Kotwal (Koli title)

Kotwal is a respectable title of Kolis in Gujarat. Among members of the Koli caste, Kotwal is a title, derived from the occupation of fort-keepers or protectors of forts and village leader. Even when a Koli man retired as a kotwal, he and his descendants would use "Kotwal" as a surname as it signified prestige. Kolis were Kotwal from the times of Mughal rule in Gujarat and were hereditary Kotwal of the royal palaces of Rajkot, Morvi and Bhavnagar Princely states. Kolis of Maharashtra also served as Kotwal in Ahmadnagar Sultanate and controlled the forts.

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Category:Surnames
Category:Social groups of India