The Rama Kirve, or Rama Kirwe (also spelled as Rama Kirwa and Rama Kirva[1]) was Koli freedom fighter from Maharashtra who challenged the British Indian Empire's government in Konkan. Rama plundered the British villages in South Konkan and captured the at Junnar district of British territory.[2] He was inspired by the Raghoji Bhangare and considered him as his idol.[3]


Rama Kirve
रामा किरवे
Born
Rama Kirve

DiedJuly 1830
Ahmednagar central jail, Ahmednagar, British India
Cause of deathHanged
NationalityIndian
Other namesRamjirao Kirve
OccupationAgriculturist
Years active1828 - 1830
EraBritish era
OrganizationBandkari
MovementIndian independence movement
Criminal chargesMurder, Plundering, Blackmailing, treasure captured
Criminal penaltyHanged to Death

Rebellion

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In 1822, Rama Kirwa along with Ramji Bhangare planned to capture the villages belonging to the Gwalior State which was supporting the British officials but they were attacked by Gwalior and British troops.[4] The Rama Kirva revolted against British government in Konkan region of Maharashtra. He made a revolutionary group of Kolis and plundered the villages in British territory. In 1829, Rama Kirwa ravaged the British territory far and wide.[5]

He attacked at British troops in early 1830 but was defeated and escaped to Ahmednagar.[6] In July 1830, Rama Kirva was joined by Bhils of Konkan and a large number of Mahadev Kolis. After that Bombay government sent troops from all districts under Captain Luykin and Lieutenants Lloyd and Forbes and captured a number of rebels.[7] Rama Kirva was captured by captain Mackintosh and taken to Ahmadnagar where he was tried and hanged.[8]

The Rama Kirve was captured in 1830 by British troops and hanged in Ahmednagar central jail.[2] A number of Koli rebels were taken to Pune and Thane but Rama Kirve and several other notorious leaders were taken to Ahmadnagar where Kirva was executed.

References

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  1. Hangloo, Rattan Lal; Murali, A. (2007). New Themes in Indian History: Art, Politics, Gender, Environment, and Culture. New Delhi, India: Black & White. pp. 391: hanged to death by the police in 1848, as his idol. Rama Kirva too was hanged by the police. Later, several leaders like Rama More, Sakharam Satpute, Haibati Khade, Balaji Pichad and Dhavala Bhangre organized the people of Koli commu. ISBN 978-81-89320-15-7.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Hardiman, David (2007). Histories for the Subordinated. New Delhi, India: Seagull Books. p. 107. ISBN 978-1-905422-38-8.
  3. Rao, Neena Ambre (2008). Forest Ecology in India: Colonial Maharashtra, 1850-1950. New Delhi, India: Foundation Books. pp. 166: This time the revolt of the Mahadev Kolis was led by Rama Kirva who considered Raghoji Bhangre as his idol. Rama Kirva too was hanged by the police. Later, several leaders like Sakaram Satpute. ISBN 978-81-7596-549-2.
  4. Divekar, V. D. (1993). South India in 1857 War of Independence. New Delhi, India: Lokmanya Tilak Smarak Trust. p. 211.
  5. Hassan, Syed Siraj ul (1989). The Castes and Tribes of H.E.H. the Nizam's Dominions. New Delhi, India: Asian Educational Services. pp. 333: Even after the establishment of the British rule in the Deccan, nearly twenty years passed before the warlike Kolis were brought to order. In 1829, they were again troublesome and, under their leaders Ramji Bhangria and Rama Kirwa, ravaged the country far and wide. In 1830, they were joined by the Bhils and their conjoint raids became most daring and systematic. Troops were despatched against them under the command of Captain Luykin and Lieutenants Lloyd and Forbes and, with the help of the people, the revolt was put down and the leaders were taken and executed. During the 1857 mutiny, the soldierlike qualities of the Kolis were. ISBN 978-81-206-0488-9.
  6. Nand, Brahma (2003). Fields and Farmers in Western India, 1850-1950. New Delhi, India: Bibliomatrix. p. 745. ISBN 978-81-901964-0-6.
  7. Mishra, Jai Prakash; Sinha, Ram Mohan (1991). Aspects of Indian History: Professor Ram Mohan Sinha Commemoration Volume. New Delhi, India: Agam Kala Prakashan. p. 90.
  8. Gāre, Govinda (1976). Tribals in an Urban Setting: A Study of Socio-economic Impact of Poona City on the Mahadeo Kolis. New Delhi, India: Shubhada Saraswat. p. 26.