At the beginning of the 20th century, the British government classified Kolis as a "criminal tribe" because of their frequent rebellions. However, during World War I, they were recognized as a martial caste because of their brave fighters, notably under leaders like Raghoji Bhangre.
They are not a monolithic entity but are composed of several endogamous (marrying within their own group) branches, including: kolis meaning
In short, if someone asks about the "Kolis," they are referring to the indigenous fishing community of Maharashtra , known for being the original settlers of Mumbai and for their rich cultural heritage tied to the sea. At the beginning of the 20th century, the