ādima Sāhitya. p. 45.CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  7. ^ Gāre, Govinda (1976). Tribals in an Urban Setting: A Study of Socio-economic Impact of Poona City on the Mahadeo Kolis. India: Shubhada Saraswat. p. 25.CS1 maint: date and year (link)
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