The Kolis: Original Residents Of The Mumbai

 The Kolis: Original Residents Of The Mumbai

Koliwada refers to a colony of Koli rajputs in India. Several places named Koliwada are located across the Mumbai city in Indian. As per government records, of the 125 villages in Mumbai, 20 are koliwadas and the rest are gaothans (East Indian villages).While most gaothans have clearly defined boundaries, the same is not the case for koliwadas, which have large open spaces for anchoring boats, drying nets and fish.With slums mushrooming in and around koliwadas and gaothans, traditional dwellers have opposed their classification as slums and attempts to carry out slum redevelopment on their lands. 

1. Worli koliwada

Worli Koliwada is one of the earliest fishing villages in Mumbai. The land is also one of the original seven islands of Mumbai where the native fishermen community or Kolis came to be more than 800 years ago. The Worli Fort is a fort in Worli, Mumbai, India. Often wrongly assumed to be built by the Portuguese but built by the British around 1675 on the Worli hill. Worli Fort overlooked the Mahim Bay at that time when the city comprised just seven islands. The Fort was used as a lookout for enemy ships and pirates. The centuries-old village is home to one of the oldest communities of fisherfolk still existing in Mumbai. It was after the construction of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link. 

2. Mahim Koliwada 

Mahim is an ethnically and religiously diverse town and has a Hindu temple, church, mosque and Parsi fire-temple existing within a few meters of each other. The town has a large Rich and Upper Middle class Marathi population. The name Mahim is derived from the ancient Mahikavati meaning "miraculous" in Sanskrit. Other historical names for the area include Mahimawati, Maijim, and Mejambu. Mahikavati as it was known, was the capital of Raja Bhimdev, who reigned over the region in the 13th century. Mahim is enclosed by Bandra in the north and the Arabian waters in the west. Mahim is probably the most secular town in Mumbai. Darghas, Churches, and Temples are all in the same vicinity. These religious places have been here for long and the people of Mahim are great believers. There are many dargahs in Mahim and the famous one among them is Dargah Hazrat Makhdum Fakih Ali Mahimi. St. Michael’s Church is one of the oldest Catholic churches in Mahim and also in Mumba. It was originally built by the Portuguese in 1534 and was originally known as San Miguel, it is the oldest Portuguese Franciscan church in Mumbai. Sitla Devi Temple is another religious place of worship in Mahim. There are many other temples like Gajanan Temple and the Durga Devi Temple. Mahim Mela, as they call it, is nothing but a fair organized to pay respects to the honorary saint Makhdoom in Mahim. It’s been organized by Pir Makhdoom Saheb Charitable Trust/Wakf and it’s usually for 10 days where devotees get to pay their respects, enjoy at the rides, and indulge in culinary delights and get your shopping mode on here!. 

3. Versova Koliwada 

Versova is an upmarket neighbourhood in north-western Mumbai. It is known for its beach and the Versova Fort. The beach of Versova recently undertook a massive clean-up effort, labelled as the largest ever beach clean-up. Versova, originally named Vesave, is a small fishing village of the Kolis, situated to the north of the old Mumbai city. Britain used to call this vis-a-vis and locals gave it the name Visava. The original name of the village is "Visava", which derives from the Marathi word for "rest" (as in resting place). Later, it was pronounced as "Vesava". Versova came under the Portuguese rule in the late medieval period. The Portuguese constructed the Our Lady of Health Church in Versova, and a number of Kolis converted to Christianity during this period. By 1720, it had emerged as a small town, with a small fort and a growing trade in dry fish. The people who make Versova alive are the original inhabitants of Mumbai, "Kolis". Shores of the Versova creek area are surrounded by flourishing Mangroves which support different kinds of marine life, especially molluscs, crabs and fish. Kolis are the fisherfolk who sell their fish at Versova jetty at wholesale prices. They have their own cooperative society of Versova fishermen, wherein they manage all the fishing activities. Kolis are believed to be the oldest and original inhabitants of the land that is now Mumbai. The Versova Koli Seafood Festival was started in 2006 to help the Koli fishing community with extra income.

4. Khar Danda Koliwada 

Khar Danda is a major village on the Salsette Island of Mumbai, India. Located on the north-western coast of Bandra district. It is a fishing village inhabited by the Koli & East Indian Catholics who are also the original inhabitants of the city and suburb of Mumbai. This village is famously known for its quaint fishing business, modern piers, colorful fishing vessels, and traditional homemade soft liquor extracted from fermented fruits known as Sara, in ancient Hindi known as Sura (alcoholic drink). It is also an eponym for Khar Road. One of the oldest settlements in Mumbai and the original inhabitants of Mumbai have been living here for centuries. Khar Danda is a popular location considered while shooting Bollywood, Hollywood movies and documentaries. Several blockbuster movies have been shot here. 

Other Koliwadas 

• Trombay Koliwada 
• Dharavi Koliwada
• Sion Koliwada
• Cuffe Parade Koliwada

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