A History of the Mahrattas v1.c7.38

v1.c7.38

The Ghaut-Mahta is succeeded by the open country, or Desh, which generally becomes more and more level to the eastward; but there are four great ranges of hills, running west and east, extending far beyond the ordinary branches of the Syhadree mountains. In succession to the Sautpoora or northern boundary of Maharashtra, there are, the great chain, commonly called the Chandore range, extending from Rhoura¹ to the heart of Berar; the Ahmednugur hills from Joonere to Bheer; the range immediately and Konkan, and parts of Rājputāna and Central India. The derivation of the name is uncertain. The Marāthī-speaking Kolīs of the Konkan and Deccan are divided into four endogamous classes : (i) Son Kolīs of the Bombay coast, who are fishermen; (ii) Malhārī Kolīs of Thāna District, who are agriculturists and resemble Marāthā Kunbīs; (iii) Rāj, Dongri, or Mahādev Kolīs, who formerly regarded Junnar in Poona District as their headquarters and were notoriously turbulent; they are now agriculturists; and (iv) Dhor Kolīs, who are a lower type and are despised by the other three sections. Grant Duff is probably referring to the Mahādev Kolīs, whose leading representative to-day is the Rājā of Jawhār, Thāna District. (I.G. Bom., 1909, i. 152-4; G.B., ix, pt. i, 237 f.)]